WCAAE Grapplers Triumphant in Triangular!!

By: Kevin Fick

“Nothing seems to contribute so much to the ultimate success of a man as a few real failures, nor anything to be so fatal to a budding career as an easy initial success.”    Johnny ‘Blood’ McNally

Thursday, Jan. 17^th

The WCAAE Knight wrestlers hosted a triangular against the Browerville Tigers and the Breckenridge-Campbell-Tintah Cowboys.  After a long road stint that found the Knights gaining success weekly, Coach Gruchow lead his team into the friendly confines of the Barrett school in front of a good home crowd.  The hometown team did not disappoint going 2-0 for the evening.  If any readers believe that in a wrestling match two teams send their representatives aimlessly to the mat to roll around on the floor or that it is solely a gladiatorial and brutish sport (although in Hunter’s case that may sometimes be true), then it is apparent that the individual has not spent much time at a high school wrestling meet.  It is true that these contests require large amounts of speed, agility, grace, and strength but just like any other sport there is also a large amount of strategy.  Part of this is researching and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent.  Coaches Gruchow and Onstad put on a great display of insight through shifting wrestlers around in weight classes trying to “match up” bouts and gain team victories.  This includes a large buy-in from the wrestlers as all members have to agree to team concepts and large individual sacrifices are sometimes made. 

About the recent turn of events the oldest member of the Knights team Junior Braedon Long states…”I believe that the Knights wrestling team has overcome that big hurdle we were stuck on.  We’ve stepped it up as a team and as individuals.  We have young teammates that are all stepping forward to be leaders.”

WCAAE 45,  Browerville 28

106-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated by Noah Becker per decision 2-5, 113-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Dalton Butler per decision 4-2, 120-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 126-Alex Olson (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 132-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated by Adam Sutlief per major decision 1-9, 138-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated Jackson Wollenburg per fall 5:32, 145-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Ezquiel Nava per fall :41, 152-Zack Salo (WCAAE) defeated by Jordan Statema per decision 3-5 in OT, 160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated  Harry Henley per fall 1:25, 170-Blake Amundson (WCAAE) defeated by Austin Butler per fall 1:26, 182-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 195-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated by Damian Lange per fall 1:41, 220-T.J. Waskosy (WCAAE)defeated by Jake Gaida per fall 5:26, 285-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) won per forfeit

WCAAE 42, B/C-F 37

106-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated Mason Meyer per fall 1:31, 113-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 120-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) defeated by Conrad Kondos per fall 2:12, 126-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 132- Alex Olson (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 138-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 145-Aaron Plasky (WCAAE) defeated by Josh Stuehrenberg per fall 1:00, 152-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated by Josh Petersen per decision 3-5, 160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated by Trenton Hought per major decision 1-9, 170-Blake Amundson (WCAAE) defeated by Michael Whitney per fall 1:35, 182-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated by Derek Nordick per fall 1:16, 195-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated Tyler Vold per fall 3:25, 220-T.J. Waskosky (WCAAE) defeated by Cody Clift per fall 1:40, 285-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) won per forfeit
A milestone was recorded tonight as a WCAAE grappler recorded his 50^th victory.  50 wins is a goal for many varsity wrestlers but what makes this special is that Jake Larkin accomplished it as a freshman. “It feels good to reach this first milestone…” states Larkin…”I have put so many years into this program and I’m just glad things are starting to pay off.”

The Knights are gearing up for a long week seeing action Tues. the 22^nd  in Park Rapids, the dual starts at 6 pm.  Thur. the 24^th will find the Knights in their final home match defending their turf on ‘Parents Night’ against rival Osakis, start time is slated for 6 pm.  Friday the 25^th the team travels to Browerville for an evening tournament.  Start time is 4 pm, coverage of the night can be found on KKOK 95.7 FM.

Let the Picture Speak For Itself!!!

Congrats Jake!  Keep up the good work!

