Takedown Report

High School News (2021) – # 16 (Minn., Mich. & Wisc.)

TDR Editor’s Notes ; In this most unique of all seasons there has been a variety of schedules. Most states are done with their seasosn. North Carolina has the Regionals next week and then the State Tournament on June 26th. Thus the post season awards, announcements andother events are delayed. This collection of articles focuses on the wrestling teams in the northern tier the western Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Keep wrestling onward and upward. Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2930 (6/9/21)
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1 } – Frankenmuth wrestler Konner Roche ‘undefeated third-place finisher’ after controversial decision
Officially, there is no asterisk next to Konner Roche’s third-place finish in the wrestling state finals. But to Roche and Frankenmuth wrestling coach Skylar Ley, there is one huge asterisk next to that No. 3 and next to his 23-1 record. “Mentally, I’m good with what happened,” Roche said “But in my mind, I’m an undefeated third-place finisher in the state. Only time maybe that’s happened.” Roche was on his way to the 171-pound state-championship match in the Division 3 individual wrestling state finals Friday. He cruised through his matches into the semifinal and held a 2-0 lead in the first period. … rest of story at https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2021/04/frankenmuth-wrestler-konner-roche-undefeated-third-place-finisher-after-controversial-decision.html?mc_cid=a167ed32cf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter Honors 11
On Saturday, April 24th, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter held their 19th annual banquet and ceremony and inducted nine new members and honored two from the 2020 class who have contributed significantly to Minnesota Wrestling and beyond. The celebration was held at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Austin, Minn. 250 people were in attendance, including many former Hall of Fame inductees. Ricky Ties Jr received the State Medal of Courage Award from Minnesota. Honorees for the Lifetime Service Award for 2021 were Dr. John Berg Jr, Clay Nagel, Charlie Peterson, Terry Sworsky, Jim Tanniehill, Steve Techam, Ken Vogt, and Jim Williams. 2020 inductees Larry Goodnature and Bill Schmidt gave their postponed acceptance speeches. State chapter inductees are permanently honored at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma. … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/04/national-wrestling-hall-of-fame-minnesota-chapter-honors-11/?mc_cid=33a8cd508f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And … NWHOF MN Chapter Banquet Sold Out
Due to COVID-19 capacity limits for restaurants, registration for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Minnesota Chapter Banquet set for Saturday, April 24 in Austin is closed at this time. The possibility of a live stream is being looked into. A waiting list has been set up for people who mailed a registration form which was received after the capacity limit of 250 people was met. People that have previously registered but need to cancel are asked to contact Spencer Yohe spenceryohe@gmail.com, 320-766-1934 (Cell), 1-507-495-3213. More information about the banquet: NWHOF MN Chapter Banquet … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/04/nwhof-mn-chapter-banquet-sold-out/?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Q & A with New Owatonna High School Wrestling Coach

Read More: Q & A with New Owatonna High School Wrestling Coach | https://krforadio.com/q-a-with-new-owatonna-high-school-wrestling-coach/?mc_cid=73bee40328&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Derek Johnson grew up in a wrestling family. Get togethers frequently included some furniture rearranging to clear the way for a grudge match or two. His father was one of his coaching growing up. He was coached by Scot Davis, one of the most successful prep coaches in the country, and legendary Larry Hovden. All signs pointed toward Johnson getting into coaching. He was recently named as the new head varsity coach at Owatonna High School, pending school board approval. Johnson calls the Owatonna wrestling community one of the best in the country. He has already started some of the groundwork he feels is important heading into the summer wrestling season. Johnson has coached in the youth program for the last six years and was a high school assistant in 2014. He’s also excited to see that the Minnesota State High School League has expanded opportunities for girls wrestling with their own section and state tournament.

