Nohre Takes 4th Place at MN USA State

Eight of the WCAAE wrestlers competed at one of the state largest tournaments the MN USA State Tournament.  This group included Royal Crow, Jake Larkin, Tyler Onstad, Jake Nohre, Chris Onstad, Colbe Tappe, Hunter Gruchow, & Owen Gruchow.  There were over 1700 wrestlers registered for the event.  All the boys gained a great experience by competing in the tournament.  Jake Nohre was our only wrestler who placed in the tournament.  Jake went 2-2 in the tournament and took 4th in the Cadet 100 lb weight class.  

Other Results

Colbe Tappe 1-2 

Owen Gruchow 1-2

Hunter Gruchow 0-2

Chris Onstad 0-2

Tyler Onstad 2-2

Jake Larkin 2-2

Royal Crow 2-2

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Having Fun...Sportsmanship...Learning....Getting Better. That's what it is all about!

I am enclosing what I have written for my column in my paper this past week. I'm sending it to you because the incident I witnessed involved a kid from the West Marshall wrestling program -- his WAO singlet at the state wrestling tournament led me to assume West Marshall included Warren-Alvarado-Oslo. I have also sent it to the editor of the Warren newspaper. I was extremely impressed with the actions of Colton Laymon that I witnessed during the state wrestling tournament.

Thanks,

--Joel Alvstad

Sports Editor

Cottonwood County Citizen

Windom, MN

joela@windomnews.com

You see a little bit of everything at State

When you cover sports for as long as I have, you seem to think that you’ve seen just about everything there is to see.
But Friday I saw something that I admittedly had never seen before, and it’s something that really could only happen at the State Wrestling Tournament.
One thing that I typically do when I go up to state is I’ll see if there are any other papers who need a couple of pictures. And I’ll also check with my uncle, the editor of the Grant County Herald, to see if he’d like me to get pictures of the kids from the school he covers.
One of those kids, a 195-pound sophomore, made it to the state tournament. What is interesting is this kid was a first-year wrestler — he had never been out for the sport before. But apparently, the kid is a nationally-ranked power lifter for his age. He saw wrestling as the perfect chance to continue weightlifting and to stay in shape for the sport he loves, football.
Watching this kid’s first-round match, it was pretty clear he had never been to the state meet before. Before, during and even after his match, he had a big smile on his face. For you WWE fans out there, he looked like a dead ringer for John Cena. And throughout his match, at any break in the action, he was looking around at the capacity crowd at the Xcel Energy Center.
Without a doubt, the kid was soaking up the experience of wrestling on the state’s biggest stage.
The kid wound up losing 3-1 when he gave up a takedown with three seconds left on the clock. Despite the loss, you couldn’t wipe the smile off the kid’s face.
But when I started to make my way back to the media room a few minutes later, I saw this kid in an animated conversation followed by a few good laughs. He was talking to the opponent who had just defeated him in the last seconds. They were both thoroughly enjoying the conversation.
As I came closer, I could overhear a little bit of the conversation they were having. They were talking strategy. The opposing wrestler told the newcomer, "Well, when you tried (this move), I tried to counter with (another move). Finally, I saw (a different move) was open so I went for it."
I was really struck by the whole scene. First off, how many times in a demanding sport like wrestling will someone seek out the person they had just lost to, just to get a few pointers? Most often, the person taking the tough loss will try to blow off steam or blow off some emotion.
And how often will that opponent actually oblige by giving those pointers?
Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m guessing such instances are pretty rare, which is why I found it so cool to see.
There are a couple of lessons to be learned from this. First, there’s a lot of value in just giving something a try. You may discover a talent you never knew you had. So to Hunter Fick of West Central Area-Ashby-Evansville, my hat is off to you. Stick with it, learn from your experience and become great from it.
And second, being a good sport and a good person can go a long way. So to Colton Laymon of the West Marshall wrestling team, I commend you for the class and grace you showed by taking a younger wrestler you had just defeated under your wing. I wish there were more athletes out there like you. Your parents and your coaches should be very proud of the young man you clearly have become.

