[0:00] Coming up next on HCTV's Roundtable [0:03] Wrestling Preview, we're going to [0:05] interview head coach Tim Hannerburg and [0:07] he's going to highlight some of the key [0:08] things about this upcoming wrestling [0:10] season. And after that, I'm really [0:13] excited to get the captains of the [0:14] wrestling team coming up. We got Trey [0:16] Vicel, uh we have Mark Fabota, and then [0:18] Case and Esther are going to be [0:20] highlighting their predictions going [0:22] into the season as well. [0:31] Welcome Raider sports fans to HCTV's [0:34] first ever Raider Roundtable preview [0:37] show. I'm Kyle Kryer joined by Mitch [0:39] Sheman. You probably have heard us heard [0:41] us before on the air but never seen us [0:42] in person. We're here today to kind of [0:45] preview our wrestling team and all the [0:47] things that we're looking forward to [0:48] this year. I'm joined not only by Mitch, [0:51] but by coach Tim Hannberg, the 2023 [0:53] state coach of the year. Tim, welcome to [0:56] the show. I know you're a huge fan of [0:58] wrestling, obviously being the coach of [0:59] both the boys and the girls program. [1:01] We're here to talk about the boys [1:02] program to start off with. So, the first [1:04] question we have for you, Coach [1:05] Hannenburg, is give us a quick preview [1:07] of the upcoming boys wrestling season. [1:10] >> Yeah, you guys are very well aware of [1:12] all our kids, right? You coach them in [1:14] middle school, so you guys know them [1:15] probably better than anybody does, [1:16] right? So, um, I would say to start off [1:18] with, if you guys saw our lineup last [1:20] year, we had a lot of talent on our [1:21] team, but one of the kind of craziest [1:24] parts of the year, I've never really had [1:25] a year like this. We had a lot of [1:26] injuries last year. Um, so we had a neck [1:29] injury, we had an MCL or we had an MCL [1:31] injury, um, a miniscus injury, we had [1:33] some shoulder injuries, we had, um, a [1:35] collar bone injury. So, we're just [1:36] hitting with the injury bug left and [1:38] right. So, uh, I just start off with [1:40] that because, um, you know, we still had [1:41] a great season last year and, uh, many [1:43] of those same kids are coming back this [1:44] year, right? So, uh, some of those kids [1:46] that were hurt are coming back. Um, and [1:48] then, uh, they're filling in. So, um, if [1:50] we had to, uh, talk about last season, [1:51] too, um, just kind of mention it, too. [1:53] We, we won the section tournament last [1:54] year. We're one point away from placing [1:56] at the state tournament. We lost to [1:57] Pamiji, who took fifth place last year. [1:59] So, uh, that kind of puts in [2:01] perspective, um, you know, we lose a few [2:03] key seniors. We're going to reload with [2:05] a lot of good kids, too. So, um, just [2:06] talking about a lot of these kids who, [2:08] um, you know, we're kind of starting off [2:10] with two of our big studs, right? So [2:11] Trey Bisel, who's a state champ his [2:13] freshman year in high school, he took [2:15] sixth place, had a really nasty, gnarly [2:17] knee injury last year or sophomore year, [2:19] I should say, um right before the state [2:21] tournament last year, took second place. [2:22] Um absolutely phenomenal season. So [2:24] state finals for him. Uh and then Beckad [2:26] Edstrom, eighth grader last year, took [2:28] third at the state tournament at 107. So [2:30] um those are probably our two big guys, [2:31] right? Uh and then the other cool thing [2:33] is we have a lot of key returners [2:34] returning from last year, too. So um I [2:36] bring up those that injury thing first [2:38] um to talk about someone cool on our [2:39] team. I really like talking about this a [2:41] lot, but someone like Sully McNamera, [2:42] right? So, he's someone that you guys [2:44] are well aware of uh teaching at the [2:45] middle school, coaching him in the [2:47] middle school. We brought him up last [2:48] year as an eighth grader added a lot of [2:50] depth for for our room, right? And some [2:51] of that we had some really great guys in [2:52] front of him. Probably not thinking he [2:54] was going to get too much varsity time, [2:55] but man, he ended the season with about [2:57] 20 to 30 matches on varsity. Um I should [2:59] probably say over 30 matches on varsity [3:00] and 20 wins on varsity. So, um you bring [3:02] someone like that in our room and um I [3:04] think it's just a kudo to you guys in [3:06] the in the middle school room. um these [3:07] kids are prepared right away, day one to [3:09] start on the varsity lineup. So, and [3:10] Sully's proven that. He's just one of [3:11] many kids that we can bring up that's [3:13] proven that. So, [3:14] >> and on Sully, the really cool thing is [3:16] he was so little last year, right? And [3:19] he was jumping up to 114 lbs, giving up [3:22] so much weight. Um and the the way he [3:24] really battled every single time. I I [3:26] remember that that Prior League match [3:28] last year. Holy cow. He really really [3:30] showed a lot during that match. Um and I [3:32] look forward to to seeing that next step [3:34] cuz I know he always puts puts a lot of [3:35] work in there. Uh you me me me me me me [3:37] me me me me me me me me me me me me me [3:37] me me me me me me me me me me me me me [3:37] me me me me me me me me mentioned uh [3:38] Beckett. I know he's had an off season. [3:40] He just wrestled in that Minnesota [3:42] number one uh one, right? Which which [3:44] was I mean that that's amazing. They [3:46] they put in the work. Um and it's going [3:48] to be fun to see them. [3:50] >> Could you tell us a little bit more [3:50] about that Minnesota number one series? [3:53] >> So a pretty cool deal. Um it's held out [3:55] in Minnotonka and they uh I think I [3:58] can't remember the name of the place. [3:59] They call it the shop or something along [4:00] those lines, right? So they invite a [4:02] wide variety of kids and they try to get [4:03] at least um you know a good match up at [4:05] every single weight class across the [4:06] state. So Becky got invited and he beat [4:08] um I believe the final score was [4:10] somewhere around 11 to four um maybe 11 [4:12] to five somewhere around there. But a [4:13] really good wrestler from Canon Falls, [4:15] Parish, a huge name down in Can Falls. [4:16] >> According to his mom, a kid he's never [4:18] beaten before [4:18] >> and so close that gap and surpass that [4:20] as well. [4:21] >> Uh which makes me want to jump to [4:22] talking about your team as a whole. Yep. [4:24] >> I know you hinted at some of your lower [4:26] weight guys. You had a plethora of [4:28] riches in the lower weights last year at [4:29] 107, right? You talked about Will [4:31] Bainbridge and back at Enstrom and Sully [4:32] McNamera. Well, they spread out a little [4:34] bit, right? They a little bit bigger. [4:35] They hit puberty, which happens. I [4:37] wonder if you can kind of give us a [4:38] quick rough estimate of what your [4:40] lineup's going to look like as you guys [4:41] get closer to the season. [4:42] >> Yeah, so I mentioned Sully and um you [4:44] know, and as you mentioned, Mitch, too, [4:45] right? He's he's a little guy. He was a [4:47] little guy um for most of his life [4:48] growing up. Um pretty cool. He's [4:50] spreading out in those weight classes [4:51] now and he held us down pretty solid at [4:53] the 107 pound weight class last year. [4:54] Jumped up to 114. Becky came down at the [4:57] end of the year, so he's 114 for the [4:58] section tournament. But um I expect by [5:00] the end of this season most likely he'll [5:02] be at 107, right? So um he'll be back [5:04] down there and once again bringing all [5:05] those varsity matches and that [5:06] experience that whole year um to that [5:09] varsity weight class and um going to do [5:10] a phenomenal job at that weight class [5:12] and I expect him um to be uh probably [5:14] all state by the end of the season as [5:15] well. So we're expecting huge things [5:16] from Sully. Once again, someone that [5:18] puts in a lot of time in the spring and [5:19] summer wrestling um has really been [5:20] coming on and doing a great job for us. [5:22] Um some other kids too. So u mention our [5:24] injuries, right? So, William Banebridge [5:25] is another kid that's coming off a [5:27] miniscus injury and I expect him to be [5:29] somewhere in the 121 or the 127 pound [5:32] weight classes. Um, him and Beckett are [5:34] very similar to um very similar weights. [5:36] So, those two will probably be at one of [5:37] those two weight classes um as well. And [5:39] then um one cool kid that I really want [5:41] to talk about as well thinking about our [5:42] lineup here is Donovan Ward. Just [5:44] absolutely uh you know in the baseball I [5:46] think they call the utility man, right? [5:47] And Donovan would be our utility man, [5:49] right? So, he's someone that um someone [5:50] that I think is really good that we can [5:52] just plug in at any any weight class, [5:54] anytime. He's going to do an absolutely [5:55] phenomenal job. I just remember last [5:57] year too um we were wrestling noa at the [5:59] Clash and uh they want to try to get a [6:01] good match up and they thought they had [6:02] a good match up against Donovan. Donovan [6:03] just went out there and just actually [6:04] ragged out the kid. Um end up taking him [6:06] I think by either the end of the first [6:08] period or uh beginning of the second [6:09] period. So, he's just a kid that we can [6:11] plug into. [6:11] >> I want to plug in on that too. I think [6:12] Donovan's kind of an under the radar [6:14] guy. [6:14] >> Oh, yeah. Not too many. [6:15] >> Been in your room for what now? Four or [6:17] five years for sure. Y [6:18] >> and has paid his dues, has had spot [6:21] varsity time, some big matches at the [6:22] state tournament, has never really [6:24] cracked that line up. But I think a guy [6:25] that when it comes to section time could [6:27] definitely do some damage. [6:28] >> And if you want to and if you want to [6:29] really climb and and beat those top [6:31] teams, you need kids like Donovan to [6:33] really push, you know, you have those [6:35] you have those studs, right, that you [6:36] absolutely every team's got those studs, [6:38] but do they have the glue guys that [6:39] really push it? And I I think Donovan's [6:41] going to step right in and show a lot of [6:43] people what [6:43] >> exactly what you guys were saying. I'll [6:44] say the one match that maybe epitomizes [6:46] that, too. So last year we're wrestling [6:48] park at the team section tournament and [6:49] uh they try to get a good match up [6:51] against us and they had a stud in those [6:52] those middle weight classes right [6:53] Donovan went out there put him to his [6:55] back right away um I thought he was [6:56] pinned right but as Mr. White says if [6:58] the ref doesn't call it, he's not [6:59] pinned. So, had the guy in his back, but [7:01] once again, they're looking for big [7:02] points. And Donovan kept it to a [7:03] decision the whole match. So, that saves [7:04] us, um, you know, they're thinking [7:06] they're going to get a pin or tech or a [7:07] major, something along those lines and [7:08] he keeps it to a decision, saves three [7:10] huge points for a team and maybe a [7:12] couple more them from that, too. Right. [7:13] So, just a really great kid and someone [7:14] that's wellprepared and ready to jump in [7:16] this varsity lineup. I think once again, [7:18] you said it yourself, uh, some of this [7:19] paid their dues, right? He's a