2025 MWCA Award Recipients Honored
Benson, Minn. – Sixteen new members were inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 17th, in Benson, Minn.
The new inductees honored were Todd Bergeron, Tom Gruhlke, Larry Herm, Patrick Johannes, Steve King, Tom Kuisle, Brian Loeffler, Brad Loeffler, Efrem Novacek, Bruce Olson, Lynn Plumley, Les Plumley, Jacob Volkmann, and Bruce Wilson. Pioneer Inductees Al Doty and Jim Zimmerman, who started programs in Pierz, Minn., were also honored. Those in attendance each gave a speech.
MWCA Coach of the Year honorees for 2025 were Class A – Matt Mauseth of Chatfield, Class AA – Kurt Becker and Bill McDonald of Watertown-Mayer, and Class AAA – Joe Block of Prior Lake.
The MWCA selected Kurt Becker and Bill McDonald of Watertown-Mayer as the State Head Coach of the Year. Troy Peterson of Watertown-Mayer was selected as State Assistant Coach of the Year. Becker/McDonald and Peterson, along with MWCA Mr. Minnesota Wrestler Landon Robideau of St. Michael-Albertville and Ms. Minnesota Wrestler Ella Pagel of Northfield, represent Minnesota as The National Wrestling Coaches Association’s State (NWCA) award winners, which qualifies them for further NWCA Scholastic Awards at the Regional and National levels.
The MWCA presented State Champion and Runner-up team awards based on the unofficial individual state tournament scoring to Class A—1st Staples-Motley, 2nd Holdingford; Class AA—1st Becker, 2nd Watertown-Mayer; Class AAA—1st St. Michael-Albertville, 2nd Shakopee; Girls—1st Apple Valley, 2nd St. Michael-Albertville. View the 2025 individual-based top-ten State team scores.
Recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Awards for their coaching longevity (30+ years) were: Bryan Clemen of Dassel-Cokato-Litchfield, Chip Rankin of Minnewaska Area, Roy Magnuson of Como Park, Keith Esala of Brooklyn Center/Concordia Academy, Bob Wolf of Brooklyn Center/Concordia Academy, Bryan Nelson of Chisago Lakes, Mike Baumgartner of Park Rapids, and Johnie Newman of Minneapolis Roosevelt.
Read the program biographies of the latest inductees and MWCA award recipients below.
Photos by Jeff Beshey
The Guillotine Photos on Flickr
2025 MWCA Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame inductees:
Inductee biographies by Steve Ricard
Todd Bergeron-Coach
Todd Bergeron attended Oklee High School, graduating from there in 1987. Todd was involved in football and wrestling. He wrestled under the guidance of Hall of Fame Coaches Charlie Bishop and Gary Brantl. Todd was a team captain his senior year in football, and he was also selected as All-Conference. Todd was a four-time state entrant. In 1985 he went out in the consolation semifinals (what used to be called the “blood round” because the MSHSL only placed four per weight class in both A and AA) In 1986 Todd was the 98 lb. Class A State Champion, and in 1987 Todd was crowned the 105 lb. Class A State Champion. Todd’s high school record was 135-19-1; he was undefeated in both his junior and senior seasons. Most of Todd’s losses were when he was younger, and barely weighed enough to compete at the lowest weight class.
Todd attended UND for a year, then transferred to Mayville State. Todd was a two-time NAIA national qualifier. His collegiate record was 86-39, and he was the team captain for two years. Todd graduated from Mayville in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a coaching minor.
After college Todd was an assistant coach in Thief River Falls for a year and then taught at the Cathedral in Crookston for two years, where he was an assistant coach for Hall of Fame coach Rodd Olson, before moving out to Pahrump , NV. Where he taught, officiated and coached for seven years before moving to Greenbush, MN. Todd coached at Badger-Greenbush Middle River High School from 2003-2019. His coaching record was 240-78. His teams won the Section 8 title in 2005 (6th), 2012 (4th), and 2019. Todd was selected as Section Coach of the Year three years. His teams were also Section 8 runners-up 11 years. Todd coached 87 state entrants, 34 medalists, and 6 state champs.
Todd continues to reside and teach in Greenbush. He and his wife Melinda have three kids: Ryan, Bailey, and Bryce. Ryan is a Senior Editor for the Annandale newspaper. Bailey is a nurse at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, and Bryce works at BBE High School.
Larry Herm-Coach/Contributor
Larry Herm attended Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, Illinois, graduating from there in 1977. Larry played football, wrestled, and competed in track in high school and was a three-year letter winner. Larry attended Winona State University, where he played football and wrestled. There he was a four-year letter winner. Larry graduated from Winona in 1982 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Health and Physical Education. He would later earn his Master’s Degree from St. Cloud State University in 2001. Larry took a teaching job at Foley High School in 1982, and he taught and coached there until his retirement in 2017. Larry served in a variety of roles at Foley High School: head football coach, assistant wrestling coach, strength coach, assistant tennis coach, assistant football coach, and assistant track coach. He worked as a cycling instructor as well as taught Driver’s Education. Larry has served as a professional and motivational speaker on numerous occasions. Larry’s football coaching record was 157-109 while acting as the head football coach for 27 years, including a state title in 1998 and a Final Four appearance in 2000. Larry was a part of Foley’s 20 trips to the state team tournament, as well as state titles in 1989, 1993, and 1994. According to former Foley High School Head Wrestling Coach Lyle Freudenberg, “Larry Herm’s name was synonymous with Foley Wrestling for over 30 years. His influence was instrumental in helping Foley achieve incredible success. He had an incredible work ethic. His strength and conditioning system helped to create the well-conditioned wrestlers Foley was known for. He worked to develop great relationships with his athletes, and helped to produce not only great wrestlers, but great people.” Jeremy Lavigne, former wrestler for Foley, wrote that “wrestling is a sport recruiting extreme conditioning to succeed and Coach Herm’s commitment to this shows through in the constant improvement of the wrestling program at Foley during his years as a coach.” Shane Keating, former wrestler, wrote “Coach Herm approached his work with a passion and intensity that few possess, and he cared as much about your development as a person as your development as an athlete. He was a coach that talked as much about honor, integrity, and sportsmanship as he did about a Granby roll and a cross-face. You cannot talk about Foley wrestling without talking about Coach Larry Herm.” Larry’s assistant football coach David Dahlstrom wrote “One of the things that really sticks with me about Larry is his willingness to continue learning. He understands the importance of learning and implementing the new training methods to best assist athletes.” Larry has received numerous awards in his career, including the Cal Stoll Award in 2021, an award given to a football coach who overcame adversity. (Larry was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017.) In addition, Larry has served as an Elder at his church for over 10 years.
Larry served as the assistant football coach and assistant strength and conditioning coach at Bethel University from 2016 to his retirement in July 2024. Larry and his wife Susan reside in Foley and have two married sons with five grandkids: Ryan and Joanna (Jake, Javi, and Fannie) Eric and Blaire (Ellee and Henry). Larry and Susan still reside in Foley.
Tom Gruhlke-Coach
Tom Gruhlke attended Aitkin High School, graduating from there in 1976. Tom was a state entrant in 1976. He wrestled for Hall of Fame Coach Noel Bailey. Tom‘s record in high school was 65-19-2.
1974 District 16 Runner Up 98 lbs. – One Class
1975 District 16 Champion 105 lbs. – One Class
1976 MidState Conference Champion – Voted Outstanding Wrestler
1976 Region 5 Runner Up – Two Class
1976 MSHSL State Entrant
Tom attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. He was a 2 Time National Tournament Qualifier in 1979 and 1980 at 142 lbs. Tom was the Head Coach at Bird Island-Lake Lillian 1980-1984, Buffalo Lake-Hector from 1985-1996, BOLD from 2001-2010, Eden Prairie from 2012-2014 and 2019 – 2021 and Head Coach at Ridgewater College 2015-2018. Tom was a volunteer coach at Hutchinson from 1996-2000 and currently is volunteering at Sartell High School. Along with all this, Tom co-coached the Minnesota Senior Wrestlers at the National High School Tournament held in Pittsburgh, PA for 10 years.
Tom has now coached for 45 years, and his teams were a combined record of 341-318-3 winning a State Team Championship in 2003 and Consolation Champions in 2002 and 2006. He was Section 4A Coach of the year in 2002, 2003, and Section 5AA Coach of the Year 2005, 2006 and MN Coach of the Year in 2003. Tom’s leadership as President of the MWCA helped the MSHSL make the transition to a restructured tournament where the duals are held on Thursday with the Individual tournament following on Friday and Saturday.
Scott Fransen, insurance agent and former Buffalo Lake wrestler, has worked with Tom for over 30 years, wrote “I believe the most impressive thing about Tom is the number of kids he has coached who have in turn given back to the sport. I believe Tom’s love and enthusiasm for the sport was contagious and many of the kids he has coached have in turn given back to the sport as volunteers, coaches, and officials. Tom deeply cares for the athletes he has coached. He has helped numerous athletes get into college, find employment and change their lives when they have come on hard times. He has helped kids who have made poor choices find themselves and turn into solid citizens.”
