Two college wrestlers from Minnesota suffered life-threatening injuries after separate crashes in southern Minnesota this week, according to the Minnesota State Patrol and statements from their schools.
Crashes occurred within about 24 hours
The first crash occurred Monday morning in Westfield Township when 19-year-old Bo Zwiener, a wrestler at St. John's University from Blooming Prairie, was driving a Ford F-150 eastbound on Highway 30 and rolled the truck near 115th Avenue, the State Patrol said. Zwiener was not wearing a seatbelt, per the crash report, and was taken to Austin Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
About a day later, on Tuesday afternoon in Mower County, 21-year-old Dominic Mann of Kasson, a wrestler at St. Cloud State University, collided with a semi-truck while driving a Chevrolet Tahoe northbound on Highway 56 at 205th Street, the State Patrol said. Mann was transported to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester with life-threatening injuries.
Community and team responses
Both Minnesota college wrestling communities have reacted with messages asking for support and prayers for the injured athletes. St. Cloud State's wrestling program shared a fundraising link and a message requesting thoughts for Mann, while a St. John's University wrestling fan page asked for prayers for Zwiener as he heads into his sophomore year.
"Right now, we ask that you please keep Dom, his family, and everyone who loves and cares for him in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate the days ahead," the St. Cloud State wrestling team's Facebook post reads.
A GoFundMe campaign has been organized to help Mann. The fundraiser was started by the owner of Property Potential in St. Cloud, where Mann works as a foreman. The campaign describes Mann as a respected teammate and leader and asks the community to share or donate to support him.
Background on the athletes
Mann is a 2024 graduate of Kasson-Mantorville High School, where he was a standout wrestler. He finished as a runner-up in the individual state tournament in 2024 and posted a 45-5 record that season, according to the fundraiser description and team materials. Zwiener is entering his second year at St. John's University and is described by the program’s followers as a tough competitor and valued teammate.
Quick facts
- Dominic Mann, 21, St. Cloud State wrestler — crash on Highway 56 at 205th Street in Mower County; taken to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.
- Bo Zwiener, 19, St. John's University wrestler — single-vehicle rollover on Highway 30 near 115th Avenue in Westfield Township; taken to Austin Medical Center; reported not wearing a seatbelt.
- Both athletes were described as sustaining life-threatening injuries by the Minnesota State Patrol.
| Athlete | Age | School | Crash location | Hospital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominic Mann | 21 | St. Cloud State University | Highway 56 at 205th Street, Mower County | St. Marys Hospital, Rochester |
| Bo Zwiener | 19 | St. John's University | Highway 30 near 115th Avenue, Westfield Township | Austin Medical Center |
What officials have said
The Minnesota State Patrol provided the crash details, including vehicle types and locations, and identified the injuries as life-threatening in both incidents. The State Patrol's reports noted that Zwiener was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of his single-vehicle rollover.
No additional public updates on the athletes' conditions have been released by the hospitals or the universities beyond the initial reports and social-media posts. Team and community members have called for privacy for the families while offering support.
Local impact and context
Both crashes occurred on rural state highways in southeastern Minnesota, routes that serve local traffic between small towns and regional centers. Single-vehicle rollovers and crashes involving commercial trucks are among the most serious types of highway collisions and frequently result in severe injuries.
Beyond immediate medical care, the financial and logistical needs after catastrophic injuries can be substantial, which is why community fundraisers such as the one established for Mann are common responses. Teammates, coaches and local businesses often mobilize to provide emotional and material support for injured student-athletes and their families.
WE NEWS will monitor for updates from the Minnesota State Patrol, the universities and the medical facilities involved and will report new information as it becomes available.
