Coach Troy's High School Update: Weeks 5 & 6
Crimson Wrestlers, Managers, and Families-
Week four Recap:
We have some truly amazing people associated with Maple Grove Wrestling. Not many of the teams I’ve been around could pull off the weekend we just had as well as we did it. I received many compliments on how well our tournaments were run and specifically the strength of our team supporting these tournaments. Parent and support buy in throughout the season and specifically for tournaments like the ones we ran this past weekend make a significant difference in the experience our athletes have and the things for the program is able to do.
I know a lot of hours and effort was put into ensuring the first-ever girls Crimson Invite (with JV Duals) followed by the boys Crimson Invite was a first-class operation, and between the table workers, concession stand, coaches room, mat/tournament set-up, admissions, and a variety of other tasks, it took a small army to make it all work. I’ve been to enough tournaments to know what a good tournament looks like, and we put on two high-quality tournaments Friday and Saturday! Huge shout out to all those that made that possible.
Of course, it’s possible it felt that way because there are so many things I’ve worried about in years past that I didn’t worry about this year. A huge thank you to Christina Fox for taking on all the organization of the volunteers and helping with all the little things that are necessary to make a successful wrestling tournament happen! We are spoiled to have a booster club president like Christina!
On the mat, we continue to see progress at all levels. Our girls were impressive with two champions on Friday (Brooklyn and Elizabeth) along with a runner-up (CC) and four third-place finishers (Charlotte, Russo, Kathrine, and Madena). All our girls who competed on Friday earned at least one win on the night, including multiple wrestlers who earned their first career victories!
Also on Friday night, our JV duals team battled to the championship before dropping a heart breaker in the final match in the championship. From what I was able to see/hear, we looked good in a number of matches while also coming away with a number of things to work on. Lots of exciting talent on this roster.
On Saturday, we entered 18 wrestlers into the Varsity Tournament. We had multiple ‘non-scorers’ win Varsity matches (Ollie, Egan, Liam, Richmond, Jonathan, and Benyam) – which again is a testament to the team’s depth. We had one Varsity champion in Connor Peterson, who was also voted the tournament’s outstanding wrestler. Connor is now 14-0 with all 14 victories coming via technical fall! Our third-place finishers included (Gavin M., Lincoln R., and Reese R.). Lamond McCabe was our lone JV Champ with tech falls in each of his three matches. JV runner ups included Gabe Mullen, Nathan Palmer, Adrian Pocklington, Nico Pruett, and Mason Uherka.
As a whole, we are consistently wrestling hard, and many of our wrestlers are improving at an impressive rate. Many of our athletes are at different stages of their wrestling career, but what they seem to have in common is everyone has understood they need to continue to get better, and they are working towards making that happen.
The weekend was a success on all levels and gave us a lot to build off of as we head into another highly competitive week. The steady improvement of every wrestler who’ve been at and able to practice regularly is impressive. The level of competition within our room continues to rise, and it’s fun to see some of the efforts result in successes. For those that continue to show up and work hard, good things will continue to happen.
Also, a special thank you to all the wrestlers who stayed and helped clean up the gym areas after a long day of wrestling. We have a number of strong leaders within the program, and the character exhibited by those who take pride in making sure everything is done prior to leaving is both impressive and highly appreciated. We will continue to focus on character development for all of our athletes –I believe character is built through the little things as much as the big things. The efforts of those staying to help clean up reflects on the character that we want to see in a Crimson athlete. Keep it up wrestlers!
Many little things to work on – and it’s time to get to the details of how we make that happen. Below are the details you'll need for the two weeks ahead.
Practice and Meet Schedule – Week 5:
With the first month of our season in the books, we’ve built a strong foundation for feet wrestling and laid the groundwork for what we’d like to do on the mat. This week will provide a number of additional opportunities to build off of what’s been covered and as well as expanding our repertoire. The plan is as follows:
Monday, 12.15 starting at 4:30p (Bus leaves at 3:10p) – 9th grade duals at Anoka for the following wrestlers: Mason, Lamond, Nathan, Beckett, Ollie, Egan, London, Owen, Gabe M., Ayman, Nico, Gavin, Max Sch., Jack S., Eliseo, Bryson, Dominic S., and Alvin.
Monday, 12.15 for all others: Strength Training at 2:10p; Wrestling room at 3:10p.
Tuesday, 12.16 (Morning Practice – Varsity Wrestlers encouraged – other wrestlers need to bring a partner to attend) – Wrestling room from 5:45a – 6:45a so that wrestlers have time to shower afterwards. Wrestlers encouraged to attend include everyone who has wrestled varsity matches so far this season.
*CANCELLED* Tuesday, 12.16 starting at 4p (Bus leaves at 3:15p). 9th grade Jamboree (Individual event) at Spectrum high school for the following wrestlers: Mason, Nathan, Adrian, Grant, Cameron, London, Owen, Jayden M.? Max M., Gabe Mullen, Ayman, Nico, Gavin, Max Schroeder, Jack S., Emmitt F., Keagan, Eliseo, Bryson, Dominic S., and Alvin L.
Tuesday, 12.16 (afternoon Practice) – Wrestling Room at 3:10p. Wrestlers who attend the morning practice will be done practicing around 4p.
Wednesday, 12.17 – Strength Training at 2:10p; Wrestling room at 3:10p.
Thursday, 12.18 – Wrestling room at 3:10p.
