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 country. Head coach Adam Hagen joins us to share how he launched the program, the challenges of starting from scratch in a remote corner of the state, and the momentum they’re building in just their second season.

And in the middle of it all, we bring in a little holiday cheer with fun messages from some Staples-Motley wrestlers.

Whether you're celebrating with family, traveling to a holiday tournament, or just relaxing at home, we hope this episode brings you a smile and keeps you connected to the wrestling community we all love.

🎄 Merry Christmas from Matside Minnesota!
Thanks for listening, supporting, and being part of this growing statewide wrestling family.

#MatsideMinnesota #NorthwoodsWrestling #MNwrestling #HighSchoolWrestling #ChristmasEpisode #WrestlingCommunity #NortheastRange #Ely

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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 flow of matches.

Whether you’re a coach, wrestler, or fan, this episode breaks down what these changes mean for the sport and how they’re shaping the future of high school wrestling.

#MatsideMinnesota #HighSchoolWrestling #MNwrestling #RulesChanges #3ForTheTakedown

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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 the conversation! Ariana is currently ranked individually in Minnesota, and the Brainerd Warrior girls team also holds a state ranking — making this a true family wrestling moment.

Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring coaches, athletes, officials, and stories from across Minnesota wrestling.

#MatsideMinnesota #HighSchoolWrestling #MNwrestling #BrainerdWarriors #CoachSpotlight

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