COACH
Tom Beyer, 1st year
Volunteer coaches
Jim Soine, Jeff Berens, Chad Carlson, Carl Carlson
LAST SEASON
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Dual meets: 8-3
Minnesota Community College Conference: First place
NJCAA Division III: Second place
NJCAA Tournament: Fourth in Division III, 11th in Division I
KEY DATES
Opener: Thursday at Moorhead Open (Dickerson State, MSU-Moorhead, St. John's, Itasca CC)
Home opener: 7 p.m., Nov. 21, St. John's
Augsburg Open: Nov. 17 at Minneapolis
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Husky Open: Dec. 8 at St. Cloud
National Duals: Jan. 12-13 at Cedar Falls, Iowa
Region XIII Qualifier: Feb. 10 at Willmar
NJCAA Division III: Feb. 22-23, Rochester, Minn.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
(Name, hometown or high school, weight class)
Sophomores
Zach Juusola, Minneapolis Edison, 157
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Mike Qurada, Wabasso, 157
Brandon Schunk, Wabasso, 141
Greg Skerik, Bemidji, 149
Scott Thompson, Benson, 165
Donovan Walz, Red Rock Central, 157
Freshmen
Tom Brenner, BOLD, 125
Jared Hotakainen, New York Mills, 141
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Andrew Larson, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, 184
Nick Loreno, Brainerd, 149
Seth McGregor, McCook Central, S.D., heavyweight
Mike Christians, Minneapolis South, 149
Trent Molacek, Willmar, 174
Chris Perez, Mankato West, 174
Travis Pesta, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, 165
Justin Pulliam, St. Cloud Apollo, 141
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Kurt Salmen, Dassel-Cokato, 165
Shane Swenson, Dassel-Cokato, 197
Jon Tatro, Minnewaska, 133
OUTLOOK
After 26 years at the helm of the Willmar High School program, Tom Beyer takes over the team on the northwest side of town. He's the eighth head wrestling coach at the junior college since the program debuted in 1963-64. Hall of Fame coach Roy Minter (1968-95) set a high standard that has continued into the 21st Century. Beyer replaced Jesse Nelson, who is now the head coach at Southwest Minnesota State. The new coach has a current roster of six sophomores and 13 freshmen to fill 10 weight classes. "I'm impressed with the work ethic and the talent of these student/athletes," said Beyer. "I'm very pleased with the freshmen group. They'll soon be getting their first taste of college competition. This is a time of transition for me also." He expects leadership from the sophomores, including Mike Qurada and Brandon Schunk (20-11, All-America). Greg Skerik, a two-time state champion for Bemidji High, is back after suffering a season-ending injury in January. Transfer Jared Hotakainen was one-win short of All-America recognition wrestling for Rochester Community and Technical College. Scott Thompson returns after a staph infection ended his season in December.
- Rand Middleton
