By Bill Morgan, Staff Writer 2013 Winter Sports
The Becker Bulldog boys wrestling team will again be down a few wrestlers due to relocation to another school.
Earlier this year, Head Coach Matt Aho and his staff were notified the Schmalz boys - Luke, Lee and Neil, three dynamo wrestlers with extremely bright futures - would be moving out of the Becker area and attending a different school to continue their education and wrestling aspirations.
This, after Aho lost the Woiwor brothers - Jay and Daniel - to a southern Minnesota city just a few years ago.
Lee Schmalz was named rookie of the year at last year's banquet and was also named all-conference.
But just like what he teaches his athletes, Aho continues to get up off the mat, dust himself off and continue in a forward movement, never dwelling on the "what could haves" but rather dwelling on "what's my next opportunity?"
"I'm not expecting any kind of setback," Aho said. "We've developed a system and philosophy that flows from one year to the next and I'm excited to see who steps up and what some of our younger wrestlers can accomplish this year."
Aho's team last year finished second to Foley with a 6-1 record in the Granite Ridge Conference. They had a record of 18-5, tying the 2011 team for most wins and finishing second in section play (to Foley).
The Bulldogs sent four wrestlers to state last year in Zack Zimmer, Eric Dudek, Colton Vekved and Bobby Lee. Three of the four made the semi-finals and Zimmer went on to take fifth place at state.
Dudek and Vekved graduated and will not be part of this year's team but Zimmer and Lee plan to do just as well as last year, if not a little bit better.
"I came up short at the state tournament last year and I'm definitely looking to do better and possibly win a state title," said Bobby Lee.
"My goal this year is to be back in the state tournament and do better than fifth place at state," Zimmer said.
Aho expects that confidence and attitude from two of this year's three captains (Tyler Madsen the other).
"These guys (Lee and Zimmer) have been great kids for me and are really looked up to by the younger wrestlers," said Aho. "Besides those two, I'm hoping to get another two or three guys eligible to wrestle at state."
Aho is not too concerned with records and tries to get his team ready for each match the best way he can, but he especially wants to see his athletes start peaking towards the end of the season when the matches really count.
"We have pretty good numbers (35 kids) and as the season progresses, we'll have a better idea where some of these youngsters can best fit each night we wrestle," Aho said. "We're continuing to work on the little things and get the guys focused on achieving the goals they and we (coaches) have."
The team had their first practice a few weeks ago and they've been spending most of their time on conditioning and strengthening their bodies. Their first dual is at Foley today (Saturday). Though the meet is in Foley, the two teams will not face each other that day.
"Our goal is to make section finals again and take on Foley then with a chance to go to state," said Aho. "It'll be tough, they have a great program, but we need to keep doing what we're doing and we'll eventually get there."
That is, as long as the coach doesn't have to deal with any more defections.
