University of Minnesota Athletics
News & Notes
5/3/2017 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
We know you do your best to keep up with everything happening around the Gopher Wrestling program, but sometimes you miss a story or a release or a juicy tidbit. Once a month this offseason, we'll do our best to round up the news of the previous month in our new News & Notes feature.
McKee Repeats as UWW Junior National Champion
For the second consecutive year, Mitch McKee tore through the 60 kilogram bracket to earn a junior national title at the UWW Junior National Championships in Las Vegas. McKee overcame is stiffest challenge in any match the past two years in this year's finals, when a late four-point move helped him jump in front, 13-10, and take the match. In his other 10 matches the past two years, McKee has given up a total of just nine points to his opponents.
Rylee Streifel, the event's defending champ at 120 kilograms, took fifth, while Jose Champagne, Miles Patton and Dylan Anderson also competed. Champagne finished one match shy of placing at 70 kilograms.
Gopher Alum Pat Smith Makes U.S. Greco Team for World Championships
Last week's U.S. Open doubled as the World Team Trials for the United States' Greco team for this summer's World Championships. Three Gopher alums competed in Greco - Pat Smith, Brad Dolezal and Alec Ortiz - but it was Smith who earned the spotlight by winning the 71 kilogram title to earn his first ever trip to the World Championships.
Four alums and one current Gopher (Bobby Steveson) competed in freestyle at the Open as well. Volunteer Assistant Coach Zach Sanders and two-time NCAA champion Tony Nelson paced the alumni group with fifth-place finishes, while both Steveson and Ness finished one match shy of the podium.
Eggum named Rookie Coach of the Year by Amateur Wrestling News
Earlier this week, Amateur Wrestling News named Head Coach Brandon Eggum its "Rookie Head Coach of the Year" - a deserved honor following a season where nine Gophers qualified for the NCAA Championships, four became All-Americans and two reached the NCAA finals, all of which helped fuel the team's seventh-place finish. In the classroom, Minnesota had one of its best years in program history, collecting nine Academic All-Big Ten awards (most since 2014), five NWCA All-Academic honors (most in program history) and leading the Big Ten in the NWCA academic standings.
NCAAs Returning to Minnesota
On April 18, the NCAA announced the winners of dozens of bids to host a wide variety of NCAA Championships. It was a good day for the Gophers, who were awarded four different championships. One of those winning bids awarded the University and U.S. Bank Stadium the 2020 NCAA Wrestling Championships! It will be the first time since 1996 the NCAA tournament will be here in the Twin Cities. The venue will make it a groundbreaking event for college wrestling. U.S. Bank Stadium is by far the largest facility to host the event, providing opportunities for more fans than ever before to be a part of the most exciting event in college athletics. This event will be great for Minnesota wrestling fans. It will also provide great visibility for the Gopher Wrestling program, which always helps with recruiting.
Recruiting Trail
While no one with the program can say anything about some of the recruits who have verbally committed to Minnesota for the class of 2018 and beyond due to NCAA rules (and there is plenty of good news there), there is exciting news to share about the incoming recruiting class for next fall. Minnesota added three Minnesotans during the November signing period: Brent Jones and Alex Crowe from Shakopee, and Jakob Bergelund from Centennial. Earlier this month during the April signing period, the Gophers added two more Minnesotans and a South Dakotan: Jake Allar from St. Michael-Albertville, Bailee O'Reilly from Goodhue, and Tyler Waterson from Spearfish, S.D. While there may be one or two late additions yet to come in this year's recruiting class, the current class includes several nationally ranked prospects and, most importantly, six outstanding young men who represent the ideals of the Gopher Wrestling program: strong work ethic, positive attitude, enthusiasm, and academic excellence. Each is a great addition to the program.
Summer Camping
The first ever University of Minnesota Wrestling Camps opened registrations earlier this spring and there are still a few spots available for both age groups (6 to 12 and 12 to 18). Camps will be held on campus in late June, with general camps for both age groups followed by skill specific camps the next week.
If you have a young wrestler looking to have fun with the sport and pick up a few tips, these camps are perfect for you. Find more information or register today.
Wrestler Profile
At the team awards banquet earlier this month, Colin Carr was named the program's Most Dedicated Wrestler. It's always neat to see that honor go to someone who works so hard in the wrestling room, the weight room, and the classroom, but maybe doesn't get the same attention during the year as the starters. Check out a short video feature on Colin Carr from the awards banquet, as well as the story of how he trained in Russia last summer.
Stay Connected
It may by the college wrestling offseason, but there's no offseason for the Gopher Wrestling program. Whether it's to hear the latest news about Gopher coaches or athletes during the summer months, or just for general news about the program, GopherSports.com is your home for all things Gopher Wrestling. Be sure to follow Gopher Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates as well.
Players Mentioned