Perry Fink, former Head Coach of Canby, wrote “what impressed me most about Tom was his willingness to help other wrestlers who were not on his team. I heard Tom often give advice or encouragement to many wrestlers from opposing teams in our section as well as scouting information on their next opponent.”
Justin Kubesh, former BOLD wrestler, wrote “Tom’s coaching career has been more than just athletic achievement; it embodies compassion and profound mentorship. Tom’s guidance and support helped me to find belonging through wrestling.”
Will Sather, former Eden Prairie wrestler adds, “Personally, Coach Gruhlke played an instrumental role in my development as wrestler. Under his guidance, I won my first state title as a Sophomore, a feat that would not have been possible without his unwavering belief in my abilities and his tireless dedication to helping me reach my full potential.”
Steve Wadsworth, former Bird Island-Lake Lillian wrestler, profoundly writes, “I would not have the life I have today if it wasn’t for Tom Gruhlke. Tom saw an awful situation and addressed it head on changing my life forever. I feel incredibly lucky and honored to have crossed paths with Tom Gruhlke at a young age. My life will forever be positively impacted by his selfless acts, caring gestures and encouraging spirit. This wrestling community is better because Tom is a part of it and is deserving of this award.”
Today, Tom resides in Victoria, MN with his wife Cindy. They have three married children: Brad, Anna, and Leia and 11 grandchildren who promise to keep him active for years to come!
Les Plumley-Coach/Contributor
Les Plumley attended Bird Island High School, graduating in 1977. He was a Region 4 champion and a state entrant at 112 lbs. his senior year, placing third while wrestling for Scott Brown. His high school record was 55-5. After graduation Les attended Granite Falls Technical Institute. He was invited to attend a wrestling practice at Southwest State, where Mike Sterner was the head coach. Les and his brother Lynn both transferred to Southwest State. Les was a three-time NSIC Runner-up, finishing 3rd in 1979 at 126 lbs., 2nd in 1980 at 126 lbs., 1981 at 126 lbs., and 1983 at 134 lbs. He was a three-time NAIA All-American, placing 6th at 126 lbs. in 1979, 7th at 126 lbs. in 1981, (redshirted in 1982), and 3rd at 134 lbs. in 1983. Les worked as an assistant coach at Southwest State for Mike Sterner and then at Superior State in Wisconsin under Scott Davis before coaching for Scott Davis at Owatonna. He then coached for Mike Engles at SDSU for three years, and then for Rick Kelvington at BOLD High in 1996 and 1997. Hall of Fame inductee Tom Gruhlke wrote “Les has been a strong supporter and fan of not only his alma mater but the wrestling community as a whole. By far his greatest accomplishments came as a coach and in particular when he was an assistant on the BOLD staff that went to state in 2002 (Consolation Champs) and won the state team title in 2003. Les was tireless in his scouting of opponents. Les earned the respect from his fellow coaches throughout the West Central Area and Minnesota. The accolades achieved pale in comparison to friendships made along the way with coaches and kids.” Les is a retired agriculturalist still living in the Olivia area and has three grown kids: Brittany, Paige, and Connor.
Lynn Plumley-Coach/Contributor
Lynn Plumley attended Bird Island High School, graduating in 1977. He was a Region 4 champion and a state entrant in 1976. An injury the night of the District seeding meeting prevented Lynn from finishing his senior season. Lynn’s high school record was 94-8. Lynn attended Granite Falls Technical Institute for a year, then decided to, along with brother Les, attend school and wrestle at Southwest State University under Coach Mike Sterner. Lynn finished 2nd in the NSIC in 1979 at 134, 4th in 1980, redshirted in 1981, and was the NSIC Conference Champ in 1982 at 134 lbs. and again in 1983 at 142 lbs. Lynn was an NAIA All-American in 1983, placing third at 142 lbs. Hall of Fame inductee Tom Gruhlke wrote “Lynn led by example. He faced everything with a positive attitude. He served as the Junior High Coach for many years and led that program with a firm but steady hand. Every year Lynn delivered kids to the varsity level ready to compete and win. He prepared kids with the ability to wrestle, but they also came to the next level with newfound maturity. His motto was “Work hard, and you will be rewarded.” BOLD benefitted from Lynn Plumley and I became a better coach because of him.” Lynn is still actively farming and living in the Bird Island area with his wife Kelly. They have three grown kids: Shawn, Kathi Jo, and Kory.
Patrick Johannes-Athlete
Patrick “Pat” Johannes attended Rocori High School, graduating from there in 1984. He was active in football (All-Conference 2 years as a linebacker, wrestling, and track (ran the 100 meter dash, the shot put, discus, and was a member of his 4×100 relay team.) Pat achieved a high school career wrestling record of 99-13, was a three-time All-Conference wrestler and a three-time Region 8AA champion while wrestling for John Delozier and Jeff Mergen. He was a three-time state qualifier weighing less than 180 lbs. In 1982 his sophomore year he was injured and had to drop out of the tournament. He placed third at 185 lbs. in 1983 and again in 1984. Pat was selected as Rocori’s Male Senior Athlete of the Year in 1984. Pat continued his wrestling at North Dakota State University, wrestling for the late Bucky Maughan. Pat’s collegiate wrestling record was 112-12. He was a four time Division 2 All-American. He placed 4th at 167 lbs. In 1985, 7th at 177 lbs. In 1986, 3rd at 177 lbs. In 1987,4th at 177 in 1988. He was a member of NDSU’s first ever national team wrestling title. Pat was a two-time Division 1 National Qualifier, and in 1988 he placed 7th at 177lbs, earning him All-American honors. Pat competed internationally in Greco-Roman wrestling and in 1990 he placed 5th in the World Team Trials. In 1991 Pat placed 6th in the World Team Trials and placed 3rd in the 1991 Granma Cup. In 1992 he placed 6th in the U.S. Nationals and 8th in the Concord Cup. Then in 1993 he placed sixth in the U.S. Nationals and 5th in the 1993 World Team Trials. Pat was inducted into the Rocori High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997, and the NDSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 and again in 2013 (1988 National champs).
Today Pat and his wife Paula reside in the beautiful town of Fallbrook in Southern California. Until recently he was the owner of Foothills Consulting group (IT Consulting-Staffing Company). After 19 years. In August 2022 it was acquired by the Eliassen Group. He continued to transition to the new owners until October 2024. He is currently enjoying golfing and looking to see what life brings in the next step. and works for an IT consulting firm. Pat and Paula are empty nesters with three adult boys: Jordan, Joe and Parker. Their granddaughter Delilah is a true bonus.
Steve King-Athlete
Steve King attended St. Clair High School, graduating from there in 1989. Steve participated in football and wrestling. He was named to the 1989 All-MN First Team as a linebacker. Steve had a high school wrestling record of 166 wins and 20 losses. (119 of those victories were by fall.) He was a two-time state qualifier, losing in the “blood round” at 155 lbs., which was then the consolation semis because the MSHSL only placed out to four at that time. Steve was crowned the Class A Heavyweight champion in 1989. Steve participated in the MN-Wisconsin All-Star Duels, and he pinned both opponents from Wisconsin. Steve was named to the 1989 ASICS All-American First Team. Steve had several full-ride scholarship offers, and he continued his wrestling at the University of Notre Dame. Steve was a two-time NCAA Division 1 National qualifier there. After Notre Dame dropped its wrestling program, Steve transferred to the University of Michigan. At Michigan, Steve qualified for the National tournament twice. In Steve’s junior year, he became an All-American, earning a 7th-place finish in 1993 at 275 lbs. It is interesting to note that also in Steve’s weight bracket that year was future Olympic Champion Rulon Gardner (4th), as well as Billy Pierce from the U of M. Steve was denied a second All-American honor his senior year, losing twice in overtime to future All-Americans.
Steve had a lot of success in Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. He was 7-time finalist in Fargo at the Cadet-Junior Freestyle and Greco-Roman Nationals, winning 2 Freestyle titles and 2 Greco-Roman titles. Steve competed in Las Vegas at a major tournament, and he defeated wrestlers from Italy, Mexico, and the Soviet Union enroute to a title. Steve developed a vicious headlock, and used it enroute to this title. Sadly, it was here that Steve broke vertebrae in his neck and this forced Steve into retirement from international competition.
Steve died due to a heart condition at the age of 32 years old. He will long be remembered for being physically and mentally tough, and for being a great competitor.
Tom Kuisle-Coach/Official
Tom Kuisle attended Stewartville High School, graduating from there in 1968. Tom participated in wrestling for 3 years. His farming dad said he could choose a sport that didn’t cause him to be away from the farm in the Spring planting and Fall harvesting. The choice of wrestling was obvious. Tom attended Mankato State, where he received a degree in Art Education. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from Minnesota State, Mankato in 1996. Tom taught at Tracy High School from 1973-1985, serving as the head wrestling coach from 1981-85. He then took a job at Fairmont, where he served as an assistant wrestling coach in 1986-1987, a junior varsity coach in 1988, then as the varsity coach from 1989-2018. Tom had a chance to coach some very notable athletes from both schools:
Scott Snobl, eventual state runner-up and 2-time NSIC champ from Southwest State;
Jeff Balcom, 1986 State Champ, University of MN wrestler and a Big 10 Runner-up;
Tim Shaikoski, state runner-up in 1989;
Jake Titeje, 1997 State Champ;
Josh Tietge, State Champ; Mike Wubenna, 5-time state entrant and 4 time place winner;
Bronson Steuber, 4th in state and eventual state runner-up and 3-time State Champ.
