When we opened up the facility in September of 2009, one of our stated goals was to improve MN Wrestling(now WI too). To do this, we had to create an atmosphere in the room that kids were not just in practice to help themselves, but also their practice partner. To be a good drill partner, to fight together, to push each other in the weight room and wrestling room, and help each other technically. Sometimes that meant the same guy you were going to meet in the state kids tournament(or any other tournament) that same weekend. This was crucial, as we have had these wrestlers set higher goals that most would seem logical. Eventually the kids bought in to the idea(it took a little longer for the parents), and they all became friends, and teammates.
This past weekend I saw more hugs, and respect shown,from fellow competitors than I ever had a High School State Tournament.These kids have trained together, traveled the country together, went to camps together, and had sleepovers together since they were 9. More amazing, is that the crazy parents actually hang out together, even away from wrestling, as this has been a second family for many years.
All these wrestlers have chased greatness on the mat since they were little. Although all of them haven't won a state title, many achieved greatness. Results are never guaranteed, but for us, it is about doing everything possible to put yourself in the best position to succeed. That is what many of these wrestlers have done in the past 8 years as they have fought each other daily in the practice room, always dreaming of that coveted state and national title.
Now, on to wrestling!
Congrats on all who participated at the MN and WI state tournament. Every year we have moments that stick with us for a long time. Years past of TJ Ohara's dramatic pin, sweep of podium of 106AAA, Bergeland vs Hedin, and Mitchell McKee and his dad.
Here are some moments from this year-
Evan Lawrence! Maybe the guy who made me most proud with his 3rd place finish. Evan never placed at the youth state championships, was never the guy who would win on sheer athleticism, but worked his tail off, and implemented the technique shown.
Watching Skyler Raymond win his placement match with 15 PINnacle youth wrestlers screaming for him, was awesome! He was a late comer to wrestling, and his love grew for the sport in just the past few years, great accomplishment
Brady Berge has had a natural feel for wrestling since he was very young. It has been a joy watching him wrestle and develop, another dominating performance!
Dumb vs Dumber, Robb vs Lloyd, State Champ vs State Champ, Friend vs Friend. You guys think that match was good, you should see the practice room. More like 20-19 variety.
Greg Kerkvliet is a Sophomore.
Cashman scoring points
Our first girl to make it to State, Emily Shilson
Jones his 4th
Molitor vs LeMair- Have spent a lot of time with these boys, and they were both in pain as they had to wrestle each other in the wrestle backs. They both fought hard and came out as winners. It might have been the most shots I have seen Curty take!
Moves the made me smile-Sokol hiptoss, Wilson speed?, Stuhl reversal for 4 with seconds left to win state, Ballentyne OT cement mixer, Berge 2on1, Kerkvliet pick, Njos headlock, McKee underhook. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to see a Schorr lateral drop ;)
Pace-love the high pace of Svihel, Droegenmueller, McKee, Berge, Struntz, Carlson, Robb, Lloyd, Shilson.
Before we get to my beloved stats; A thank you and congratulations to the High School Coaches of all these wrestlers! Thanks for promoting off season wrestling, thanks for supporting your wrestlers, and thanks for your tireless work.
The credit for all these accomplishments shouldn't go to PINnacle, or to coaches, but to these wrestlers. Wrestling is such a demanding, painful, and hard sport, and these guys fight through adversity to "Be Great"
Stats for MN/WI State High School Tournaments that trained in one of our programs(not camps) from Spring 2016-March 2017
2017 MN and WI State Placers and Entrants
Name | Weight | School | Place | Head Coach |
Reid Ballentyne | 106AAA | Stillwater | Champion | Keller |
Aaron Cashman | 113AAA | Shakopee | Champion | Jackson |
Patrick McKee | 120AAA | STMA | Champion | Lefebvre |
Jake Gliva | 126AA | Simley | Champion | Short |
Brent Jones | 132AAA | Shakopee | Champion | Jackson |
Sam Stuhl | 132W2 | Ellsworth | Champion | Matzek |
