Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks

The Mavericks are on the Cusp of an Outstanding Season

By Matt Krumrie

Jim Makovsky enters his 28th season as head coach of the MSU-Mankato wrestling team with a deep and talented lineup bolstered by a group of talented junior college transfers and talented newcomers.

Makovsky and head coach Ty Eustice, now in his fourth season with the Mavericks, are excited about a lineup led by Kyle Rathman of Apple Valley (Apple Valley HS), a 2019 NCAA All-American at 149 who will open the season ranked No.1 in the nation in the NCAA Division II rankings.

"Kyle has been so steady in our program since he’s got here," says Eustice. "He’s made jumps every year, and he has physically matured even more. We love watching him compete; he is aggressive and makes things happen."

Five other regulars are back, including Trent McManus (125/2020 national qualifier), Cooper Siebrecht (157/2020 region place winner), Trevor Turriff (184/2020 national qualifier), Matt Blome (197/2020 region place winner), and David Griffet (285/2020 region place winner).

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NSIC Announces 2020-21 Wrestling Schedules

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The NSIC has announced its wrestling (and basketball) schedules for the 2020-21 academic year. The schedules were approved by the NSIC Board of Directors with the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches, and staff as the top priority. Wrestling schedules will begin in January and schools will follow NCAA Sports Science Institute (SSI) guidelines for competition.

To mitigate COVID-19 exposure, schools will only compete against one opponent each week of the season.

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DII grants winter athletes further season-of-competition relief

Division II winter sport student-athletes who compete during the 2020-21 academic year will receive an additional season of competition through a waiver the Division II Management Council approved this week. In addition, student-athletes eligible for this waiver also will receive an extension of eligibility, according to a waiver previously approved by the Division II Administrative Committee.

The same flexibility was provided to spring sport athletes after their 2020 seasons were canceled and to fall student-athletes after the Division II Championships were canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, the Administrative Committee approved a pair of waivers permitting all student-athletes who competed during the 2020-21 academic year an additional year of eligibility and season-of-competition opportunities if their team completed 50% or less of their sport’s maximum contests/dates of competition. That flexibility still applies for spring sport student-athletes in the 2021 season.

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Catching up with Jim Gale

From Wrestling to Sustainable Farming

By Chad Otterness

Jim was a 1988 Totino-Grace High School and 1994 Mankato State University graduate. Jim has accumulated an impressive wrestling background. He was a Minnesota state freestyle and Greco-Roman champion, a two-time place winner at the Minnesota State High School Wrestling Championships, and a four-time All-American at Mankato State University, earning a National Championship in 1992.

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Mavericks add 13 to Roster

MANKATO, Minn. — Minnesota State wrestling coach Jim Makovsky has announced that 13 student-athletes have joined the Maverick wrestling team.

“Overall, it’s exciting to have such a large class of guys coming in together. We are confident that we’ve attracted the right type of student-athlete that will contribute to the overall mission of our program. Some of these wrestlers will be called on right away to contribute but they will all definitely make an impact on the culture of the program and raise the competitiveness within the wrestling room. We are hopeful we will wrestle this year, we’re looking forward to the season starting – whenever that is,” assistant coach Ty Eustice said.

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NSIC Cancels Fall Competition & Championships; Suspends All Sports Competition Through December 31

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – In light of the NCAA Board of Governors’ decision to direct all institutions and conferences to meet specific requirements to conduct fall sports and the NCAA Division II Presidents Council’s announcement that all NCAA Division II fall championships are canceled, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference’s Board of Directors has canceled NSIC fall competition & championships, and has suspended all athletic competition through December 31, 2020.

The NSIC recognizes the value an NCAA championship experience provides for student-athletes and that was a factor in the analysis. However, health and safety concerns prevailed in the league’s decision. Additionally, current recommendations for testing, exposure, and quarantine make it very difficult for a season to be successfully completed at an institution or across the conference without severe disruptions.

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