kasson-mantorville - steele county times tab 2016_0.pdf · of the kasson-mantorville wrestling ......
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16 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016
Kasson-Mantorville
2016 Minnesota Class AA
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14 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | 3
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Those words written in that bible verse can be powerful as it means that one strong person can have an impact on another. In the case
of the Kasson-Mantorville wrestling team, it couldn’t be truer as a large sum of talent helped guide the team to a perfect season and a state champion-ship.
“We look at these guys and talk about fighting for each other,” Heidt stated. “This is a closer group than we’ve every had and you try to fight for yourself, but when you can’t, you do it for the guy standing next to you.”
As a team, the iron sharpens iron concept was a tremendous one that helped lead them to dominance. Just in the championship dual against Foley, there was a moment where Andy Big-elow had just been pinned in a match that he had been leading for roughly five minutes.
The next man up was Aaron Berge, who immediately attacked his oppo-nent as a way to get revenge for his teammate. Roughly 30 seconds later, the KoMets had a pin to blow things back open.
“Everybody helps everybody out,” Berge explained. “We’re never on our own and we push each other.”
The team aspect also appears indi-vidually as the wrestling room turns into a crucible on a daily basis where the KoMets sharpen each other up to
try and reach their goals that way.“If I push a guy and he pushes me,
I know that it’s going to make us both better,” 195-pound Class AA cham-pion Noah Ryan reasoned. “If I’m wrestling with any of the guys, it’s going to sharpen each other up and make us tougher to handle throughout our lineup.”
“We sharpen each other up and push each other,” Three-time state cham-pion Brady Berge agreed. “That’s a big reason why we come out and dominate.”
Berge knows about the sharpening process first hand as he suffered a bro-ken tibia during his semi-final match at the state tournament. While most of the team was down about a fallen teammate, they knew that picking themselves up and continuing to fight was the way to follow their motto.
“We knew exactly that’s what Brady would have wanted us to do,” Heidt said. “Right after his injury, even he wanted to go back on the mat. We all saw that he couldn’t walk and he still wanted to fight. There’s just a really tight brotherhood here that just goes and picks each other up.”
This mindset made the KoMets difficult to deal with throughout the entire tournament and earned them a state championship. While many still have that goal of reaching the pinnacle of wrestling, they know that their teammates will help them along the way.
By CHRIS SCHAD
KoMets rally behind‘Iron SharpenS Iron’
CHRIS SCHADThe “Iron Sharpens Iron” emblem appears on the sleeve of the K-M wrestling team’s state tournament sweatshirt.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
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4 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | 13
101 First Street NWKasson, MN 55944507-405-0555Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
WellDone!
Kasson • 634-4444800-908-BANK (2205) • Bremer.com
Congratulations! Kasson American Legion • Post #333
212 West Main St. Kasson • 634-4353
YOU DID IT!!NICE JOB!
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR STATE TITLE.
PUBLIC WELCOME!
Well Done!
634-650114 N. Mantorville Ave.•Kasson
Congrats!
Ryan, Berge two of many leaders for KoMets
The term “leader” on the Kasson-Man-torville wrestling team is very loosely defined. On one hand, the KoMets have plenty of great wrestlers that could all lend each other a hand under their “Iron Sharp-ens Iron” motto. On the other, because the talent is so rich, the wrestlers that achieve the ultimate goal of winning a state cham-pionship become leaders by example.
“All of our guys work hard, but a cham-pionship is the epitome of wrestling,” K-M head coach Jamie Heidt explained. “It’s a little bit of a teaching tool when they can see these guys and how they can accom-plish things during the course of a season.”
During the individual tournament, two of those leaders stepped forward in claiming a state championship. As Aaron Berge and Noah Ryan claimed their first titles in their wrestling career, they also were prime ex-amples of how the KoMets make sure that everybody is a key member of the team.
For Ryan, his path to the state champion-ship began when he was in fourth grade. As he was always established in the K-M youth football program, he met fellow classmate Brady Berge, who also was a
standout in wrestling.“I always knew about Brady,” Ryan re-
called. “He was kind of the big football player and stuff and I knew that he was a wrestler too. I wound up trying it out and I just got hooked.”
Ryan would take third place at his first state youth tournament and he’d meet sev-eral other members of the team. As time went on, his passion for the sport would grow.
“I just loved being around all of the guys,” Ryan explained. “There was Brady, Keaten [Schorr], Andy [Bigelow] and Aar-on [Berge]. The individual aspect is kind of fun, but being around those guys and mak-ing yourself better makes things so much more enjoyable.”
