February is always a very busy month for a wrestling coach. Of course, that is certainly the case for me. Our Johnnie team is preparing to qualify for regional competition when we travel to Augsburg College in Minneapolis on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 28-29. The high school state tournament will be the same weekend. So, it’s crunch time to recruit high school juniors and seniors as our next Johnnie wrestling student-athletes. I have also been working with and appreciate our alumni who are working to create an endowed leadership fund for Johnnie wrestling. Certainly, you all be hearing more about this initiative in the weeks and the months ahead.
As we prepare for the regional qualifier, our goal as a team will be to battle at every weight class. Expect our Johnnies to bring their “A” game.
Back on February 13, we beat St. Olaf College in Northfield in a road dual meet by a 46-6 score. We had seven falls and a decision. We are building off the success of this dual. It was the last home wrestling match at St. Olaf as they are dropping their program at the end of this year. Lack of attention to the program for years seemed to be the issue. Part time coach, low number of athletes to name a few.
We are very fortunate that our team is healthy. Our guys are fit and ready to compete! We are led by senior Noah Becker who has a 19-1 record. He is ranked third in the country, at present. Noah beat both the no. 1 and No. 2 wrestlers in the nation. I have really been pleased with the effort from Noah and all of our guys. They work extremely hard, they represent Johnnie wrestling well, they are ultracompetitive, and they truly value the great sport of wrestling.
Minga Batsukh ’13, one of the most decorated student-athletes in the history of our Johnnie Athletic Department, has been helping the wrestling team this month. He hails from Mongolia and was a three-time NCAA Division III National Champion for SJU. Minga knows wrestling. He’s very respected in our wrestling circles. And, he is teaching our guys a tremendous amount about the sport. Our guys really are taking in every word he says.
A lot of great things are happening with wrestling at Saint John’s. We are proud of our program and have it trending in positive direction.
We hope you can come and watch us compete at the regional qualifier at Augsburg on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 28-29, in Minneapolis.
We appreciate all your support.
GO JOHNNIES!
Kevin Schiltz
Head Wrestling Coach
Saint John’s University