2023 MWCA All-State Academic Wrestling Team Named

By Joe Puncochar, MWCA Individual All-State Academic Chairman

The 2023 MWCA All-State Academic Individual Wrestling Team currently holds the bragging rights for the best student-athlete squad ever recognized by the MWCA. Not only did they surpass the 200 mark in nominations (the highest in at least 15 years.) They also have the highest average GPA of any MWCA All-State Individual Team with an astounding 3.78 GPA. This team is made up of great students who are also some of the best wrestlers that all of Minnesota has to offer. Earning a spot on this team can be more challenging than making the varsity squad at most schools. The MWCA only takes the top two student-athletes at each weight class to be recognized for this honor. With over 200 nominees and only 28 that receive the award, it’s quite the feat to be recognized!

This year’s team had nine students who boast a perfect 4.0 unweighted cumulative GPA! Beau Hudoba of Ogilvie, Deagan Captain and David Revering of Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale/Parkers Prairie, Zach Hanson of Lakeville North, Seth Newby of Bemidji, Luke Knudsen of New London-Spicer, Cade Jackson of Detroit Lakes, Soren Herzog of Simley and Will Sather of Eden Prairie. Each of these students currently finds themselves in the state rankings or have been past state placewinners. Not only making them great students but also top-notch athletes!

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2023 MWCA Media Awards

Duane “Ottie” Ottness, Hastings Community TV, and KDUZ/KARP/KGLB Recognized

The Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association is delighted to recognize a broadcaster, a TV station, and a radio network with our 2023 Media Award. Each year, the MWCA accepts nominations for people or entities that go above and beyond promoting wrestling in their area. This year we have three outstanding recipients.

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2023 Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will be on April 29th

The 2023 Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association David Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will take place April 29th in Benson, Minn. Inductees will be the Dravis Family (Greg Dravis, Blaine Dravis, and Jeff Dravis), Todd Fuller, Chad Kraft, Steve Ricard, Darren Ripley, Bob Ruedy, Joel Toedter, Dalen Wasmund, Neal Hofland, and Gary Brantl.

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2022 MWCA Fall Clinic Will Be A Virtual Conference

The Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Presidents’ Committee has decided to make the 2022 Fall Clinic on Saturday, October 29th a Recorded Virtual Conference. There will be no live sessions this year. The MWCA will be collaborating with Rules Officials, College Coaches, Clinicians, and other vendors to create recorded videos that will be shared with MWCA members to watch when it is convenient for the members.

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Eight inducted into the 2022 Bartelma Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame

2022 MWCA Award Recipients Honored

Benson, Minn. – Eight new members were inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 7th in Benson, Minn.

The new inductees honored were Steve Carlson, Neil Jennissen, Dan Lefebvre, Tony Nelson, Jim Repke, Ron Sanders, Zach Sanders, and Kevin Steinhaus.

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