Even though Ryan excelled in the in-dividual aspect, his strong grasp on the team aspect made him a key member of the KoMets’ lineup. After finishing third a year ago, he captured his first individual title in the 195-pound bracket. Still, his most vivid memory will be helping out his teammates and friends.
“It’s just the memories I’ve had with these guys,” Ryan said. “All of the dual meets and those state championships. Even those summer workouts and walk-
ing out of that Xcel Energy Center tunnel at the state tournament. To me, that’s the coolest thing in the world.”
Meanwhile, Berge’s path began when he was four years old. His cousin Broc stood up at the team’s “Welcome Home” celebra-tion and described his humble beginnings that included a unique setup.
“He had the Tornado headgear and the double knee pads,” Broc chuckled. “He wasn’t the most stylish, but he eventually got with the program.”
Since then, Aaron has grown into a tre-mendous wrestler on the mat and an even better person off of it. In addition to his state championship, he’s enjoyed a whirl-wind of a senior year that’s seen him named the Homecoming King and a captain of the football and wrestling teams. Yet, he’s managed to remain humble through his ac-colades.
“I’m not really sure what it is,” Berge thought out loud. “I’ve just been raised by
my parents and coaches that I need to do the right thing and be the best person that I can be.”
After picking up a huge pin in the state championship dual, he capped off his weekend by claiming the 182-pound title. While he enjoys the team aspect, he also likes the individual portion and being re-sponsible for his six (or fewer) minutes during a dual.
“It’s a team sport, but you’re on your own,” Berge explained. “It’s just you out there against one guy. In the end, you con-trol what goes on.”
Even though Berge will graduate, Ryan will have the opportunity to defend his title next year as a senior. Even if the cards don’t fall the way of a repeat, both of them have made a mark on K-M history as champions and role models for the program.
By Chris SchadDCI Sports Editor
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12 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | 5
Grade: 9Weight Class: 106Parents’ Names: Roger and ReneeYears as a wrestler: 5Favorite moment as a wrestler: “Looking up at the crowd in the state finals and seeing their sup-port while sharing the title with my teammates and family mem-bers.”Favorite Athlete: Thomas GillmanFavorite Sports Movie: The Benchwarmers
ROBBY HORSMAN
Grade: 9Weight Class: 106Parent’s Names: Adam and YvonneFavorite Moment: “Winning a state championship with my wrestling family. It’s an unbeliev-able feeling to go through every-thing together and have it pay off.”Favorite Athlete: Dylan NessFavorite Sports Movie: Rocky
NIC VANOORT
Grade: 10Weight Class: 113Parents’ Names: Steve and Kristy Years Wrestling:12Favorite Moment: Winning 2016 Team State. Getting to share the win with my wrestling family.Favorite Athlete:Dan GableFavorite Sports Movie: Warrior
JARED JOHNSON
Grade: 11Weight Class: 120Parents’ Names: Jay and AmberYears Wrestling: 12Favorite Moment: Being apart of a state champion-ship team with my friendsFavorite Athlete: Cam NewtonFavorite Sports Movie: The Benchwarmers
BRADY LAUMBGrade: 11Weight Class: 126Parents’ Names: Scott and BrendaYears as a Wrestler: 13Favorite moment as a wres-tler: Winning team state titles in 2013 and 2016 along with an individual title in 2015.Favorite Athlete: Brady BergeFavorite Sports Movie: Miracle
KEATEN SCHORR
Store & LockerStore & Locker507-527-2736
Way to go guys! Kasson Kar Kare Center508 1st Ave SW, Kasson • Phone: (507) 634-2277
CONGRATS ON WINNING STATE!
