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Matside Minnesota Podcast is your weekly front-row seat to high school wrestling across central and northern Minnesota. Co-hosts Chris Etzler and Derek Holst deliver in-depth recaps, exclusive interviews with coaches, athletes, fans, and officials, and insider commentary that dives into the stories, triumphs, and grit behind every takedown.
19 Episodes
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Matside Minnesota This week’s episode is a two‑part sprint toward the postseason. In Segment One, we break down team section tournaments from the past weekend, giving each class just six minutes on the clock. It’s fast, focused, and packed with takeaways from one of the most exciting weeks of the year. In Segment Two, we welcome Aaron Lorentz of MNwrestle to help preview this weekend’s individual section tournaments. Once again, the timer is set for six minutes per section, covering storyline...
Matside Minnesota – Cardinal Edition In this episode, We sit down with two of the Staples‑Motley Cardinals’ most experienced and wrestlers, Elijah Greenwaldt and Riley Reese. Both seniors are highly ranked in their weight classes and bring the perspective of athletes who have already battled their way to the Minnesota State Tournament in past seasons. The guys talk through some of the biggest matches of the year, how these seniors have grown as competitors, and what it means to lead a Cardina...
Matside Minnesota In this fast‑paced episode, we break down all seven sections we cover — 6A, 7A, 8A, 6AA, 7AA, 8AA, and 8AAA — using a six‑minute timer for each preview. Some sections stayed within regulation… and a couple needed overtime. We look at: The top seeds in each sectionPotential high‑stakes rematchesOne or two must‑watch individual matchupsStorylines that could shape the road to stateIt’s rapid‑fire and full of the energy that makes section week one of the best times of the year i...
Matside Minnesota – Cardinal Edition This week, we celebrate a moment that will be remembered forever at Staples‑Motley High School. Kana Reese, Leah Greenwaldt, and Anika Tureson made school history by becoming the first girls ever to qualify for the Minnesota State High School Girls Wrestling Tournament. Kana and Leah each battled their way to second place, while Anika became the first girls section champion in Cardinal history. We sit down with all three trailblazers — along with their coa...
Two ranked Cardinals. Two big personalities. One episode you don’t want to miss. This week on the Cardinal Edition, we sit down with 189‑pound hammer Luke Bjerga and heavyweight force Adrian Gomez to talk big wins, big moments, and the road to the section tournaments. These two are wrestling their best when it matters most, and they brought the energy to the studio. Catch the full conversation — and get ready for postseason fireworks #MatsideMinnesota #CardinalEdition #StaplesMotley #MNwrestl...
In this episode, we sit down with Mark Kuisle, Activities Director at Big Lake High School and co‑manager of the Minnesota State High School League State Wrestling Tournament. Mark brings a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at how the state’s biggest wrestling event is organized, operated, and continually improved. We dive into the new state tournament format, why changes were made, and how they impact athletes, coaches, and fans. Mark also shares insight into the logistical challenges of running a...
Episode 11 brings a special in‑studio conversation with Bill Wagner, former Minnesota Coach of the Year and current head girls coach for BHVPP, along with his daughter Elora, a defending state runner‑up and one of the top-ranked wrestlers in Minnesota. Together, the Wagners take us inside the rapid rise of girls wrestling, sharing what it’s been like to build a program, develop athletes, and watch the sport explode across the state. Elora talks about her journey, the pressure and pride of com...
In this episode, we sit down with two of the biggest names in Minnesota high school wrestling: Colbe Tappe and Gage Bjerga. Both are currently ranked #1 in their weight classes, both have state titles, and both recently notched wins over nationally ranked opponents. Colbe talks about his victory over the No. 11 wrestler in the country and what it means heading into the heart of the season. Gage breaks down his electric win over the top-ranked AA senior committed to Oklahoma University — a mat...
In this episode, we kick things off with a north central Minnesota breakdown of the new all‑class rankings released by MNwrestle. Then we welcome a guest who needs no introduction in Minnesota wrestling circles, Rance Bahr. After 14 years leading the Bemidji boys program, Rance has become one of the strongest advocates for girls wrestling in the state and now serves as the head coach of the Bemidji girls team. His passion, perspective, and commitment to growing the sport make this conve...
