University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
141 lbs.
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165 lbs.
/ Wrestling
Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Freshman Focus: Rhett Koenig
11/3/2023 11:58:00 AM | Wrestling
There are seven newcomers to the Minnesota wrestling team for the 2023-24 season. In order to get to know them better, GopherSports.com is doing Q&As with each. Up next, Rhett Koenig, a freshman from Prairie Du Chien, Wis. Koenig was a four-time state champion in four different weight classes and posted a 178-12 record during his prep career.
GopherSports.com: How did you get into wrestling?
Rhett Koenig: "My older brother wrestled, so I grew up with it."
GS: When did you realize you might be able to compete in college?
RK: "I realized I might be able to wrestle college after my freshman season."
GS: What was your recruiting process like?
RK: "My recruiting process wasn't too busy, but it was a very eye-opening and stressful process."
GS: What made you decide on Minnesota?
RK: "I just found the place that I felt like I could be valued and have the most opportunities and experiences."
GS: What differences have you noticed between high school and college wrestling?
RK: "I've noticed the difference in intensity in not just the wrestling room, but the weight room, classroom, etc."
GS: How would you describe your wrestling style?
RK: "My wrestling style is a grind it out, hard hand-fight style."
GS: Are there any particular teammates who have taken you under their wing and helped in your transition to college?
RK: "A lot of the older guys help me out daily, but the main guy has been Tim Stapleton. I lived with him in the summer when I first started training in the room, and he has helped me out a lot with any questions/concerns."
GS: Do you have any pre-match rituals?
RK: "My pre-match ritual is to just hop around, stretch, stance and motion, and visualize what I'll do during the match. Then, before I head onto the mat, I give my coaches high fives."
GS: Are there certain wrestlers you look up to or try to emulate?
RK: "I don't try to emulate anyone in particular, but I take ideas from different wrestlers and make those moves/ideas my own."
GS: What is something you are looking forward to in your time as a Gopher?
RK: "I'm looking forward to working as hard as I can in hopes of finding myself winning big matches."
Off the Mat
Favorite spot on campus: Radius
Favorite Food: Burgers or chicken wings
Favorite TV Show: Stranger Things
Favorite Musician: Pitbull
Prefer Instagram or TikTok?: TikTok
Hidden talent: I can roll my belly
Sport you're best at other than wrestling: Football
Favorite moment of your wrestling career: Winning my fourth state title
GopherSports.com: How did you get into wrestling?
Rhett Koenig: "My older brother wrestled, so I grew up with it."
GS: When did you realize you might be able to compete in college?
RK: "I realized I might be able to wrestle college after my freshman season."
GS: What was your recruiting process like?
RK: "My recruiting process wasn't too busy, but it was a very eye-opening and stressful process."
GS: What made you decide on Minnesota?
RK: "I just found the place that I felt like I could be valued and have the most opportunities and experiences."
GS: What differences have you noticed between high school and college wrestling?
RK: "I've noticed the difference in intensity in not just the wrestling room, but the weight room, classroom, etc."
GS: How would you describe your wrestling style?
RK: "My wrestling style is a grind it out, hard hand-fight style."
GS: Are there any particular teammates who have taken you under their wing and helped in your transition to college?
RK: "A lot of the older guys help me out daily, but the main guy has been Tim Stapleton. I lived with him in the summer when I first started training in the room, and he has helped me out a lot with any questions/concerns."
GS: Do you have any pre-match rituals?
RK: "My pre-match ritual is to just hop around, stretch, stance and motion, and visualize what I'll do during the match. Then, before I head onto the mat, I give my coaches high fives."
GS: Are there certain wrestlers you look up to or try to emulate?
RK: "I don't try to emulate anyone in particular, but I take ideas from different wrestlers and make those moves/ideas my own."
GS: What is something you are looking forward to in your time as a Gopher?
RK: "I'm looking forward to working as hard as I can in hopes of finding myself winning big matches."
Off the Mat
Favorite spot on campus: Radius
Favorite Food: Burgers or chicken wings
Favorite TV Show: Stranger Things
Favorite Musician: Pitbull
Prefer Instagram or TikTok?: TikTok
Hidden talent: I can roll my belly
Sport you're best at other than wrestling: Football
Favorite moment of your wrestling career: Winning my fourth state title
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