senior. [7:21] He's been, um, behind great kids in our [7:23] lineup. you know, when you have Biselas [7:24] in there, Lambert's in there and all [7:25] these kind of kids, he's paid his dues [7:27] really, really well and he's someone [7:28] that um I expect big things and someone [7:30] once again a team that's going to look [7:31] up our lineup might not see his name and [7:32] think that it's going to be a killer, [7:33] but he is going to be a killer and he's [7:35] going to do great things this senior [7:36] year. [7:36] >> So, then we jump up to 138. Is that [7:38] where you kind of predict Trey Bisel [7:39] will be? [7:39] >> I expect that. I think he he's talking [7:40] about that weight class, too, and I I [7:42] expect him to be at 138 and he's going [7:43] to have a rock solid senior uh year, [7:45] too, you know. So, um obviously last [7:46] year he um I believe he took third at [7:49] the Christmas tournament last year. He [7:50] took second at the B-state. um just had [7:52] an absolutely phenomenal season. Once [7:53] again, end of the state tournament um a [7:55] second there as well. So, he's an [7:57] amazing captain, great leader, does [7:58] everything the right way. So, um and [8:00] he's just uh puts up points in a in a [8:02] quick uh in a second, I should say. So, [8:04] I think last year his first match of the [8:05] year, he had attack with new rules now, [8:07] right? Three points for a takedown, one [8:09] for escape. He had attack in about 27 [8:11] seconds, I want to say. First one of the [8:13] year. So, he's put up points pretty [8:14] pretty quickly. So, [8:14] >> let me go to the middle weights. Sorry [8:16] to interrupt you here. We got two guys [8:17] that you kind of hinted at. Roco Ionardo [8:20] has gotten big. Yeah, [8:21] >> big and strong. [8:22] >> I saw him I saw him biking around the [8:24] neighborhood during uh during the summer [8:26] and I was like all of a sudden I had to [8:27] get a second look and I go, "Oh my gosh, [8:29] Rocco." [8:30] >> Well, as Luke, he's been weight training [8:31] a lot. He's a grad um of us and he [8:33] actually calls Rocco uh Quadzilla [8:35] because his legs are just absolutely [8:36] enormous. Right. So, he's just I know [8:38] Ian like would get that. Um Ian over [8:40] here, he he's a big Godzilla fan. So, I [8:41] think he would like he would like the [8:43] the shout out to Quadzilla. I think that [8:45] would be really nice. But anyway, so [8:46] Rockco's been putting a ton of time into [8:47] the restroom this spring, the summer, [8:49] and lifting. So he went he was at 121 [8:51] last year. He's probably going to be in [8:52] our middle weights this year. 145 I [8:53] expect. So he's going to be an amazing [8:55] kid that we have in the lineup. I would [8:56] say right after him too, someone that's [8:57] really going to jump out um is Presley [8:59] Mccrae, right? So this is someone um [9:01] once again maybe our second utility guy, [9:02] right? He's a he's a closer for us, a [9:04] utility guy we can plug in. Had some [9:06] great matches last year. I'll say one [9:07] match that was awesome. Um last year was [9:09] Rochester Sentry. Um he got some a lot [9:11] of starting time last year with all [9:12] those injuries. Went in there, beat a [9:14] good kid, and um someone that we can [9:15] always plug in. He's got a nasty cradle, [9:17] very good on his feet, and he could [9:18] always do good on bottom, too, right? [9:19] So, he's someone that once again, you [9:20] look up our lineup, uh, another team's [9:22] going to scout us. Uh, they might see [9:23] Presley McCrae on there and might not [9:25] know who he is, but we know he's going [9:26] to be a step for us in those middle [9:27] weight classes [9:28] >> and he's been in that room for a while. [9:29] Oh, he has, right? And and he puts in [9:31] the work and I know he's looking forward [9:33] to him um, you know, getting into a to a [9:36] maybe a varsity spot slot and really [9:38] stepping up big for the team. I I think [9:40] you're going to see some big points out [9:41] of there um, out of Presley. And then we [9:44] then we start moving up to the upper [9:45] weights. You have a lot of depth in [9:47] those weights with and again you can you [9:49] can correct me if I'm wrong. Mark [9:50] Sabota, Case Nerbby, who we're going to [9:52] talk to in a little bit. Those guys are [9:54] kind of interchangeable, right? [9:55] Depending on the weight classes after [9:56] the football season. [9:57] >> And then you kind of slide up to the [9:59] upper weights with Adrien Fuks and [10:01] Elijah Christopher. Kind of in that 215 [10:03] heavyweight range. Again, Elijah's kind [10:05] of an undersized heavyweight. Um, [10:07] anything you want to talk about with [10:08] those four guys kind of from 160 down to [10:10] heavyweight? [10:11] >> Yeah, I would um let's just start off [10:12] with Kase. you know, he's someone that [10:13] came out of wrestling a little bit later [10:14] in his career. Uh he's not one of those [10:16] kids that started um you know, he might [10:17] have did a little bit wrestling um [10:19] earlier on in life, but nothing too [10:20] serious, right? And obviously you guys [10:22] could attest to it. We pulled him out [10:23] pretty late in middle school and was [10:24] just a really good athlete, right? We [10:25] loved having him in our middle school [10:26] room, but just a really phenomenal [10:28] athlete and he's really put in a ton of [10:30] work uh this spring, this summer. Um and [10:33] doing a great job on the football [10:34] season, too. Um, so I just love having [10:36] him and he's going to do really really [10:37] great things. And just kind of um got a [10:39] rough deal last year at sections, took [10:40] third, so it wasn't a state qualifier [10:41] for us, but I really expect