Wrestlers of the Week...9th Graders Larkin and Amundson

I am going to nominate two wrestlers of the week this week, both are 9th graders.

The first is Jake Larkin. Jake has been wrestling varsity since he was in 7th grade. He put out some really amazing results as a seventh grader, eighth grader, and now as a ninth grader. Jake has more than 50 varsity career wins. He has been around the sport since he was a little guy and has state NYWA accolades to show for it. He is a technically sound wrestler who puts in the extra work to get better. Jake and his little brother Levi even have their own wrestling room at home to stay crisp over the summer months and also to work out the kinks in technique during the season. Jake attended a few camps over the summer, including a trip out to Cornell to watch some of the best technicians in the country show their technique. Jake's performance this week shows what type of wrestler he is and what he is willing to do for the team. He is a great guy to have in the line-up! 

The second nominee is Blake Amundson. Blake wrestled in elementary and due to some complications this is Blake's first year back in action. Man, are we glad to have him back! Blake works exceptionally hard in practice and out on the mat. You can tell he gets frustrated sometimes during his matches (maybe because he knows what to do but just from being out for awhile things don't click as he would like them to) but man he will fight tooth and nail as long as he is out on the mat. This past weekend at the conference tournament Blake was loosing after the first period.  Blake chose the up position and pinned his Osakis opponent shortly after the second period started. He didn't give up and kept on fighting.....this is the kind of guy we like to have on our team, they are the kind of people who help team develop dreams!

Congrats to both Wrestlers on being Wrestlers of the Week!!!

Crow and Fick Medal at Conference Meet By: Kevin Fick

WCAAE wrestlers continued their road stand with a dual meet in Long Prairie/Grey Eagle and the Park Region Conference meet in New York Mills.  The week proved tough team wise with a loss at LP/GE and a rough showing at the conference tournament but the young Knight grapplers never quit fighting.  With just one triangular and one tournament left the boys in red are gathering knowledge and mat time heading into section wrestling.  In the end there is one thing on a wrestlers mind…make it to state.  Each young man takes the mat weekly and stands like a gladiator against his foe with nothing in mind but gathering a win to secure a higher bid come section time.  The lighter weights fly with incredible speed and the heavier weights tie up with power like bulls.  Each wrestler is tuning up their style and skills, perhaps practicing or attempting a new move to add to the ‘tool chest’, …all of them gathering experience to make a final run at the end of the season.

Tuesday, Jan. 29^th  WCAAE 22, Long Prairie/Grey Eagle 41

106-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) defeated by Thomas Pesta per fall 1:57, 113-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated by Nichoas Middendorf per decision 2-5, 120-Keaton Long (WCAAE) defeated by David Ambriz per decision 6-15, 126-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) defeated by Miguel Ambriz per fall 4:49, 132-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Creg Donabauer per decision 7-6, 138-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated Remington Meagher per major decision 13-2, 145-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Mathew Jasken per fall 3:56, 152-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated Tim Jasken per decision 9-3, 160-Blake Amundson (WCAAE) defeated by Rene Eldidy per major decision 1-11, 170-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated Kyle Brown per decision 6-1, 182-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated by Matt Shultz per fall :37, 195-T.J. Waskosy (WCAAE) defeated by Tony Loeher per fall :56, 220-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated Devin Roering per decision 3-2 in 3 ot, 285-Jordan Bruns (WCAAE) defeated by Kody Kunerth per fall :59, the Knights JV went 4-2.

 About the match Coach Guchow said…”Sid Kamrath wrestled well tonight. This was a big win for Sid, hopefully a season changing win!  He wrestled smart and hard.  He deserves the win.  Hunter Fick pulled out another nail biter tonight as well.  Hunter wrestled smart but a bit conservative, although we will take the triple overtime victory.”

