The 2020 edition of the MWCA All-State Academic Wrestling Team is comprised of 28 student-athletes with a combined average GPA of 3.72. They have amassed over 4000 wins while maintaining a nearly 81% winning percentage. The MWCA gives this award to the state’s best wrestlers who also excel in the classroom. “We are looking to recognize the best student-athletes Minnesota has to offer in each weight class,” commented Joe Puncochar, MWCA All-State Academic Chairperson, “These students certainly represent what it means to be student-athletes, as they are successful in both the classroom and on the mat.
Awards
Minnesota/USA Wrestling Awards for 2019
The 2019 Minnesota/USA Wrestling Awards Banquet was held on Sunday, September 29th at The Lakeville Art Center in Lakeville, Minn.
Greg Schwartz Memorial Wrestling Camp Awards
The 28th Annual Greg Schwartz Memorial Wrestling Camp at Morris, Minn. wrapped up on June 20th. This year’s camp attracted 72 wrestlers from Border West, MAHACA, Minnewaska, Benson, Rocori, Osakis, Paynesville, Sisseton, Ortonville, and Granite Falls. Camp clinicians included Hunter Burnett, Keaten Schorr, Roger Kish, Cam Sykora, Bruce Moe, and Kris Nelson.
Minnesotans receive recognition in Wrestling USA Magazine
Several Minnesotans were honored in the May 30th issue of Wrestling USA Magazine.
St. Cloud State honors its 2018-19 team award winners
The national champion St. Cloud State University wrestling team honored its 2018-19 team award winners at the Huskies’ annual awards banquet on Friday, April 19 in St. Cloud, Minn.
The award list was led by senior 197-pounder Vince Dietz, who received the team’s Dean Weisman Wrestler of the Year Award for 2018-19. Dietz was the runner-up at 197-pounds at the 2019 NCAA DII championships and also gained first place at the NCAA DII Regional meet this season. He had a 31-1 record, which included 11 falls.
Former SCSU All-American Tad Merritt ’12 and NCAA champion John Sundgren ’11 were both inducted into the SCSU Wrestling Hall of Fame this year, while Josh Joriman ’13 earned the Huskies’ Alumni Achievement Award.
2019 MWCA All-State Academic Wrestling Team Named
The 2019 edition of the MWCA All-State Academic Wrestling Team is a group of great wrestlers that consists of 22 seniors and six juniors. “The MWCA gives this award to the state’s best wrestlers who also excel in the classroom. These young wrestlers are not only dedicated on the mat but also exemplify what it means to be a student-athlete. Coaches should be striving to develop young adults like the wrestlers recognized for the award,” commented Joe Puncochar, MWCA All-State Academic Chairperson.
On this year’s team, four student-athletes carry a perfect 4.0 GPA: Ben Lunn of Shakopee, Sebas Swiggum of Apple Valley, Kellen Schauer of Grand Rapids, and Garson Schorr of Kasson-Mantorville. Overall, this year’s squad carried a 3.59 combined GPA. These student-athletes are not only getting it done on the mat, but they are also getting it done in the classroom! The 28 selected to be recognized were among 134 applicants statewide. The dedicated coaches of the MWCA has increased the number of nominations over each of the past three seasons.
MWCA Deadlines Reminder
Deadlines for several Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association honors and awards are fast approaching.
The Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler Award, Media Award, Academic Team Awards, Individual All-State Academic Awards, Assistant Coach of the Year Award, and Scholarship Awards all have upcoming February deadlines.
Greg Schwartz Memorial Wrestling Camp Awards
The 27th Annual Greg Schwartz Memorial Wrestling Camp at Morris, Minn. wrapped up on June 20th. This year’s camp attracted 70 wrestlers. Camp clinicians included Seth Gross, Keaten Schorr, Brandon Carroll, Roger Kish, and Cam Skyora.