This year’s Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic includes two Minnesota standouts

A pair of three-time Minnesota state champions are on the national all-star team taking on a Pennsylvania all-star team tonight at Peters Township High School outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. New Prague’s Koy Buesgens and Simley’s Gavin Nelson are set to compete at 145 and 215 pounds, respectively at the annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic.

Continue reading →

Readers’ Choice: Wrestling Rivalries

One of my favorite things about athletics is the rivalries. The Vikings against the Packers, enormous in my baseball-crazed house, the Twins vs. the White Sox, the Gophers against Iowa – in any sport but for my money, football and wrestling, and some personal favorites from my youth that still gets my blood boiling: Minnesota-Duluth and Minnesota in hockey (go Bulldogs), Milaca against Foley in anything, but especially wrestling, and Milaca against Princeton regardless of the sport.

As noted a few times, wrestling is saturated with great rivalries. A few months ago, I thought it would be fun to ask you – the reader – who you thought were the best high school wrestling rivalries in Minnesota. I decided to post a question on my Twitter page. What is the best high school wrestling rivalry in Minnesota? The rivalry that got the most votes would be the subject of my next story for The Guillotine. I got a great response from across the state. Here are the results:

1 Simley vs. Kasson-Mantorville
2 Albert Lea vs. Owatonna (tie)
2 Minneota vs. Canby (tie)

View exclusive subscriber content with The Guillotine Subscription. Current subscribers log in.

Gophers wrestling commit Gavin Nelson is one of state’s top running backs

Everything about Gavin Nelson screams tough, physical and relentless.

The 210-pound senior is one of the top high school wrestling recruits in the nation. He’s built strong and sturdy — as can be said for most Simley High School wrestlers.

That sentiment holds up when you give him the ball on the football field, as well. Tackling the rugged running back is nearly as difficult as taking him down on the mat.

How would Spartans coach Chris Mensen describe him on the field?

“Bruising. Absolutely bruising,” he said. “He punishes defenses who try to tackle him one on one.” Continue reading at twincities.com →