Saturday, Feb. 2^nd  Park Region Conference Tournament in New York Mills

Teams in the PRC are as follows: Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale, Browerville, Long Prairie/Grey Eagle, United North Central, New York Mills, Osakis, Ottertail Central, Prairie Valley, Royalton/Upsula, West Central Area/Ashby/Evansville

Medalists and Finalists- 145-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Tyler Hegna (R/U) per injury default for 1^st  (M), 195-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated Tanner Bacon (UNC) per decision 4-2 for 3^rd  (M), 138-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) placed 4^th, 152-Braedon Long (WCAAE) placed 5^th , 120-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) placed 6^th , 160-Blake Amundson (WCAAE) placed 6^th, 182-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) placed 6^th

About the day Coach Gruchow says…”Royal Crow dominated his way to first place honors.  It’s nice to see a kid get to the top after working so hard and putting forth so much effort.  Hunter Fick continued to wrestle smart, he opened up in the placing round which was exciting to see.  Hunter hit some real nice shots at the right times and really looked good.”  About his win soph. Royal Crow adds…”I’ve been working hard and I’m glad that I won conference, but what I’m really looking forward to is growing and improving as a team so that we can reach state as a group.  I hope that happens before I graduate.”

1^st place for team was NYM, 2^nd UNC, 3^rd Osakis, WCAAE finished 7^th.  PRC “Coach of the Year” goes to Kris Koll from United North Central.  “ Wrestler of the Year” honors went to NYM’s Shane Novak.

Wrestlers of the Week from Coach Gruchow…”I am going to nominate two wrestlers of the week this week, both are 9th graders.

The first is Jake Larkin. Jake has been wrestling varsity since he was in 7th grade. He put out some really amazing results as a seventh grader, eighth grader, and now as a ninth grader. Jake has more than 50 varsity career wins. He has been around the sport since he was a little guy and has state NYWA accolades to show for it. He is a technically sound wrestler who puts in the extra work to get better. Jake and his little brother Levi even have their own wrestling room at home to stay crisp over the summer months and also to work out the kinks in technique during the season. Jake attended a few camps over the summer, including a trip out to Cornell to watch some of the best technicians in the country show their technique. Jake's performance this week shows what type of wrestler he is and what he is willing to do for the team. He is a great guy to have in the line-up!

The second nominee is Blake Amundson. Blake wrestled in elementary and due to some complications this is Blake's first year back in action. Man, are we glad to have him back! Blake works exceptionally hard in practice and out on the mat. You can tell he gets frustrated sometimes during his matches (maybe because he knows what to do but just from being out for awhile things don't click as he would like them to) but man he will fight tooth and nail as long as he is out on the mat. This past weekend at the conference tournament Blake was loosing after the first period.  Blake chose the up position and pinned his Osakis opponent shortly after the second period started. He didn't give up and kept on fighting.....this is the kind of guy we like to have on our team, they are the kind of people who help team develop dreams!

Congrats to both Wrestlers on being Wrestlers of the Week!!!

The wrestlers will find themselves in action two times this week.  A make-up triangular with Royalton/Upsula and Holdingford will take place Thursday, Feb. 7^th in Royalton with the start time slated for 5:30 pm.  They will continue with work on the road in Morris for a nine team tournament Saturday, Feb 9^th.  The bouts will begin at 10 am.

Trenton Telkamp Wrestler of the Week

The ‘Wrestler of the Week’ goes to Trenton Telkamp.  Coach Gruchow states…”Trenton became interested in wrestling late last season.  Trenton decided to give wrestling a shot this year.  As a 9^th grader it is not an easy task to compete at the 182 lb. weight class.  However, Trenton takes on the challenge.  This week Trenton earned two wins.  His win Tuesday really eased the tension as we knew it was going to be a close dual.  Trenton also earned a 1:37 pin in the dual against Prairie Valley Friday night.  This was a big week for Trenton…he turned another corner.  Keep up the good work Trenton!

WCAAE Wrestlers Go 2-3 in Duals

By: Kevin Fick

The week of Jan. 21^st  found the Knights in action five times.  A high point came with a win over Coach Gruchow’s alma-mater in the den of the Park Rapids Panthers.  This marked the 4^th consecutive dual win.  The Osakis Silverstreaks proved a bit too powerful with an upper class heavy team in the last home meet of the year ending the run, but there was great wrestling that night.  Friday, the group traveled to Browerville and competed in three duals.  The competition offered was fantastic.  With a win over the Prairie Valley Nighthawks and losses to the tough BBE Jaguars and Holdingford Huskers the Knights earned valuable mat time against some quality opponents.  All told they faced seven state ranked athletes in Browerville.  It is important to face competition such as this as it is impossible to duplicate the speed and tenacity in practice that such wrestlers offer. The timing couldn’t be better to sharpen the tools in the toolbox as tournaments are closing in.  Conference and Sections are in the very near future and the Knights are preparing to make a run in team and individual competition.

