Mark Hall Named MWCA Mr. Minnesota Wrestler

Mark Hall’s varsity wrestling career at Apple Valley started as a 7th grader. He was impressed by the welcoming environment that he experienced and attributed it to head coaches Jim Jackson and Dalen Wasmund as well as the entire coaching staff and team.

Mark finished his high school career this past spring with an overall record of 277-4 along with six individual state titles and six team titles. In the words of athletic director Pete Buesgens, the team titles mean as much or more to Mark than his individual titles. Pete is pretty confident that the twelve gold medals in wrestling earned by Mark Hall will not be matched anytime soon.

In addition to his high school accomplishments, Mark has had some outstanding off-season accomplishments including three Cadet National titles and a FILA Cadet World Championship. He defeated a number of nationally ranked wrestlers in postseason competition in the past few years including Isaiah Martinez, this year’s 157-pound Division I National Champion from the University of Illinois.

Mark will graduate with a 3.6 G.P.A. and according to Pete Buesgens, he is always willing to lend a hand wherever and whenever there is a need. In addition to volunteering at the local Habitat for Humanity, Mark also helps out at a homeless shelter called Mary’s Place and is always willing to work with youth wrestling programs in the Apple Valley and surrounding area. Hall is a contributing member of the Apple Valley Captain’s Council and was selected to represent his school at the Region 3AA Leadership Workshop.

Mark’s English teacher, Robert Helgeson, calls Hall a young man of fine character whose integrity is absolute. He goes on to say, “It would be easy for Mark to carry his wrestling persona into the classroom and enjoy the athletic accomplishments he has earned, but Mark brings none of that. He assumes no airs but is respectful, cooperative, and eager to contribute to the overarching goals of the class. Mark Hall is the sort of person I would want my own children to have as a friend.”

Dalen Wasmund, head wrestling coach and mathematics instructor, characterizes Hall this way, “Mark leads by example in my math classroom. He asks thoughtful questions and is entrenched in the subject matter.” Wasmund goes on to say, “Mark’s true leadership skills are on display in the wrestling arena. He is humble and kind, fierce and competitive, driven and unapologetic. Mark is always willing to give his time to help little kids and loves putting smiles on their faces. I would be proud to have him as a son.”