Becker Bulldogs wrestling head coach Matt Aho and assistant coach Jeff Zimmer have been named Section 6AA Wrestling Head Coach of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year.

 

The two have worked hard to earn the honor with an incredibly successful wrestling season. Not only did they help lead the team to a second place finish at the Section 6AA Team Tournament two weeks ago, a number of their wrestlers hit career wins during the season and the team set a new all-time win record for Becker wrestling.

 

Keeping the momentum going at the Section 6AA Individual Tournament last weekend, the team came away with a runner-up and three champions who are competing at the state tournament this weekend.

 

Aho has been coaching for 17 years, 14 of them at Becker and 10 of them as head coach.

 

“What I enjoy about coaching is what the kids get out of it,” he said. “The life lessons.”

 

A high school wrestler himself, Aho decided to become a coach because wrestling had such a positive influence on him in high school that he wanted to pass it on.

 

“We don’t coach for the awards; we do it for the kids,” he said. “But at the same time, it’s an honor to be named coach of the year. I was nominated by another section head coach which really meant a lot to me. We all know the time and commitment it takes.”

 

Zimmer has been coaching for 31 years, 26 of them at Becker.

 

“Jeff has been a staple in the wrestling program and really keeps the tradition going here at Becker,” said Aho.

 

“I’ve been told I’m just in love with wrestling,” said Zimmer. “But I’m in love with what wrestling does for students. How it helps them prepare for life. It’s not easy, they need to persevere and set goals. When they show up they have to give 100% to succeed.”

 

“One of the things I tell them to remember is that you know when you walk out on the mat someone’s going to lose, so you have to realize that and be prepared for that,” he added.

 

He describes wrestling as one of the sports that’s truly satisfying, because athletes get the chance to not only perform as a team but also as individuals. As coaches, the wrestlers become like a part of their families because they spend so much time with them.

 

“It’s nice to be recognized by your peers but there’s a lot of others who do just as much or more,” said Zimmer. “As I looked around the room all the other assistant coaches could have won it too. It’s another shot in the arm that says you are making a difference.”

 

A recent event brought everything full circle for him.

 

“I got an email today from one of my past wrestlers who had never made it into varsity and saw that I had received the award,” he said. “He’s in the service now and he told me I’m the reason he is where he is today.”

 

“That’s the reason I coach.”