Friday, 12.19 – Redwood River Riot – Day 1. The bus will leave from MGSH at 10a (students attending will need to get notes from their parents to leave class early on this day). Weigh-ins are in Redwood Falls at 2p (with +1-pound allowance). Friday night, Varsity will wrestle in an individual tournament starting at 4p while the 7th, 8th, and 9th graders that are not competing on Varsity will wrestle at least two 9th grade duals. All girls and JV in grades 10 – 12 won’t compete on Friday but should plan on getting a workout in when the team arrives at Redwood.
Saturday, 12.20 – Redwood River Riot – Day 2. Hopefully, all of our wrestlers will compete on this day. All Varsity wrestlers who qualify for Day 2 as well as everyone who did not wrestle Boys Varsity will wrestle. Weigh-ins on Saturday morning are at 7a with wrestling beginning at 9a. There is a +2-pound weight allowance for all competing athletes.
Following the tournament, we will stop in Redwood Falls at Pizza Ranch and then return to Maple Grove Saturday evening. We will also have some food for the wrestlers/managers to eat after weigh-ins and during the tournament. We will not provide a meal for wrestlers on Friday night (some will be watching their weight). Money will need to be sent if they want food outside of the meals mentioned above.
Practice and Meet Schedule – Week 6:
Monday, 12.22: Strength Training at 2:10p; Wrestling room at 3:10p.
Tuesday, 12.23 (Morning Practice – Varsity Wrestlers encouraged – other wrestlers need to bring a partner to attend) – Wrestling room from 5:45a – 6:45a so that wrestlers have time to shower afterwards. Wrestlers encouraged to attend include everyone who has wrestled varsity matches so far this season.
Tuesday, 12.23 (afternoon Practice) – Wrestling Room at 3:10p. Wrestlers who attend the morning practice will be done practicing around 4p.
Wednesday, 12.24 (Optional: 9a – 10:30a): Wrestling Room at 9a. We may get an outdoor run in if weather/sidewalks allow. If not, we’ll have a light technique practice and possibly a little Christmas Eve get together.
Thursday, 12.25: Christmas Day – No Practice. Merry Christmas everyone.
Friday, 12.26 (8a – 10a): Wrestling Room 8a – 10a for all and 10a – 11a for wrestlers who have wrestled varsity this season (as well as any others who would like to attend). Wrestlers should plan to wear their wrestling shoes and bring their tennis shoes for the 10a – 11a practice.
Saturday, 12.27: No Practice. Get an independent workout in.
Out of Town Trip:
Wrestlers who plan to attend should have already turned in their permission slip for the Redwood River Riot on 12.19 (Varsity individual and 9th grade team duals) and 12.20 (Varsity, J.V., 9th grade, and girls’ individual tournaments).
We do ask wrestlers to contribute to a portion of the expenses for these trips as we take a coach bus, stay overnight at a hotel, provide a significant portion of each wrestler’s food while there, and stop to eat at a Pizza Ranch on the way home. It is $50 per wrestler that plans to attend. Please Venmo the club if you haven’t already paid.
Although not necessary, parents/families are also encouraged to attend and support the team. The wrestlers love these tournaments – and it’s been my understanding the parents enjoy them just as much.
The hotel we stay at are as follows:
Redwood – We are staying at the AmericInn Sleepy Eye again this year. They may be sold out for 12.19, but it’s possible something changes. Their website is: https://www.bookonline.com/hotel/americinn-by-wyndham-sleepy-eye?msclkid=6bfd7f583cda19e8de871cd50788bc4f#room-types
There is also a Casino/Hotel near where we are wrestling that may be an option. Their website is: https://www.jackpotjunction.com/
Youth Practices:
We are asking all wrestlers to help coach at two youth practice per season (one night) and for Varsity wrestlers to commit to four practices in a season (two nights). Thank you to those wrestlers who have already completed their practices for the season. This week’s practice dates are Monday, 12.15 and Wednesday, 12.17 from 6p – 6:50p and 7p - 8:15p. We’d like to have two wrestlers signed up for each practice. Both practices currently have openings for coaching help. Please let me know if you/your wrestlers are available to help this week.
2025 – 2026 Wrestler of the Week Honors:
Week 1: Alex Fox, Max Schroeder, Alyssa Pearson
Week 2: Egan Hong, Charlotte Nadolski
Mat Boss Video Access:
You have noticed our amazing managers are recording (as well as scoring) our matches. We will work to send out personal invites to wrestlers during the downtime at Redwood so they can watch their videos. Wrestlers will only have access to their own matches.
We are also doing what we can to ensure the matches are uploaded and as accurate as possible. Unfortunately, with events sometimes having 6 or more mats we will not be able to record every match. Wrestlers/Parents are encouraged to have someone record their own matches for review purposes as well.
Watching matches opens up all kinds of cool possibilities for the team. The most basic of which is that each wrestler can watch their matches once they are uploaded. Watching back matches can be a great learning tool and is highly encouraged. Have your wrestler make sure I receive their email address and look for their invite to begin utilizing this valuable tool.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!
Crossbar and Future Communication:
Lastly if you haven’t, please download the Crossbar App and register to receive future communications at www.crimson-wrestling.com. Parents and wrestlers can each sign up to receive future communications and schedule changes through the Crossbar app by going to Crimson-Wrestling.com. Please let me know if you have any questions with this as we will use this app for communications throughout the season.
This should be one of the more fun weeks of the season with many opportunities to make memories and grow on and off the mat. It will be busy for our youngest wrestlers but it will be a great opportunity to get mat time against wrestlers their own age and in many cases experience level.
Coach Troy
Mgwrestling99@gmail.com
763-913-0601