2017 ASICS All-America Wrestling Team

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Cashman, Berge, and Steveson named to first team; Kerkvliet named to third team; McKee and Allar Honorable Mention

Irvine, CA – May 26, 2017 – ASICS America Corporation is pleased to announce the 32nd annual ASICS All-America Wrestling Team, and honors seniors Yianni Diakomihalis (145) of Hilton (N.Y.) and Chase Singletary (220) of Blairstown Township (N.J.) Blair Academy and juniors Gavin Teasdale (126) and Gable Steveson (285) of Apple Valley (Minn.) as repeat First Team selections.

The ASICS All-America Team, selected by a nationwide panel of wrestling experts, is the only national all-star team for which wrestlers enrolled in all four high-school grades are eligible.

“This team represents the best of the best in our schools today,” said Neil Duncan of TW Promotions wrestling agency for ASICS America. “We are proud to have these young men, with their talent and work ethic, representing us. They are clearly the World and Olympic champions of the future.” Continue reading

Joe Russell named USA Wrestling Manager of Freestyle Programs

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Joe Russell has been hired as Manager of Freestyle Programs by USA Wresting, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States.

Russell will transition to his position at USA Wrestling, working under U.S. National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick, after previously serving as the head coach at George Mason University for the past six years.

“I feel blessed and honored to be chosen to assist the Freestyle National Team. As a passionate advocate for wrestling from before I could even walk, this honor and responsibility given to me is breathtaking,” Russell said.

During his tenure at George Mason, Russell led the program to 41 dual-meet victories and coached six wrestlers to eight berths at the NCAA Championships. Prior to his arrival at George Mason, Russell was a longtime assistant coach at the University of Minnesota where he helped guide the Gophers to three NCAA team championships and six Big Ten championships. In addition, he coached 11 individual NCAA champions, 31 individual conference champions and 84 NCAA All-Americans. Continue reading

Richard “Dick” Shiels (1930-2017)

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Hall of Fame Coach Dick Shiels of Faribault passed away on May 21st. He was 86 years old.

Shiels coached wrestling at Faribault High School from 1960-1983. He was inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Dave Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1990 and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Minnesota Chapter in 2006.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Faribault, on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Interment with military rites will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis at a later date. Visitation will be held at the Boldt Funeral Home in Faribault on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 from 3 to 7 p.m. and also at the church for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Obituary at boldtfuneralhome.com

Albert Lea wrestling coach Larry Goodnature retires

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Larry Goodnature has been a staple of Albert Lea wrestling for 42 years — four as a wrestler and 38 as a coach.

For the better part of two decades, Goodnature led the Tigers wrestling program as head coach.

Come this winter, there will be a new face to lead Albert Lea’s historic wrestling tradition.

After 25 years as head coach, Goodnature will step aside and retire. Continue reading at www.albertleatribune.com

Moorhead announces new wrestling coach

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MOORHEAD—Moorhead announced Wednesday, May 24, Kenard Booker as the new head wrestling coach for the Spuds, pending school board approval June 12.

Booker was a college wrestling coach for eight years between being head coach at Bacone College (Okla.) and an assistant coach at the the University of Mary in Bismarck, where he also wrestled. In all, he coached 46 All-Americans and two teams to runner-up finishes at the NAIA national championships.

He’s tired of finishing second.

“I need a first place,” Booker said. “That’s kind of the selfish part. To come back and see if i can push these guys to aspire to winning state championships.” Continue reading at www.inforum.com

Webster Joins Latest Gopher Recruiting Class

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Minnesota today announced that Owen Webster will join the team this fall as part of the program’s current recruiting class. Webster competed for Division III Augsburg in Minneapolis this past season after a high school career at Shakopee (Minn.) High School.

Last season at Augsburg, Webster took third in the country at 184 pounds as a true freshman at the NCAA Championships. He won his weight at the NCAA Division III Regional, the last in a long line of tournament wins for Webster during his rookie season with the Auggies. During the regular season, Webster won or reached the championship bout in several open tournaments. Continue reading