Listen to the latest episode of the Minnesota Wrestling Round Table Podcast brought to you by KNUJ Radio out of New Ulm, Minn. Join Jim Bartels, and his guests, Larry ‘The Sodbuster’ Baumgardt, Chad Johnson, Cathy Koob, and Adam Bartels.
High School News
2023 MCC Region I Hall of Fame Banquet to take place on March 11th
The Mayo Civic Center Region I Wrestling Hall of Fame Committee has selected eight new members for induction on Saturday, March 11, 2023.
The banquet will be held at Charlie’s Eatery, 1654 US 52 N, Rochester, Minn.
High School Milestones – Thursday, February 2, 2023
- 100th Pin – Will Sather, Eden Prairie, 11th, Hwt
- 150th Win – Austin Laudenbach, Apple Valley, 12th, 113 pounds
- 150th Win – Tucker Ginther, Caledonia, 12th, 145 pounds
- 75th Pin – Jayden Haueter, Apple Valley, 145 pounds
- 125th Win – Colten Black, Cannon Falls, 12th, 160 pounds
- 125th Win – Dan Gunlogson, Dawson-Boyd/Lac qui Parle/Montevideo United, 11th, 126 pounds
- 100th Win – Calvin Singewald, Cannon Falls, 11th, 126 pounds
- 100th Win – Christian Rodriguez, Waseca, 12th, 170 pounds
- 100th Win – Gabe Ridlon, Crosby-Ironton
- 100th Win – Masyn Olson, Kerkhoven Murdock Sunburg, 12th, 195 pounds
- 100th Win – Isaac Blocker, Caledonia, 11th, 152 pounds
- 50th Pin – Brody Perry, Edina, 11th, 220 pounds
- 50th Pin – Bo Zwiener, Westfield, 10th, 132 pounds
- 60th Win – Holt Larson, Dawson-Boyd/Lac qui Parle/Montevideo United, 12th, 170 pounds
- 50th Win – Dominic Kerzman, Sauk Centre-Melrose, 10th
- 50th Win – Noah Christen, Sauk Centre-Melrose, 9th
MSHSL votes for 13 weights for boys and girls wrestling
Minnesota State High School League Board of Directors Meeting Release
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — Participation in Girls and Boys Wrestling will be across 13 weight divisions each beginning with the 2023-2024 season following approval of the Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors at its scheduled meeting at League headquarters.
The newly-approved weight divisions come as a result of an NFHS wrestling rules modification that requires each state association to select the number of weight classes for their state at 12, 13 or 14.
The board used information from a survey of member schools and a recommendation from the League’s Wrestling Advisory Committee in making their decision. The approval brings alignment in the weight divisions between both genders of participants when enacted next school year.
No Longer The Hunter – Zach Hanson
By Brian Jerzak
There is a saying out there that goes, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. For most athletes, second place in the state wrestling tournament would be considered a wildly successful season, and most athletes don't get anywhere near that close to a state championship. After two straight second-place finishes at State - for Lakeville North's Zach Hanson – close no longer counted, and he wouldn't be happy unless he was on top of the podium.
"Winning a state title (last season) was a relief," Hanson said. "There have been no slouches in the state finals in Minnesota. (St. Michael-Albertville's) Cole Becker was a great opponent. We had wrestled earlier in the season, and it was a quadruple overtime match. You couldn't tell which way it would go, but getting that takedown in overtime was the most relieving moment I have felt in a long time. Just to know I had finally done it and proven I could do it. Now this year, I can focus on improving and not worry about results as much as I used to."
Hanson entered his senior season as the hunted, not the hunter.
A rare juggling act: St. Charles’ Barclay handles competing in both basketball and wrestling
St. Charles senior Noelle Barclay is a contributor for the Saints on the hardwood and the wrestling mat.
ST. CHARLES — There are times when Noelle Barclay looks across the wrestling mats and wonders how exactly she got here.
Some of Barclay’s earliest memories of the sport involved her watching her younger brother compete at tournaments. She didn’t necessarily enjoy it.
“I used to cry because I felt bad,” Barclay said with a bit of a laugh. “It was little kids and they were crying. I obviously didn’t like that.” Continue reading at postbulletin.com →
High School Milestones – Tuesday, January 31, 2023
- 75th Win – Evan Bartholomaus, Red Rock Central, 9th
- 75th Win – Kollin Anderson, Saint James, 11th, 132 pounds
- 50th Win – Carter Beranek, Red Rock Central, 11th
- 50th Win – Treyce Ludwig, Eden Valley Watkins, 10th
- 50th Win – Bailey Geist, Mille Lacs, 11th, 160 pounds
College Recruiting: two-time state placewinner Vancura to Augsburg University
Caleb Vancura of Jackson County Central has committed to wrestling for Augsburg University next season.