Nathan Lexvold and K-W Wrestling
By Brian Jerzak
Two years ago, Kenyon-Wanamingo head coach Matt Ryan stepped away from a position he had held for 21 years. Ryan had built the program from a team that was happy to get out of the pigtail match during sections to one of the best programs in the state. To replace someone synonymous with Knights' wrestling, the K-W athletic department didn't have to look far for a replacement. They hired Nathan Lexvold – someone who is also synonymous with Knights' wrestling and whose family might be more ingrained in the community than even their former coach.
"My dad (Wayne Lexvold) wrestled for Goodhue – one of our rivals. He moved to Kenyon, and once I started wrestling in elementary, he started coaching in the elementary program. As my brothers and I moved up to varsity, he moved with us as a volunteer assistant coach."
Wrestling and the future head coach was a good fit from the beginning.
"I am a competitive person," Lexvold said. "I like to win. I always tell people I hate losing more than I like winning. Wrestling is a competitive thing, and with it being a one-on-one thing, you can control it."
Lexvold and three of his younger brothers came through the wrestling program. When Nathan was a senior, the brothers may have set a state record.
