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Coaching experience: 24th at OHS, 39th Overall
Colleges: B.A. – Augsburg College, M-Ed – University of Minnesota,
M.A. – University of St. Thomas
High School: John F. Kennedy – Bloomington, MN
Family: Wife - Mary, Daughters – Alyssa, Ashley, Son – Colin
Named 2009 USA Coach for the 13th annual “Dream Team Classic” held in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Recipient of the prestigious 2009 “Master of Wrestling” Award, presented by Wrestling USA Magazine. 1998 National High School Coaches Association “National Coach of the Year,” 2007 Wrestling USA Magazine’s “National Coach of the Year, 2006 Runner-up for Wrestling USA “National Coach of the Year. 2005 Minnesota Class AAA “Coach of the Year.” The winningest coach in amateur wrestling history enters the 2009-2010 wrestling season with a career coaching record of 903-135-4. As a wrestler, Davis, was a 1973 All-American, and Team Captain, at Augsburg College. He is the member of six Hall of Fames.
As a long supporter of wrestling he has served on numerous committees, serving as President of the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association, MWCA Publicity Chair and has written numerous articles. He was 1986 recipient of the distinguished Bob Dellinger Award “National’s Outstanding Wrestling Writer” by Amateur Wrestling News. He currently serves as vice – President (Promotions) of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Scot’s wife, Mary, was named Wrestling USA magazine’s “National Coaches Wife of the Year” in l999.
Coaching experience: 25th at OHS, 27 Overall
College: B.S. – University of Wisconsin – Parkside
High School: Pulaski High School – Pulaski, Wisconsin
Family: Wife – Cathy, Sons – Ben, Casey, Ryan , Daughters
Coach LaCount begins his 25th year in the Owatonna HS wrestling program. He began coaching here in the fall of l985, making LaCount the longest acting coach on the OHS wrestling coaching staff.
Last year Steve also served as President of the Owatonna wrestling Association. He did a tremendous job! Over the years Steve has contributed greatly as a scout and advisor. He has also helped direct the longstanding “Owatonna Open” wrestling tournament, and the new “O-Town Open,” Steve also served as Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Secretary back in l991-92. He is the Scouting Director for OHS Wrestling.
LaCount was a great wrestler, having been an undefeated State Champion, while wrestling for Pulaski High School, located in Pulaski, Wisconsin. He went 35-0 his senior year with a career high school coaching record of 85-15. He went on to a very successful career in college at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was a four-time national qualifier in college.
Steve’s wife, Cathy, retired three years ago completing a long and successful career as an elementary teacher in the Owatonna Public School system. Steve, is a corporate manager for Hormel (The Turkey Store) and travels frequently, mostly between Minnesota and Wisconsin. He once initiated the former “Turkey Store Duals,” held in Owatonna.
The LaCounts have six children, all grown and working. Son, Casey (Conlin), was a successful wrestler for the OHS. The LaCounts live in Owatonna and are neighbors to the Davis family.
Coaching experience: 20th at OHS
College: B.A. Augustana College - Sioux Falls, South Dakota
High School: St. Michael – Albertville High School-Albertville, Minnesota
Family: Wife – Sylvia, Son – Derek, Daughters – Cienna, Elle
Coach Becker enters his 20th year as a coach at Owatonna High School. He was named 2000 Section 1AAA “Assistant Coach of the Year,” as voted on by his fellow Section 1AAA coaches. Becker has played an instrumental role for the Indians and Huskies over the years. It was his expertise that started Owatonna High School Wrestling on the path to being of the most skilled takedown teams in the state and nation!
Jeff was an outstanding wrestler. He was 38-0 as a senior, wrestling for St. Michael – Albertville High School (1985). He was also that school’s first State Wrestling Champion for Coach Greg Greeno. Becker was invited to compete in the second annual “1985 Minnesota vs Iowa” High School Wrestling Classic, where he went 2-0 in his matches. As a college wrestler he completed at Augustana College, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he was a 3-time national qualifier and runner-up in the nation’s toughest Division II conference, the North Central Conference. He is a charter member of the St. Michael – Albertville High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He has served as Secretary for the Owatonna Wrestling Association and was the initial organizer and director of the annual “Owatonna Kids Classic.” This tournament has drawn over 600 wrestlers annually to Owatonna in early December. Jeff is also called on as a camp clinician in the summer. As a traveling salesman, Jeff’s attendance as a coach is limited, but our program greatly welcomes his participation when possible.
