The 2021 edition of the MWCA All-State Academic Wrestling Team consists of some of the state’s best wrestlers who are also great students. This group of student-athletes has won 23 state titles, over 4400 matches, and an astounding 82% winning percentage. Each year, the MWCA seeks the state’s top wrestlers, who are also great students. “We are looking for wrestlers that emphasize the student in student-athlete and also get it done on the mat!” commented Joe Puncochar, MWCA All-State Academic Chairperson, “The 28 wrestlers selected this year were from a pool of 145 wrestlers nominated across the state by members of the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association.
Awards
2020 MWCA All-State Academic Wrestling Team Named
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.
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.