Joseph and Vaith named MWCA Coaches of the Year
Derrick Cardinal of Forest Lake is this year’s Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Mr. Minnesota of Wrestling.
The MWCA 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.
Cardinal, who attends Forest Lake High School, is a four-time state champion and five-time placewinner. He capped his high school career with the Class AAA 132-pound state title last month. Cardinal won a prestigious Minnesota Christmas Tournament title in 2019. He leaves behind a 240-30 high school career record, including 109 pins.
Other honors include a 3.967 GPA and two-time MWCA Academic All-State.
Cardinal will continue his wrestling and academic career in the fall at South Dakota State University.
Cardinal’s parents are Tim and Merilee and his high school coach is Joe Kunshier.
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
MWCA Coaches of the Year
David Joseph of Kimball has been selected as the MWCA Head Coach of the Year for 2021. Joseph guided the Kimball Area Cubs to the Class A State Championship this season. Paul Vaith of Hastings has been selected as the MWCA Assistant Coach of the Year.