While at Fairmont Tom coached 27 state participants and 18 state place winners, including two state champs.
Tom also coached track and field as the pole vault coach; one of his athletes (Kirsten Olinger) went on to be an All-American in the hammer throw at Gustavus. Tom has served as a mat official for over 50 years in Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling. He serves on the USWOA Board of Directors, and has been a fixture at the local, state, regional, and national level for years. This includes being the head official of the National Tournament in Fargo (16U FS, 16U Greco, Junior FS, Junior Greco). He was a key leader in bringing AAU, Land O’Lakes, and Federation organizations under the blanket of MN/USA wrestling. He currently serves as MN/USA Wrestling Head Official/Tournament Director as well as serving on the MN/USA Wrestling Board of Directors. He also serves as the USA Wrestling Officials Association Website Director. Tom, along with other members of the Kuisle family, was honored recently with the Family Legacy Award for Section 1 in Southeastern MN for outstanding contributions to wrestling. United States Olympic Official Sam Julian commented “Tom has continued to go above and beyond for the sport we all love for many years. He does so much for the United States Wrestling Officials Association behind the scenes and has been instrumental in forming better relationships between coaches and officials. Tom is a key leader on and off the mat. I’m truly lucky to call him a mentor and friend.” United States Olympic official Casey Brennan commented “Tom has been instrumental in helping develop our referee members all the while knowing that the advancement of wrestling requires a constant need to find new referees and foster their growth to make wrestling even better than it already is.” Scott Snobl, high school wrestling official and USA Wrestling official commented “Tom Kuisle is a pillar of the Minnesota Wrestling Family and our sport is in a better place due to his influence and efforts.” Rob Crowe, USA Wrestling official commented that “Tom’s proactive leadership and being willing to facilitate an open dialogue to help coaches and officials come together to set clear expectations for the officials and coach’s conduct has been successful in avoiding negative interactions.” Steve Ricard, high school wrestling official and USA Wrestling official wrote “Tom has made a very positive mark on many lives across the country. He is always a “family first” sort of man, and he understands the big picture of what wrestling can do for anyone.” Tom has been married for 52 years to Linda and they reside near Kellogg, MN. and They have two grown sons, Josh and Pete, both who are UWW Category 1 International officials. Tom and Linda also take great pride in 3 grandkids.
Brad Loeffler-Athlete
Brad attended St. Clair High School, graduating from there in 1990. Brad wrestled on the varsity as a 7th grader at 155 lbs. His high school record was 156-26-1. Brad was a four-time state entrant and a three-time state finalist. He competed in the state tournament his freshman year at 167 lbs., was second as a sophomore at 185 lbs., was crowned 1989 189 lb. Class A State Champion and repeated as State Champion in 1990. Brad was undefeated his junior and senior seasons, and was selected as an ASICS High School All-American in 1990. Brad continued wrestling at South Dakota State University where he earned two NCAA Division 2 All-American honors, placing 5th at 275 in 1994 and again in 1995.
Brad passed away in 2015. His wife’s name is Stephanie, and they have three kids: Thomas, Bergan, and Steven.
Brian Loeffler-Athlete
Brian Loeffler attended St. Clair High School. He was the 167 lb. Class A runner-up in 1988. His high school record was 116-46. Brian continued his wrestling at South Dakota State University where he was a four-time Division II All-American. He placed 8th, 5th and 6th at 177 lbs., and was crowned the Division II National Champion at 190 lbs. in 1993. Brian was a North Central Conference champion in 1992, and runner-up in 1991 and 1993. Brian was a 4-time Academic All-American and was awarded an NCAA postgraduate scholarship. He was also named a 1993 CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-American. He was the 1993 South Dakota Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year. His collegiate record was 85-27-4. He is a member of the SDSU Jackrabbit Athletic Hall of Fame. Brian graduated from SDSU in 1993 with a degree in Agronomy and is a farmer in the St. Clair area today. Brian’s wife is Shelly, and they have four kids: Jessica, David, Country and Lucas.
Efrem Novacek-Coach/Contributor
Efrem Novacek attended Greenbush High School, graduating from there in 1985. The Novacek name was well-known in the northern part of the state as not only being very good wrestlers but also good and hard-working people. Efrem was section champ at 138 lbs. in his senior year and advanced to the state tournament. Efrem’s record in high school was 46-27-3, and he was captain of his team his senior year. Efrem continued to wrestle at NDSCS for a year, then returned home to farm. Efrem assisted Hall of Fame Coach Doug Dahl, Nels Onstad, Jesse Nelson, Tim Bowland, Hall of Fame inductee Todd Bergeron, and also his son Isaac, who is currently Badger-Greenbush-Middle River wrestling’s head coach. Efrem was honored as the Assistant Coach of the Year four times in his 36 years as an assistant coach. Efrem had the chance to coach his sons, Isaac (a 5-time state entrant, placed 6th, was a state champion, and placed 3rd) and Owen (a 4-time state entrant, placed 4th and 3rd). Daughter Aunica served as the team manager and is now a PA, giving back by doing the weight certifications. Efrem’s calm demeanor, as well as his wrestling knowledge, went a long way in a very demanding sport. His time, dedication, and kindness were instrumental in the team’s success over the years. Efrem and his wife Tammy reside near Greenbush and have three kids: Isaac, Owen, and Aunica, as well as three grandkids: Jens, Millie, and Blair.
Bruce Olson-Coach
Bruce Olson attended Osage High School (lowa), graduating from there in 1973. Bruce was a three-sport athlete, competing in football, wrestling, and track. He was a state entrant as a senior, placing fifth at 119. Bruce earned an A.A degree from North Iowa Area Community College and B.S degree in Social Studies from Minnesota State University- Mankato. He later earned a MS degree in Educational Leadership from MSU-Mankato and an Administrative licensure from St. Cloud State University. He was a three-year college wrestling letter winner and an Academic All-American. In 1978 Olson accepted a teaching and coaching position in Lamberton, Minnesota, and held that position for 25 years. He was then the Principal of Red Rock Central High School for nine years, and he became Superintendent in 2014 and worked there until his retirement in 2019. Bruce’s coaching record was 171-128-8. His 2001 team was the Section 3AA Champion and placed 4th in State. Bruce was named the 2001 Section Coach of the Year. He was also a coach at the Minnesota-Wisconsin All-Star Duels. Bruce coached several state qualifiers, state place winners, and champions in his career. Bruce’s loyalty to the program was evident; this was Bruce’s first and only teaching position after graduating from college. Bruce is married to his wife Susan, and they have three daughters: Natalie, Lindsay, Sarah and six grandchildren. Bruce and Susan reside in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
Jacob Volkmann-Athlete
Jacob Volkmann graduated from Henning High School, wrestling for the Ottertail Central Bulldogs. He was coached by Head Coach Kevin Anderson. Jacob was a four-time state entrant, and earned three-time Minnesota State titles: 1997 (140 lbs. AA), 1998 (145 A), and 1999 (152 A). His high school record was 162-18. Jacob was named Mr. Minnesota wrestler in 1999. Jacob continued his wrestling at the University of Minnesota under Coach J Robinson. Jacob was a four-time National qualifier and a three-time NCAA Division 1 All-American. He placed 4th in 2001 at 174 lbs., 3rd in 2003 at 165 lbs., and 4th in 2004 at 165 lbs. Jacob was a Big 10 Champion in 2004. He was an integral part of the 2001 and 2002 Minnesota National Champion Wrestling teams. His college record was 127-36. In 2008 Jacob won the FILA World Wrestle title at 74 kilos. He finished second in 2009, losing to Ben Askren in the finals. Jacob went to chiropractic school at Northwestern Health Science University, graduating from there in 2008.
Jacob began a career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). He ended his MMA and UFC career with an impressive 19-7 record. Jacob continues to give back to the sport he loves. Each summer he returns to his home town of Henning and puts on a free OTC wrestling camp for grades K-12.
Today Jacob resides in Hugo, MN and is a chiropractor. He has three kids: Sophia, Francis, and Harper.
Bruce Wilson-Contributor/Official
Bruce Wilson attended Wheaton High School, graduating from there in 1978. Bruce participated in football, wrestling, and baseball. Bruce won multiple tournament championships and was a two-time District 21 Champion 1977-1978 (and District 21 MVP 1978), a three-time Region 6 champion in 1976-1977-1978 and a three-time state entrant, placing second at 119 lbs. in 1976 and 5th at 126 lbs. in 1977. Bruce was coached by Allen Kuvaas and Jim Milne at Wheaton. His high school record was 107-24-1. He was a 5-year starter on his high school baseball team and team captain and MVP his senior year. He was a 3-year varsity football player and team defensive MVP his senior year in football. Bruce also received the “Outstanding Male Athlete Award” at WHS in 1978.