Royal Crow Wrestler of the Week

Wrestler of the Week is soph. Royal Crow.  Coach Gruchow states…”Royal’s outstanding work ethic is taking him the distance.  This week, at the Ortonville tri Royal posted two more wins to his season record which is now 15-4.  Royal is at the school shortly after 6 am every morning getting in an early workout.  His dedication day in and day out is paying off.  He has changed a lot from last year…he is bigger, faster, and stronger.  We have even noticed a big change in Royal from the beginning of the season.  The extra work put in on Royal’s behalf is making it that much more difficult to beat him in a match.  Congrats Royal…keep up the good work!”

WCAAE Grapplers Trounce The Trojans!

By: Kevin Fick

Tuesday, Jan. 8^th

The WCAAE Knights traveled to Ortonville and competed in a triangular with the Minnewaska Lakers and hometown Trojans.  It was noted last week that with the success at the Benson tournament that winning can be infectious.  It was just that.  The team first wrestled hard against a very good Lakers squad ending up in a tie but losing due to criteria points 37-36.  The Knights digested that feeling and a focused and poised squad went medieval on the Trojans beating the black and orange 54-21. 

WCAAE 36-vs-Minnewaska 37

106-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 113-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) defeated by Joseph Weaver per fall 3:46, 120-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) defeated by Spencer Winter per decision 5-7, 126-Alex Olson (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 132- Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Caleb Blaisdell per fall 3:51, 138- Kode Seifort (WCAAE) defeated by Julius Rohrbach per decision 2-5, 145-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Gary Steffenson per decision 7-2, 152-Kyle Mickelson (WCAAE) defeated Jacob Lutterman per fall 3:34, 160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated by Ryan Stotter per fall 1:35, 170-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated by Brook Wollschlager per fall :59, 182-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated by Taylor Lundebreck per fall :41, 195-T.J. Waskosky (WCAAE) defeated by Brad Jacobs per fall :45, 220-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated JR. Formo per decision in 2-OT 8-5, 285-Jordan Bruns (WCAAE) won per forfeit.

WCAAE 54-Ortonville 21

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) defeated Ben Eustice per fall 2:58, 113-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated Tristan Eastman per fall 2:40, 120-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) defeated Jordan Kurrasch per fall 2:28, 126-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Nick Steltz per fall :46, 132-Alex Olson (WCAAE) defeated by Landon Stallman per tech fall 1-16, 138-Kody Seifort (WCAAE) defeated by Colby Gimmestad per major dec. 2-11, 145-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Joe Eustice per fall 1:23, 152-Kyle Mickelson (WCAAE) defeated Travis Westlund per fall 4:43, 160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated Robert Wood per fall 1:26, 170-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated by Isaac Cloos per fall 3:35, 182-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated by Shelby Paulsen per fall :48, 195-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated Dylan Arndt per injury default, 220-T.J. Waskosky (WCAAE) defeated by Kyle Rockensock per fall :08, 285-Jordan Bruns (WCAAE) defeated Hayden Knip per fall 2:48.

The JV Knights went 8-0 winning every match by pin fall.  Outstanding job!

Wrestler of the Week is soph. Royal Crow.  Coach Gruchow states…”Royal’s outstanding work ethic is taking him the distance.  This week, at the Ortonville tri Royal posted two more wins to his season record which is now 15-4.  Royal is at the school shortly after 6 am every morning getting in an early workout.  His dedication day in and day out is paying off.  He has changed a lot from last year…he is bigger, faster, and stronger.  We have even noticed a big change in Royal from the beginning of the season.  The extra work put in on Royal’s behalf is making it that much more difficult to beat him in a match.  Congrats Royal…keep up the good work!”

 
The Knights grapplers are in action again on Thursday, Jan. 17^th when they host a home triangular against Browerville and Breckenridge/Campbell-Tintah.  Wrestling begins at 5 pm.

Tyler Onstad Wrestler of the Week

The ‘Wrestler of the Week’ is Tyler Onstad. Coach Gruchow says this… "Tyler looked real sharp Thursday in a confidence boosting win against Flynn with a third period fall.  Tyler also had a great showing at the Benson tournament placing 4^th at the 113 lb. class.  Tyler’s work ethic and willingness to dedicate himself to the sport all year around is paying off.  Tyler spent a great amount of time practicing and competing in free-style and Greco last spring plus a couple camps during the summer months.  The little extra things are adding up and the odds are starting to fall in his favor.  This is one of those weeks we have been waiting for Tyler to have…his future is looking bright!”