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6 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | 11
ISAAC HAMAN
Grade: 9Weight Class: 132Parents’ Names: Scott and Bren-daYears Wrestling: 11Favorite Moment: Winning the state team title.Favorite Athlete: Teddy Bridge-waterFavorite Sports Movie: Rocky IV
GARSEN SCHORR
Grade: 11Weight Class: 132Parents’ Names: Kori and DaveYears Wrestling: 11Favorite Moment: “Winning the state title. It was great because I had never been a part of a team like that.”Favorite Athlete: “Anyone on the K-M wrestling team.”Favorite Sports Movie: We Are Marshall
ELIJAH WILCOX
Grade: 11Weight Class: 138Parents Names: Greg and LoriYears wrestling: 13Favorite moment as a wrestler: Winning a team state titleFavorite Athlete: Drake Hou-dasheltFavorite Sports Movie: Bench-warmers
Grade: 8Weight Class: 145Parents’ Names: Tammy and MattYears wrestling: 11Favorite moment as a wrestler: Winning a team state titleFavorite Athlete: Jordan Bur-roughsFavorite Sports Movie: Warrior
PATRICK KENNEDYGrade: 10Weight Class: 152Parents’ Names: Jeff and AndriaFavorite moment as a wres-tler: Winning the state team titleFavorite Sports Movie: The Blind Side
WILL JENSEN
ISAAC HAMAN
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10 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | 7
Grade: 10Weight Class: 220/HeavyweightParent’s Names: Tim and Jeni PaulsonYears wrestling: 11Favorite moment as a wrestler: Looking up into the stands after winning state and seeing every-one standing and cheering for the KoMets.Favorite Athlete: B.J. RajiFavorite Sports Movie: The Blind Side
BRETT PAULSON
Grade: 10Weight Class: 152Parents’ Names: Shantel and MikeYears Wrestling: 13Favorite Moment: “When I get my hand raised after I win a tough match and the crowd is cheer-ing.”Favorite Athlete: Antonio BrownFavorite Sports Movie: Rocky Balboa
ETHAN SHEA
Grade: 10Weight Class: 195Parents’ Names: Shannon and AnthonyYears Wrestling: 10Favorite Moment: Winning the state title.Favorite Athlete: John CenaFavorite Sports Movie: Legendary
JIM PAULSON
Grade: 11Weight Class: 160Parents’ Names: Kevin and CheriYears wrestling: 15Favorite moment as a wrestler: Winning the 2016 state team titleFavorite Sports Movie: Friday Night Lights
BRADY BERGE
Grade: 9Weight Class: 220Parents’ Names: Danijela and Kruno AkrapovicYears as a wrestler: 4Favorite moment as a wrestler: “In our first dual, I threw a wrestler and it looked pretty cool.”
ROBERT AKRAPOVIC
Grade: 12Weight Class: 182Parents’ Names: Kim and GaryYears Wrestling: 14Favorite Moment: Winning the state titleFavorite Athlete: Adrian Peter-sonFavorite Sports Movie: Vision Quest
AARON BERGE
Grade: 12Weight Class: HeavyweightParents’ Names: Jeffery and VirginiaYears Wrestling: 15Favorite moment: Winning the state team titleFavorite Athlete: Rulon GardnerFavorite Sports Movie: Friday Night Lights
CAYDEN JOHNSON
Grade: 11Weight Class: 195Parents’ Names: Kim and Dan RyanYears as a wrestler: 8Favorite moment as a wres-tler: Winning state in team (2003 and 2016), an individual title (2016) and having the crowd scream when they an-nounced our team at the Xcel Energy Center.
NOAH RYAN
ANDY BIGELOW
Dave Senjem, State SenatorToll Free: 888-509-1290
Congratulations K-M wrestlers
on your success!
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8 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 | DODGE COUNTY INDEPENDENT | 9
December 2015
March2016
The PaTh To a ChaMPIoNShIP
INDEPENDENT | CHRIS SCHADDecember 5: The KoMets take third in the Winona Invite. Six KoMets would win individual titles at the event including Robby Horsman (left).
THE GUILLOTINE | MARK BESHEYDecember 19: K-M takes third again in the All Force Minnesota Christmas Tournament. Brady Berge (top) highlights the event by picking up a win over New Prague's Griffin Parriot in the 160-pound final.
INDEPENDENT | CHRIS SCHADJanuary 9: The KoMets compete with some of the top teams in the nation at the Cheesehead Invitational. The third place finish ranks behind only Mt. Car-mel (Illinois) and Carl Sandberg (Illinois).
INDEPENDENT | CHRIS SCHADJanuary 21: The KoMets prevail over Kenyon-Wanamingo in a battle of nationally ranked teams. The victory seals the HVL championship for K-M.
INDEPENDENT | CHRIS SCHADJanuary 28: The KoMets prevail against another strong opponent as they head to Owatonna and defeat the Huskies to keep their perfect season alive.
INDEPENDENT | CHRIS SCHADFebruary 13: The KoMets win the section championship after defeating Stewartville and Albert Lea. The win marks the seventh section champi-onship in the past eight years.
February 25: The KoMets defeat Mora, Scott West and Foley to win their second championship in school history and cap off an undefeated season at 25-0.
Photo courtesy of Tammy Kennedy