He continued his wrestling at NDSCS 1980-1982 and was coached by Larry McDaniels and Dale Grosz, where he was a two-time Region 13 Champ and NJCAA National qualifier, also winning several tournament championships, along with being the team captain and being voted the “Hardest Worker” on the team both years he was at NDSCS. Bruce graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Business Management, and his college record was 51-16.
Bruce “gave back” to the sport of wrestling by becoming a high school and college wrestling official from 1983-2002. When he started officiating, he was guided under the tutelage of Dave Carlsrud and Dan Unruh. He officiated in ten MSHSL state championships and multiple high school/college duels and tournaments, including the NAIA National Championships 1995-1996. He traveled the states of MN-ND-SD on a regular basis. Bruce fully enjoyed the friendships and camaraderie that were created with his officiating community, along with the many coaches and athletes he got to know over his 20 years of officiating.
Bruce and his wife Jennifer (deceased) have a grown daughter Jordan. Bruce grew up in Dumont, MN and comes from a family of 4 brothers and 1 sister. Bruce now resides in Burnsville, MN and also spends time in Scottsdale, AZ. He is the owner/operator of Wilson Company Marketing & Promotions, Inc.
Al Doty-Pioneer Recipient
Al Doty attended Campbell High School, graduating from there in 1963. Al was a musician in high school (and college), playing the trumpet. There was no wrestling program at his high school. Al continued his studies at the University of Minnesota-Morris, where he had two friends (later roommates) that wrestled (Ron Hains and Lenny Haupert ), and he thought it looked like fun. Leif Lee was the wrestling coach and encouraged Al to give wrestling a try, even though he had no wrestling experience. The very first wrestling match Al ever saw was his own, against NDSU, where he quickly lost to a kid on full scholarship. Al competed at 123 lbs. until the end of the season when he dropped down to 115 lbs and won the 1964 Pioneer College Conference title. He lettered all 4 seasons at UMM.
Upon graduating from Morris with degrees in Political Science, History, and Social Studies, Al went to a year of graduate school at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Al competed in the Canadian Olympic Team Trials in 1968, where he took down the Provincial champion before being pinned. After a year in Manitoba, Al applied for a job in Pierz, where they had just opened a new high school after years of having only a public elementary and junior high. The new high school continued programs from the old Catholic High School even though construction hadn’t been completed yet. That meant that wrestling practice was held on the stage, as a 7th hour activity, not after school. Taking time out of that hour to get dressed, do warmups, shower and catch the bus to go home didn’t leave much actual time to wrestle! They didn’t have great numbers that first year, but steadily improved over time after Al lobbied to start an activity bus. The first activity bus was Al’s ‘66 Chevy, where he took home half a dozen wrestlers that wouldn’t have been able to participate without a ride home. His first assistant coach (Michael Toumi) was hired mid-season as a result of a kid practicing arm drags getting thrown off the stage and broke his arm. Al coached in Pierz from 1968-1986. (18 years total, with winning seasons all of the last 17.) Al’s record was 180-67-5).
Several wrestlers competed in and placed at the State tournament, including back when there was only one class for the entire state. Al remembers 2 significant and tough referee calls that cost his wrestlers the match, both in the state tournament-one was a stalemate call with the opponent in a pin hold on his back, and the other was 2 stall warnings in 3 seconds that tied the match with a defending state champ, after which his wrestler lost in overtime. Al continued to teach until his retirement in 1999.
He is proud of the work he did in both teaching and coaching, pleased with how others continued to expand and improve the program, and especially proud of the accomplishments of his wrestlers on the mat and afterwards. Today Al resides in Royalton with his wife Donna. They have two kids and 5 grandchildren.
Jim Zimmermann-Pioneer Recipient
Jim Zimmermann attended St. John’s Prep, graduating from there in 1956. While there he played a variety of sports (which at the time was encouraged and expected), including wrestling, basketball, baseball, and track. Jim continued his studies at St. John’s University, where he was a Math major with an English minor and a Physics Minor.
After graduating in 1960, Jim took a job at Owatonna-Marion, a Catholic high school. He was an assistant basketball coach, football coach, and track coach, all volunteer positions. Jim taught English there for two years. In 1962 Jim took a job at Pierz Memorial Catholic School, teaching math and some religion courses. The school was divided into two buildings; in one building there were 2 male teachers, one who taught industrial arts and one who taught agriculture classes. In the other building there were 4 priests, 9 nuns, and Jim. At the time there was only basketball and baseball offered. Fr. Kinzer approached him and said, “We want to start a wrestling program. We need a coach, and you’re it.” Jim had about 15-20 kids in his first year of coaching wrestling. They didn’t have any equipment. Their “mat” was a bunch of old mattresses taken from the nearby bomb shelter. They did get a mat the second year, and they even wrestled a few schools in the area. Jim coached two years and was replaced by Bernie Stube from Ely, who had some wrestling experience. Jim began coaching the JV basketball team and eventually became the head basketball coach. Jim taught there for 6 years before taking a job at Univac in Eagan, MN. His company was eventually purchased by Honeywell, and Jim took a job out in Phoenix, where he worked until retiring in 1997.
Jim had two kids (Mary and Tony) and four grandkids with Lois (who died in 1993 due to breast cancer), and then married Pat, and among the two of them they have 14 grandkids. Today Jim and Pat reside in Pierz.
MWCA Awards Recipients:
MWCA Awards Recipients’ biographies by Bill Schmidt
Matt Mauseth – Chatfield
Class A Wrestling Coach of the Year
Matt Mauseth, son of Mike and Cheri, was born and raised in Rochester along with older brothers Joe and Dan. One day Matt brought a flyer home from school and told his mom and dad he wanted to try wrestling and they said OK. Joe and Dan soon followed in their little brother’s footsteps. Matt made the Mayo varsity wrestling team as a 7th grader and went on to win 18 matches at 103 pounds. Mauseth took off from there taking a fourth place and two State Runner-up honors before winning the State Tournament as a Senior. Matt felt fortunate to have an outstanding wrestling coach in Dwight Gingerich and great workout partners like current head coach Art Trimble. Matt went on to wrestle at UW, LaCrosse, following Rochester Mayo teammate Josh Zabel and had an outstanding college career at LaCrosse. Mauseth was a three-time All–American and went on to win the National Title at 149#. Matt was again blessed with great coaching from Dave Malecek and Derek Fuglsang and having the opportunity to wrestle on teams that took two third place team finishes along with two runner-up finishes in Matt’s four years at LaCrosse. Matt served as assistant wrestling coach to Travis Bartels at Chatfield while working as a para-professional in the school system, then was hired as a Special Education teacher after finishing his degree. After five years as assistant, Matt traded places with Travis and took over the reins of the Chatfield wrestling program. It was tough sledding at first, as it was the COVID year, but things started to come together a little more each year and the Chatfield Gophers were the Class A State Team Champions in 2024 with a great regular season and a phenomenal Section and State Tournament. This season looked to be another good one for the Gophers with a great start by winning the Bi-State Classic for the second year in a row. The team had another strong showing at The Clash, falling to two Nationally Ranked teams before losing to Staples in the 5th place match. Chatfield wrestled a tough non-conference schedule knocking off Stillwater (3rd in AAA) and Kasson-Mantorville (2 nd in AA) during the season. The Gophers dominated every team in the Section meet and the first two rounds at State. Staples had a barn-burner in the Section Finals, defeating a powerful Holdingford team 30-28, but then breezed through the first two rounds of the State Tournament. Chatfield vs Staples-Motley in the State Finals. No surprise. There were 17 ranked wrestlers between the two teams with four matches having ranked kids going head-to-head. Mauseth explained that Chatfield won the close ones in the State Finals last year and this year Staples returned the favor with huge wins in key matches starting at 107# and rolling from there. It was a tough way to end their dual meet season, but Matt had to give credit to the Staples kids – they did not give up any easy points and scored when they needed to. The individual tournament followed and Matt was proud of how his kids responded with seven place-winners, most in program history, and Carson Rowland repeating as State Champ. Chatfield also had a fifth-place winner in the Girls State Tournament. Another great season with an awesome group of wrestlers. Much credit goes to assistant Chad Curry and the coaching staff along with tremendous support from the Chatfield community. This is the second year in a row that Mauseth has been named the MWCA Class A Wrestling Coach of the Year. Might be a reason for that. Matt is also appreciative of the support and understanding of his wife, Kiara, who works as a nurse at the Mayo Clinic and takes care of Paul (6), Nathan (4), and Molly (2) with limited help from Matt from mid-March to mid-November.
Kurt Becker and Bill McDonald, Watertown-Mayer
Minnesota Class AA Coaches of the Year
Kurt Becker was born and raised on a dairy farm near St. Michael, Minnesota. Kurt was a three-sport athlete at St. Michael-Albertville High School, qualifying for the State Wrestling Tournament as a Senior under the guidance of Gregg Greeno. He attended Fergus Falls Junior College where he played both football and baseball. Becker worked out with the wrestling team when time permitted and continued to help out with wrestling when he transferred to UofM Morris and even filled in at Heavyweight a couple of times when the team needed him.
