The Becker Bulldog wrestling team is off to a good start, despite not having many of their top wrestlers practicing because of the lateness of fall football.
“I think the success of the football team is beneficial to our program because that winning attitude and experience should certainly carry over to the next sport,” said Head Coach Matt Aho. “They set the bar for the other sports and showed they are good athletes, so why not carry that success into our program?”
Aho has seen yearly progress with his program ever since taking over for long-time legend Brad Novak in 2009 and his quads have made the final four in sections the last three years, including the finals two years ago. He thinks this team is capable of taking that next step towards capturing another state title for Becker.
“We have the talent to make it happen but nothing is guaranteed,” he said. “The guys are motivated and they are excited to get the season started.”
Aho named seniors Cody Ferris, Caleb Vekved, Trevor Goodrich and Chris Weberg his captains for the 2014-15 campaign. The team has nine seniors, five juniors, 11 sophomores, two freshman, five eighth-graders and one seventh-grader on the team. Ferris, Vekved, Goodrich and Weberg will be called upon to wrestle well, but also be an influence on a relatively young team.
“I feel it is my duty to be an example to the younger kids and show them what a leader looks like,” said Ferris.
“I want to be someone who is there to help each wrestler get better and just be there for any help they may need,” said Goodrich.
Ferris made state last year but failed to place in the top six. He hopes to change that this year.
“I think it is very attainable for me to make it back to state individually,” said Ferris. “But it would be really great to make it there as a team, too.”
Vekved ended last season with 32 wins under his belt. He is setting his sights on a higher goal for 2014-15.
“I am hoping to exceed those 32 wins and make it to state,” he said.
Aho looks to his seniors for leadership and he looks to his assistant coaches for showing the kids techniques and keeping them focused on their goals. He also ahs been welcoming back former Bulldog wrestlers during the holiday breaks to inspire and drive the kids towards getting better.
“Having former wrestlers come back during their time off is a testament to how impactful our wrestling program has been to them,” said Aho. “It’s helping to build tradition and when the younger guys see that, the tradition grows.”
Aho’s assistant coaches are Dustin Weege, Jeff Zimmer and Robert Koranda. The student managers are Ali Zimmer, Megan Dudek and Avery Tamm.
“We have some of the best coaches around,” said Ferris. “They set an example for us and they really care about the wrestlers.”
“They’ve been coaching for quite some time now and they really know what they are doing and they push us and expect us to do good,” says Weberg.
“Yeah, you can tell they are good coaches because they always come up and ask how you are doing and seem genuinely interested in our well being — both at wrestling practice and matches as well as in school,” said Goodrich.
Aho prides himself on the fact his teams schedule some of their toughest matches throughout the regular season to get the guys prepared for the best come section and state time.
“The competition will be pretty much the same as it has been the last several years,” Aho said. “It’ll be tough. We want to wrestle the top teams because that’s where we measure up with the teams and see where we need to improve.”
Casey Vesledahl, one of Aho’s top wrestlers at heavyweight, suffered a significant knee injury early in the football season, but recovered well enough to play in the football team’s final few games with a knee brace. Aho knows the toll the legs take in the heavyweight division and he plans to keep a good eye on Vesledahl, making sure the knee doesn’t become an issue during the wrestling season.
“He (Casey) has been cleared to wrestle and he’s been practicing every day like the others,” Aho said. “We’ll take precautions if necessary and if he needs some rest, we’ll give it to him but if he says he’s ready to go, we’ll let him go. We’ll try and handle that situation one day at a time.”
Aho says he is looking forward to seeing the progress of his team as the season advances and likes what he sees so far.
“It’s always fun to see the new team each year and see what you have and see what improvements have been made,” he says. “A lot of the guys take the off season and go to camps to improve their skills and technique and you can already tell some have the potential of being way better than they were last year. I’m excited to what is in store for us.”
The team began the season wrestling against Mora and Pierz Thursday— two teams they lost to last year. Their first home match was Friday against Apollo.
“Should be fun,” said Aho. We’re hungry to get better.”
Mora 43, Becker 25
The Bulldogs lost their first match of the year to the Mora Mustangs Thursday night on the road.
Results:
106-lbs. Kohnrad Blood (MM) fall over Jacob Berning (BB) 3:10; 113-lbs. Logan Jurek (BB) decision over Joel Sawatzke (MM) 10-6; 120-lbs. Josh Lumley (BB) fall over PJ Rvettimann (MM) 4:10; 126-lbs. Ethan Prachar (MM) fall over Kevin Andres (BB) 5:22; 132-lbs. Drew Vanvleet (MM) Maj. over Colten Demant (BB) 17-3; 138-lbs. Jon Smith (MM) fall over Noah Arrigoni (BB) 5:43; 145-lbs. Caleb Vekved (BB) decision over Kevin Brockner (MM) 7-5.
152-lbs. Josiah Borst (BB) major decision over Isac Kelling (MM) 11-1; 160-lbs. Cody Ferris (BB) win by forfeit; 170-lbs. Brandon Lucking (MM) fall over Austin Rasmussen (BB) 5:36; 182-lbs. Jaylin Hildebrant (BB) decision over Tyler Tobber (MM) 9-4; 195-lbs. Trevor Goodrich (Bec) Dec over Nick Kelling (MM) 4-1; 220-lbs. Josh Bohen (MM) fall over Chris Weberg (BB) 2:26; 285-lbs. Brady Beier (MM) fall over Jakob Edling (BB) 0:31.
Pierz 49, Becker 21
The Bulldogs lost their second match of the year to the Pierz Pioneers Thursday night on the road.
Results:
106-lbs. Reese Kapsner (PP) major decision over Jacob Berning (BB) 13-0; 113-lbs. Jake Andres (PP) major decision over Logan Jurek (BB) 14-4; 120-lbs. Josh Lumley (BB) decision over Cole Brausen (PP) 4-2; 126-lbs. Brandon Ortman (PP) fall over Kevin Andres (BB) 3:11; 132-lbs. Luke Girtz (PP) fall over Colten Demant (BB) 3:14; 138-lbs. Andrew Tomala (PP) fall over Noah Arrigoni (BB) 3:30; 145-lbs. Caleb Vekved (BB) fall over Jalen Jansen (PP) 2:59.
152-lbs. Kolten Eischens (PP) decision over Cody Ferris (BB) 8-5; 160-lbs. Lane Girtz (PP) major decision over Frankie Baker (BB) 18-2; 170-lbs. Matt Kumnet (PP) decision over Jaylin Hildebrant (BB) 7-2; 182-lbs. Bret Kapsner (PP) fall over Austin Rasmussen (BB) 3:04; 195-lbs. Teddy Dehler (PP) fall over Trevor Goodrich (BB) 1:36; 220-lbs. Austin Gall (PP) fall over Chris Weberg (BB) 4:57; 285-lbs. Jakob Edling (BB) fall over Beau Winseher (PP) 4:27.