Keaton Schorr | 138AA | Kasson-Mantorville | Champion | Heidt |
Tyler Eischens | 138AAA | Anoka | Champion | Springer |
Alex Lloyd | 145AAA | Shakopee | Champion | Jackson |
Alex Crowe | 152AAA | Shakopee | Champion | Jackson |
Brady Berge | 160AA | Kasson-Mantorville | Champion | Heidt |
Kenny O'Neil | 160AAA | Prior Lake | Champion | Block |
Jake Allar | 170AAA | STMA | Champion | Lefebvre |
Jared Florell | 182AA | Totino Grace | Champion | Svihel |
Daniel(Greg) Kerkvliet | 195AA | Simley | Champion | Short |
Garrett Joles | 195W3 | Boyceville | Champion | Olson |
Noah Ryan | 220AA | Kasson-Mantorville | Champion | Heidt |
Charlie Stuhl | 106W2 | Ellsworth | 2nd | |
Jake Svihel | 113AA | Totino Grace | 2nd | |
Trayton Anderson | 113AAA | Farmington | 2nd | |
Justin Sampson | 120AA | Waseca | 2nd | |
Clay Carlson | 132AAA | Willmar | 2nd | |
Jakob Bergeland | 138AAA | Centennial | 2nd | |
Peyton Robb | 145AAA | Owatonna | 2nd | |
Bobby Striggow | 182AA | Orono | 2nd | |
Max Crowe | 106AAA | Shakopee | 3rd | |
Ryan Sokol | 113AA | Simley | 3rd | |
Tanner Kroells | 120AA | Delano | 3rd | |
Colby Njos | 120AAA | Anoka | 3rd | |
Mike Smith | 120W2 | Amery | 3rd | |
Dylan Droegemueller | 126AAA | Anoka | 3rd | |
Evan Lawrence | 160AA | Mahtomedi | 3rd | |
Tony Struntz | 160AAA | St. Francis | 3rd | |
Anders Lantz | 160W2 | Ellsworth | 3rd | |
Cael Berg | 106AA | Simley | 4th | |
Jared Johnson | 113AA | Kasson-Mantorville | 4th | |
Rylee Molitor | 126AAA | Sartell-St Stephen | 4th | |
Sam Webster | 138AAA | Shakopee | 4th | |
Tyler Shilson | 145AAA | Centennial | 4th | |
Cole Skelton | 145W2 | Ellsworth | 4th | |
Riley Habisch | 152AAA | Buffalo | 4th | |
Lincoln Shinn | 160AAA | Willmar | 4th | |
Luke Clark | 170W3 | St. Croix Falls | 4th | |
Kyle Boeke | 106AA | Princeton | 5th | |
Joey Thompson | 106AAA | Maple Grove | 5th | |
Curtis LeMair | 126AAA | Prior Lake | 5th | |
Skyler Raymond | 132AAA | Farmington | 5th | |
Hunter Ranweiler | 138AA | New Ulm | 5th | |
Bryce Younger | 138W1 | New Richmond | 5th | |
Kaden Spindler | 145A | West Central Area | 5th | |
Isaac Haman | 145AA | Kasson-Mantorville | 5th | |
Tanner Wiese | 152AAA | Forest Lake | 5th | |
Jacob Anderson | 152W1 | Hudson | 5th | |
Calvin Germinaro-Nahring | 160AAA | Anoka | 5th | |
Bret Wilson | 126AAA | Rogers | 6th | |
Nate Johnson | 132AAA | Hopkins | 6th | |
Nicholas Carline | 152AAA | Osseo | 6th | |
Camron Wigand | 106AA | South St. Paul | DNP | |
Colby Dunkel | 106AA | New Prague | DNP | |
Andrew Sanders | 106AAA | Minnetonka | DNP | |
Emily Shilson | 106AAA | Centennial | DNP | |
Hunter Lyden | 106AAA | East Ridge | DNP | |
Jared Spohn | 106AAA | Sauk Rapids-Rice | DNP | |
Nathan Nygaard | 106AAA | STMA | DNP | |
Patrick Lockwood | 106AAA | Mpls Washburn | DNP | |
Ryan Nosbush | 113AA | Mora | DNP | |
Robby Horsman | 120AA | Kasson-Mantorville | DNP | |
Nick Dunagan | 120AAA | Mounds View | DNP | |
Trey Kruse | 120AAA | Stillwater | DNP | |
Mitchell Anderson | 120W1 | Hudson | DNP | |
Brody Olson | 126AA | Stewartville | DNP | |
Casey Schlickenmeyer | 126AAA | Cambridge-Isanti | DNP | |
Ethan Devore | 126AAA | Mound-Westonka | DNP | |
Austin Sonnek | 132AA | North Branch | DNP | |
Nic Fite | 132AA | Fridley | DNP | |
Sean Howk | 132AA | New Ulm | DNP | |
Mitchell Hogue | 132AAA | Wayzata | DNP | |
Carsten Scherber | 138AA | Monticello | DNP | |
Connor Dehn | 138AA | Totino Grace | DNP | |
Zach Bigelbach | 138AA | Benilde-St Margarets | DNP | |
Mason Hall | 138AAA | St. Francis | DNP | |
TJ Turinske | 138AAA | White Bear Lake | DNP | |
Michael Menth | 145AA | Totino Grace | DNP | |
Aacoda Aitkin | 145AAA | Osseo | DNP | |
Lucas Van Dyck | 152AA | Orono | DNP | |
Grant Hendren | 152AAA | Lakeville South | DNP | |
Kyle Erickson | 152AAA | Hastings | DNP | |
Will Harter | 152AAA | Stillwater | DNP | |
Xander Falkenstein | 152AAA | Eden Prairie | DNP | |
Dan Herda | 160AAA | Wayzata | DNP | |
Garrett Whitehead | 160AAA | Park | DNP | |
Jack Graham | 160AAA | Mounds View | DNP | |
Grant Parrish | 170AAA | Forest Lake | DNP | |
Ben Nelson | 182AA | Mahtomedi | DNP | |
Zach Moon | 182AA | Simley | DNP | |
Jacob Scherber | 182AAA | Buffalo | DNP | |
Rowan Morgan | 182AAA | Mounds View | DNP | |
Tyler Dahlstron | 182AAA | St. Francis | DNP | |
Ben Lathrop | 195AAA | Anoka | DNP | |
Roth Stricker | 195AAA | Eagan | DNP | |
Griffin Thorn | 220AAA | Owatonna | DNP | |
Sam Horn | 220AAA | Eden Prairie | DNP | |
Colton Hellman | 285AA | Princeton | DNP |