Coaching experience: 17th at OHS
College: B.A. Augsburg College
High School: Owatonna High School
Family: Wife – Arla, Daughters – Stephanie, Sydney, Son – Drew
Coach Kretlow enters his 17th year on the Owatonna High School coaching staff. Matt graduated from Owatonna High School in l987. He was a Team Captain during Davis’ first year at OHS. He placed 5th in State (Class AA-Large Schools). He helped lead OHS on to their highest finish ever to that point in post-season Team Competition with a runner-up finish in the tough Section One Tournament. The “Indians” lost to a Apple Valley in the finals.
Kretlow went on to Augsburg College where he became the school’s winningest wrestler ever! Kretlow also captained the Auggies on to their first ever NCAA III National Championship in l991! Kretlow placed second at the national tournament to the tournament’s “Most Valuable Wrestler.” Kretlow finished his career as a 3-time All-American, placing 8th in l989, 4th in l990 and runner-up in l991. Even with all the success Augsburg College has had since then he is still the school’s all-time winningest wrestler!
Kretlow stepped down as head junior varsity coach after the 2001 season to spend more time at home with his young family. In eight years as coach at the level his teams totaled a combined record of 145-9-1 for a 94% winning percentage. Coach Kretlow will continue on a part-time basis and he also plans to help at the youth level as well. Matt was named 2001 Section 1AAA “Assistant Coach of the Year” as voted on by his fellow section coaches.
Matt works as a Claims Supervisor for Federated Insurance in Owatonna. His wife is a Manager at Federated Insurance.
Coaching experience: 9th at OHS, 11th Overall
College: Augustana College – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
High School: Plainview High School – Plainview, MN
Family: Wife – Sarah, Sons – Luke and Jack
Entering his 9th year on the OHS Wrestling coaching staff. Coach Krier adds much enthusiasm to the Huskies wrestling program. He is a former 3 – Time State Champion for Plainview High School He was also named as a High School All-American his senior year. Mark participated with Jeff Becker in the l985 Minnesota vs Iowa Wrestling Classis his senior year. He went 2-0 in his matches, defeating a future 2-time NCAA I
All-American too. Krier was also a standout baseball pitcher at Plainview, leading his team to the State tournament. Mark was definitely one of Minnesota’s greatest wrestlers ever!
Krier went on to wrestler at Augustana College, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At Augustana College Krier became a Champion in the tough North Central Conference. He was also highly ranked in the NCAA II national rankings. He was roommates with fellow Owatonna coach Jeff Becker in college. He was inducted into the Dave Bartelma-Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007. This past year he was inducted into the 2008 Region One Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Krier has had prior experience in coaching. He served as an assistant at the highly regarded Sioux City Heeland program in Iowa. He also served as an assistant at his alma mater, Plainview High school for one year.
Mark and his wife, Sarah, live with their sons, Luke and Jack, in Mezeppa, MN. His sons could be great wrestlers too, as his wife, Sarah, has a brother who was also a high school State Champion. The gene pool is there!
Coaching experience: 7th at OHS
College: B.S. – Minnesota State University – Mankato (MN)
High School: Owatonna High School
Family: Wife – Theresa, Son - Beckett
The Huskies junior varsity coach had a great return in 2008-2009. The Huskies JV team went 12-0 in duals, won several tournaments and were responsible for numerusDual meet victories for the varsity team as well. It was a dominate season! Scott is also the only “fulltime” assistant in the OHS wrestling program. Scott’s previous experience was serving as the Huskies Freshmen Coach.
As an athlete, Scott was a great on the feet and a member of two Huskies State tournament teams in 1996 and 1997. The 1996 team was Owatonna’s first “team” to State under the dual meet format. Injuries plagued Scott’s career though. Scott was Also an outstanding baseball player and served as Team Captain his senior year.
In college Scott played La Crosse at Minnesota State University – Mankato and he was named “MVP” his senior year. He is Department Coordinator and teacher in the Art Department at Owatonna High School.
Scott has helped the wrestling program in other ways as well. He served as Freshman League Wrestling Director for two years. He also ran the Freshman League Section Tournament at Owatonna High School for two years.
Coach Seykora also started the Lacrosse program at Owatonna High School, developing it from a club program to a varsity sport. The Huskies had their first varsity season in 2007-2008 and had a winning season in 2009!
Coaching experience: 4rd year at OHS
College: B.A. – Gustavus Adolphus College – St. Peters, MN
High School: Maple River High School
Coach Hendrickson begins his fourth year at Owatonna High School. He is employed as a commercial underwriter for Federated Insurance here in Owatonna. Lance is well liked by the Husky wrestlers and coaching staff. He serves as co-head coach of the Huskies freshman squad, along with second year Husky coach Brad Gruhlke. Gruhlke is also a Federated employee.
