Dylan Ness of Bloomington Kennedy is this year’s Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association (MWCA) Mr. Minnesota of Wrestling. He will be honored at the Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, April 24th at the Willmar Holiday Inn.
The Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association annually presents the Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler award to the senior that best exemplifies the highest ideals of high school wrestling in Minnesota. Judging is based on past performances, citizenship, academics, leadership, and adherence to MSHSL rules.
Ness is a 2010 state champion and a four-time placewinner. He won the Class AAA 145 pound title this year. Dylan placed third at 140 pounds as a junior, third at 119 pounds as a sophomore, and third at 103 pounds as a freshman.
He ended his high school career with a 192-19 record and was a dominating 169-6 in his last four seasons.
Ness has also had great success in USA Wrestling competition.
He was an All-American in all three styles (folkstyle, Greco-Roman, and freestyle) in 2009 placing first in folkstyle, second in Greco-Roman, and seventh in freestyle.
Dylan won the prestigious Cadet Triple Crown in 2008. It is awarded to wrestlers who win USA Wrestling national titles in folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle during the same year. He was also named Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament after winning his freestyle national title in Fargo.
Ness, Bloomington Kennedy’s second MWCA Mr. Minnesota Wrestler, will continue his wrestling career in college next year with the Minnesota Gophers.
Dylan’s older brother Jayson, was a 2010 NCAA Champion and four-time All-American with the Golden Gophers.
Dylan’s parents are Jay and Sally and his coach is Charles Vavrosky.
Also being honored at the Bartelma Hall of Fame Banquet will be Minnesota Head Coach of the Year selection Jim Short and Will Short of Simley, Assistant Coach of the Year Dwight Burman of St. James, and Lifetime Achievement honorees Tom Gruhlke of BOLD and Wayne Weller of New York Mills.
The Shorts and Burman, along with Ness now represent Minnesota as The National Wrestling Coaches Association’s State award winners and may be selected for further honors at the Regional and National levels.
2010 Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame inductees are Jim Anderson, Dale Benjamin, Tom Beyer, Stan Christ, Brandon Paulson, Ken Vogt, and Vik Wilson.
Mr. Minnesota Wrestler Winners
- 2023 – Max McEnelly of Waconia
- 2022 – Bennett Berge of Kasson-Mantorville
- 2021 – Derrick Cardinal of Forest Lake
- 2020 – Craig Orlando of Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale/Parkers Prairie
- 2019 – Greg Kerkvliet of Simley
- 2018 – Gable Steveson of Apple Valley
- 2017 – Brady Berge of Kasson-Mantorville
- 2016 – Mark Hall of Apple Valley
- 2015 – Lance Benick of Totino-Grace
- 2014 – Tommy Thorn of St. Michael-Albertville
- 2013 – Jake Short of Simley
- 2012 – Michael Kroells of Scott West
- 2011 – Matt Kelliher of Apple Valley
- 2010 – Dylan Ness of Bloomington Kennedy
- 2009 – Kevin Steinhaus of Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
- 2008 – Jake Deitchler of Anoka
- 2007 – Zach Sanders of Wabasha-Kellogg
- 2006 – Mike Thorn of St. Michael-Albertville
- 2005 – Nathan Matousek of Glencoe-Silver Lake
- 2004 – Charlie Falck of Apple Valley
- 2003 – Eric Sanders of Wabasha-Kellogg
- 2002 – Jeff Pfaffinger of Blue Earth Area
- 2001 – Marcus LeVesseur of Bloomington Kennedy
- 2000 – Nate Baker of Jackson County Central
- 1999 – Jacob Volkmann of Battle Lake-Underwood-Henning
- 1998 – Luke Becker of Cambridge-Isanti
- 1997 – Chad Erikson of Apple Valley
- 1996 – Dan Duncombe of St. Michael-Albertville
- 1995 – Jon Fitzgerald of Martin County West
- 1994 – Chad Kraft of
HLOL - 1993 – Brandon Howe of Totino-Grace
- 1992 – Brandon Paulson of Anoka
- 1991 – Chad Nelson of Stewartville
- 1990 – Chad Carlson of Willmar