Read More: Q & A with New Owatonna High School Wrestling Coach | https://krforadio.com/q-a-with-new-owatonna-high-school-wrestling-coach/?mc_cid=73bee40328&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral … rest of story at https://krforadio.com/q-a-with-new-owatonna-high-school-wrestling-coach/?mc_cid=73bee40328&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – MWCA Recognizes Team Champions from the MSHSL Individual State Tournament
Since 2013, the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association has recognized the Team Champions from the MSHSL Individual State Tournament. The winning team and runner-up from each class (A, AA, and AAA) earns a trophy/plaque to display at their respective schools. This year the MWCA is proud to recognize Jackson County Central as the Class A Champion, Simley as the Class AA Champion, and St. Michael-Albertville as the Class AAA Champion. The top 10 teams per class are shared below.

2021 Class A Top 10

1. Jackson County Central 72
2. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 62
3. LPGE/Browerville 54 … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/04/mwca-recognizes-team-champions-from-the-mshsl-individual-state-tournament-2/?mc_cid=22fcb0de91&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – MSHSL Releases New Sections For 2021-2022
The Minnesota State High School League has released new section assignments for 2021-2022. Previous and new section assignments for wrestling are listed below. More information about section assignments can be found at mshsl.org.

Class A Section 1

OLD
Caledonia/Houston
Chatfield High School
Dover-Eyota High School
Fillmore C/Lanesboro/M-C Wolves
Goodhue High School
GMLOS Bulldogs
St. Charles High School
Triton High School
Wabasha-Kellogg High School
Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School

NEW
Caledonia/Houston
Chatfield High School
Dover-Eyota High School
Fillmore C/Lanesboro/M-C Wolves … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/04/mshsl-releases-new-sections-for-2021-2022/?mc_cid=22fcb0de91&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Davison community celebrates ‘remarkable feat’ by state wrestling champions
DAVISON, MI — Families and fans lined the road to celebrate the Davison wrestling team as the wrestlers walked in a parade on Monday, April 12 between Thompson Elementary School and Davison High School. The team accomplished many feats this season, including defeating Detroit Catholic Central to win its eighth Division 1 team championship and setting an MHSAA record with 14 wrestlers finishing among the top eight in their respective weight divisions to earn All-State honors. … rest of story at https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2021/04/davison-community-celebrates-remarkable-feat-by-state-wrestling-champions.html?mc_cid=3018ac16e0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Ravenna wrestling reached team state finals as club sport; now hopes to be school-sanctioned
By Scott DeCamp | sdecamp1@mlive.com

James English began laying the foundation for Ravenna wrestling in 2010 and the program returned as a club-sport varsity team one year later. One decade later, with young and energetic Cody Carpenter at the helm, the Bulldogs made history, still as a club team. They captured the school’s first-ever regional title and a berth in the Division 4 team state finals. Carpenter’s vision became reality. He believes in Ravenna and its youth, and he would like to see wrestling become a school-sanctioned sport. He’s hoping that those community members voting today, May 4, on a two-bond proposal feel the same way and give a “yes” nod, which could move wrestling and other club sports in the district under the umbrella of school-funded activities. “They vote May 4 to make us a school sport and remodel our wrestling room. I really hope that dream can become a reality like going to team state was,” Carpenter said. “When I got here (as an assistant in 2016), we had eight guys on the team. We have had over 20 the last two seasons. We’re growing, we’re getting better. … rest of story at https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2021/05/ravenna-wrestling-reached-team-state-finals-as-club-sport-now-it-hopes-to-be-school-sanctioned.html?mc_cid=2f6eda67bb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – Cardinal named Mr. Minnesota Wrestling
Forest Lake senior Derrick Cardinal was named Minnesota’s Mr. Wrestling by the state’s wrestling coaches association. The state association has presented the award since 1990 to the wrestler who “best exemplifies the highest ideals of high school wrestling,” with judging based on past performance, citizenship, academics, leadership and adherence to MSHSL rules. Cardinal is a four-time state champion who has posted a 240-30 record during his high school career, collecting 109 pins along the way. The South Dakota State signee also is a two-time academic all-state performer with a 3.967 cumulative GPA. … rest of story at https://www.hometownsource.com/forest_lake_times/cardinal-named-mr-minnesota-wrestling/article_77a55f98-be49-11eb-b322-0760b42cd892.html?mc_cid=22b0f00134&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Cardinal named MWCA Mr. Minnesota of Wrestling