Lance was a lighter weight as a competitor and provides a needed coach for Husky wrestlers to workout with in those lighter weight classes. As a competitor, Lance was a Co-Captain of his Maple River High School team both his junior and senior years. He was also named that school’s “Most Valuable Wrestler” his senior year.
Coaching experience: 3rd at OHS
College: B.S. – University of Minnesota
High School: Owatonna High School
Family: Wife – Holly, Son – Eliza
This standout wrestler was Owatonna’s “only” World place winner! He was a Cadet Greco Roman 5th Place finisher. He went on to place 3rd in State for the Huskies at heavyweight, even though he only weighted 205 pounds. He gave up only one takedown his senior year, unfortunately costing him a state championship, wrestling his much taller and heavier Apple Valley opponent. Even so, he was offered some “full ride” scholarships, turning them down to wrestle for his home state at the University of Minnesota “Golden Gophers.” He Lettered at the University of Minnesota. In high school Eli placed 5th and 3rd in State and served as Team Captain.
A great student, Eli went on to graduate from the Institute of Technology at the University of Minnesota with a “Mechanical Engineering” degree. He is employed as a “Lead” Engineer at the Donaldson Company. He and his wife, Holly, also ah OHS grad, live in Morristown. They had their first child, a son (Eliza) this past year.
Certainly his tremendous Greco Roman and Freestyle experience and weight training, and wrestling technique gained in the Gopher wrestling program, proves valuable to the Husky wrestling program. This 2000 OHS grad, former Team Captain, and two-time state place winner is a tremendous asset to the Owatonna wrestling program.
Coaching experience: 4th year at OHS
College: B.S. - Minnesota State University-Mankato
High School: Owatonna High School
Travis was a 1997 graduate and Team Captain for the Owatonna Huskies wrestling team.
As a junior he participated in the State Tournament. Travis tore his ACL in intramural basketball his senior year, which severely hampered his finish to his season. However,He was a key performer on the Huskies first State Tournament team in ’96 and ’97. He was a great leader and well respected by teammates, parents and fans.
He went on to compete at Rochester Community College (RCTC) and was a two-time All-American, placing fifth as a freshman and second as a sophomore. He wrestled twomore years at Minnesota State University-Mankato. Since that time Travis has been competing in the mixed marshal arts (Ultimate Fighting). As a professional he has won four World Titles at various weight classes.
It is great to have Travis in the practice room whenever he can make it with his busy schedule, traveling all over the World. He is a valued part of the Husky coaching staff..
Coaching experience: 3rd at OHS
College: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, WI
High School: Bold High School-Olivia, MN
Wife: Breanna
Brad is a Federated Insurance employee. He works as an underwriter. Brad comes from a wrestling family as his father, Tom, is the longtime coach at BOLD High School. BOLD won a State Title in recent years and have been a successful program in Minnesota. Tom Gruhlke was named Minnesota Class AA “Coach of the Year. Brad competed and captained two of those BOLD’s state tournament teams. He was a four-year varsity starter for them. He also went on to compete in the 2002 Senior Nationals.
Gruhlke did some wrestling at the University of Eau Claire in college. He graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Business Administration. He serves as freshmen team’s Co-Coach this season, along with Lance Hendrickson. Both Federated employees should be a great coaching combination for our young freshmen wrestlers.
Brad also has experience helping his father with the Senior National teams over the years. He has grown up with wrestling from “day one” and his experience is a big plus to the Huskies coaching staff. He serves as co-head coach of the Huskies freshman squad, along with fourth year Husky coach Lance Hendrickson. Hendrickson is also a Federated employee.
Coaching experience: 2nd year
College: Southwest Minnesota State University-Marshall, Minnesota
High School: Lodi High School-Lodi, Wisconsin
Occupation: Agronomist at Greenway Cooperative, Claremont, MN
Family: Wife - Cassandra
Joel was a State Runner-up at heavyweight
For Lodi High School in Wisconsin (Division II). He lost in the last few seconds to Cole Conrad, eventual two-time NCAA – I National Champion
for the University of Minnesota. Joel went on to compete at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota where he was a
four-year Team Captain, outside linebacker and first team All-Conference football player. He also served as Team Captain. In wrestling he was also a Team Captain
and 2006 NCAA All-American, placing sixth in the Division II national tournament at 197 pounds.
Joel is married to Cassandra, also a graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University. Like Joel, Cassie was also an outstanding athlete in college
and high school. She was a First Team All-Conference Soccer player at SW Minnesota State, and four-year starter. Cassie teaches math at Owatonna High School
and serves as head Junior Varsity Soccer Coach. We are excited to have the Wipperfurths here in Owatonna!
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