Tyson Meyer of Minnewaska Area has committed to wrestling for St. Cloud State University after his upcoming senior season.
St. Cloud State Huskies
St. Cloud State update from Coach Costanzo
The following is an open letter to SCSU wrestling fans and followers from head coach Steve Costanzo.
As we start the 2020-21 school year and complete the first week of classes, I thought it would be appropriate to recap and pass along what we currently know about our upcoming season!
It’s hard to believe that almost six months ago to the day, we shut down our training rooms on campus ending the 2019-20 season. Not only did we miss our NCAA championship tournament, but we also missed recognizing this team’s amazing run and last year’s senior class. Unfortunately, we won’t get the championship back nor will those athletes get relief from the NCAA to get that season back. However, we were able to provide a virtual season recap, recognize top performances, and hear from our seniors regarding their careers as Huskies. It was very important for us to recognize these young men and this team. They were much more deserving of their accomplishments than a virtual presentation, but we tried to make the best of it.
NSIC Cancels Fall Competition & Championships; Suspends All Sports Competition Through December 31
BURNSVILLE, Minn. – In light of the NCAA Board of Governors’ decision to direct all institutions and conferences to meet specific requirements to conduct fall sports and the NCAA Division II Presidents Council’s announcement that all NCAA Division II fall championships are canceled, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference’s Board of Directors has canceled NSIC fall competition & championships, and has suspended all athletic competition through December 31, 2020.
The NSIC recognizes the value an NCAA championship experience provides for student-athletes and that was a factor in the analysis. However, health and safety concerns prevailed in the league’s decision. Additionally, current recommendations for testing, exposure, and quarantine make it very difficult for a season to be successfully completed at an institution or across the conference without severe disruptions.
St. Cloud State mourns the passing of Coach Steve Grimit
St. Cloud State University mourns the loss of Coach Steve Grimit (1962-2020), who passed away on Wednesday, July 22.
“On behalf of St. Cloud State University and Huskies Athletics, we offer our sincere condolences to the Grimit family.,” St. Cloud State Director of Athletic Heather Weems said. “Steve’s personality on the field was bigger than life and he made a significant impact on hundreds of student-athletes. He loved coaching and helping young men develop as people and players. He will be remembered by many for his passion and big voice on the sidelines.”
Grimit served as the Huskies’ defensive line football coach for 27 years and was also SCSU’s head wrestling coach for 12 seasons. He coached numerous All-Conference and All-America players, helped the SCSU football win two conference championships, earn four NCAA playoff bids and positively impact the lives of SCSU student-athletes during his tenure with the Huskies.
“I have lost a great friend and am having a difficult time thinking about what things will be like for me and all those who came in contact with Steve,” said Scott Underwood, who worked at SCSU with Grimit since 2001 and went on to serve as the Huskies’ head football coach from 2008 to 2019.
St. Cloud State wrestling golf outing canceled for 2020
The 2020 Huskies Wrestling 15th Annual Golf Classic tournament fundraiser, which was scheduled for Friday, August 28, has been canceled due to concerns over COVID-19.
An announcement on a future date is being determined. This was a very difficult decision for us, but we strongly believe this course of action is in the best interest of our friends, families, and our staff. The health and safety of our friends and families take precedence over anything else.
Until next time, please stay safe and healthy as we look forward to future Huskies Wrestling events!
Please reach out to us at sscostanzo@stcloudstate.edu for any questions and/or concerns.
St. Cloud State 2020-21 recruit class ranked #1 in the nation
St. Cloud State University head coach Steve Costanzo has announced the addition of nine student-wrestlers for the 2020-21 class, which includes Jared Head (Washington, Ill.), Cade Linn (Elysburg, Penn.), Corbin Okeson (Minot, N.D.), Gavin Osterhaus (Burnsville, Minn.), Jimmy Pierandozzi (Plainfield, Ill.), Tommy Russell (Brookfield, Ill.), Samuel Spencer (Huntley, Ill), Nolan Throne (Milan, Ill) and Holton Truax (Bertha, Minn.).
This past November, the Huskies had previously announced the additions of: Owen Bjerga (Staples, Minn.), Paxton Creese (Shakopee, Minn.), Bryce Fitzpatrick (Mahtomedi, Minn.), Caleb Haase (Morton, Minn.), Cody Minor (Green Bay, Wisc.), Shaeden Scheidt (Canton, S.D.), Blake Thomsen (Underwood, Iowa), and Daniel Valeria (Crystal Lake, Ill.).
SCSU was recently recognized by the The Open Mat has having the top rated recruit class among NCAA Division II programs for the upcoming 2020-21 season. The Huskies finished ahead of #2 West Liberty, #3 Central Oklahoma, #4 Fort Hays State and #5 Indianapolis in the poll. No other NSIC schools were ranked among the TOM’s top 10 poll this season. Complete TOM Recruit Poll Story
Former SCSU wrestler makes unique challenge for this year’s Alumni Challenge
A unique challenge was brought forward by St. Cloud State University alumnus Dennis Moske in support of the ongoing SCSU Athletics Alumni Challenge and the effort to help the remodeling of the Halenbeck Strength and Conditioning Center.
Moske, currently the owner of a tree trimming company named Moske Tree Service, challenged alumni and fans of the Huskies wrestling program who are Minnesota residents to meet his $1,000 donation. If they did so, he would come out and trim one of their trees free of charge.
Moske also noted that for every $1,000 given to support the Huskies Alumni Challenge, he would increase the number of trees he would trim in his free service. When asked why he wanted to do this, Moske said that the wrestling program changed his life in so many ways and this is one way to help encourage others to give to the project and support the wrestling program. Continue reading at scsuhuskies.com
2019-20 SCSU wrestling team awards ceremony available for viewing
St. Cloud State University wrestling fans can now watch the complete 2019-20 team awards ceremony online. This video presentation includes comments from the SCSU coaching staff along with remarks from the 2019-20 St. Cloud State seniors.
SCSU ended its 2019-20 season with a perfect 16-0, 8-0 NSIC record. The Huskies were the #1 ranked team in the nation before the NCAA DII championships this season were canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.