Since 2013, the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association has recognized the Team Champions from the MSHSL Individual State Tournament. The winning team and runner-up from each class (A, AA, and AAA) earns a trophy/plaque to display at their respective schools. This year the MWCA is proud to recognize Jackson County Central as the Class A Champion, Simley as the Class AA Champion, and St. Michael-Albertville as the Class AAA Champion. The top 10 teams per class are shared below.
High School News
College Recruiting: two-time state placewinner Venz to Augsburg University
Parker Venz of Farmington has committed to wrestling for Augsburg University next season.
NWHOF MN Chapter Banquet Sold Out
Due to COVID-19 capacity limits for restaurants, registration for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Minnesota Chapter Banquet set for Saturday, April 24 in Austin is closed at this time.
2021 Fall Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will be on October 30th
The 2021 Fall Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association David Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will take place October 30th in Benson, Minn. Inductees will be Tom Campanaro, Mark Costello, Tom Gravalin, Gary Heydt, Don Krusemark, and Joel Skillings.
Stamped By Family
Doug Vaith and Lake City Wrestling
By Brian Jerzak
When high school athletics are done correctly, the focus is on the kids involved. As an extension of making the kids the centerpiece, families become almost as important. More than anything, family has shaped Doug Vaith's coaching career and, in turn, has shaped the path of the Lake City wrestling program.
As first-generation wrestlers, the Vaith family would soon put their stamp on Minnesota wrestling.
"My oldest brother played basketball, but my second oldest brother – Paul, who coaches in Hastings – got going in wrestling and four of my five brothers got into it," Vaith said. "We wrestled for Blooming Prairie; three of us ended up being state qualifiers. I started wrestling in fourth grade and was a state qualifier in 1981."
Although not wrestling people, Vaith's parents supported their sons' passion.
College Recruiting: two-time state champion Gode to North Dakota State University
Mason Gode of LPGE-Browerville has committed to wrestling for North Dakota State University next season.