Proctor/Hermantown’s Alex McPhee Prepares for Trip to Wrestling State Tournament

McPhee becomes just the second wrestler in the program's eight-year history to take part in the state finals tournament.

PROCTOR, Minn. – Alex McPhee is a member of the Proctor/Hermantown United wrestling team. Now he’s not jumping off of steel cages or putting guys through burning tables. But he is heading to the state tournament later this week.

McPhee will compete in the 160-pound weight class after a top-two finish in the prelims this past weekend. He becomes just the second wrestler in the program’s eight-year history to take part in the state finals tournament.

“I missed it the past couple years, come up short. And so finally getting to achieve that is pretty cool. That’s the goal when you go into the season. You’re shooting for the top of the podium. I had a lot of adversities, but so is everyone else. It’s no different,” McPhee said.

It’s been a historic senior campaign for McPhee, who picked up his 125th win back in January and 75th pin last month. All while his father watched as the head coach of the team.

“It was a great feeling, very proud coach moment, very proud father moment. It was awesome. He’s been working for it for a long time. He’s a couple of really close calls, come in third a couple times. And now he finally gets his shot,” head coach Eric McPhee said.

“It’s great. He’s coached me all throughout youth so it doesn’t really feel out of the ordinary to me. He’s kind of always been my coach. He’s always been there to support me and drive me,” said McPhee.

McPhee will compete in Friday’s Class AA tournament at St. Michael-Albertville High School.