Friends, family, and alumni of the Saint John’s University wrestling program.
I wanted to keep everyone informed as best I can on our wrestling program. I will start off with the wrestling season. We had two starts to the season this year. One in October, and one in January, after a long break after Thanksgiving. Our competition duration was brief, with two events spaced seven days apart. Both were home events against Augsburg and Concordia. Both events were set up as more of an exhibition. With some guys having two-to-three matches against different opponents from the other teams. A few days later, we received the inevitable email from the NCAA that our postseason would be cancelled, due to lack of participation by institutions with D3 wrestling programs. I cannot wait for a fresh start next year, with hopes of a mostly traditional wrestling season.
This year’s recruiting has been a strong one. I have had more on-campus visits than any other year by a good margin. I have been working to get as many wrestlers as I can to visit this great University. Past years have mostly consisted of Minnesota recruits. I believe that you need to have a strong foothold on your state before you start going outstate for recruits. I believe I have that at this point by the number of wrestlers who have made visits. I have also been able to e-mail coaches from a few other states that I feel have strong prospective student-wrestlers who may fit into our University and program. These e-mail lists cover the states of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Kansas. I have been receiving a good number of wrestlers from each state from their coaches. Their visits are being scheduled for this spring. I am hopeful to enroll a few from this group every year to add to the Minnesota wrestlers. I will keep expanding my scope to get this program where it needs to be… AT THE TOP!
I have had a bit more time on my hands this year with a very brief schedule and all the long breaks we have had to endure. It has been challenging for both our coaches, and our student-athletes, as our goals have been crushed by the pandemic. We have had to be diligent at keeping our focus on the important things in wrestling and in life. This has been very difficult to do with everything changing so often around us. We are focused on getting stronger in the weight room and getting on the mat when we can, with our masks on. We are mostly drilling moves right now to keep a bit of sanity.
As the head coach, I have watched more video than in past years. I have to do anything I can to keep engaged in wrestling and in life. I have found a new level of making the world around me a better place. I have cleared snow a few times this year for a few neighbors who only shovel. I have spent time at a senior center, talking and playing games, or working with arts and crafts. My recycle-bin has never been fuller. Making several Go Fund Me donations when my wife (Susan) and I see something that impels us to do so.
I hope that this letter finds you and your loved ones safe and ready to make the world around us a better place.
On May 8th we will be having our annual wrestler and alumni paintball event. I encourage all who are willing to play. Please let me know and I will add you to the list. If you would like to attend and not play, we will have great food and other games to play. I like to hear all the old wrestling stories from our alumni.
I hope to see you all there!
Kevin Schiltz
320-249-7219 cell