Joseph and Vaith named MWCA Coaches of the Year

Derrick Cardinal of Forest Lake is this year’s Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Mr. Minnesota of Wrestling. The MWCA annually presents the Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler award to the senior that best exemplifies the highest ideals of high school wrestling in Minnesota. Judging is based on past performances, citizenship, academics, leadership, and adherence to MSHSL rules. Cardinal, who attends Forest Lake High School, is a four-time state champion and five-time placewinner. He capped his high school career with the Class AAA 132-pound state title last month. Cardinal won a prestigious Minnesota Christmas Tournament title in 2019. He leaves behind a 240-30 high school career record, including 109 pins. … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/04/cardinal-named-mwca-mr-minnesota-of-wrestling/?mc_cid=5c73249ed8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&doing_wp_cron=1619446410.8305981159210205078125

10 } – Former Michigan All-American Matt Brink ‘retiring’ from wrestling, including as Reeths-Puffer coach
By Scott DeCamp | sdecamp1@mlive.com

MUSKEGON – Thirty-four of Matt Brink’s 42 years of life have been devoted to wrestling. Many of his first 15 years in the sport were spent as a dominant heavyweight at Fruitport High School and University of Michigan. The last 19 years, he’s been coaching at Reeths-Puffer High School, 15 as the highly successful leader of the Rockets program. The time has come to move on. On Monday, Brink resigned as Reeths-Puffer’s head wrestling coach. The Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Famer prefers to phrase it as “retiring.” “I have a young family,” said Brink, who with wife Holly has a 3-year-old daughter, Lola, and son named Knox who is turning a year old. “That was a big reason. I wanted to spend time with them, as much time as I can with them.” Reeths-Puffer athletic director Tony Schmitt said that the coaching position will be posted and a hiring committee formed. He said he’s not sure on the timing, but it will not be long. Brink will be a tough coach to replace. He commanded much respect and his resume speaks for itself. … rest of story at https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2021/04/muskegon-area-hall-of-famer-matt-brink-retiring-from-wrestling-including-as-reeths-puffer-coach.html?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – Merrill wrestling students run to remember late coach
MERRILL, Wis. (WAOW) — Merrill students gathered today to honor their late coach’s memory. The wrestling students ranging from elementary to high school met at Blue Jay Stadium, decked out in Merrill Wrestling apparel, to run 46 laps around the track representing Coach Jered Severt’s 46 years of life. Severt died recently when a tractor he was operating tipped over and pinned him underneath. “He put a lot in the team, he did a lot for us, we figured we would do something for him,” Wrestler and Run Organizer, Tristan Brewington said. Those that chose not to run, walked and others participated by  … rest of story at https://waow.com/2021/04/25/merrill-wrestling-students-run-to-remember-late-coach/?mc_cid=33a8cd508f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – Wrestler has WIAA state title vacated 28 months after winning it

RACINE — Last week, one Racine County Circuit Court judge overruled a 2019 injunction issued by one of his now-retired colleagues. That injunction had allowed a high school wrestler, Hayden Halter, who would otherwise have been suspended, to continue competing for what became his second state championship. Following last week’s decision, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association vacated Halter’s 2019 state title 28 months months after he won it.

Implications It’s a case that had eyes on it from around the state, considering the precedent it could set for allowing student-athletes, coaches and schools’ athletic programs to seek reprieve in the courts for any perceived mistake made by a sports official. … rest of story at https://journaltimes.com/news/local/wrestler-has-wiaa-state-title-vacated-28-months-after-winning-it/article_7de3bf04-a3f3-53b7-b79f-b26bbb166d4e.html?mc_cid=7074fa6854&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

June 9, 2021 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment