Eight new members were inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association (MWCA) Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 4th, 2019 in Benson, Minn.
The new inductees honored were Marty Aho, Chad Erikson, Brad Gibson, Maury Meyer, Doug Paulson, Dennis Schermerhorn, Bill Schmidt, and Wes Tessman.
Continue readingSimley’s four time state champion, Greg Kerkvliet has been chosen as the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association’s Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler for 2019. Kerkvliet completed an undefeated senior season by claiming his fourth state championship with a first period pin in the state finals. The Cadet World Champion has represented Simley High School and Minnesota wrestling in a very impressive fashion. Please read the letter below from Simley Head Coach to understand how impressive has been throughout his career.
Continue readingEvery spring at tournament time coaches from each high school section vote for their respective Section Head and Assistant Coach of the Year. Head coach selections are then put on a ballot to be voted on by all coaches at the State Tournament for Class AAA, AA, and A Coach of the Year.
Continue readingThe Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association has awarded six $1,000 scholarships this year. Any Senior who has wrestled at a Minnesota High School and is college-bound was eligible to apply.
Continue readingEvery year coaches prepare for the postseason and have to limit their team roster from their full squad down to 19 guys for the team postseason from the competitive side of things. From the academic side, coaches will take those 19 guys and whittle down to the top ten members of that team from an academic standpoint as well. Coaches will then average each of those ten athletes cumulative grade point average to see if they have earned the MWCA Silver Academic award (3.0-3.49) or the MWCA Gold Academic award (3.50+).
Continue readingThe 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.
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