9 Wrestlers Qualify for NYWA State

Nine K-8 wrestlers qualified for the NYWA State Tournament by placing in the top 3 of their division this weekend.  Earning trips were Sam Moore, Cole Schiell, Jack Krier, Kaleb Lochner, Ryan Lexvold, Jack Smothers, Tanner Mancilman, John Poulin, and Tyler Soltau.  Also placing in the top 6 were Gunner Mancilman, Isaiah O’Reilly, Mason Edstrom, and Cole Poncelet.

Leading the Freestyle/Greco-Roman practice this Tuesday will be Paul Pagel.  Paul was a Junior Greco-Roman All-American.  He was also an All-American wrestler for the Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato.  Practice will run from 6:30 to 7:30 PM Tuesday in Mazeppa.  Don’t miss out on this chance to learn some great upper body technique.

Summer wrestling practices for Grades 3-6 are being offered through InnerDrive of Rochester.  Here is more information regarding these practices along with a sign-up form.

Upcoming Events

  • Tuesday- Youth open mat 6:00-6:30 PM.  FS/GR practice for Grades K-12 from 6:30 to 7:30.
  • Thursday thru Sunday- NYWA State and Invite Tournaments at Mayo Civic Center

Freestyle and Greco-Roman Practices in Mazeppa

ZM wrestling is having Freestyle/Greco-Roman open mat practices once a week starting Tuesday, March 17th in the Mazeppa wrestling room.  A total of 9 practices for any ZM wrestler K-12.  There is no cost.  Currently scheduled and very excited to lead these practices include Chad Matthees, Paul Pagel, and Joey Majerus.

Here is a great article that explains why one should consider wrestling Greco-Roman and Freestyle in the spring.  In short- these practices are designed to be relaxed and fun, yet very productive.  No worries about cutting weight.  No pressure from a team.  You can focus on individual skills and experiment with different things.  Don’t worry about not knowing the ins-and-outs of these styles, wrestling is wrestling.  My son Ryan really enjoys FS/GR and looks forward to attending the practices as well as the local and regional tournaments.

The current schedule is as follows.  Practices will run from 6:30 – 7:30 PM.

  • Tuesday, March 17
  • Tuesday, March 24
  • Tuesday, March 31
  • Monday, April 6
  • Tuesday, April 14
  • Tuesday, April 21
  • Tuesday, April 28
  • Tuesday, May 5
  • Thursday, May 14

More information about FS/GR and a calendar of tournaments can be found at http://www.mnusawrestling.org/.

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Another oppoturnity is the Cannon Falls Mat Rats Freestyle Program.  It starts Tuesday, March 17th.  The practices are open for K-12 and are held Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM.  Full calendar is here.  The practices are run by Chad Otterness.

Youth Update: March 8, 2015

29 wrestlers took part in either the MN/USA Kids & Cadets State Folkstyle tournament or NYWA district qualifier this weekend.  Placing at the MN/USA tournament were Sam Moore (3rd), Ethan Kovars (5th), and Hayden Voxland (3rd).  Also participating at MN/USA were John Poulin, Jarret Haglund, Sam Nordquist, Tyler Soltau, Hayden Stensland, Luke Tupper, and Jacob Bennett.  Wrestling at NYWA were Lincoln Toombs, Cole and Lucas Schiell, Leo and Jent Beyer, Carl and Ben Murray, Gunner and Tanner Mancilman, Cain and Ryan Lexvold, Kaleb Lochner, Isaac Moore, Jack Krier, Isaiah O’Reilly, Jack Smothers, Ashton Macht, Nathan Haltom, Cole Poncelet, and John Poulin.  My apologies if I missed anyone.

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We have 8 ZM Wrestling community calendars still available.  These calendars run March through April 2016 and are personalized with birthdays and anniversaries.  Cost is $10.  If interested, you can get a hold of Lacey Lexvold or stop by Zumbrota Eye Care.

Please note the youth will be practicing Tuesday and Friday this week due to Parent-Teacher conferences.  We also have the opportunity to weigh in on Saturday for the team tournament on Sunday.  We will e-mail our youth parents with more information later this week once we have the details.

Upcoming Events

  • Tuesday- Open mat practice in new wrestling room.  6:00-7:15 PM.
  • Friday- Open mat practice in new wrestling room.  6:00-7:15 PM.  NYWA District Qualifier in Austin.
  • Saturday- NYWA District Qualifier in Stewartville.  Jaycees Regional Qualifier in Goodhue.
  • Sunday, March 15th- NYWA Team Region Qualifier in Eyota.  Wrestling starts at 9.

 

Youth Update; Important NYWA and MN/USA Information

5 wrestlers traveled to Waseca today to get one last tune-up before NYWA districts begin.  Attending were Carl Murray, Cain and Ryan Lexvold, Nathan Haltom, and Jack Smothers.