huge things [10:43] from Case. One of the people too, he had [10:45] he caught that injury bug last year. Got [10:46] got hurt. Um he hurt his uh collarbone [10:49] kind of where it connects to your [10:50] sternum and so he missed a little bit of [10:51] the season, came back strong for us in [10:53] the end. And then someone too um a name [10:55] that you are everybody's going to [10:56] recognize is Mark Sabot. He's been [10:57] wrestling for us since 8th grade. A ton [10:59] of varsity time early on his high school [11:01] career. Um and he's someone that um is a [11:03] multiple time multiple times state [11:04] qualifier and um he's someone that can [11:06] put up big points pretty quickly. Very [11:08] explosive wrestler, puts people on his [11:09] backs, loves throwing, loves going upper [11:11] body. Uh so once again, he's someone [11:12] that we really expect big things from. [11:14] Then the last two names you mentioned as [11:15] well, Adrien Fukes, um I love for [11:17] anybody if they can go watch his match [11:18] against Bamiji last year at the state [11:20] tournament. He uh got taken down. He [11:22] doesn't start the match the right way, [11:23] but he always ends it the right way, [11:24] right? So he uh got put to his back [11:26] right away, end up coming back, takedown [11:28] after takedown after takedown, ends up [11:29] putting the kid to his back in a cradle. [11:31] So, he's just summoned that as the match [11:32] goes on, gets better and better and [11:34] better. So, love having him and um he's [11:36] stepping into his sophomore year. So, [11:37] huge things are going to happen. That's [11:38] where a lot of growth takes place [11:39] between that freshman and sophomore [11:41] year. [11:41] >> Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. So, he did a lot of [11:43] wrestling and our um you know, our cadet [11:46] believe he was a cadet, but our cadet [11:47] duels uh Fre Greco went to Fargo, won [11:49] some matches out there. So, once again, [11:51] someone that's been putting time into [11:52] the wrestling room, putting time in the [11:53] weight room, he's going to do great [11:54] things. for fan and for people that are [11:55] tuning in if they don't know anything [11:56] about Fargo, it is the toughest [11:58] freestyle and Greco tournament in the [12:00] entire nation. Adrian, I believe, won [12:02] two or three matches out there as a [12:04] younger cadet at that. So, to find that [12:06] success is pretty amazing. [12:08] >> Absolutely. And and anytime you win a [12:09] match in at the Fargo tournament, that [12:11] kind of, you know, [12:12] >> huge big guys starting up. [12:14] >> As people don't might not know, these [12:16] brackets sometimes are over 120 kids in [12:17] the bracket, right? So, and these are [12:19] the best kids, you know, you're not [12:20] these aren't the run-of-the-mill kids [12:21] that are going to this thing. These are [12:22] some of the best kids in the state. So, [12:23] he's beating the best kids in the state [12:25] from other states. So, it's pretty cool. [12:27] Uh, the last name you mentioned, Elijah [12:28] Christopher, love to talk about him, [12:29] too. Um, he's just been someone that [12:31] held our line, held our upper weights [12:32] together last year, 215 heavyweight, [12:34] wherever we needed him. He did a great [12:35] job for us. Had some electric pins last [12:37] year. Apple Valley, um, was a huge one. [12:39] You guys were on the call for that one. [12:40] Holding for another huge one. Um, and I [12:42] would say another huge match that he [12:44] had, maybe not a lot of people have seen [12:45] the ending, but it's just, uh, as this [12:47] one Minnesota wrestler Damen Han always [12:49] said, if there's time on the clock, [12:50] there's time to wrestle, right? So, he [12:51] got a takedown in literally the last [12:53] second at the section tournament to [12:54] qualify for the state tournament. So, [12:56] he's someone I know that's going to move [12:57] up to heavyweight and have a phenomenal [12:58] season. So, something that we really um [13:00] are excited about, too. [13:01] >> Yeah. And he's and he's undersized. You [13:03] mentioned, you know, going in as that [13:04] heavyweight, but crazy good athlete, [13:07] right? You you watch those legs start [13:08] going, you really see that that drive in [13:10] his double leg. Once those feet are [13:12] going, it's hard to stop him for sure. [13:14] >> Um now, so we we just kind of got a [13:16] preview of that of the roster. Uh, I [13:18] think we're going to be You start off [13:19] with Sully and you kind of end with [13:20] Elijah. That'd be that'd be a great [13:22] solid lineup. Um, now think back think [13:24] back to the season as a whole. What What [13:26] are the important matches when or the [13:28] fun matches that you're really looking [13:30] forward to? Cuz I I look at I looked at [13:31] that schedule, you know, you got um we [13:34] got teams like Albert Lee coming in. You [13:36] got something that I was really excited [13:38] about was a Scott West scrimmage. I [13:40] mean, that's that's a another top team, [13:42] you know, in DoubleA coming to coming to [13:44] town. That's really cool. Uh, so we've [13:46] done this the last couple years, the [13:47] scrimmage, and I think you looked at my [13:48] sheet of paper here, Mitch, because you [13:49] stole all my firepower. But it's okay. [13:51] I'll I'll I got some few more things to [13:53] to add in here. I'm just joking. But, [13:54] um, yeah, the scrimmage we've we get a [13:56] um a earlier start this year. Same thing [13:58] was last year. Next year will be [13:59] different, but our first competition [14:01] could be the week of Thanksgiving. And [14:03] it's just, um, it gets harder and harder [14:04] to plan things around