After finishing up his Elementary Education degree at Morris and coaching football, baseball, and wrestling at area schools, Kurt was hired to coach third grade at Watertown-Mayer and had the privilege of assisting the late Joe Traen for 18 years before serving as Co-Head Wrestling Coach with Bill McDonald for the past eight years. Watertown Mayer’s Grapplers have put up great numbers since the collaboration, going 142-45 in dual meets with three State Tournament appearances in the past five years. In addition to winning the Class AA Team Tournament, the Watertown-Mayer twin phenoms, Joel and Titan Friedrichs, both dominated their weight classes en route to State Titles and finished the season unbeaten. Senior Bryce Burkett also rolled to his second State Title with an unblemished record.
Home-boy Bill McDonald, who also grew up on a dairy farm, was an outstanding football and baseball player at Watertown High School. In his sophomore wrestling season, McDonald made it all the way to the semifinals of the State Tournament where he got beat in overtime. All that hard work had started paying dividends. He had a great spring and summer, playing baseball and enjoying life. The following year, Bill went 28-2, but did not make it back to State. It was devastating at the time, but it provided McDonald with a valuable lesson. Hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard. He went back to wrestling and weight training with a vengeance and the next season went 33-0 with a State Title under his belt.
McDonald attended Southwest State in Marshall where he was a four-time Conference Champion and a four-time NAIA All-American, placing 2nd in the NAIA National Tournament at 158#. As a Senior, McDonald spent the entire season raked #1 at 158 pounds, but cut down to 150# to make room for his buddy, Dan Wolf. That cut took its toll and Bill ended up taking a disappointing 6th place, but Wolf was an All-American at 158#, so it was worth it.
McDonald graduated from Southwest State with a double major in Physical Education and Health along with a Coaching Certificate. His first teaching job was in Lake City where he had the pleasure of coaching wrestling and learning the ropes under Doug Vaith. After two years, Bill took the Head Wrestling position at Harmony and after a couple of years on a steady diet of humble pie, things started to improve.
Bill’s Harmony team won a couple of conference titles and qualified for the State Tournament for the first time in school history. The following year looked to be even better, but injuries to a couple of key performers kept the team from returning to State. The team did qualify five wrestlers individually and crowned their first State Champ in school history when Jeremy Larson won the State Title by a score of 13-11 in the finals. Coincidentally, that was the same score Bill won in his State Final match with Watertown a decade earlier. That spring a head wrestling position opened in Plainview-Elgin Millville. Bill put in for it and got it. As much as he enjoyed his time in Harmony, this was a dream come true for Bill and his wife, Lis. This is where they planned to spend the rest of their days. The wrestling team and community along with the Plainview teaching staff were everything Bill and Lis could have hoped for. Plainview-Elgin Millville qualified for the State Wrestling Tournament a couple of times as a team with many outstanding individual wrestlers coming through the ranks in McDonalds five-year stint. But when Bill’s uncle had a stroke back in Watertown, Bill was thinking he needed to get closer to home where his kids could get to know their Grandpa before it was too late. McDonald felt fortunate that a teaching opening occurred when it did at Watertown-Mayer and was blessed with the opportunity to coach with Joe Traen before he tragically passed away.
Bill has also explained that the past six years have been pure joy because his Co-Head Coach is Kurt Becker. Bill describes Kurt as a great wrestling coach and even better friend. When their Watertown-Mayer wrestling team qualified for State last year and came within an eyelash taking third place, Kurt and Bill both knew this year could really be something special. And it was. The team had one blemish on the season – a 30-21 loss to Class AAA Champion St. Michael-Albertville. They powered through the Section Tournament with a strong effort against a solid Scott West squad and came into the State Wrestling Tournament as the #1 Seed. After cruising past Totino Grace, the W-M grapplers battled past a tough Becker squad and finished the Tournament with a 33-20 win over Kasson-Mantorville. In all three State Tournament meets, Watertown- Mayer lost the flip. But they received gutty performances up and down the lineup and some kids came through with the match of their lives to make huge contributions when the team needed them. The W-M 107 pounder, who was majored during the season by Becker’s 107# wrestler, flipped the script with a major against the same wrestler in the semi-finals. The W-M 152 pound wrestler weighed in at 160 and then bumped up to 172 to lock down a key win on a bad knee. The W-M heavyweight, a second-year wrestler, won two of his three matches. A .500 wrestler (19-19) knocked off a State Meet Qualifier in the State Finals. The senior leadership was nothing short of amazing. When the time came for the Watertown-Mayer wrestlers to get into the wheelbarrow, they all piled in without hesitation.
Joe Block – Prior Lake
MWCA Class AAA Coach of the Year
Joe Block, son of Burt and Linda Block, started his wrestling career in LeCenter along with brother Kelly and the Block boys soon became standouts. Joe was a State Champ as a sophomore, took third as a junior, and came back with his second State Title as a senior. He attended Drake University wrestling there for three years and qualifying for the NCAA National Tournament. Drake unexpectedly dropped their wrestling program and Joe transferred to the University of Minnesota where he finished his college wrestling career while earning a degree in Elementary Education.
After graduating from the U, Joe was hired to teach and coach wrestling at his alma mater, LeCenter. After assisting Kevin Jensen for one year, Block took over the head wrestling duties for two years before taking an elementary teaching position along with the head wrestling position at Prior Lake. Even though it was a larger school, the wrestling program was not so large. Joe worked hard to build the program, but it was tough sledding. In the first three seasons of Block’s tenure, the team went 2-22 each year. It took five years before Joe saw his first .500 season. In 2006, Prior Lake made it to the State Wrestling Tournament, but went 0-2. They made it back in 2008 and took Consolation Honors. They team went again in 2011, 2012, 2013 and took third place at State three years in a row. In 2014, Prior Lake was State Runner-up to a powerful Apple Valley squad. Joe Block was voted the Class AAA Head Wrestling Coach of the Year by his fellow wrestling coaches in 2011, 2012, and again in 2014. That was pretty amazing. And now again in 2025.
Their season started out on a less than stellar note. The team had some good wrestlers, but it took some sacrifice and a team first attitude to get all the pieces in place. When Block’s Prior Lake squad lost three duals in a row in December, there was reason for concern. After losing by a 33-31 score to Apple Valley in early January, the team saw hope and started to put it all together as the month progressed. They got by a stubborn New Prague team in the Section semi-finals and came out on top against Apple Valley in the Section Finals by a 36-30 score. Prior lake lost to a strong Stillwater team in the first round, then came back with a win against Elk River and dropped the fifth-place match to Bemidji. Just making it back to the State Tournament was a major accomplishment.
Joe and his wife, Donelle, have been married 24 years with two children. Son Teagan graduated from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota one week ago, but has one more year of wrestling eligibility which he plans to use next winter and daughter Terin is in her second year at Augustana University in Sioux Falls.
Troy Peterson – Watertown Mayer
MWCA Assistant Wrestling Coach of the Year
Troy Peterson, son of Jerry and Patti Peterson, was born and raised in Watertown, Minnesota along with sisters Nicole and Amy and brother Travis. Troy’s dad Jerry, who worked as a crane operator, started a youth wrestling program with a couple of fathers when Troy was in kindergarten. Jerry wrestled in high school and wanted to make sure Troy and his friends had an opportunity to start learning to wrestle at an early age. Troy showed potential right away and had success wrestling in local tournaments from the get-go. Later he was able to train with the Hi- Flyers coached by Brandon Paulson, Marty Morgan, Will Short, and Ty Friederichs, among others. Peterson joined the big guys in the varsity room as a 7th grader. He had top notch high school coaches in Joe Traen and Doug Kugler. He also had some great role models that he looked up to like the Newman brothers (Dave, John, & Mark) and State Champ Rawdon Hawkinson. Troy was too small to wrestle 103#, but was able to gain some great experience wrestling on the JV team. As an 8 th grader, Troy wrestled at 103# on the varsity squad and came back as a Freshman as a full 103 pounder with an outstanding year finishing 5 th in the State Tournament. As a sophomore Peterson moved up to 112# and made it to the semifinals at State before going down, but came back for 3 rd place. As a junior, Troy came into the State meet ranked #1 at 119#, but got picked off by Billy Morgan in the first round at State before coming all the way back for another 3 rd place finish. In his final season in high school, Troy moved up to 130# and made it to the state finals before running into a human dynamo from Caledonia by the name of Trent Hatlevig. Peterson attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis and had four more great years of wrestling, but never quite made the tournament team at the end of the season as Augsburg had some pretty loaded teams during that time period. In addition, to Swenson, Whirley, and Wichmann, there were some outstanding grad assistant coaches the room, like Henry Gerten, who was an absolute hammer and a great role model. It was a great group of Auggies that Troy had the privilege of wrestling with and are still great friends today.
Peterson graduated from Augsburg with an Accounting degree and was hired by a Reinsurance Brokerage Company and has remained in the reinsurance industry for the past 23 years, currently working for Lockton Re LLC. Troy started out coaching the youth wrestling team at W-M and later came on board as a varsity assistant while continuing to work with the youth program. Troy’s dad passed away in 2021, but Mike Neaton, one of Troy’s youth coaches, is still coaching the youth along with Troy and many others. Taking the Watertown-Mayer Youth Wrestling Team to the NYWA State Team Tournament for the first time was a huge accomplishment for Troy and the crew. Troy’s sons, Bryce and Ian, were on that team. Winning the High School State Title this past year was a momentous milestone for this tight-knit wrestling community. Being a part of the youth program and also the senior high program was truly a thrill for Troy and it was an absolute honor to be in the same room as Kurt Becker and Bill McDonald. Troy and his wife, Tiffany, who works for a cyber-security firm, have five children. Daughter Kalli is a hairdresser in Watertown and son Ian attends Mankato State where he plays football. Daughter Ashley played volleyball at Watertown-Mayer and now coaches the J.O. volleyball team that her sister, Emily, currently plays on. Bryce will be adding another chapter to his illustrious wrestling career at Oklahoma University next fall.