WCAAE Wrestling Finishes 1st Week of New Year Strong!!! By: Kevin Fick

Thursday, Jan. 3

The Knights started the new year by traveling to New York Mills to face the Eagles in a dual.  The Eagles boast a team to be reckoned with and made good on their reputation dispatching the Knights 58-15.  Knights that had success were as follows: 106 lb. 8^th gd Jake Nohre won by forfeit. 113 lb. 8^th gd Tyler Onstad picked up a 5:12 fall over John Flynn.  145 lb. Soph. Royal Crow won by an 8-5 decision over Taylor Ericksrud.  The greatest success story of the evening came from the J/V.  The J/V Knights came to do battle and in fact gave just that, winning 8-11 bouts.  Fantastic job by the upcoming WCAAE grapplers!

Saturday, Jan. 5^th

The Knights traveled to compete in the Benson Braves Classic.  This was an 11 team tournament and WCAAE placed seven of the ten wrestlers competing on the medal stand! The two 2^nd place finishers were 145 lb. Soph. Royal Crow and 195 lb. Soph. Hunter Fick.  Two wrestlers placed 4^th with those being 106 lb. 8^th gd Jake Nohre and 113 lb. 8^th gd Tyler Onstad. One 5^th place finisher with 132 lb. Fresh. Jake Larkin. Two 6^th place finishes with 120 lb. Fresh. Wyatt Odegaard and 152 lb. Junior Braedon Long.  The teams participating were as follows respectively: Benson, Ortonville, Mahnomen/Waubun, Minnewaska Area, Border West, Breckenridge/Campbell-Tintah, Barnseville, Fergus Falls, Sauk Center/Melrose, WCAAE and Quad County.   The top three finishers in order were Barnseville, Border West and BCT.  With four weight classes open the Knights finished 10^th.  A hilight for the tournament was a  grueling triple overtime bout in which Hunter Fick defeated the favorite of the day in Fergus Falls Abram Aho.  After the match Fick stated...”I just wanted to show heart can go a long ways, Aho is tough, it was a great win!”  This was a big day for the Knights as winning is infectious.  These young men turned a lot of heads in Benson as some of them are making huge strides.  It is apparent when watching that there is no room in accepting average with this bunch.  Through hard work they grow as both a team and as individuals weekly.  Coaches Gruchow, Onstad, and Lorenson can be proud of their protégés.

The ‘Wrestler of the Week’ is Tyler Onstad. Coach Gruchow says this… "Tyler looked real sharp Thursday in a confidence boosting win against Flynn with a third period fall.  Tyler also had a great showing at the Benson tournament placing 4^th at the 113 lb. class.  Tyler’s work ethic and willingness to dedicate himself to the sport all year around is paying off.  Tyler spent a great amount of time practicing and competing in free-style and Greco last spring plus a couple camps during the summer months.  The little extra things are adding up and the odds are starting to fall in his favor.  This is one of those weeks we have been waiting for Tyler to have…his future is looking bright!”

The Knights travel next to Ortonville on Tues. the 8^th for a triangular with the Trojans and the Minnewaska Area Lakers.  Radio coverage of the meet is on KKOK 95.7 FM.  The next home meet is Thursday the 17^th pitting the Knights against Browerville and Breckenridge/Campbell-Tintah.  Both evenings have a 5 pm start time.

Drake Swanson Is the 3rd Wrestlers to be Named Wrestler of the Week

This week’s wrestler of the week is Drake Swanson.  Coach Gruchow states…”Drake is a jv wrestler who is waiting to grow into the 106 lb weight class.  Drake has a perfect jv record and has won three jv tournaments this season, the Park Rapids Tournament, the Royalton and the Grant County Tournament.  Drake has great work ethic both in the classroom and on the mat.  Drake is a hard working kid just waiting to grow so he can experience some varsity action.”