Wrestlers, managers, and wrestling families,

Welcome to the 2022 – 2023 wrestling season!  It’s an exciting time to be a Crimson Wrestler, Coach, or Supporter and we can’t wait to get the ball rolling this week! 

There are a few changes that should be a positive to our program.  Our coaching staff is evolving – Coach Lefebvre will take on additional responsibility as the Co-Head Coach.  We’ve also added a trio of young and highly qualified assistants in Carl Leuer, Boone Young, and Daniel Polanco who are first time Crimson coaches.  The new guys along with the returning staff of Brad Hozerland, Ron Seubert, Mike Peterson, Eddie Kilgard, Alex Nelson, and myself should form a strong team of supports for our Crimson wrestlers.   

On the Mat I’m optimistic our numbers will near an all-time high for our program.  We sit at 41 registered wrestlers – but I don’t think 50 is out of the question.  This is a considerable increase  from last season’s numbers – thanks to a large group of first year athletes and a handful of middle schoolers coming up from our youth program.  It also helps that we return most of our team – due to a small group of 2022 seniors.

We remain a young team – with the great majority of our team (26/41 wrestlers) being eligible for 9th grade competitions once again (7th, 8th, and 9th graders).  Our biggest grade level currently includes 11 registered eighth graders – although that number could be outdone by the 9th graders when it’s all said and done (currently 9 Freshman on the roster).    

What our oldest groups lack in sheer numbers they make up for with talent and skill.  We some very talented Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who are well equipped to lead the team on and off the mat.  This is a driven group who will be crucial in all aspects of the teams success.  I have a lot of confidence in this group leading our younger guys through their words and actions in a way we can all be proud. 

Below is the Maple Grove Wrestling Schedule for a VERY BUSY week 1:

Practices:

Monday, Nov. 21st - Weight room at 2:15p for the high school students with practice beginning in the wrestling room at 3:10p.  High-school wrestlers should plan on lifting right after school from 2:15p to 3p at least 2-3 times per week if they don’t need to spend the time with a teacher or devote that time to school work.  Practices will typically go until around 5p – although some days will be a little later and other will be a little earlier depending on what is needed that day.   

Tuesday, Nov. 22nd – Weight room at 2:15p for the high school students with practice beginning in the wrestling room at 3:10p.  We will also begin doing our weight certifications with the team trainer.  All wrestlers need to be certified and have their certification sheets signed by the team doctor and a parent/guardian prior to being allowed to participate in competition (MSHSL rule).  Wednesday, Nov. 23rd - Weight room at 2:15p with practice beginning in the wrestling room at 3:10p.  The team doctor will be coming to sign certification sheets during practice so hopefully all wrestlers can get their parent signatures and return them to Coach Troy or Coach Lefebvre by the end of the week.

Thursday, Nov. 24th – Happy Thanksgiving.  No Practice.  We have traditionally have played a Thanksgiving Day fun game of touch football with the wrestling Alumni.  The Alumni will be there once again.  The game will be on the Fernbrook Turf fields at 9a for anyone who wants to play.  The game typically lasts an hour to an hour and 15 minutes.     

Friday, Nov. 25th – Practice 9a – 11a.  First competition wrestle-offs will begin.

Saturday, Nov. 26th – Change in practice timing:  The Saturday practice will likely be from 12p – 1:30p.  First competition wrestle-offs will continue as needed.  This will be an open practice where Friends and family members are invited and encouraged to attend and check out a practice.  We run 1 or 2 open practices per season so if you can make it this is a good opportunity to see what your wrestler is doing at practice every day.    

Following practice, we will need to set up mats on Saturday for the Maple Grove Youth Tournament that is on Sunday, Nov. 27th.  Mat set-up should take 45 minutes to an hour – depending on how much help we have and how busy everybody remains throughout the process.  Parent help is welcome if parents are free.  Many hands make light work.  

This tournament is a great opportunity for our newest wrestlers to get an idea of what a wrestling match looks like.  It’s also one of our biggest fundraisers of the season and helps us to be able to afford items such items at team apparel, out of town trips, and additional coaches.   

Youth Tournament Details:

Sunday, Nov. 27th – Wrestling begins at 9a.  Wrestlers should be there at 8a.  Experienced wrestlers will be used to Ref while newer wrestlers will be used at scoring tables.  All will be trained in on their duties prior to the tournament beginning.  All wrestlers/managers will have a job to do as this tournament is the primary way we ask our wrestlers to contribute in an effort that will directly benefit their experience this season.  

If parents are available to help with this process, we’ll take their help as well.  This could also be great practice for the help that we are going to need from the parents while our wrestlers compete at our home tournament on Dec. 10th.  Parent volunteer opportunities can be found here:

  Maple Grove Youth Individual Tournament – November 27 (Sunday):  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050545adaa2ca5f85-wrestling

Maple Grove Invite - Dec. 10th:  

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050545adaa2ca5f85-mgwrestling

Awesome Maple Grove Wrestling Fan Gear

If you missed the first round of orders, don’t fret!  Order your gear now to receive it by Christmas.  The link is:  https://maplegrovewrestlingapparel.dakawards.com/?fbclid=IwAR3lJbkIXHnFFUJwmbui5j6ETQSc2dD918TZlp7JOI9wrcqXVvWU4Wemxuw

If you have ordered during the first window, we will let you know when those have arrived. 

Also, if you/your wrestler is interested in ordering a personalized Crimson Wrestling backpack or personalized Crimson wrestling Warm-ups please check out the posts related to each item on our Facebook Page and then send the necessary information of what you are looking for to Mgwrestling99@gmail.com or by posting on Facebook.  

Upcoming Schedule Change:

Our initial home quad has been moved and is now scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 1st.  There is no school on Friday, Dec. 2nd so we may choose to practice in the morning that day as well – To Be Determined and communicated in the near future.  

Sports Engine and Future Communication

Lastly please download the Sports Engine App and sign up to receive future communications.  Parents and wrestlers can each sign up to receive future communications and schedule changes through the Sports Engine 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 week.     

It will be a busy but fun first week.  Looking forward to getting the season started and seeing what these wrestlers grow and mature!  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Hopefully everybody has a wonderful Thanksgiving week and we’ll see you all soon.  

Coach Troy
Mgwrestling99@gmail.com

763-913-0601