Ella Pagel, Northfield
Ms. Minnesota/MWCA Wrestler of the Year
Ella Pagel, daughter of Robert and Chasidy Pagel, was born and raised on a farm near Northfield, Minnesota along with older brother Mason and younger brother Wyatt. Her older brother Mason is studying diesel technology at North Dakota State College of Science where he is also playing football. Younger brother Wyatt, an eighth grader, wrestles JV at Northfield with an occasional varsity start.
Along with Bob and Chaz, all three children have been heavily involved in the farm operations with Ella showing Hereford calves that were born and raised on the farm at the County Fair, open shows and the State Fair. In addition to wrestling, Ella played football and participated in track & field at Northfield High School. She helps out with the youth wrestling program, is heavily involved in 4-H and serves as president of her FFA Chapter.
Ella started wrestling in the Northfield youth program as a kindergartner, but even as a three-year-old she could be found on the corner of the mat scrapping with some of the younger kids during her brother Mason’s youth practices. When Ella started wrestling as a youngster, the girls did not have their own tournament and wrestled against boys most of the time. Ella wrestled on the Northfield James Gang youth team that won the “The Brawl” when she was a fifth grader and then the “Rumble on the Red” and the NYWA State Tournament when she was in 6 th grade. Ella was thrilled when she got a pin at HWT that sealed the win for her team in the championship finals. Ella also won an individual title at the “Rumble on the Red” and also at the Midwest Tour Championships earning the championship belt to wrap up her youth career.
Ella continued her phenomenal success into her middle school and high school years. In addition to being a three-time Minnesota State Champion, Ella was a USA Folkstyle National Champion as well as a Super 32 Champion. In freestyle, Ella won a 15U Pan Am Gold Medal (at 12 years old) and was a four-time Fargo place-winner, finishing 3 rd and 2 nd along with two championships. This past year, Ella received the Northfield High School Athena Award and was named the Star-Tribune Female Athlete of the Year.
Northfield assistant wrestling coach Jules Doliscar describes Ella as a dedicated and hard-working athlete who listens to her coaches, pushes herself and others in practice, and approaches wrestling and life with a great attitude. Head wrestling coach Geoff Staab echoes those sentiments.
It has not been all smooth sailing for Ella as she suffered a torn labrum while practicing at a Pinnacle for Fargo nationals a couple summers ago and was unable to compete as a junior as she recovered from surgery. That shoulder was still bothering her through this past wrestling season, but she is hoping that she can rehab it with therapy during this off-season. Ella continues to explore her college options and opportunities to be involved with wrestling and hopes she can inspire other girls to wrestle down the road.
Landon Robideau, St. Michael-Albertville
Mr. Minnesota/MWCA Wrestler of the Year
Landon Robideau, son of Zachary and Jennifer Robideau, has been a six-year starter for St. Michael-Albertville, a wrestling powerhouse in Minnesota. He finished his career with 283 victories against 6 losses for a winning percentage of 97.2%. Robideau has not lost a wrestling match since the 6 th match of his freshman season accumulating 188 straight wins since that loss. After finishing as State Runner-up in both his 7 th and 8 th grade seasons, Landon has won four straight State Titles – at 126# his freshman year, 132# as a sophomore, 152# as a junior, and 160# this past season. Robideau has pinned 160 opponents and garnered 1525 takedowns in the past six years. Robideau owns every career record for STMA except near-fall points. Sidenote: You do not receive near-fall points when you get a pin. Landon was also a Fargo Junior Freestyle Champ, a Super 32 Champ, a Who’s #1 Champion, and ended his high school career as a Pittsburgh Classic Champion in 2025. Robideau’s wrestling career has been nothing short of amazing.
On a team that has been dominant at the state level for years with back-to-back State Titles, Landon has been voted the outstanding wrestler by his team-mates four times and the hardest worker on the team three times. Landon has stayed after practice countless times to help younger wrestlers with their technique. Joriman describes Landon as the epitome of a service leader. He knows when the team needs his voice, but also knows when to step back and give others a chance to lead. When little brother Lincoln won the state tournament this past season with a hard-fought victory over an outstanding Hastings wrestler, Landon was overjoyed. That win was far more important to Landon than his own title a few matches later.
Head Coach Josh Joriman gives a lot of credit to his outstanding assistant coaches as well as Landon, who is like another coach in the room, for the tremendous success STMA has enjoyed over the past few years. Landon competes with class and grace and leads this team, not only by example, but by serving others. Landon has a strong faith and leads an FCA group for wrestlers and other athletes and students. Robideau is a volunteer coach at every level of the STMA Youth program for both boys and girls. Landon graduated with a 3.88 GPA while taking PSEO classes for the past two years. Robideau plans to attend Oklahoma State University next year and wrestle for the Cowboys.
Mike Baumgartner – Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Michael Baumgartner, son of Ken and Lucy Baumgartner, was raised in Park Rapids, Minnesota along with older brother Steve and younger brother Bob. Mike’s mom and dad were both from Bird Island, Minnesota and moved to Brainerd and then Park Rapids where Ken worked as a DNR Forester. Mike played basketball as a youngster, but switched to wrestling in 5 th grade. Mike’s first wrestling coach and mentor was Emmett Lingle, whose son Mark was a friend and team-mate of Mike’s. Mike participated in football, wrestling, and track & field in high school as head football coach Andy McCarty was a huge influence on Mike and urged him to go out for track to stay in shape, get stronger and faster, and bond with his football team-mates. Baumgartner played defensive tackle at 150 pounds in a 4-4 defense. In Mike’s senior year the football team went undefeated throughout the season and made it all the way to the Dome before losing in the state finals to perennial power Hutchinson.
After graduating from Park Rapids, Mike enrolled at Moorhead State and went out for wrestling under legendary Hall of Famer Bill Garland. That first season was filled with minor injuries and Mike had taken a full load of classes including Calculus and decided he needed to give up wrestling and concentrate on academics even though he loved the sport.
Mike did his student teaching in South Texas at LBJ Junior High and was immediately hired to teach mathematics at PSJA High School located eight miles from the Mexican border between Brownsville and McAllen. Mike served as assistant wrestling coach under Randy Mattson, an Iowa native, and when the fast-growing district built another school, Mike took over as head coach PSJA North High School. After 17 years in South Texas, Mike was hired to teach mathematics at his alma mater, Park Rapids, and served as assistant wrestling coach under young up and coming Matt Clark who had taken over the reins of the program. When Jeff Dravis was hired to teach industrial arts at Park Rapids, Jeff took the varsity assistant position and Mike moved to the middle school and had the opportunity to coach with Joe Clark, Matts dad, who was a character that had a unique way of communicating with the kids an old school vocabulary. Joe introduced Mike to colorful terms like “salty” (tough), “green” (inexperienced), and “rolly poley” (chubby).
Mike has four children. Son Ben was an outstanding wrestler at Park Rapids, placing twice at state and going undefeated in his final season before losing to a three-time state champion in the semifinals and coming back for third place. Daughter Bonnie was an excellent tennis player at Park Rapids.
Mike and his wife, Allison, who teaches at Century Elementary in Park Rapids, have two children, Drew (11) and Jack (9). Both are currently playing basketball, but enjoy a wrestling match in the living room every once in awhile.
Mike is grateful for all the experiences he’s had in his life. South Texas provided a significant culture shift, but helped him to appreciate all of the outstanding teachers and awesome students in this great country. He is truly thankful for the opportunity to work with so many phenomenal teachers, coaches, students, and athletes over the past thirty years.
Bryan Clemen – Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Bryan Clemen, son of Bruce and Dorothy Clemen, was born and raised in Prior Lake, Minnesota along with younger brothers Jeremy and Adam. Bryan participated in football, wrestling, and baseball at Prior Lake High School. Bryan was a solid football player, but excelled in wrestling and baseball (as a pitcher). Clemen was named the Prior Lake Athlete of the Year in 1991. Bryan credits football coaches Darrel Barlage and Bob Fleury along with wrestling coach Ron Edwards as outstanding mentors and role models as he was coming through the ranks. After graduating from Prior Lake, Clemen enrolled at St. John’s where he majored in accounting and wrestled under John Elton. Bryan was a four-year starter for St. John’s, placing 4 th , 3rd, and two-time runner-up in the MIAC Conference Tournament.
After graduating from St. John’s, Clemen went to work with Prudential Life as an internal accountant. During that time he served as an assistant wrestling coach as brother Adam was coming through the program. After four years as an assistant, Bryan served as co- head wrestling coach with Dan Edwards, Ron’s son and former Prior Lake team-mate. During this time Bryan decided he wanted to teach and coach, so he enrolled at the U of M and earned a Business Education degree while still working at Prudential and coaching wrestling.