Denise A. Laymon, M.S.

Chief Development and Alumni Officer

denise.laymon@minnesota.edu

218.846.3720 (office)

218.686.0623 (cell)

218.846.3794 (fax)

Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State)

Detroit Lakes. eCampus. Fergus Falls. Moorhead. Wadena.

2013 “State” Wrestling Results

By: Kevin Fick

“If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together.”
Click Here for the Fick and Crow Highlight Video 

                                                                   

At the start of the season Coach Gruchow pulled all the parents of the wrestlers together in his WCA classroom.  He discussed points such as skin health, diets and booster club items.  He also discussed team work and belief in each other.  Gruchow made it clear that to succeed as a team or as an individual wrestler that it would be imperative to work as a group.  There would be no room for wrestlers or parents that were not willing to be part of the team.  This may sound strange as most would view wrestling as an individual sport, and to a degree it is, but having experienced a season there is no doubt why the topics of trust, togetherness and total support were the “hot” topics.  Wrestling is a physical sport.  With 40 matches possible it is grueling on the body….with this comes mental exhaustion and sometimes doubt.  There are many nights when a parent talks with a frustrated athlete who is at times doubting almost everything.  Through the nature of the beast wrestling provides downtime at the matches.  This gives ample time for the families of the wrestlers to talk and learn about one another and our kids…what they are like, what they dislike and what the drive is behind the sport.  It doesn’t take long and the group moves as a functioning unit; parents, wrestlers and coaches together.  The importance of this is crucial to everyone involved.  It’s hard to count the number of times a parent of another wrestler has approached my own son with positive reinforcement or vice versa.  It helps our wrestlers stay focused and on task.  This is hard enough in a single community…add three together.  Coming from Ashby it was difficult to anticipate the WCA reaction towards a “outside” family.  I could only hope that Ashby is as welcoming as WCA was towards newcomers. 

The team concept stuck.  It enabled two of our wrestlers to find potential and make it to the “Big Show”.  Royal Crow and Hunter Fick represented The West Central Area/Ashby/Evansville Knights at the 2013 State Wrestling Tournament.  For both it was a first time trip to State.  For both it was a large growing experience that left two small town mid-west Minnesota kids with a taste of being a champion.  The support of the families, friends, team, coaches and communities was incredible.  Pep fests at each school, escorted rides leaving town (Hunter don’t get to use to riding in Thor’s car please), signs posted in Barrett, Elbow Lake and Ashby wishing the wrestlers luck.  A host of cards and best wishes from peers and assorted people.  At the tournament itself; friends, families of other wrestlers and school representatives all cheered on our grapplers as they competed with the very best Minnesota has to offer.  Without even talking about the technical support end including all the training and practices it was apparent that the boys went far.  They did it with their communities behind them.  As a team!  Both wrestlers competed, both wrestlers already are planning out training that will take them back, both wrestlers have heard the statement some want it, some wish it, some make it happen.  Both wrestlers plan on being a champion.    Ashby Principal Shane Tappe was in attendance.  About the year and tournament he says…”Royal and Hunter have accomplished a great thing together.  Not only have they reached the highest level of high school wrestling in Minnesota, they have brought schools and  communities closer together.  I am proud of both of them, they represent us well.”

March 1^st and 2^nd,   St. Paul Xcel Center

145 lb.  Royal Crow (soph, 28-9) defeated by Tanner Rohlik (Wabasso/Red Rock Central) (senior 39-4) per fall 4:36, Crow defeated by Trevor Scott (Holdingford) (senior 37-5) per decision 4-8.

About his experience Crow states…”The State Tournament was really fun and I enjoyed being there with my teammate Hunter, our coaches and all the people who made the trip to support us.  Getting there is a sign hard work pays off.  Being at State made me decide what my goals are for next year: 1. Win the Section, 2. Place at State individually, 3. Help get the team to State.”  Royals wrestling landed him in the top 12 in 145 lb Class A.

