WCAAE Wrestlers Have a Strong Week Two By: Kevin Fick

There is a slogan or phrase that floats around the wrestling mat and it goes like this…”In the circle time is short, chances are few, victory must be earned!”  No one knows who came up with it but as we open up chapter two of the 2013 season that phrase seems to sum up this team’s season thus far.  Coach Gruchow says it best…”Work hard, get better, never be satisfied!” 

The week opened up Tuesday the 10^th with a triangular at home against the Pelican Rapids Vikings and the Ottertail Central Bulldogs.  The Knights easily dispatched both teams with a score of 54-12 against the Vikings and 57-19 against the ‘Dawgs’.  Coach Brandon Gruchow had this to say about the night…”I was very impressed with how focused the boys were. They wanted two wins and that what they got. It's been fun working with this group of guys. All of them have great work ethics, care about their team, and take school seriously. The boys have a great thing going on right now. As a result of all the hard work being put out by this team they are improving weekly. We as coaches are trying to do our best to keep them moving forward. We have been drilling it into their heads to never be satisfied and to keep pushing themselves to their max. Although they wrestled great, they know they need to improve on their techniques, conditioning, strength, speed, and mental toughness if they want to reach their goals as a team. Tonight they all stepped it up another notch...hopefully we can do the same thing on Saturday at the Grant County Tournament in Barrett.

Saturday the 14^th the Knights hosted the Grant County Tournament.  Eleven teams competed and the level of talent was incredible.  There was a triple A, two double A and eight single A teams present.  Nearly every weight bracket was loaded with talent; the 195 bracket alone had four top ten athletes in the state.  The team finished with 9 of the 14 weight brackets medaling which placed the team in 3^rd.  Coaches choice for Outstanding Wrestler was 195 lb. Abrahm Aho of Fergus Falls.  KKOK awarded Jake Nohre as WCAAE’s Wrestler of the Meet.  Team scores are as follows: 1^st United with 245 points, 2^nd Alexandria 162, 3^rd West Central Area/Ashby/Evansville 152, 4^th New York Mills 137, 5^th Fergus Falls 123.5, 6^th Morris Area/Hancock 106, 7^th Border West 78, 8^th Mille Lacs 63.5, 9^th Ottertail Central 62.5, 10^th Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 57, 11^th Pelican Rapids 54.5.  Coach Gruchow adds…”It was an interesting day for the Knight wrestlers with a whole series of ups and downs.  We had some very satisfied and happy wrestlers by the end of the day; and others wrestlers who knew that they did not perform the way they should have.  However, I feel the team learned some very
important lessons, became more cohesive as a team, and are excited to get better next week!

 
Going into the tournament we knew we had a chance at placing in the top three.  We made it our goal to go for first.  By the end of the tournament we were a long ways from first but within ten points of second.  We ended up with third and although I am not satisfied with it,
I feel the boy's performance on the mat today was a step in the right direction.  One of the team's goals is to win an individual tournament.  Finishing third in our tournament will help give them the confidence they need to accomplish that goal in the seasons upcoming tournaments.
 
Again, I feel the hard work these boys are willing to put in and the positive attitudes they have had are a contributing factor in the improvements they are making on the mat this season.  We have one more tournament before we go on Christmas Break...The Big Bear Tournament in Cass Lake.  Last year we took last place out of 34 teams, I am excited to see how much we can improve on that placing.  Although the same kids we brought last year to the tournament will be wrestling in this year’s tournament ( we had no seniors last year), I feel like we will have a much better finish.  They are growing and improving daily.  They have matured, have drive and a desire to be better!”  Gruchow continues with…”This week I would like to Appoint Anthony "Buzz" Miller as this week’s ‘Wrestler of the Week’.  Buzz had a great week on the mat.  He won both his matches in our Triangular on Tuesday, plus he took first place in today's tournament.  Buzz was injured two years ago, which prevented him from wrestling last season.  It was hard for him to watch and be around the sport because he wanted to participate so badly.  This year he can compete and competing is exactly what he is doing.  Buzz has had a winner attitude from the get go and excited to be back on the mat.  He
does not back down to tough competition and has asked more than once to wrestle the opposing teams best guys.  Keep up the great work Buzz it has been a pleasure coaching you so far this season.”

The Knights will resume competition Friday, December 20^th in Cass Lake-Bena.  This is a 34 school, two day tournament called Big Bear.  Wrestling will begin at 9 am.  Good Luck Knights!

