University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Introducing...Michael Blockhus
1/4/2021 9:27:00 AM | Wrestling
Michael Blockhus has proven to be an elite wrestling talent, compiling a 166-8 high record and earning three Iowa state championships, before qualifying for the NCAA tournament as a redshirt freshman at Northern Iowa last season. Now, after transferring to the University of Minnesota this past offseason, Blockhus is poised to be a force once again, this time as a 149-pounder for the Golden Gophers as he looks to finish his career in the Maroon & Gold.
Get to know the newest Golden Gopher as he highlights his transfer process, the things that he loves about the University of Minnesota, and what his expectations are for himself and the team moving forward.
Q: First off, you had a successful season last year, having a few big wins, as well as qualifying for the NCAA tournament. Tell me what that experience was like last season and what were some things that you learned that you'll carry with you coming into this season?
MB: The biggest thing for me is that it's all a learning experience that first year, because you have all these older guys that you look up to, and they show you the ropes in a way. Different programs have different leaders and different ways of doing things, but coming to Minnesota, I feel like I can bring a different way to lead. I can add to this program in a positive way. I've been through the ringer. I can pull these young guys aside and share my experiences. I've wrestled in high-level matches and know what it's like to be able to flip that switch, but overall it was a good experience that first year to be able to learn all of those things for sure.
Q: Obviously we have to talk about the NCAAs last year. For you, it was your first NCAA tournament, only a few hours up the road from your hometown of Cresco. What was your reaction to the cancellation of the NCAAs last year?
MB: Yeah, we didn't really know what was going to happen. It was kind of a sudden moment. We were at practice less than a week out, but when we got the news it was such a heartbreaking thing, not only for myself, but for the seniors that were on my team last season. For me, the biggest thing was just focusing on what's next, and what I could do to get better for next year.
Q: When you decided that you were going to transfer this off-season, what brought the University of Minnesota to the top of the list for you?
MB: Well I've been through the transfer process before, and all of these colleges are like salesmen trying to sell you cars, but I felt like I could relate the UNI coaches to the coaches here at Minnesota. They're here for their guys, it's a family atmosphere up here. They're here to do anything for their guys, even take the shirt off their backs if they have to. I saw what they can do with guys in this program, and that's where I want to be. I want to be at the top of the podium, so Minnesota was the best school for me. You can't really find a bad thing to say about it.
Q: Can you speak on the coaching staff and what excited you about competing under them?
MB: Yeah, I mean I haven't had a chance to speak with them much with this whole transfer situation still going through, but over calls and things like that, I can see the passion that they have for their guys and the sport. They're always asking what they can do to help, and just have always been there, and that's been important to me. It's just a strong tight-knit family that they have going on, and I'm excited to be a part of it.
Q: Another exciting thing about the squad this year is that this is a young squad, with only one senior in the starting lineup. Speak on that and how this team can cement itself as a competitor not only this year, but for years to come.
MB: I'd say we're young but we're also seasoned. We've got some guys that can wrestle at a high level and that's just as important. We have a lot of high-level guys that are close to the same weight class, and they're all pushing each other towards the top, and that's awesome to see. All that means is that we have a lot of years left for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and that's what I'm looking forward to. Right now, it's about figuring out what we have to do to get this team to the top, and we have a lot of years of learning left, so I really think we can make a push towards that trophy race, both this year, and the next few years to come.
Q: Who are some of the guys that you've gotten close with since your move up to Minnesota?
MB: Yeah, I've talked to a lot of the guys in my grade. Brayton Lee, I was able to talk to him right away and communicate about what he thinks about the program, where he is at and how he's training every day. We've been getting close in the past few weeks since I've been living up here, grabbing each other to train. Matt Ramos is another guy I've been hanging out with. Just the guys around my grade, I've clicked real well with them, and I can hang out with them. We'll watch wrestling together, which is awesome because we're always learning from each other and picking each other's brains.
Q: This extended off-season has been crazy, especially mixing in the fact that you went through the transfer process. Through it all, where do you think that you got better this offseason?
MB: I'd say the biggest thing is that you never know what life is going to throw at you. With all of this COVID stuff going on, I've had to take these training opportunities where I could get them. I was training out of my garage all summer with guys that were living in Cedar Falls at the time. I'm just trying to improve, both in life and in wrestling. It's stressful for a lot of guys with what's going on, but you're preparing for what's next in life. You have to have some sort of motivation in your life and obviously mine is wrestling. So, you have to find ways to improve your mind or improve physically each day throughout the summer.
Q: The B1G has been the premiere wrestling conference for some time now. How excited are you to compete at the highest level of Division-1 wrestling and compete in ranked matchups night-in and night-out?
MB: I mean the B1G is the best conference in Division-1 wrestling without a question. They get so many bids for the national tournament for a reason. For me, you have to beat the best to be the best. That's always been my motto, no matter where you're ranked or what you're seeded, it doesn't matter. You're going in there to take every one's heads off. That's what I'm about, and what better place to do it than in the B1G. I'm coming in here to put myself at the top and wrestle the best guys on the podium. Another thing is that the B1G tournament is just like a mini-national tournament. A lot of the top-ranked guys come out of this conference, so getting some matches before the big tournament is important. It'll be good for me, and I'm excited.
Q: When we finally get strapped up and the season gets underway, what are some goals or expectations that you might have for the upcoming year?
MB: I think we just need to bring the energy. We're bringing the energy, and I think these guys have all grown with each other over the last summer. They got to hang out with each other more, but we're all growing in a positive way, and that's going to be important this year. We're all going to bring the energy, and bring this team back to the top. I truly do believe it.
Q: How have you enjoyed Minneapolis in the short time that you've been up here?
MB: It's awesome up here. It's luxury living up here compared to Cedar Falls. I'm getting used to walking everywhere instead of driving, but I like it. You can walk outside and there's things everywhere to go do, you're not ever really bored up here, which is awesome. I love the city.
Q: Outside of wrestling, what other hobbies or special interests do you have?
MB: Outside of wrestling, I spend time with family, hanging out with friends. We find things to do every single day, whether it's going disc golfing, going to my cabin up in Wisconsin. I go hunting every once in a while, I know some of these guys like to hunt and fish. Pretty much just relaxing is a hobby for me, but I've been staying busy.
Q: Growing up, who was your favorite all-time wrestler and why?
MB: Matt McDonough. He's always been a leader and a motivation for me. He dealt with some injuries and things later in college, but the way he battled those things was motivating for me. I've been a fan of him ever since I was a kid, watching him win national titles. As I've gotten older, I've gotten to communicate with him over the summer and it's grown more personal to where I can pick his brain a little bit, but yeah he's been a motivation throughout my life.
Q: If you could sit down and have dinner with three athletes, who would they be and why?
MB: I'm a big UFC guy, so I like fighting and boxing. Brock Lesnar would be one. He's close to the city and has done a lot for this program, so I'd pick his brain a little bit. Conor McGregor would be cool to be around too, just to see what he's like behind-the-scenes. I'm a huge Bears fan too, so for football, I'd pick Khalil Mack, just because he's a fun guy to watch. Probably those three would be my picks.
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