that. So, what we [14:06] did the last couple years is we do a [14:07] scrimmage, right? So, we're going to [14:08] bring in Lake City and Scott West two. [14:09] Um, once again, you talked about Scott [14:11] West. Lake City has had some good teams [14:12] over the last couple years. Scott West [14:14] perennial perennial good team right so [14:16] um that's gonna be awesome to bring them [14:17] in and just do a little scrimmage get [14:19] some matches in hard drill with some [14:20] kids that aren't in your room and you [14:21] see every day right so gonna start off [14:23] with them uh and then I'll say the big [14:24] first big test is always a Christmas [14:26] tournament right so we have some duels [14:27] beforehand um and in a tournament as [14:29] well in Rapids but that Christmas [14:30] tournament is uh the first big test and [14:32] it's pretty early in the season right so [14:33] you see all the best teams in the state [14:35] um not too many singleA teams but the [14:37] best AA teams and definitely the best [14:39] AAA teams with a handful of teams from [14:40] other states as well so that's always a [14:42] huge test Um the tournament I probably [14:44] love the most is the B-state. I love [14:45] that one so much. We we see a lot of [14:48] teams that we nor normally never see [14:49] throughout the year. Handful of teams [14:50] like um you know uh South St. Paul, we [14:53] see those teams. Good Hugh or uh even [14:55] Zabro, we see those teams, but most of [14:57] the teams we don't see. So we don't [14:58] really know who these kids are. We get [14:59] thrown in a bracket and uh our kids just [15:01] get tons of great matches. We have a ton [15:02] of place winners. Um we did pretty well [15:04] last year, the last the year before that [15:06] and the year before that as well. We won [15:08] the tournament. Um so it's really cool. [15:09] What's fun about that tournament, too, [15:10] is you'll wrestle kids that are division [15:12] three state champs from Wisconsin that [15:14] you've never heard of and all of a [15:15] sudden you knock this kid off and you're [15:16] like, I didn't know he was right. [15:17] >> And watching and watching the video of [15:19] that, I've never been down to that [15:20] tournament, but but the atmosphere, you [15:22] know, where you got the upper ring and [15:23] then you're sitting there wrestling on [15:24] the floor that that just seems [15:26] >> I was just going to mention that it's a [15:27] bowl area, right? So, you just got the [15:28] wrestlers on the ground, parents are up [15:29] top, and they do a great job of uh, you [15:31] know, highlighting the semi-finals, [15:32] highlighting the quarterfinals. The [15:33] finals are absolutely phenomenal, too. [15:35] And now what once again what they did [15:36] last year, they kind of switched off [15:38] back and forth between the girls finals [15:39] and the boys finals and had a really [15:40] good uh format to that as well. So they [15:42] really highlight everybody. You wrestle [15:43] in a huge arena and really get ready for [15:45] like that mid-season kind of um uh you [15:47] know get ramping up for the the [15:48] tournament as well. [15:49] >> Well, Coach Hannber, thanks so much for [15:50] your time. We are super excited for this [15:52] boys season. Um [15:53] >> well, thank you guys. [15:54] >> We can't wait to get back on the air and [15:56] highlight Hastings wrestling. That's a [15:57] wrap with Coach Hannenburg. We'll be [15:59] right back to talk to some of our boys [16:01] wrestlers and find out about their [16:02] season. [16:05] He gets a pin. [16:08] What a move. What a goal. Oh, what a [16:10] shot. Scores. The Raiders. Can they get [16:13] the lip? Yes, they do. [16:16] >> Just snipes one. [16:18] >> Oh my god. [16:20] And reaching up and making the play. [16:24] >> IT'S OVER. [16:26] >> LOOKING TO throw and she's going to get [16:28] the first down. [16:29] >> Gone. Touchdown Raiders. [16:39] But here is the difference for the class [16:41] of 1990. [16:43] >> We went from mom [16:46] to [16:46] >> I know you're all excited about Y2K. You [16:48] could lose power or party like it's [16:50] 1999. [16:51] >> Hastings High School has been graduating [16:53] 7 years a [17:08] >> funding for community TV is in rapid [17:10] decline and HCTV will not survive [17:14] without your help. Let your local [17:16] representatives know that you support [17:19] community TV. To learn more, visit safe [17:22] communityv.com. [17:26] >> Push that trash that way, not this way. [17:28] Come on. [17:29] >> Oh, hey there. Do you like HCTV? [17:33] >> That's one small step for Hastings and [17:36] one giant leap for community television. [17:38] >> Do you want a custom video that promotes [17:40] your business or organization and gives [17:43] you the results you're looking for? [17:45] As an HCTV sponsor, our staff will work [17:48] with your business or organization to [17:50] create a custom video to promote your [17:52] brand. You also have an option of [17:54] getting a shout out in every sporting [17:56] event we cover. [18:00] That's three points for your business. [18:02] So, support HCTV today. [18:08] Go to hastingsv.org/sponsors /sponsors [18:11] for more information or to give a [18:13] onetime donation. [18:17] >> Welcome back to ACTV where we're in our [18:19] last round of our roundt wrestling [18:21] discussion. Today I'm Kyle Kryer as [18:25] always joined by Mitch Sheman. We're [18:26] back again. We're joined by our senior [18:28] wrestling captains. I'm going to [18:29] introduce them one by one and give you [18:31] an introduction of who they are. We're [18:32] going to start way on the left. This is [18:33] senior Mark Sabota. Mark is a [18:36] multipletime state qualifier for the [18:38] Raiders. We have Kase Esserby. He was [18:40] third in the sections last year, just [18:41] narrowly missing out in the state [18:43] tournament. He's also a senior captain. [18:44] And then we have Trey Bisel. He's a [18:46] multiple time state place winner and [18:48] 2023 state champ. U all three guys [18:52] captains this year for our Raiders. [18:53] Looking forward to a huge season up [18:55] ahead. And guys, one of the reasons why [18:57] we had you here today is having been [18:59] your coach a long time ago, we circled [19:01] this year as kind of an important year. [19:02] I we really predicted a lot of success [19:04] for you guys. Um I know you guys are [19:06] looking at your lineup and kind of [19:07] licking your chops a little bit. a lot [19:09] of chances for success. Mark, I'm gonna [19:11] start with you. Give us a quick rundown [19:12] of how you're feeling about this season, [19:14] what we're looking forward to, and kind [19:15] of what you're feeling about. [19:16] >> We got a lot of holes like filled in the [19:19] last few years. We had a couple holes [19:21] last year and this year those holes are [19:23] getting fixed real well and we got [19:25] really good people to step up into them. [19:26] >> Love it. Case, anything you want to add [19:28] about that? [19:30] >> Not really, but uh our heavier weights [19:31] are definitely going to be a lot more [19:32] solid this year. [19:33] >> That's cuz you guys are filling those [19:34] holes, right? [19:35] >> Yeah, [19:36] >> absolutely. Trey, anything you want to [19:37] add to that? Yeah, I think uh we have a [19:39] really young team. A lot of freshman, [19:40] sophomore, and obviously we got us uh [19:42] seniors and juniors, but uh yeah, we're [19:44] a young team. I think we're going to be [19:46] pretty good though. [19:47] >> Well, and last year coming, you know, [19:49] think back to last year, there was a lot [19:50] of injuries that really kind of plagued [19:52] the team. We we went through um [19:54] shoulders. I know there was knees there. [19:56] There was a lot of things I know you got [19:58] banged up throughout the year. [19:59] >> Um and it's going to be fun to have our [20:02] full team healthy again. You know, guys [20:04] that we didn't really see on the mat as [20:05] much. uh thinking about Will Rocco I [20:08] know was was in and out of the lineup. [20:10] Um I mean it's gonna be fun to watch the [20:13] team come back together. [20:15] >> So yeah, we had an embarrassment of [20:16] riches last year, right? Like we had [20:17] some studs down low where we kind of [20:19] plug and fill them in and all those guys [20:20] have gotten a lot bigger, right? So [20:22] it'll be excited to see kind of how our [20:23] roster fills out and see kind of where [20:25] everyone kind of finds their role on [20:26] this team. Um let's look talk a little [20:29] bit about the season. You guys have once [20:30] again one of the toughest schedules in [20:32] the entire state of Minnesota. Is there [20:34] a tournament or a match that you guys [20:36] kind of look forward to every single [20:37] year that you kind of circle on your [20:39] calendar? Want to start? [20:40] >> Yeah, I would say for me it's a [20:41] Christmas tournament. Uh it's single A, [20:43] DA, AAA, and Wisconsin. So you can get [20:46] all around Minnesota and Wisconsin and [20:48] just the best of the best competition. [20:50] >> Love it. [20:51] >> I think by state it gets a good new [20:54] look. Wisconsin people wrestle a lot [20:56] different. So he gets to see some new [20:58] kids and I placed that last year. So [21:00] going to do the same this year. [21:01] >> They are weird in Wisconsin. I know [21:03] that. Yeah, you would know. [21:06] >> Um, I think it's either Christmas or by [21:10] state. I mean, kind of the same feeling [21:11] is that we get also all new kind of [21:14] looks and with single A, double A, [21:15] triple A, a lot of Wisconsin, they less [21:17] a lot differently than us. [21:19] >> Love it. [21:19] >> So, I really like in the new [21:20] competition. [21:21] >> Yeah. Different and different verbiage. [21:22] By the way, Peterson roll stuff. Uh, [21:25] anyways, um, yeah, I I was looking at [21:27] your schedule and I I kind of had a few [21:29] things circle. I mean, we wrestle Albert [21:30] Lee. Um, we're talking about Simley, of [21:32] course, Weisetta, Prior Lake. Um, it [21:35] it's some of the best teams coming in [21:37] that that try to challenge uh try to [21:39] challenge our team. And it's going to be [21:40] fun to see how we have our lineup, [21:43] right, to try to put our our horses [21:45] against it'll be fun to see our horses [21:46] against some other horses. Um, [21:48] especially early in the year. I mean, [21:49] Scott West is coming for a scrimmage. [21:51] Um, it's going to be fun to watch see [21:53] how well uh you guys really grow [21:55] throughout the year. [21:56] >> Let's talk about sections a little bit, [21:58] guys. Right. Last year, Cottage Grove [21:59] was loaded last year. Park probably had [22:01] their best team they ever had. Do you [22:03] guys feel like you're the favor [22:04] favorites kind of going to the section [22:06] meet this year knowing who you have [22:07] coming back versus what Park lost? Mark, [22:10] if you want to just answer that. We [22:11] don't have to go down the line, but just [22:12] kind of tell us what your thoughts are [22:13] on the sections. [22:14] >> Well, I think last year in the first [22:16] duel, um, both me and Jack last year got [22:18] pinned in just both crazy moves that we [22:21] both kind of got stuck in. We still beat [22:23] them by like seven or eight points and [22:24] went in sections and did the same exact [22:26] thing and they couldn't keep up with us. [22:27] Still, I think we still got a good quite [22:29] a good advantage