Tuesday, December 10^th

WCAAE 54,  Pelican Rapids 12

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) defeated Jason Meyer per major dec. 18-3

113-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) defeated James Fury per fall :52

120-Keaton Long (WCAAE) defeated Daniel Franco per dec. 4-3

126-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated Brian Villagomez per fall 3:29

132-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) defeated by Dakota Pixley per fall 3:52

138-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated by Robert Mazorlegos per dec. 6-8

145-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated Casey Kulsrud per major dec. 14-0

152-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Guillermo Rosilies per major dec. 15-2

160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated Alex Diaz per dec. 4-0

170-Koel Seifort (WCAAE) defeated by Hobet Diaz per dec. 3-4

182-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated Nick Thompson per dec. 5-2

195-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) won per forfeit

220-T.J.Waskosky (WCAAE) won per forfeit

285-Buzz Miller (WCAAE) defeated Eli Hernandez per fall :29

WCAAE 57, Ottertail Central 19

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) won per forfeit

113-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Marc Hendricks per fall 3:34

120-Keaton Long (WCAAE) defeated Alex Erlandson  per fall 1:11

126-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated by Sam Naddy per major dec. 5-16

132-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) defeated by Dylan Schwartz per fall :43

138-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Kory Juvrud per fall :30

145-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated Aaron Kugler per fall 1:50

152-Royal Crow (WCAAE) won per forfeit

160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated Noah Minton per dec. 4-3

170-Koel Seifort (WCAAE) defeated Jacob Mattfeld per fall 2:59

182-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated by Gavin Brendafur per fall 2:54

195-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated Daniel Ukkelberg per fall 1:12

220-Buzz Miller (WCAAE) defeated Shane Woody per fall 4:07

285-T.J.Waskosky (WCAAE) defeated by Brandon Danielski per dec. 0-1

Saturday, December 14^th   Grant County Tournament  (placers)

1st Place

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) defeated Seth Lengbehn (FF) per fall 2:18, defeated Nick Hendrickx (NYM) per fall 3:10, defeated Peyton Morstad (United) per dec. 7-3, defeated Kaden Spindler (BW) per major dec. 11-3

152-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Jake Antrim (FF) per fall 1:52, defeated Alex Diaz per major dec. 12-3, defeated Mitch Kwilinski (United) per dec. 4-1, defeated Dylan Pullis (BW) per dec. 5-2

220-Buzz Miller (WCAAE) defeated Dakota Keller (Alex) per fall :53, defeated Cole Graybow (NYM) per major dec. 16-7, defeated Alec Gausman (MAHACA) per dec. 10-7

2^nd Place

113-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Matt Munsterman (MAHACA) per dec. 4-2, defeated Christian Kanten (United) per dec. 5-1, defeated by Jeremiah Harper (NYM) 8-1

138-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Robert Mazerlegos (PR) per dec. 8-6, defeated Jacob Olhausen (Alex) per dec. 4-2, defeated by Spencer Sullflow per dec. 3-1

3^rd Place

195-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated Carlos Canto (LPGE) per fall 3:49, defeated by Abrahm Aho (FF) per dec. 1-3, defeated Aaron Nelson (MAHACA) per fall :49, defeated David Nelson (United) per dec. 7-3

4^th Place

120-Keaton Long (WCAAE) defeated Noah Petty (ML) per fall 1:36, defeated by Miguel Ambriz per dec. 3-9, defeated Mitchell Ascheman (MAHACA) per dec. 11-9, defeated by Adam Johnson (Alex) per dec. 6-11

5^th Place

145-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated by Greg Donabauer (LPGE) per dec. 2-7, defeated Jacob Shiltgen (Alex) per dec. 2-0, defeated by Logan Knosal (United) per major dec. 3-12, defeated Greg Donabauer per dec. 1-0

6^th Place

285-T.J.Wasksosky (WCAAE) defeated by Jacob Sperr (MAHACA) per dec. 1-2, defeated Jesse Roberts (NYM) per fall 1:53, defeated by Taylor Tenner (FF) per fall :46, defeated by Jacob Sperr (MAHACA) per dec. 0-2

Elementary Wrestling Parents

 Would you like to know what your wrestlers will be working on throughout the season?  Here is a website which will give you a good clue as to what will be going on.  You may want to learn yourself.  Click on the link and view the outline...you can also click on the moves or/and drills to see what they look like.  We will be following mostly of Level 1 through out the year.

Click Here

Help Spread the Word: Booster Club Fundraiser

Tuesday Dec 10th Tri

We will wrestle the second and third duals on Tuesday.  We will wrestle Pelican Rapids first and OTC second.

Go Knights!

WCAAE Grapplers Back in Action! By: Kevin Fick

The West Central Area/Ashby/Evansville (WCAAE) Knight wrestlers have resumed action.  Coaches Gruchow, Onstad and Lorenson have the group looking great and one can sense the hunger in this team.  Last season a group of young wrestlers put in their time.  They took their lumps and came out at the end with a 7-13 dual record and two state participants.  This season the hopes and expectations are ratcheted up a few notches.  The Knights are no longer riddled with underclassmen but boast a healthy supply of mid and upperclassmen. 

