Former Gopher All-Americans Zach Sanders and Mitch McKee are scheduled to compete at the Hawkeye Wrestling Club (HWC) Showdown Open Sunday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.
In the main event, Sanders will face two-time NCAA Champion and 2020 Hodge Trophy Award winner Spencer Lee, a senior for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Currently a volunteer assistant coach for Minnesota, Sanders was a four-time All-American from 2009-12 and finished sixth in Gopher history with a 134-27-1 career record.
Former Minnesota 141-pounder Mitch McKee has joined the Gopher Wrestling Club Regional Training Center, a training site for elite athletes pursing national and international success.
McKee finished his Gopher career this past March as a two-time All-American and four-time NCAA Championship qualifier. He posted a 91-42 career record with 33 pins, a total that ranks 12th in school history. McKee was a Big Ten All-Academic and two-time NWCA All-Academic honoree.
Four Gopher wrestlers were named All-Americans this weekend by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). The list includes 149-pound Brayton Lee, 174-pound Devin Skatzka, and heavyweight Gable Steveson on the First Team while 141-pound Mitch McKee is on the Second Team.
“During difficult times there are always people who rise to the occasion,” NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “It’s important that these athletes’ efforts and successes during the season are recognized. Congratulations to each of this year’s honorees and National Qualifiers.”
McKee, Skatzka, and Steveson were all 2019 All-Americans. So, McKee and Skatzka finish their careers as two-time All-Americans while Steveson still maintains his pursuit to become the Gophers’ 11th four-time All-American in program history.
With the 2019-20 season now suddenly in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look back at our seven seniors who have closed out their careers in Maroon and Gold.
With over 300 combined victories, 150 bonus point victories, and 13 NCAA Tournament qualifications, this senior class has left an indelible mark in program history.
Now, we take a look at each individual Gophers senior and the accomplishments they racked up in Dinkytown. Plus, their thoughts on what wearing the Maroon and Gold singlet so special.
The October 25, 2019 issue of The Guillotine has arrived! Featured content in this issue includes: College Previews: University of Minnesota, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Southwest Minnesota State University, St. Cloud State University, Augustana University, Augsburg University, Concordia College, St. John’s University, St. Olaf College, Itasca Community College, Minnesota West Community & Technical College, Northland Community & Technical College, Ridgewater College, Rochester Community & Technical College, and Augsburg University Women; and The stage is set for McKee to finish college career in style.
More content in this issue: Lace ‘Em Up, MWCA Report, Performance Nutrition - Whole Grain a Must, Ask The Doc, Open Tournament Calendar, Officially Speaking, Camps-Clinics-Training.
View this issue below.
Mitch McKee can see it from his house.
The bright purple lights that glow at night from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
It’s the place where his beloved Minnesota Vikings play.
And the place where he hopes to cap his collegiate career with an NCAA wrestling championship.
“Having the 2020 NCAA tournament there is going to be amazing,” McKee said. “I will have a lot of family and friends there, and it’s going to be incredible having nationals in that stadium. It’s going to be awesome to finish my career there.” Continue reading at intermatwrestle.com
McKee was sidelined in November due to a torn meniscus in his left leg. Four weeks after having surgery, he was back on the mat.
Wrestling is brutal on the body; it’s common for wrestlers to participate while dealing with aches and pains. Junior Mitch McKee has taken this to the extreme, fighting back from severe injury to quickly get back into the Minnesota lineup.
This isn’t new for McKee. He has had his fair share of injuries in his three years wrestling for the Gophers. The St. Michael, Minnesota native has torn his meniscus three times since joining the wrestling team: twice on his right knee and most recently on his left.
His latest meniscus injury occurred shortly before winter break, but McKee said he did not know it was torn at first. Continue reading at www.mndaily.com