After graduating from the U of M, Bryan was hired as a teacher and assistant wrestling coach at Dassel-Cokato under Kip Lynk. When Kip went into administration, Bryan took over the head wrestling duties. After fourteen years at the helm, Dassel-Cokato paired with Litchfield and Bryan served as co-head coach with Dan Buker and later Darrin Allen. Bryan, known as Clem to his teaching and wrestling community, has over-all record of 271-265-2 over his thirty-year stretch with Prior Lake, DC, and DCL. He has coached 85 state qualifiers, 36 state place-winners, and 3 State Champions along with two State Team appearances including a Team Runner-up finish in 2021. Dassel-Cokato Activities Director Byron Westrich states, “Coach Clemen has not only continued to put competitive wrestling teams on the mat; he has helped create a solid foundation upon which our wrestling program has been built.” While at Dassel-Cokato, Bryan met and married his wife, Rebecca, a social studies teacher and basketball coach in the DC school system, who currently works at TigerRisk Reinsurance. In 2007, Bryan and Rebecca had twins, Max and Kendra, who are set to graduate this spring. Max is a three-sport Athlete at DCL, participating in cross-country, wrestling, and golf and plans to enroll at St. John’s in the fall. Kendra is a swimmer and a six- year wrestling manager and plans to enroll at Moorhead State majoring in Elementary Education and would like to continue serving as a wrestling manager.
Bryan plans to continue teaching, but after 30 years of coaching wrestling, he feels it is time to step down from coaching as both kids enter college. An adage that Bryan has often used as words of advice for his wrestlers and has also applied to his own life goes like this: “Control the things you can control and do not waste time or energy worrying about those things you have no control over.”
Keith Esala – Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Keith Esala was introduced to the sport of wrestling as a freshman at New York Mills High School. His head coach was distinguished Hall of Fame member Rich Ericksrud. However, Esala was an undistinguished wrestler who enjoyed the sport, but not many victories. Keith attended Concordia College (now Concordia University) in St. Paul, but did not continue his wrestling career there.
After graduating from Concordia, Esala’s first full-time teaching job was at Lutheran High School in Racine Wisconsin where he served as band and choir director. The fledgling wrestling program needed an assistant coach and Coach Esala began his wrestling coaching career.
After three years in Racine, Coach Esala received a job offer from Concordia Academy in Roseville, Minnesota. In Lutheran schools, they refer to it as “a call”. This particular call included serving as the head wrestling coach, along with coaching girls track, and later baseball. Keith answered the call and his teams saw considerable success, winning six conference wrestling titles in the 1980’s and three division titles in the 1990’s. In the early 2000’s numbers began to drop dramatically and Coach Esala’s wrestling program was suspended for three years after a 22-year run.
In 2006, Brooklyn Center paired with Concordia Academy and became BC/CA. That meant Coach Esala was back in business as an assistant coach and chauffeur, driving Concordia Academy wrestlers to and from Brooklyn Center for meets, matches, and tournaments. This arrangement continued until this past Spring when Coach Esala retired after working with the BC/CA program for 20 years giving him a grand total of 45 years of coaching. For the past ten years, Esala has had the privilege of coaching with and learning from Bob Wolf, who is also being honored here tonight. Together, they shared experiences, traded stories of wrestlers they had coached, and how their work honors Jesus. Coach Esala also officiated high school football for 35 years working two State Football Tournaments and officiated baseball for 40 years, working six State Baseball Tournaments. Coach Esala’s wife of 48 years, Bev, also came from a wrestling family with all three brothers wrestling for Concordia Academy. Keith (Coach Esala) and Bev have three grown children. Son Joel wrestled at Concordia Academy and UW, River Falls. Son Jason wrestled at Concordia Academy and St. Olaf, and daughter Hope was simply the best wrestling manager ever.
In retirement, Keith and Bev are looking forward to spending more time with their eight grandchildren and also taking a few vacations to a warmer climate during the winter months.
Roy Magnuson – Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Roy Magnuson, son of Osgood and Ethel Magnuson, was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota along with sister Alice and brother John. Both Osgood and Ethel were born in western Minnesota, Osgood on a farm near Wheaton and Ethel in Barrett. Roy played football, hockey, and baseball as a youngster and loved to swim in the pool at Murray High in the summer. When Roy was in ninth grade, he decided to give wrestling a try. The St. Paul Murray High School coach was Gary Olson, who was an old school (learn the basics and outwork your opponent) type coach. Roy made the varsity team as a sophomore and was a solid member of the team through his senior year. Roy was an outstanding football player for Murray, playing on the offensive and defensive line at 160 pounds, and contributing to back-to-back city championship teams.
Roy began his college journey at Concordia Moorhead before transferring to Augsburg, where he earned a degree in Social Studies along with a teaching and coaching certificate. While still an Augsburg student, Roy began coaching football, wrestling, and track & field at Como Park High School – marking the beginning of a career centered on youth development and mentorship. After college, Roy taught Social Studies and coached three sports at Highland Park Junior High and Como Park High School. He later transitioned to the role of Public Information Officer for the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, where he continued his deep involvement in community engagement. With encouragement from longtime friend and Sheriff Bob Fletcher, Roy remained a committed football and wrestling coach, shaping the lives of countless students and athletes. A key figure in fostering inclusive participation in high school athletics, Roy built strong relationships with immigrant families, helping students feel welcome and supported. One of his most impactful mentoring relationships was with Koua Yang, who went on to wrestle at Augsburg and become a social studies teacher and a successful wrestling and tennis coach at Harding High School before becoming an Athletic Director (and Roy’s boss) at his alma mater, Como Park. Roy’s dedication to bridging cultural gaps in school sports opening doors for many students to pursue higher education, careers, and military service remains Roy’s most treasured accomplishment. Many of these former student athletes are continuing to pay it forward by encouraging their own children to follow in their footsteps. One of Roy’s early mentors and inspirational coaches was Ev Arnold, who became the JV Wrestling Coach in Roy’s junior year. Another great friend and mentor was fellow football and wrestling coach Greg Petrie, who passed away in 2019. Roy’s wife, Mary Drew, who works in the sociology department at the University of Minnesota, has been by Roy’s side from Day One supporting him in his journey.
Roy’s coaching legacy culminated at the 2025 state wrestling meet, where Mikeya “Mimi” May earned second place at 190 lbs. He plans to coach one final football season in the fall, closing a remarkable career that has spanned from the late 1970s to the mid-2020s. Roy Magnuson’s influence lives on through the lives and communities of those he coached, taught, and inspired.
Chip Rankin – Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Chip Rankin was born in Brainerd, Minnesota, but subsequently moved to West Waterloo, Iowa, home of Bob Siddens and Dan Gable. His dad was in the Marines, so the family moved when and where he was stationed. They moved to Little Falls when Chip was in Junior High. Rankin was a three-sport athlete at Little Falls High School, serving as a team captain in Football, Wrestling, and Baseball. Little Falls placed fifth at State when Chip was a junior. Rankin wrestled anywhere from 171# to HWT, wherever the team needed him. Chip qualified for State at 189# both his junior and senior seasons. Chip attended Itasca Junior College after graduation where he played football and wrestled for Hall of Famer Mike Rybak, posting a 60-23 record and was a Junior College State Champ as a sophomore helping his team to win the Junior College National Wrestling Tournament. From Itasca, Chip went on to UMD and wrestled for Neal Ladsten for two years. Chip had one more year of eligibility remaining due to an injury redshirt, but the program was suddenly and inexplicably dropped – a huge disappointment for Chip along with many of his team-mates. Rankin finished up his biology major and mathematics minor and got ready for graduation. Chip was hired to teach science and coach football and wrestling at Litchfield that following year. The head wrestling coach resigned to go into business over Christmas vacation and the superintendent offered the head wrestling job to Chip with the stipulation that he also take over as the head softball coach. Chip spent eight years at Litchfield, with his wrestling team taking state runner-up honors in 2002 and making it to the top step of the podium in 2003. The team went back to State in 2004, finishing fifth. Mike Fiedler took over the reins the following year as Chip had been deployed to Fallujah, Iraq where he spent two years as company commander for 200+ soldiers, marines, and sailors. Chip came back to take administrative positions at Mora, Bemidji, and the Pequot Lakes where he served as principal and junior high wrestling coach. After eight years at Pequot, Chip was again deployed to Afghanistan where he led a team of SS-Specialists on a mission to train Afgan army and police to fight terrorist networks. In 2020 Rankin was deployed to East Africa where he served as a security task force commander for a 1000+ soldier unit partnering with Navy Seals and Marine Raiders. Chip is most proud of the fact that his team executed 18 major missions without the loss of a single American serviceman. Rankin currently serves as the Superintendent (and head wrestling coach) at Minnewaska. He and is wife, Rebecca, who is a pharmacist, have four children. Son Nathan is a junior at South Dakota State, and daughters Rachel, Clara, and Kathryn, ages 10, 8, and 6, attend Minnewaska Schools.