Like chapters in a book that set up characters and tell a story, the same can be said of any athletic season.  These young men will write a story this year, the interesting part is that no one can flip to the end of the book to find out the ending!  As the story unravels and we learn of the characters we will read of their adventures and find tales of courage and bravery mixed with heart and emotion.  We will read about duals, triangulars and tournaments.  By the end we will find wrestlers finding their section wrestling weights and fighting for their spots to make a run at that all important spot of a berth in the state tournament…a chance to compete with the other 15 top athletes the state has to offer in their respective weights.  The readers will develop favorite characters as the season moves on.  There will be individuals who excel and teammates left with a taste in their mouths that say…I should have…I want that…I will do it!  It should prove to be a most interesting story complete with all the essential drama.  Make no mistake in thinking that this cast of characters is not ready to give its readers the excitement desired.  Knight Wrestlers….we look forward to your season…give us a story.

Thursday, December 5^th found the Knights opening the season in Graceville with the Prairie Valley Knighthawks and the cross county rival Border West Buccaneers.  The Knights looked strong and easily dispatched a depleated Prairie Valley team 67-6 in their first team dual.  The second match marked a couple milestones as the WCAAE boys knocked off the Border West Bucs 45-21.  This win was Coach Gruchow’s first ever over the Buc’s and Jr. Royal Crow picked up his 50^th Varsity victory.  Congratulations Coach Gruchow and Royal!  Coach Gruchow said this about Thursday night…” Going into Thursday night we knew we had to wrestle extremely well to walk out of the Graceville gym with two wins. That’s just what our Knight wrestlers did. I was satisfied with their conditioning and composure on the mat. Prairie Valley was plagued with opens spots so we weren’t too concerned about the match with them. Border West however, is always a solid team. We knew we had to win some key matches and we did. We still need to improve our positioning in some area, if we want to beat Border West at the end of the season. They fought for every point, wrestled like a team, and I am proud of them. They deserve both the wins tonight! “  In regards to his 50^th victory Crow had this to add...”It's been a long wait.  There were only two wins my 8^th grade season and last year finishing just two wins short of 50 made the offseason seam to take forever as I just wanted to get back on the mat!  I am anxious to see how this season turns out for the team and myself.”  The JV finished 8-9 in their matches that night.

Friday, December 6^th had the Knights at home hosting the Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale Raiders and the Barnesville Trojans.  Both visiting teams proved very tough and are favored to win the section.  The Knights battled hard but in the end BHV defeated them 49-24 and the Trojans dispatched the home team with a score of 48-18.  Although the scores may seem a bit lopsided these matches were closer than the reader may realize and with a win in the right place the boys from WCAAE are within striking distance of these two heavyweight and section favorite teams.  Gruchow adds…”These two teams cleaned our team right up last season. We knew we had our work cut out for us. We came out a little flat in our first match against B-H-V. I feel like we got a good warm-up in but I don’t think we were completely focused mentally to wrestle a team like B-H-V. We focused in for the next match against Barnesville and although we lost I feel like we wrestled much better than in our first match. I feel that if we can improve and stay focused throughout the season this will be a much closer dual the next time we wrestle them.”

“I am choosing Levi Larkin for Wrestler of the week this Week.  Levi is currently 3-1 on the season and is looking and practicing tough.  Levi earned a major decision against his Border West opponent on Thursday night to help keep the momentum going.  Levi is an 8th grader who didn’t get into the line-up as much as he wanted last season. I feel that he is practicing and wrestling like he is trying to make up for some lost time. Levi has been around the program for a long time and has dedicated himself to the sport.  He has had some great success as an elementary wrestler… his efforts and dedication are starting to pay off at the Varsity level”…states Gruchow.

The WCAAE wrestlers will host another home meet on Tuesday, December 10^th with a triangular against the Pelican Rapids Vikings and the Ottertail Central Bulldogs.  Wrestling will commence at 5 pm.  Saturday the 14^th will find the Knights hosting the Grant County Tournament when 10 schools do battle to find their champions.  Action begins at 9 am.