Tuesday, Jan. 22^nd    WCAAE Knights 39, Park Rapids Panthers 38

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) defeated Adrian Ness per fall 2:14, 113-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated Jared Sunram per decision 9-5, 120-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) defeated by Nolan Booge per fall 3:20, 126-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Logan Johnson per fall 1:46, 132-Alex Olson (WCAAE) defeated by Ben Baumgartner per fall 1:45, 138-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated Randall Scott per fall 1:33, 145-Royal Crow (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 152-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated by Justin Dravis per fall 2:41, 160-Zach Salo (WCAAE) defeated by Luke Weaver per major decision 0-12, 170-Blake Amundson (WCAAE) defeated by Jeff Dickinson per major decision 3-11, 182-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated by John Kyllonen per fall 1:15, 195-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 220-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 285-Jordan Bruns (WCAAE) defeated by Trai Schmidt per fall :59, The Jr. High and JV Knights went 6-4

Thursday, Jan. 24^th  WCAAE Knights 22, Osakis Silverstreaks 57

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) defeated by Brendon Coyer per fall 3:22, 113-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated by Trenton Coyer per fall 5:30, 120-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) defeated by Ryan Engfer per decision 5-9, 126-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Colton Waldvogel per injury default, 132-Alex Olson (WCAAE) defeated by Garret Sunder per fall 2:19, 138-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated Conrad Wiener per fall 3:52, 145-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Brian Thorstad per major decision 10-1, 152-Zach Salo (WCAAE) defeated by Austin Rollag per fall 1:27, 160-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated Adam Kleinfehn per fall 3:21, 170-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated by Brandon Spanswick per fall 1:45, 182-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated by Nils Hagen per fall 1:00, 195-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated by Mitch Sunder per fall :26, 220-T.J. Waskosky (WCAAE) defeated by Garret Scherr per fall :18, 285-Jordan Bruns (WCAAE) defeated by Peter Hagen per fall 1:03,  The JR. High and JV Knights went 9-2

Friday, Jan. 25^th    WCAAE Knights 22, BBE Jaguars 55

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) defeated by Kaleb Voss per decision 5-6, 113-Levi Larkin (WCAAE) defeated by Josey Tensen per fall 3:39, 120-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated Johan Voss per major decision 12-1, 126-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Colby Schramel per fall 2:38, 132-Tyler Tensen (BBE) won per forfeit, 138-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated by Austin Jaeger per major decision 3-11, 145-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Jordan Lewis per injury default, 152-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated by Alex Schramel per fall 3:42, 160-Blake Amundson (WCAAE) defeated by Matt Schmitz per fall 3:01, 170-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated by Ben Thompson per fall 1:04, 182-Trent Telkamp ( WCAAE) defeated by Joe Reller per fall 2:35, 195-T.J. Waskosky (WCAAE) defeated by Pat Rooney per fall :34, 220-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated Marshall Zackman per fall 1:09, 285-Jordan Bruns (WCAAE) defeated by Ben Feurhake per fall 1:04

Friday, Jan. 25^th  WCAAE Knights 57, Prairie Valley Nighthawks 28

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 113-TylerOnstad (WCAAE) defeated Nolan Hart per fall 1:03, 120-Keaton Long (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 126-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) defeated by Tom Leeseberg per major decision 3-15, 132-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated Bryce Looker per decision in OT 5-4, 138-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated Kyle Schlosser per injury default, 145-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated Spencer Libby per fall :57, 152-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated Dillon Borchet per fall 3:53, 160-Blake Amundson (WCAAE) won per forfeit, 170-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated by Josh McKeown per fall 3:40, 182-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated Eric Branch per fall 1:37, 195-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated by Tyler Schlosser per decision 1-7, 220-double forfeit, 285-Jordan Bruns (WCAAE) defeated by Logan Nibbe per fall 3:33

