Welcome to the first notes for the SJU wrestling team 22-23. I wanted to start this off with great news. I have acquired the service of Garrett Vos as an assistant coach. Garrett was a 3 time All-American for St. Cloud State. Finished last season as runner-up in D2. He is the nephew of Matt Vos 04’, Johnnie All-American. The wrestlers are excited to have another voice in the room. I know I have him for this year and we will see what the future holds the following years. One staple to all strong programs, is having a strong stable staff year after year. In addition to stability with staff members, you need to have the additional personalities in the room. I believe each wrestler will adhere to a coach as their primary. This primary isn’t always the head coach.
I would like to introduce you all to my two Sr Captains. I have asked them both to write up a bit about who they are. I would like to tell you in my words that these two have been an absolute joy to coach. They are involved just about everything on campus. They are diehard leaders who have done everything I have asked to get this team ready in and out of the regular season. Great people leading great people.
Logan Edwards
I am one of the two seniors on the wrestling team this year. As my collegiate wrestling career draws to a close, I can't help but look back in gratitude for the amazing time I've had here at St. John's. Wrestling has undoubtedly been one of the highlights of my time here, but it would be a shame if I didn't acknowledge the holistic development this institution has brought me. Because of all the lessons the sport has taught me, I've been equipped to significantly contribute to this community and prepare myself to serve the world after graduation. Being a three-year captain, I've had the privilege of watching this program grow from nearly being cut to now having an eager group of 15+ freshmen ready to bring this program to the next level as I depart. As a sophomore, I was privileged to be honored with the Extraordinary Service Award for some of my service including Prison Ministry, J-Walking (a program accompanying men reentering society after incarceration) and other various programs. I also was honored as an Academic All-American in 2020. As amazing as this recognition is, I can't help but look at my time on the mat as one of the driving forces behind this work. From serving as the Vice President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to working as a student supervisor for Campus Ministry, the lessons of hard-work, commitment, grit and my faith undergird all of it. Now, as I move on toward graduate school in pursuance of a Master of Divinity degree, I hope to become a high school theology teacher and coach wrestling as a way of giving back to the world that has given me SJU.
Julian Mares
When thinking on my time here at Saint John's and what drew me here, wrestling always enters my mind first. As a 18 year old Southern California boy, wrestling is what truly drew me here, but more importantly, the chance the Kevin Schiltz provided me with. I was a good high school wrestler, but never a head turner, but after coming here on my visit and talking to Schiltz, I felt like I not only had a chance but the guarantee to succeed here at SJU. This of course came with a lot of hard work, dedication, and first and foremost, many blessings from above. Entering my senior year and beyond, I have fully come to appreciate my time here, but not just as a wrestler, but as a wholistic member of this community. Saint John's has given me to excel academically, socially, and in the wrestling room. Understanding that we are not just wrestlers, but human beings has helped me to become a Dean's List recipient, have over a 3.5 GPA, be involved in our Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for three years, being a part of KFH and helping to raise over 100,000 meals for people struggling for a single meal in a day, and finally excelling as a wrestler and leader in ways I could not have dreamed of as a 18 year old. I lay this before you not to parade my achievements, accolades, and involvements. I speak about these because without the Lord, great coaches, professors, friends, support from my loving family, and so much more I would never had the confidence, drive, and focus to a accomplish such feats. To circle back to my reverence for Saint John's University, my time in the wrestling room helped me focus these skills to its fullest. Being in the room with a group of highly motivated, excited, and caring teammates all taking part in a common goal which was simply to excel and better themselves for the sake of personal evolution, I would not be where I am today. So, thank you alumni for laying out that path and bringing back that understanding of hard work to future generations, I hope to do the same in your shoes, and I know I have a lot of work to do to keep our tradition of worthwhile alumni.
Sorry for the long letter. Here is a link to our store if you are interested in purchasing wrestling items.
See you on the mat soon.
FYI Friday August 4th will be the date for next years golf outing. We will be honoring the 1975-1979 classes at this event. Let’s keep this program growing. See you on the links in August.
Coach Schiltz