Thursday, December 5^th

WCAAE  67, Prairie Valley 6

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) defeated Justin Mattocks per major dec. 17-4

113-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) won per forfeit

120-Keaton Long (WCAAE) won per forfeit

126-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) won per forfeit

132-Double Forfeit

138-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Nolan Hart per fall 1:24

145-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated Tom Leesberg per dec. 7-3

152-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Nic Shircliff per fall 1:23

160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated Kyle Schlosser per fall :31

170-Koel Seifort (WCAAE) won per forfeit

182-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) won per forfeit

195-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) won per forfeit

220-Buzz Miller (WCAAE) defeated Eric Brauch per fall :37

285-T.J. Waskosky (WCAAE) defeated by Logan Nibbe per fall 1:23

WCAAE 45, Border West 21

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) defeated Kaden Spindler per dec. 8-3

113-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Dylan Menge per major dec. 10-2

120-Keaton Long (WCAAE) defeated Jason Martinez per tech. fall 21-5

126-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated by Cameron Sykora per fall 1:24

132-Mason Pullis (BW) won per foreit

138-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated by Tracer Lee per dec. 0-3

145-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated Chase Odegaard per dec. 5-3

152-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Dylan Pullis per dec. 5-4

160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated Carter Behrens per dec. 6-3

170-Koel Seifort (WCAAE) defeated Eric Schwagerl per fall 5:18

182-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated by Austin Maanum per fall 1:55

195-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated Zack Ottoman per fall 1:27

220-Buzz Miller (WCAAE) defeated Chris Kleindl per fall :37

285-T.J. Waskosky (WCAAE) won per forfeit

Friday, December 6

WCAAE 24, Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale 49

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) won per forfeit

113-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) defeated by Antione Kern per dec. 0-4

120-Keaton Long (WCAAE) defeated by Justin Gordon per fall 1:34

126-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) defeated by Marshall Willis per fall 1:14

132-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated by Zach Waln per fall 1:27

138-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Nick Peterson per fall 1:39

145-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated by Holton Truax  per major dec. 20-9

152-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Ethan Kimber per dec. 8-4

160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated Andrew Cihlar in triple OT per dec. 10-5

170-Koel Seifort (WCAAE) defeated by Nick Bennett per fall 3:47

182-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated by Hayden Truax per fall 2:25

195-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated Andy Bounds per fall 4:27

220-Buzz Miller (WCAAE) defeated by Dillon Card per fall 1:52

285-T.J. Waskosky (WCAAE) defeated by Dalton Baker per fall :46

WCAAE 18, Barnesville 48

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) defeated by Brady Tweeton per fall 3:04

113-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) defeated by Brady Martz per dec. 1-5

120-Keaton Long (WCAAE) defeated Michael Farrick per fall 3:24

126-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated by Zach Anderson per major dec. 2-11

132-Tyler Votova (Barns.) won by forefeit

138-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated by Connor Meyer per dec. 2-4

145-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated by Riley Anderson per major dec. 2-10

152-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Alex Peppel per fall 2:36

160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated by Alex Trowbridge per fall :56

170-Koel Seifort (WCAAE) defeated by Kieran Johnson per fall 2:17

182-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated by Maverick Brady per fall 2:10

195-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated Ryan Kisch per fall 1:08

220-Buzz Miller (WCAAE) defeated by Dana Berg per fall 3:50

285-Alexander Settlemeyer (Barns.) won by forfeit

First Week in Action

WCAAE over Prairie Valley 67-6

WCAAE over Border West 45-21

B-H-V over WCAAE 49-24

Barnesville over WCAAE 49-21

Thursday December 5, 2013

Going into Thursday night we knew we had to wrestle extremely well to walk out of the Graceville gym with two wins.  That’s just what our Knight wrestlers did.  I was satisfied with their conditioning and composure on the mat.  Prairie Valley was plagued with opens spots so we weren’t too concerned about the match with them.  Border West however, is always a solid team.  We knew we had to win some key matches and we did.  We still need to improve our positioning in some area, if we want to beat Border West at the end of the season.  They fought for every point, wrestled like a team, and I am proud of them.  They deserve both the wins tonight!

Friday December 6, 2013

These two teams cleaned our team right up last season.  We knew we had our work cut out for us.  We came out a little flat in our first match against B-H-V.  I feel like we got a good warm-up in but I don’t think we were completely focused mentally to wrestle a team like B-H-V.  We focused in for the next match against Barnesville and although we lost I feel like we wrestled much better than in our first match.  I feel that if we can improve and stay focused throughout the season this will be a much closer dual the next time we wrestle them.

Wrestler of the Week

I am choosing Levi Larkin for Wrestler of the week this Week.  Levi is currently 3-1 on the season and is looking and practicing tough.  Levi earned a major decision against his Border West opponent on Thursday night to help keep the momentum going.  Levi is an 8^th grader who didn’t get into the line-up as much as he wanted last season.  I feel that he is practicing and wrestling like he is trying to make up for some lost time.  Levi has been around the program for a long time and has dedicated himself to the sport.  He has had some great success as an elementary wrestler… His efforts and dedication are starting to pay off at the Varsity level.

We Need Spirit Wear Orders BY Thursday December 5th!

Spirit Wear Order Form HERE!

Please turn them into Brandon or Brandi Gruchow.