Caden Staab of Northfield has committed to wrestling for Augustana University following his upcoming senior season.
Northfield
Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award State Winners Announced
The Minnesota award goes to Caley Graber of Northfield
STILLWATER, Okla. – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Wednesday announced the state winners of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA).
The Hall of Fame’s High School Excellence Awards are proudly sponsored by the Hyman Family, whose generous support and passion for the sport help ensure the continued recognition and development of wrestling’s next generation.
First presented in 2014, the award is named for Tricia Saunders, a four-time World Champion and women’s wrestling pioneer. Saunders was the first woman to be inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006 and was inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011.
Northfield’s Graber and Watertown-Mayer’s Friederichs Recognized as MWCA Ms. and Mr. MN Wrestlers of the Year
The Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association annually presents the Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler award to the senior who best exemplifies the highest ideals of high school wrestling in Minnesota. Starting in 2022, the MWCA partnered with MN Women’s Wrestling to also recognize the Ms. Minnesota High School Wrestler award. Judging is based on wrestling performance, citizenship, academics, leadership, and adherence to MSHSL rules.
This year, the committees are proud to recognize Northfield’s girls’ state champion Caley Graber and Watertown-Mayer’s boys’ state champion Titan Friederichs.
From Heavyweight to Lightweight: The Remarkable Journey of Dave Frame
By Bill Schmidt
David Frame, son of William and Minnie Frame, was born and raised on a dairy farm just outside of Northfield along will older brother Bill, sister Mary Ellen, and younger brother Mike. When Dave was in 6th grade, his brother Bill was a manager-wrestler for the Northfield wrestling team. Two other wrestlers on the team also had sixth-grade brothers, so they asked the coaches if those three sixth graders could practice and wrestle in home meets.
At the time, Dave had no idea how much this opportunity would change his life.
College Recruiting: two-time state champion Graber to McKendree University
Caley Graber of Northfield has committed to wrestling for McKendree University next season.
Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award State Winners Announced
The Minnesota award goes to Ella Pagel of Northfield
STILLWATER, Okla. – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Wednesday announced the state winners of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA).
The Hall of Fame’s High School Excellence Awards are proudly sponsored by the Hyman Family, whose generous support and passion for the sport help ensure the continued recognition and development of wrestling’s next generation.
First presented in 2014, the award is named for Tricia Saunders, a four-time World Champion and women’s wrestling pioneer. Saunders was the first woman to be inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006 and was inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011.
Northfield’s Pagel and St. Michael-Albertville’s Robideau Recognized as MWCA Ms. and Mr. MN Wrestlers of the Year
The Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association annually presents the Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler award to the senior that best exemplifies the highest ideals of high school wrestling in Minnesota. Starting in 2022, the MWCA partnered with MN Women’s Wrestling to also recognize the Ms. Minnesota High School Wrestler award. Judging is based on wrestling performance, citizenship, academics, leadership, and adherence to MSHSL rules.
This year, the committees are proud to recognize Northfield’s girls’ state champion, Ella Pagel, and STMA’s boys’ state champion, Landon Robideau.
Nothing is out of reach for Caley Graber
By Brian Jerzak
A handful of girl wrestlers have had the opportunity to do what Northfield’s Caley Graber tried to accomplish during the 2023-24 high school wrestling season. During the 2023 state tournament, Simley’s Charli Raymond won a match in the boy’s team competition. Still, every time a talented female wrestler – after defeating many males during the season and in their section tournaments – tried to break that barrier, they couldn’t get over the hump and get their hand raised during the boys’ individual wrestling tournament. Graber not only got over that hump – she did it in less than one period of wrestling. Most fans in attendance were likely surprised someone had finally done it. A couple of people who were not surprised were Graber herself and Northfield head wrestling coach Geoff Staab.
“We all knew she could do it,” Staab said. “We were pretty sure she was not just going there to win one match. Winning a match was record-breaking; it hadn’t been done, but all year, the goal was to place. We thought all along she was going to place. We didn’t think anything was out of reach.”
They were right – placing was not out of reach; Graber placed 5th in the Class AAA 107-pound bracket.
Graber’s journey to get on the podium started very early.
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Caley Graber, Northfield girl who sacrificed a wrestling title for something more, is the All-Metro Sports Awards Courage in Competition winner
Caley Graber was already a state champ in girls wrestling, and another title was achievable. She chose to wrestle in the boys division, where she made history.
Caley Graber understood the risk of wrestling in the boys division.
She knew she could be — would be — the top-ranked wrestler in her class if she wrestled in the girls division. A year removed from winning the girls 100-pound state title, she opted out of a likely second title to chase something greater: history.
“My goal all season long was to win boys sections and then win a match and get on the podium,” Graber said. Continue reading at startribune.com →
Northfield’s Graber makes history – in 89 seconds
By Brian Jerzak
89 seconds.
That is how long Northfield’s Caley Graber took to make Minnesota high school wrestling history. Wrestling in the first round of the boys’ Class AAA 107 bracket, she quickly got a takedown and locked up a turn to get a fall late in the first period. When the referee slapped the mat, Graber became the first girl to win a boys’ state tournament match. Although it only took 89 seconds of mat time, it is a goal Graber has been shooting for much longer.
“It has been a goal of hers (winning in the boys’ state tournament) for a long time,” Northfield head coach Geoff Staab said. “This year, that was her goal from day one. She has competed with the boys her whole life. She has been our 107-pounder all year. She placed second at the Rumble (on the Red) this year. She has shown she can wrestle with the boys and beat them.”
When match day arrived, Graber and the coaching staff had a plan.