Bryan Nelson – Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Bryan Nelson, son of Al and Judy Nelson, was born and raised in Cold Spring, Minnesota along with sister Charise. Bryan had a next-door neighbor, Cory Walsh, who was a huge influence in Bryan’s decision to wrestle and play football.
Bryan attended ROCORI High School where he participated in football and wrestling. Nelson was a three-time All-Conference selection and an All-State Honorable Mention football player as well as an outstanding wrestler, qualifying for State three times and finishing 4th as a Senior at 185#. Bryan was selected to wrestle in the Minnesota-Wisconsin All-Star Meet and was named outstanding wrestler in the Wisconsin meet.
After graduating from ROCORI High School, Nelson followed ROCORI’s Pat Johannes to North Dakota State. Bryan was a three-year starter at NDSU at 190# and a two-time All-American, winning the North Central Conference with Outstanding Wrestler Honors and placing third at the NCAA Division II National Tournament in 1990.
After graduating from NDSU with a Social Science Education degree, Nelson was hired to teach social studies and coach wrestling at Breckenridge High School. After a year as an assistant, Bryan took over the head coaching duties for the next two years After five years at the helm, Bryan stepped down to focus on his family. He continued to work with the youth program, then middle school, and finally back to senior high as his son, Spencer, was coming through the program.
Shawn Frederixon took over the head duties and continued to maintain a strong program while serving as a Section Rep as well as President of the MWCA. When Shawn’s battle with cancer forced him to give up his coaching duties, Bryan was asked to step up and lead the program in the middle of the ’22-23 season and has continued to serve as head wrestling coach for the past two seasons. As Bryan looks back on his wrestling and coaching career, he is grateful for the opportunity to wrestle for two great mentors in John De Lozier and Bucky Maughan.
Nelson is thankful for the chance to coach with Shawn Frederixon, David Hinsch, and many other dedicated coaches for the past 30+ years. In fitting fashion, Bryan was able to finish his career working with three young warriors that he had the privilege of coaching from kindergarten through their senior year. The final varsity wrestling match of Nelson’s wrestling coaching career took place at the State Tournament this past Spring as Logan Bender won his second 285 pound Class AA State Title for Chisago Lakes.
Bryan and his wife, Lori, who teaches at Wolf Creek, an area charter school, have two children. Son Spencer is a senior at Clemson University studying architecture while daughter Bailey is thoroughly enjoying her second year at Bryan’s alma mater, NDSU. She is majoring in Psychology.
Bob Wolf – Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Bob Wolf, son of John and Carol Wolf, was born and raised in Warren, Michigan, just outside of Detroit, along with brother Bill and sisters Barbara and Beverly. He attended a Lutheran elementary school where he met one of his lifetime mentors and all-time inspiring teacher, Mr. Doug Primeau. Bob will be traveling to Detroit this spring to help Mr. Primeau celebrate his 80 th birthday. Bob attended high school in Mt. Clemens, Michigan where he enjoyed playing football and was introduced to the sport of wrestling in his freshman physical education class that was taught by the head wrestling coach. The following year Wolf went out for wrestling and has enjoyed competing and coaching ever since. Bob made the starting line-up as a junior at 160# and moved up to 171# as a senior. Bob did not consider himself a great athlete, but thoroughly enjoyed competing in football, wrestling, and baseball.
After graduating from high school, Bob enrolled at Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska where he participated in football, swimming, and golf, but after four years, came back home and took a job in a machine shop in Rochester, Michigan. During that time, Bob served as an assistant wrestling coach at an area school and thoroughly enjoyed himself. He decided to enroll at Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota and work on a teaching degree in Health and Physical Education. Bob student taught at Concordia Academy and served as an assistant track & field coach before getting called to teach Health and Physical Education at Valley Lutheran in Saginaw, Michigan where he spent one year as an assistant wrestling coach before taking over the head duties for the next ten years. Coach Wolf then received another call from a goof friend in Phoenix Arizona where he took another Valley Lutheran teaching position in the Phoenix area where he served as head coach in three sports – football, wrestling and track & field. Between the tarantulas and rattlesnakes, it was a unique teaching and coaching experience.
Coach Wolf then got the call to come back to Concordia Academy where he has coached football, wrestling and track & field. The wrestling team has been paired with Brooklyn Center and Coach Wolf and Coach Keith Esala have thoroughly enjoyed the collaboration with Matt Gautch and his Brooklyn Center coaching staff and wrestlers. Bob’s and his wife Gay, who serves as a Hospice Music Therapist and loves improving the quality of people’s lives as they face their final days on this earth, have five children. Son Brandon is an Air Force pilot and lives in Shreveport, Louisiana with his wife and four children. Twin daughter Amy works as an environmental specialist in Lincoln, Nebraska with her husband and two children. Twin daughter Bridgette is a floral consultant and lives in Phoenix with her husband and daughter, son Adam also lives in Phoenix with his wife and daughter and works as a financial consultant, and daughter Chelsea is finishing her Master’s Degree in counseling at Grand Canyon University. As Bob looks back on his life, he feels very blessed to have a tremendous partner in Gay and a beautiful family. He is thankful for all of his life experiences and encourages everyone, both young and old, to be willing to try new things; “Then follow your heart, chase your dreams, and trust in the Lord.”
Johnie Newman – Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Johnie Newman, son of William Frank and Lela Newman, was born and raised in East Chicago, Indiana along with five brothers and three sisters. William Frank, a World War II Vet, worked in a steel mill for a number of years before starting his own business. As a youngster, Johnie was undefeated in back-alley fights prompting his older brother to suggest he should go out for wrestling. Johnie could never get the hang of dribbling a basketball, so he thought he would give wrestling a shot. It took Johnie a while to learn the rules of the sport, but physical combat was right up his alley (as in back-alley). He learned a lot that first year, but kept losing to the varsity guy in wrestle-offs by a point or two every time. As a sophomore, Johnie secured a varsity spot at 145# for Washington High School and came back the following year at 145# with high hopes of qualifying for the state tournament, but a late-season injury took him out of postseason competition. As a senior, Johnie moved up to 167# to allow a couple of his good friends to compete at 145# and 155#. Johnie made it to State, but ran into the top-ranked wrestler in the state in the first round and did not get an opportunity to wrestle back. Johnie was a good football player, strong and quick, starting both ways – at defensive end and wide receiver. Newman also ran track, competing in the sprints to the middle distances as well as relays. After graduating from high school, Newman enrolled at Southwestern Michigan Junior College where he had two outstanding years, but again failed to compete in the post-season due to a separated shoulder both years (same shoulder). After finishing up at junior college, Johnie attended Easter Michigan University and went out for wrestling, knocking the varsity 158 pounder out of the starting line-up and taking his scholarship, but again suffered a season ending shoulder injury. Newman came back as a senior, all healed up and ready to go. Johnie was enjoying an undefeated season when injury struck again in the form of a broken hand. He needed surgery to repair it, but when the doctor removed the pins from his hand, some nerves were severed and it felt like a bolt of lightning running up his arm and through his entire body. Johnie tried to wrestle again, but his hand was pretty much useless and his college career ended without an opportunity to wrestle in the postseason. As Newman looks back on his college wrestling career, he regrets not having the opportunity to wrestle in the national tournament, but is proud of the fact that he made it to the finals in every tournament he participated in with a number of tournament championships and outstanding wrestler awards. He remembered wrestling at the Midlands right out of high school and winning his first eight matches before being forced to default with a torn muscle in his leg after leading by 10 points in the quarterfinals. That wrestler lost to Joe Carr by one point in the Midland Finals. Johnie also believes he may have been the only wrestler to place at two different weights in the same tournament. It took place in Mexico in an International Freestyle tournament. After losing a hard-fought match in the 180# finals, Newman had to turn around and wrestle in the 198# finals immediately afterwards. He was able to able to defeat the 198# Olympic Freestyle Wrestler from Mexico in that match to finish on a high note. Newman returned to his hometown (East Chicago) and went to work doing jobs that required physical labor. He served as an assistant wrestling coach at Washington High, his alma mater, working with the freshman group. He took pride in the fact that eight of his freshmen made the varsity line-up by the end of the season. Johnie came to Minnesota when he married his wife, Paulette, and served as assistant at Minneapolis Souith for six years, then went to Roosevelt and assisted Jim Dotseth for two years, then to Minneapolis North under Richard Chakolis for 14 years, followed by a one year stop at Edison under Billy Pierce, and an 11 year stint at Minneapolis Henry. His Minneapolis tour has come full circle as he is back at Roosevelt coaching wrestling under Drew Gau. The Roosevelt program was in bad shape with numbers in the single digits when Coach Gau took over. This past year the program boasted 40+ wrestlers with Johnie being excited to be part of the rebuilding process. Johnie has enjoyed coaching wrestling at every stop. He has worked in landscaping, lawn and yard care, construction, and fora moving company over the years, but the one constant in his life has been wrestling. He lost his wife, Paulette, to ovarian cancer, the re-united with his former girlfriend, Lela, who was the mother of his two children, Sabrina and Jonathan, before she passed away due to a heart attack. John has recently lost a number of family members, but his wrestling family has helped him to survive and cope. Johnie has just finished his 47th year of coaching wrestling, and he should be thinking about hanging up his shoes, but he is not sure if that is possible.