195 lb. Hunter Fick (soph. 26-15) defeated by Colton Laymon (West Marshall) (senior 23-6) per decision 3-1, Fick defeated Manuel Garcia (BOLD) (fresh. 22-14) per decision 3-2, Fick defeated by Justin Viss (Chatfield) (senior 34-8) per decision 2-15.

Fick commented…”I think what is important to take from the experience and season is what hard work can do for a person.  What you put into it is what you will get out of it.  In the end it comes down to the question…are you taking the opportunities to get better when they come?”  Fick went on to say “I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished but there is room for more.  I will be stronger, faster, I will be a better wrestler.  The goal is to win this thing.  I’d like to say thank you to everyone who supported me, we (Royal and I) are lucky to have the coaching staff, friends, and families we have .” Hunters wrestling placed him in the top eight in the state at 195 lbs. in Class A.

About the weekend Coach Gruchow adds…”Royal and Hunter might not have brought home any medals and may not have been able to stand on the awards podium Saturday night , however…both wrestlers will be bringing back an experience that will make next season start with different expectations for these two.  It’s a tough tournament, much different than regular season tournaments; mentally it is hard to prepare yourself for the unkown.  This was the first trip to state for both wrestlers, everything is different.  The venue is huge, the fan base is huge, the brackets are huge, and the wrestlers are the best of the best.  This is mentally and emotionally overwhelming for many wrestlers on their first trip to state.  They are both sophomores and will have two more chances to compete at state.  I would expect that both of these wrestlers will set higher expectations for themselves the next time they are wrestling in the state tournament…as coaches we will as well.

 Royal is already planning out his spring and summer training so he can be on top next season.  I was very impress with Royal’s third period in his last match.  He was getting away and even finished a takedown on Scott (who later placed 4^th).  During this match I think things snapped for Royal.  I think he realized he can wrestle with any of these top notch wrestlers and even beat them.  This is going to be a huge confidence booster for next season.

Hunter’s composure changed so much between his 1^st and 3^rd match.  As a first year wrestler this was a huge learning experience for him.   Hunter was in his first match all the way to the end before being taken down with seconds left in the third period.  He had a realistic shot at placing in the tournament.  Getting a win in his second match gave him the confidence that he can compete with these guys.   Making it to day two is a tremendous accomplishment.

Throughout the last week the conversations we had and experiences we shared have given me the notion that these boys have “grown up” a lot in a short amount of time.  Sure, I wish they both had medals hanging from their necks on the way home but as long as they have learned from their experience and are willing to move forward  then this season was a success for both of them.  I am proud of Hunter Fick and Royal Crow and am already anticipating next season, not only for these two great wrestlers but the three other coaches, the sixth graders coming in and the 25 practice partners who will share next year with them.”

Section 6 A place winners that brought home medals are: 113 lb. 1^st place Cameron Sykora Border West, 120 lb. 2^nd place Shane Novak New York Mills, 132 lb. 5^th place Gus McCarthy Border West, 160 lb. 5^th place Austin Maanum Border West, 182 lb. 5^th place Dillon Card Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale, 220 lb. 4^th place Kyle Johnson Barnesville.  Congratulations to all participants who represented section 6 A.

Awards Night for WCAAE wrestling is April 19^th in Barrett at 6:30 pm.

Highly Recommended: CENTRAL MINNESOTA WRESTLING

CENTRAL MINNESOTA WRESTLING
An official Regional Training Site of MN/USA Wrestling.  Join and REACH YOUR FULL POTENTIAL AS A WRESTLER!

New Practice Site for 2013: St. John’s University !!!!!!!!!

OPPORTUNITY
Central Minnesota Wrestling provides possibilities of competing throughout Minnesota and beyond. Tournaments and practice partners are available for wrestlers of all skill levels, from beginners to collegiate. Tremendous experience is possible, as many new members are able to double their yearly match count.