In Episode 9 we recap the biggest events across the region with a focus on the Rick Lee tournaments in Bemidji. #MatsideMinnesota #RickLeeDuals #MNwrestling #HighSchoolWrestling Support the show
In Episode 8 we keep it simple and get straight to the action. With no guests this week, we recap the biggest New Year wrestling events across the region, The Clash in La Crosse and Rumble on the Red in Fargo. #MatsideMinnesota #TheClash #RumbleOnTheRed #MNwrestling #HighSchoolWrestling Support the show
Cardinal Edition – Episode 1: The Early Years of Cardinal Wrestling Matside Minnesota – Cardinal Edition We’re kicking off the very first episode of the Cardinal Edition by going back to where it all began. We sit down with Mike Hajek, one of the foundational voices in Staples-Motley wrestling history, to revisit the early years of the Cardinal program. From the culture that shaped generations of wrestlers to the stories that still echo through the gym, this episode is full of memories, pers...
Episode 7: Previewing The Clash In this episode, We keep it simple and focused: The Clash is coming. Held in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this nationally recognized high school wrestling tournament features 29 teams from 11 states, including Staples-Motley, Perham, and Pierz — three programs close to home. With 4 Nationally ranked teams in the mix, it’s one of the toughest and most exciting events in the country. We’re hitting the road to watch it live, but first we break down what makes The Clash...
Episode 6: Northwoods Wrestling on the Rise This Christmas Day episode is packed with stories, highlights, and a whole lot of Minnesota wrestling spirit. We kick things off by breaking down the week’s top match highlights from across Minnesota, big performances, standout duals, and the moments that caught our attention on the mats. After that we spotlight a story from Babbitt, Minnesota, where Northeast Range/Ely is building something special in what has traditionally been hockey...
Episode 5: 3 For the Takedown In this episode, Chris Etzler and Derek Holst kick things off with a quick recap of last week’s key matches across Minnesota wrestling before diving into one of the biggest topics from last season — the rules changes. We’re joined by Colbe Tappe, Colby Marich, and Jim Lynch for an in‑depth discussion on how the new scoring, including the 3‑point takedown, near fall points change, and out of bounds definition has impacted competition, strategy, and the overall flo...
Episode 4 — Weekly Recap + Brainerd’s New Coach This week on Matside Minnesota, Chris and Derek kick things off with a recap of last week’s biggest matches, breaking down key results and storylines across Minnesota wrestling. Then we welcome Andy Pickar, the new Head Coach at Brainerd High School. Coach Pickar shares his vision for the Warriors program, his approach to building culture, and what excites him most about leading the team. 🎉 A fun highlight: Coach Pickar’s daughter Ariana joins ...
This week on Matside Minnesota, we bring you a double feature. First, Chris and Derek share their season overview, highlighting area wrestlers to watch and storylines that will shape the 2024–25 season across central and northern Minnesota. Then, we sit down with Lynn Jennissen, Class AA ratings editor for The Guillotine, Minnesota’s wrestling newspaper. Lynn takes us behind the scenes of his process for evaluating wrestlers across all 13 weight classes and building the Top 10 rankings — a ta...
We sit down with two new head coaches to hear how they’re building programs, connecting with their communities, and preparing athletes for the season. Jamey Koetter (Holdingford) and Tate Card (Minnewaska) share coaching philosophies, early priorities, and the small decisions that shape a team’s culture. Support the show
In the heart of Minnesota, a new wrestling program is taking shape, bringing excitement and opportunity to young athletes. The inaugural episode of the Matside Minnesota podcast dives deep into the journey of Pillager High School as it rolls out its first varsity wrestling program in 46 years, showcasing the passion and dedication of its coaches and community. The Matside Minnesota podcast, hosted by wrestling enthusiasts Chris Etzler and Derek Holst, aims to spotlight high school wrestling a...
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