on them like we have [22:31] the last five or six years. [22:32] >> That's a good point, right? Those were [22:33] kind of two fluke matches that you [22:34] wrestled them 99 times or 100 times. [22:37] Doesn't happen like very rarely, right? [22:39] So, you kind of you kind of flip the [22:41] switch in that section match and won [22:43] those matches that we needed to win. [22:44] >> Yeah. And as a team, I I'm, you know, [22:46] looking forward to keeping that that [22:48] state bid going. Um, individually, I [22:50] know Kase, you've been working all [22:53] throughout the the spring. You worked [22:54] really hard. even uh starting even last [22:56] winter, you all had that goal of I'm [22:59] going to be at that state tournament. [23:00] I'm going to be at that um you know at [23:03] that pinnacle part of the the year. Um [23:06] kind of explain like what what made you [23:11] really want to be there? What's your [23:12] ultimate goal when it comes to um like [23:15] this year for for the for the wrestling [23:17] season? What's your goal? [23:18] >> Uh I think uh placing is definitely the [23:20] goal this year. Um, I think everyone [23:22] around me I see have a lot of success [23:25] and I think I just want to achieve what [23:27] they're achieving. [23:27] >> I love what you said there, too, because [23:29] it's not just making it to state. You [23:30] can see yourself on that podium this [23:32] year, which is pretty impressive. [23:32] >> Yeah, I think definitely placing got to [23:34] be the goal and [23:35] >> and you put in put in the work. I mean, [23:37] last year was the first year starting [23:39] freestyle, right? [23:40] >> Yeah. [23:40] >> Um, you haven't done that. You won a [23:42] couple of matches um out in the Northern [23:44] Plains. Did you try Greco as well? [23:47] >> No, I did not do Greco. [23:48] just waiting for the [23:50] >> freestyle. [23:51] >> Okay. And then but then you got your [23:52] Greco partner right here ready to go. So [23:55] it's it's fun to it's fun to kind of [23:57] think about um the growth and the [24:00] development that you had over the off [24:02] season um heading into this next season. [24:04] >> I want to go back to Mark for a second [24:06] before we jump to you, Trey. Mark, [24:07] you've been the state tournament a [24:08] couple times now. Have not cracked the [24:10] podium yet, but you've been close, [24:11] right? I think this is your year, right? [24:13] Tell us some of the stuff that you've [24:14] done in the offseason to kind of get [24:15] yourself prepared for this season. I [24:17] think a lot of the freestyle Greco has [24:19] definitely helped me a lot more on my [24:21] feet because I think on top and bottom I [24:23] don't struggle that much but it's a lot [24:24] on my feet and like even in my state my [24:27] first match at state last year in [24:28] individual wrestling Kyler Walters. I [24:29] mean that's it's a lot of a dog fight. [24:31] He was just a little stronger and more [24:32] technical than me but I know I'm right [24:34] there with him and I'm still going to be [24:35] right there this year too. [24:36] >> I love what you just said. Right. And [24:38] mentally you know that you're there now. [24:39] You've closed that gap on them. You're [24:40] not afraid of anyone which is awesome. [24:42] We're going to jump to you Trey. Uh [24:44] Trey, you had a really tough state [24:46] finals loss and I hate to bring that up, [24:48] but I know that it's fueled a fire in [24:50] you for this year. What should we expect [24:52] in some of the work that you put in the [24:53] offseason for this upcoming season? [24:55] >> Yeah, obviously I hurt last year, but uh [24:57] I think this year I jumped many levels. [25:00] I've been putting the work at the U with [25:01] my brother, lifting hard, stuff like [25:03] that, and uh got the same goal as last [25:06] year is being on the top of that podium [25:07] again this year. [25:08] >> That's fantastic. Now, with that, one [25:10] thing that I was really impressed with [25:11] this year, um, is not so much the [25:14] wrestling side of it, but you jumped [25:15] out, you jumped back into football, [25:17] right, as an outside as an outside [25:19] linebacker now, you just kind of stepped [25:21] into the role of a starting outside [25:22] linebacker, which is cool to watch. Um, [25:25] >> did you when you think about jumping [25:28] into football, was that something, you [25:29] know what, I'm just going to take a [25:30] little break away from wrestling or is [25:33] that something, you know what, I just [25:34] want to be with my buddies. I want to be [25:36] senior year playing football. Yeah, I [25:38] had a bunch of coaches and obviously all [25:40] the football players wanted me to come [25:41] out. I decided to give it a shot. [25:43] >> So, yeah, [25:44] >> that's awesome. You know, especially [25:46] because it not only, you know, it it's [25:49] nice to have those well-rounded athletes [25:50] and in doing different sports and I [25:52] think that's going to help you even um [25:55] on the wrestling mat as well. [25:56] >> Let's talk a little bit about your [25:57] wrestling journeys, guys, right Trey? [25:58] You've been on the wrestling mat since [25:59] you probably could walk, right? And [26:01] you're surrounded by wrestlers, [26:03] wrestling family, dad that was part of [26:05] the state championship team, right? What [26:07] has what have you done as you've kind of [26:10] progressed to kind of recruit new kids [26:11] into wrestling? Your friends, your [26:13] buddies, like I know that you were born [26:14] into wrestling, but what have you done [26:15] to kind of add and get new kids out for [26:17] the sport of wrestling? [26:18] >> I think uh when we when you're younger, [26:20] try to get them to the uh [26:23] >> showcase. [26:23] >> Showcase. Yeah, showcase. And they just [26:25] go there and they tend to just love it. [26:28] All the little kids just running around [26:29] just having fun. Biggest thing is just [26:30] having fun. [26:31] >> Don't think about it too much and just [26:33] have fun. [26:33] >> It's funny cuz you guys all did the [26:34] showcase when you were little, right? [26:36] Case, I want to have him pass the mic to [26:37] you. You have a kind of a different [26:38] wrestling journey if you don't mind me [26:40] talking about you actually started as an [26:42] eighth grader. [26:43] >> Yeah. Uh I mean I did wrestle in [26:44] kindergarten and first grade, maybe [26:47] second grade, I don't remember. But uh [26:49] yeah, I joined late eighth grade year [26:50] and then I wasn't going to wrestle [26:52] freshman year and I joined a little late [26:54] freshman year and then I think sophomore [26:55] year I really figured out that I liked [26:57] it and started putting more time to it. [26:59] And and we got to tell the story because [27:01] we're on the air and it's fun to kind of [27:02] embarrass you a little bit, but one of [27:04] my favorite stories is how we actually [27:05] got you out for the sport of wrestling. [27:07] We were literally at a home match, [27:08] middle school match, and you're rolling [27:10] around with some of the wrestlers after [27:12] the match watching. [27:14] >> And I literally watched him wrestle and [27:15] I'm like, "Holy cow, he's beating some [27:16] of our middle school kids after the [27:18] match." So I [27:19] >> just goofing around [27:20] >> and I immediately pulled him off to the [27:21] side. I called your mom and said, "Hey, [27:23] Erica, I think he should try wrestling." [27:26] And she's like, "You can't do it with [27:27] with basketball going on." Next thing [27:29] you know, he's on the mat the next week. [27:31] The rest is history, right? [27:32] >> Without shoes. He was on he was on [27:34] didn't have shoes that first changed. [27:37] >> U So talk about that. Right. You you [27:39] played basketball kind of all the way [27:41] through middle school. What made you [27:42] kind of flip from basketball to [27:44] wrestling when you got to high school? [27:45] >> I mean, I always played basketball just [27:46] cuz my brother and dad played [27:47] basketball, so I was just naturally in [27:49] that. And I think uh the environment and [27:51] the work ethic was a lot better in [27:53] wrestling for I guess my standards of [27:56] it. [27:56] >> Cool. And that really just got me hooked [27:58] into it. [27:59] >> Well, and and it's so cool because you [28:01] can start the sport at different times. [28:03] Y, you know, you're starting in eighth [28:05] grade. We we talked with with our middle [28:07] school wrestler saying, "Hey, here's a [28:08] kid that started in eighth grade and [28:10] look at him now. Now he's got [28:11] aspirations for that state podium." [28:13] >> Um, it it's so different than other [28:16] sports where hockey almost have to be [28:18] playing non-stop where when an athlete [28:21] comes onto the wrestling mat, if you put [28:22] in the work, you can really really excel [28:24] at it. Yeah. [28:25] >> So, it's it's awesome to see. [28:27] >> All right. And then last question, we [28:28] want to pass it over to Mark. Mark, we [28:30] know that you're a football player along [28:31] with Case and along with Trey. You guys [28:32] are the leaders of the defense, right? [28:35] Football and wrestling have a lot of [28:36] parallels, right? I know you guys are [28:38] working hard to recruit some football [28:39] players possibly for the wrestling mat [28:41] this year. Help us talk about like the [28:42] connection between football and [28:44] wrestling and how it can help you in [28:45] both sports. [28:47] >> So, I think for like going transitioning [28:49] from wrestling to football, I mean, it [28:51] makes you such a better tackler. Like [28:54] you can see with Trey, I mean, he's [28:55] probably one of our best tackers on the [28:56] team. He doesn't miss a tackle, and we [28:58] that's been our problem we've had for [28:59] the last few years. [29:00] >> Sure. [29:00] >> And then Trey Sepson doesn't have a [29:02] problem with it. And same every single [29:04] time. It's always all of our backers, [29:06] Kay, me, and it's Grant, too. [29:08] >> Yep. [29:08] >> I mean, Grant never wrestled, but he [29:10] definitely shows that he wants to [29:11] wrestle and we try to get him out, but [29:13] he might not come out, but that's the [29:14] goal. [29:14] >> We are super excited for all of you [29:16] guys. Um, anything that you want to say [29:18] before we wrap this all up that you want [29:20] to highlight before we kind of end our [29:22] round table discussion. Otherwise, [29:24] you're off the hot seat for a little [29:25] bit. Anything you guys want to say? [29:27] >> Yeah, I'll say uh I think this team is [29:29] capable of winning it all this year. I [29:31] think all the way from 106 to [29:33] heavyweight, everyone's going to be [29:34] ranked top five, all that kind of stuff. [29:36] I think [29:37] >> that's awesome to be top contender this [29:38] year. [29:39] >> Anything else you guys want to talk [29:40] about before we wrap this up? [29:42] >> I mean, right off of Trey, I mean, this [29:43] team has been coming up for the last [29:45] like almost 10 years. I mean, a lot of [29:47] these kids aren't this isn't new to [29:48] them. They've been in this spot before, [29:50] but this year, like place at NY, we got [29:52] to step it up again. But this year, we [29:53] can get it done. [29:55] >> Coming for SCMA. [29:56] >> Well, I love it. All right. Thank you [29:58] guys for your time and best of luck this [30:00] season. Appreciate it. [30:16] Thank you.