Friday, Jan. 25^th   WCAAE 20, Holdingford Huskers 57

106-Jake Nohre (WCAAE) defeated Jamey Koetter per decision 9-1, 113-Tyler Onstad (WCAAE) defeated by Zach Scott per fall 2:26, 120-Wyatt Odegaard (WCAAE) defeated Phillip Doll per fall 4:57, 126-Jake Larkin (WCAAE) defeated by Jason Jarnot per decision 2-6, 132-Taz Taflinger (Hold.) won per forfeit, 138-Kyle Mickelsen (WCAAE) defeated Weston Lumley per major decision 12-0, 145-Royal Crow (WCAAE) defeated by Trevor Scott per fall 3:10, 152-Braedon Long (WCAAE) defeated by Kyle Gerads per fall 1:17, 160-Blake Amundson (WCAAE) defeated by Kyle Kolstad per fall 1:15, 170-Sid Kamrath (WCAAE) defeated by Matt Messman per fall :42, 182-Trent Telkamp (WCAAE) defeated by Nathan Brinker per fall 1:12, 195-T.J. Waskosky (WCAAE) defeated by Mitch Messman per fall :40, 220-Hunter Fick (WCAAE) defeated Mitch Merton per injury default, 285-Jordon Bruns (WCAAE) defeated  by Malcom Dewar per fall 1:11

The ‘Wrestler of the Week’ goes to Trenton Telkamp.  Coach Gruchow states…”Trenton became interested in wrestling late last season.  Trenton decided to give wrestling a shot this year.  As a 9^th grader it is not an easy task to compete at the 182 lb. weight class.  However, Trenton takes on the challenge.  This week Trenton earned two wins.  His win Tuesday really eased the tension as we knew it was going to be a close dual.  Trenton also earned a 1:37 pin in the dual against Prairie Valley Friday night.  This was a big week for Trenton…he turned another corner.  Keep up the good work Trenton!

The Knights grapplers will travel three times this week again starting with Tuesday, Jan. 29^th in Long Prairie-Grey Eagle for a dual with the Thunder. Wrestling starts at 6 pm. Thursday WCAAE travels to Upsula to face off with the hometeam Royalton/Upsula unit and the Holdingford Huskers.  Action is slated for 5:30 pm.  Saturday, Feb. 2^nd is the Park Region Conference tournament in New York Mills.  Nine teams will take the mat and wrestling begins at 10 am.

Fick Sets the UPA American Record With 375 lbs.

By: Kevin Fick

Sunday, Jan. 13

Hunter Fick, a sophomore of the Ashby High School competed in the United Powerlifting Associations (UPA)  “Winter Heat” in Burnsville, MN.  This was a full power competition, meaning the back squat, bench press, and dead lift or a choice of any of the three could be attempted.  Hunter chose to lift in the bench press portion of the meet.  The competition was held at the Southside Bully Gym.  There were 19 lifters competing.

Rules of the meet are as follows:  Each lifter must be a registered member of the UPA.  Lifters shall wear a singlet and if lifting in the RAW (ungeared) division may use wrist wraps only for support.  Three judges officiate each attempt.  Three incremental attempts are performed pending each lift is successful.  The bar shall be lowered to the chest, remain motionless, and a press command is given.  After the press, a rack command is presented and the lift is considered complete.  This was a substance free event and drug tests were performed.  Head official was Greg Damminga, director of the meet was Scott Nutter.

Hunters first attempt was 145 kg (319 lbs), the lift was successful.  The second attempt was 155 kg (341 lbs), the lift was successful.  The final attempt was 170 kg (375 lbs), the lift was successful.  The final lift secured the new American Bench Press Record for 16-17 yr olds in the 182-198 lb class.  The young Ashby football player and WCAAE wrestler obliterated the old mark by 127 lbs!  Hunter placed first in all teens competing and had the 4^th overall best bench in open class.  About the lift Hunter states…”I enjoy doing something a little out of the ordinary, I enjoy competing with these extraordinary people.  Some of these guys press over 500 lbs.  For me, when I hear you can’t, that means to me if I try harder I can.  When I heard my AC-DC music start backstage I just felt good.  It was a good lift but I’m shooting for much more.”  Hunter’s lift off partner was father/strength coach, Kevin Fick.  A surprise in the crowd was great-uncle and hunting companion Norman Fisher.

After setting two National and American records; and three State records in three months Hunter will take a short break from the power-lifting scene to focus on and complete wrestling season.  It takes an incredible amount of energy to try to keep up with both at the same time.  The wrestling wears the mass off, the lifter tries hard to put the mass back on.  That doesn’t mean lack of gym time, just a different style of training.  Hunter will compete next in May at the Twin Ports Open in Duluth.  This will be a USAPL sanctioned event.