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.