Simley’s four time state champion, Greg Kerkvliet has been chosen as the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association’s Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler for 2019. Kerkvliet completed an undefeated senior season by claiming his fourth state championship with a first period pin in the state finals. The Cadet World Champion has represented Simley High School and Minnesota wrestling in a very impressive fashion. Please read the letter below from Simley Head Coach to understand how impressive has been throughout his career.
Dear Mr. Minnesota Wrestling Committee,
I would like to nominate Daniel “Greg” Kerkvliet as the 2019 Mr. Minnesota Wrestler of the Year. Greg is a three-time state champion and is heavily favored to win his fourth state championship. At the time of this
letter his career record was 209-36. In the 2016-17 wrestling season, Greg was 48-1 and beat 8 nationally ranked opponents. He won the Christmas Tournament and the Cheesehead. His only loss was to #1 nationally ranked Jacob Warner 7-4 at the Clash. Warner is the current 197 for Iowa and ranked in Division 1.In Greg’s junior year he was 51-1. Greg won the Christmas Tournament and the Cheesehead again in his junior year. Greg’s only loss was to the #1 ranked wrestler in the nation for all weight classes Gable Steveson. Greg weighed in at 211 lbs. and Gable weighed in at 255 lbs. Greg lost the match 3-2. Greg wanted to wrestle Gable. Greg wanted to wrestle Warner. He has sought out the best competition in his entire career. I believe that the match between Greg and Gable was the first time two world champions wrestled against each other in a high school dual meet. Greg took on the challenge to wrestle the most credentialed high school wrestler in the history of the sport. He did not have to do it. I did not ask him to do it. His performance was inspiring to all who witnessed the match.
Greg is a 2017 Cadet World Champion. He was our UWW USA Junior National Champion in 2018. He was a UWW Junior World silver medalist in 2018. Greg was injured before he could represent USA at the Cadet worlds in 2018. He was # 1 in the USA in both age divisions.
ln the 2018-19 wrestling season Greg has worked himself back from an ACL tear. He started competing on January 18th. He has received three forfeits (at the time of this letter) and has wrestled nine matches with all first period falls. Greg has been the team captain since his sophomore year. Greg has been an outstanding teammate to the Simley westlers . He is humble and kind to all. He has a great sense of humor and has helped mentor young wrestlers in the Simley program. Greg has wrestled on two state championship teams in 2014 and 2015. He was on a 4th place team in 2016 and a runner upfinish in 2017. One of the reasons Greg came back to wrestle his senior season was to try and helpSimtey win another state TEAM championship.Greg is a fierce competitor and the most dedicated wrestler I have ever coached. He out-trains everyone. His technical skills are on world class level at just 18. He has dedicated himself to being the best wrestler in the world. He closes in on that goal every day.
Please consider making Daniel “Greg” Kervliet Mr. Minnesota.
Sincerely,
William Short
Simley Wrestling Coach
Kerkvleit will receive his Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler Award at the Hall of Fame Banquet in Benson on May 4th.
To see the full list of Mr. MN Wrestler Award winners, click on the following link: https://theguillotine.com/mwca-mr-minnesota-high-school-wrestler-award/