BBE Alum Tyler Bents Returns Home to Lead Jaguars Wrestling Program
BELGRADE, Minn. — Tyler Bents always knew he wanted to coach wrestling. Now the 2019 Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa graduate is coming home to lead the Jaguars program he once competed for.
Bents replaces Jordan Fester, who stepped down after four seasons that included back-to-back state team appearances in 2023 and 2024 and three individual state champions. Fester coached Maximus Hanson to titles in 2023 and 2024, and Carson Gilbert won in 2025.
“I think it would have been a dream to be at BBE,” Bents said. “Now knowing that I actually get to be in that position, it's pretty awesome to know that's how the cards got played for me.”
A Wrestling Pedigree Built at BBE and Beyond
Bents was a five-time state entrant for the Jaguars, placing third as a junior and fourth as a senior. He ranks ninth in school history with 173 career wins. After high school, he wrestled at Division III Concordia-Moorhead, where he won 48 matches, including 20 in his senior season. He also earned NWCA Scholar All-American honors twice.
Starting in the 2024-25 season, Bents served as an assistant coach for the Cobbers under his former head coach Quincy Osborn.
“I was really able to watch, even at the DIII level, some high-level wrestlers and some high-level coaches,” Bents said. “You see how a lot of different programs operate. It really was a valuable experience for me.”
Coaching Philosophy: Focus on Small Wins
Bents said a key lesson he learned is helping wrestlers avoid getting ahead of themselves.
“It's about focusing on getting that one percent better every day versus just focusing on the end goal,” Bents said. “Wrestling is a very brutal sport. It's very competitive. I think if you're only focusing on the end goal, you lose sight of all those little different building blocks along the way to get confidence.”
That philosophy, he said, came from Osborn at Concordia. “A piece that I want to have with my wrestling team now is that safe philosophy of taking the little wins and building to that big goal.”
Building Relationships This Summer
Bents has already connected with some current Jaguars during a summer camp he hosted with his brother Walker, a two-time state champion at BBE who is now a senior at Minnesota State-Mankato.
“It's definitely going to be a priority of mine this summer to try to show face at some local stuff just to catch up with everybody and build some relationships again,” Tyler said. “Once we get in the room, we'll be back in business.”
Last season, BBE was the seventh seed in Section 5A and sent two wrestlers to the state tournament. Noah Jensen made the finals in the Class A 114-pound bracket, and Elizabeth Radermacher qualified in the girls' 130 division.
Bents said he wants to help the Jaguars return to that level of success. “I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to in my career,” he said. “Now as a coach, it's my opportunity to help these guys go chase their goals.”
Local Tennis Highlights
In other area sports, three local tennis players won their divisions at the Waterdays Tennis Tournament in New London. Willmar's Jameson Dragt won the 16-and-under boys singles and teamed with New London's Liam Hanson to win the 18-and-under boys doubles. Willmar's Lillian Skretvedt claimed the 16-and-under girls singles title. A total of 134 athletes from as far away as North Dakota, Iowa, and Missouri competed.