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NYWA

NYWA is a wrestling association that holds a series of individual and team wrestling tournaments for kids in 8th grade and under.  All wrestlers who participate in an NYWA tournament must purchase an NYWA membership.  The NYWA District tournaments are held annually the first two weekends following the Minnesota State High School Wrestling tournament.  Wrestlers who place 1st or 2nd at Districts will advance to the Regional tournament.  At Regions, a wrestler must place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the weight class to advance to the NYWA State tournament.  NYWA groups wrestlers by these ages and weight classes.

Anyone planning on wrestling in the Plainview NYWA qualifier on Friday should purchase an NYWA membership and get their Plainview registration form in the mail by Tuesday.

MN/USA Kids & Cadets Folkstyle State Tournament

MN/USA Wrestling is the state affiliate organization for USA Wrestling.  All wrestlers who participate in a USA tournament must buy a USA Wrestling membership.  The MN/USA Folkstyle State Tournament is March 6-8th.  MN/USA uses these ages and weight classes.  Novice division and younger (born 2004 or later) must have already qualified in one of the MN/USA open tournaments.  Schoolboy and Cadets do not need to qualify.  However, everyone must pre-register on-line by tonight at 8 PM.

If you have any questions regarding these tournaments, please ask one of the coaches at the next practice.

Upcoming Events

  • Monday- Practice.  PreK-3rd at 5:45.  4th-6th at 6:45.  This is the last practice before we combine all grades for open mat.
  • Thursday- Open mat practice in new wrestling room.  6:00-7:15 PM.
  • Friday- NYWA District Qualifier in Plainview.
  • Friday thru Sunday- MN/USA Folkstyle State Tournament

Youth Jr. Team Goes 3-1; Varsity Will Be At Practice Tomorrow Night

The K-3 team traveled to Waseca today and brought home 3rd place.  We were able to defeat Adrian, Faribault, and Pine Island while losing to GMLOKS.  The hard work these guys are putting in shown through today.  Great job boys!

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A special treat for tomorrow night’s youth practice- the varsity will be in the wrestling room to be introduced and hopefully can stay to show some moves and help lead practice.  4th through 6th graders are welcome to come to the early practice to take advantage of this opportunity as well.  Come with questions and learn how these guys became the best of Section 1A!

The full schedule for State team and individual is here.  The team will wrestle their first dual at 11:00 AM on Thursday at the X.  Go cheer them on in person, there is no other experience quite like it.

State wrestling and Mat Rat t-shirts are for sale.

Upcoming Events:

Monday- Practice.  PreK-3rd at 5:45.  4th-6th at 6:45 but arrive early to meet varsity wrestlers.
Thursday- Watch Cougar team at the X.
Friday/Saturday- Watch Cougar individuals at the X.
Sunday- Waseca individual tournament

ZM sends 6 individuals to State

Six Cougars advanced to the Individual State Tournament which will be held next Friday & Saturday, Feb. 27-28 at the Xcel Energy Center. Great job guys!

Hayden Stensland 106
Joey Majerus 120
Maverick Jackson 132
Freedom Hunt 145
Devin Manzy 160
Dillon Downes 170

There will be a send-off/pepfest for the wrestling team at 1:00 Wednesday afternoon @ the ZMHS gymnasium. Come show your support & wish them the best at State!!!

GO COUGARS!

Section 1A Champions

They did it!!! The Cougars earned a trip to the state tournament! The Cougs met Dover-Eyota in the semi-finals, winning 48-18 to send them to the finals vs rival Kenyon-Wanamingo. In a very intense match-up, the Cougars pulled off the victory 27-26.

Thank you, Cougar Fans, for coming out to cheer them on! What a showing of teamwork & school spirit…it was an amazing & memorable day!!!

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JV Wins HVL Title; Joey Majerus Wins 200th

The Junior Varsity was crowned HVL champs Saturday in Lake City.  It was a true team effort in this individual tournament as they edged KM by 6.5 team points, 175 to 168.5.

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Joey Majerus earned his 200th victory of his career on Friday.  Come watch Joey and the rest of the varsity this Thursday in Mazeppa at 7:00.  They’ll take on the winner of St. Charles and Triton in their first step to earn a trip to the state tournament.  Section 1A semifinals start at 2:30 at Mayo Civic Center on Saturday.

Youth Update: February 8th, 2015

Junior and Senior Teams Wrestle in St. Charles

The Junior team placed 4th out of 8 this weekend in St. Charles.  We were victorious over St. Charles before falling to KW, and losing by criteria in a tie with Rochester Mayo.  It was the first opportunity for many of our wrestlers to be in a team tournament and they look forward to doing it again!   The Senior team fell to both PEM and St. Charles in their only matches.

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Upcoming Events

Monday- Practice.  PreK-3rd at 5:45.  4th-6th at 6:45.
Thursday- Open mat practice in new wrestling room.  6:00-7 PM.  Watch Cougars final home meet of the season.
Saturday- Watch Section 1 Class A semifinals at Mayo Civic Center at 2:3o.  Section finals will follow.