IF YOU HAVEN’T TRIED FREESTYLE YET
Central MN Wrestling is the perfect place to start. The coaches are highly dedicated to helping new members make rapid progress. Several Central MN wrestlers have become All-Americans in their 1st year of freestyle and Greco-Roman. Freestyle wrestling is very similar to folksyle (high school/college). And nearly every successful Division 1 college wrestler has a strong freestyle background (as with the U of M Gophers). So freestyle is very helpful for folkstyle! Central MN members will immediately learn skills for performing well in all styles of wrestling.

PROVEN ACHIEVEMENT
Central Minnesota Wrestling is one of the top All-American producers in the nation at the high school age level.Accomplishments from the past seventeen years include:
133 National Medals in the Cadet (15-16 yrs. old) through University age groups, plus many more for kids
58 different Minnesota High School State Tournament individual champions
17 different MN High School State Tournament Finalists in the past two years
38 Junior (9th-12th graders) and Cadet State Tournament Championship Teams in freestyle & Greco
7 members of USA Wrestling Cadet World Teams (which competed in Bulgaria, Slovakia, South Africa, etc.)

Even though Central Minnesota has been very successful, the club’s main emphasis is on learning and enjoying the sport.

ENDORSEMENTS
Dan Chandler, USA Wrestling Olympic Team Head Coach - “Central Minnesota Wrestling has played an overwhelming role in Minnesota’s dominance at the national level.”
Steve Fraser, USA Wrestling National Head Greco Coach - “Central MN is one of the best clubs in the nation…”
Lyle Freudenberg, Foley High School Head Coach - “The Central MN coaches keep the fun in wrestling and competing…”
J. Robinson, U of M Gophers Head Coach - “…what every parent seeks… Central MN is not only a great training and learning opportunity for wrestling - More importantly, they cultivate the skills needed to fulfill one’s goals for life beyond.”

CENTRAL MINNESOTA COACHING STAFF
Tyler Mathison – Nebraska High School State Champion, current St. Cloud State Univ. Wrestler
Jon May – FILA Junior & Cadet National Champ, Junior Nat. Finalist, MN High School State Champ, U of Nebraska
Ben McPhail – 2-time MN High School State Finalist, current SCSU Wrestler
Cullan Morrissey – 3X Wisconsin High School State Finalist, current SCSU Wrestler
Cody Paulsen – MN High School State Finalist, Academic All-State, current SCSU Wrestler
Josh Willaert – 2-time MN High School State Champion, current SJU Wrestler
Tony Willaert – SJU Head Assistant Coach, MN High School State Champion, MN/USA Cadet and Schoolboy National Coaching Staff, former SJU Wrestler
Plus, many more experienced coaches and area college wrestlers will on hand.

MORE BENEFITS TO HELP YOU BECOME A BETTER WRESTLER
Because Central MN Wrestling is a MN/USA Regional Training Site, a great variety of workout partners are present at the practices. In addition to wrestling technique, instruction is offered on the following: nutrition, goal setting, strength training, visualization, peaking for big tournaments, strategy, college selection and scholarship acquisition. Central MN membership includes the USA membership card and a magazine subscription to USA Wrestler. On some Monday and Wednesday nights, Central MN will also provide free transportation to the MN/USA Regional Training Site practices at Augsburg University.

JOINING, DIRECTIONS, PRACTICE TIMES (One may register to join before any practice)
Central MN practices will be held at St. John’s University, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursdays, beginning March 5 and running through July 2, except there will be no practice on March 12 !! One may join-up before any practice. Anyone in the 4th grade and older may join. The cost is $110, cash or check. Family discounts are offered for brothers. Saint John’s is 12 miles west of St. Cloud on I-94 at exit #156. The practices will always start in the SJU wrestling room, which is located on the 2nd story of the Warner Palestra Sports Arena. This is the first building on the left as one drives toward campus.

Please make checks payable to: Central Minnesota Wrestling.

Please call Dave Kouri at (320) 492-4128 for more information or if you have any questions.
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