2019 MWCA Special Awards
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Minnesota Wrestling C o a c h e s A s s e r t i o n Special Awards MWCA Head Coach Qg the Year Class A - Jacob Lorentx - Long Pr^rie-Grey Eagle / Browerville C l a s s A A - R o b b M o s e r - P e r h a m C l a s s A A A - J o e K i i n s h i e r - F o r e s t L a k e MWCA Assistant Wre Lavem ^TuKy" Hoard - Grand Ra^ds MWCA Wrestler ot the Year - Mr. BGnnesota Daniel Gregory Kerfcvliet - SIndey MWCA liSetSme Achievement Awards Randy Baker - Jackson County Central Mike Boran - Bralnerd Larry Berg - Hne Island rai Frame - Hne Island Don McPiudI - nnelslaad J i m N u n n - M I n n e t o n f c a J a k e L o r e n t g - L o i le / Browerville Coach et the Year Jako Lorentz, son of Gabe and Pam, was bom in Wadena and raised in Deer Creek and Eagle Bend, iWlnnesota along with his younger sister, Brittany. Jake was Introduced to the sport of wrestling wdien his father, Gabe, signed him up fbr the Youth Wrestling program In Deer Creek. Jake wrestled for Eagle Valley High School, made up of the communities of Eagle Bend and Clarissa. Jake describes himself as an average but not spectacular wrestler, serving as a wrestling captain his senior year. Jake also participated In Football and Golf up through his Freshman year when he got Involved In car racing. He worked on cars In the winter when he wasnt wrestling and raced In the Spring, Summer, and Fall. After graduating from Eagle Valley, Jake attended Mankato State majoring In Mass Communications. After two years, Jake met and married his wife Miranda and moved to Alexandria where he worked road construction for a couple of years before moving to Kallspell, Montana to work with his dad, Gabe, at his construction company. Jake moved back to Browervllle, taking a Job In Long Prairie at Impact Technology, where he has worked for the past twelve years. Jake's son, Cael, started wrestling In the Browervllle I Eagle Valley elementary program and when Andy Lancaster, the Browervllle / Eagle Valley head wrestling coach, asked Jake to head up the youth program, he accepted. When the time came for the Long Pralrle-Grey Eagle wrestling program to pair with the Browervllle's program, Jake was asked to help with the transition. It was decided that for the first year, the youth programs would merge to see how things would be received by the two wrestling communities. Everything went well, with the combined team taking fourth place at the NYWA State Team Tournament the following year. The next year Jake was named the Head Coach of the newly formed LPGEB WVrestlIng program. The first year, the team was only able to fill ID of the 14 weight classes, but still recorded a 9-12 dual meet record and sent four of the ten varsity wrestlers to State. In their second year, the wrestlers went 15-4 In duals and lost to KMS In the Section Team Finals. In their third season the LPGEB Grapplers lost 34-33 to a strong KMS Team In the Section Finals before breaking through a year ago with a Section Championship and fourth place finish at State. This past season. The Long Pralrle-Grey Eagle I Browervllle Squad came back strong after losing six wrestlers to graduation from last year's team. The team went 27-1 In dual meets on their way to a State Championship, their only loss of the year coming at the hands of Detroit Lakes. Lorentz knew this squad was destined for big things after beating Tracy-Mllroy-Balaton and ACGC on the same night. After defeating a tough MInnewaska squad In the Section Finals, the team kept Its momentum going all the way through the State Tournament wKh wins over Goodhue, ACGC and Kenyon-Wanamlngo on Its way to the first wrestling title In school history. Lorentz Is not only proud of his wrestlers, who rose to the challenge at every turn throughout the season, but feels he has the best wrestling coaching staff In the state. As a head coach, Jake realizes that one person cannot meet the needs of every wrestler and Is appreciative of the ability of his coaches to work together to cover all the bases and that Includes every one of his coaches throughout the entire K through 12 program. Jake would also like to thank his step-dad, Rodney Kopp, for all of his wisdom and support over the years. Jake continues to enjoy their garage time together. Jake and Miranda, who works at American Heritage Bank (bank operations) In Long Prairie, have three children. Cael, who started wrestling as a pre-schooler, was the 106 pounder on this year's State Championship Team as a sophomore. Twins Chloe and Chace, at 12 years old, are looking forward to being teenagers and putting a little gray In Jake's thinning hair. RnhhMftger-MWCA Class AAWre Coach of the Year Robb Moser, son of Duane and Barb Moser, was bom and raised in Rochert, Minnesota and started wrestiing in grade schooi, foiiowing the footsteps of oider brother Ciint. Robb made the Frazee varsity squad at 119# as an eighth grader and had the opportunity to be a part of the first two state qualifying teams for Frazee. Moser wrestled on the Hornet varsity squad for five years qualifying for the individual state toumament as a senior in 1990. Robb categorized himself as a good wrestler on some outstanding teams. He felt he was very fortunate to have a number of tremendous coaches along the way, including varsity coaches Steve Carr and Clay Nagei along with assistants Marty Aho and Rochert's own Dennis Schermerhorn, who Just happen to be going into the MWCA Barteima Hall of Fame tonight. After graduation, Moser enrolled at Concordia College in Moorhead where he eamed an Education Degree in the area of Social Studies. Moser participated in wrestiing at Concordia ail four years. Upon graduating from Concordia, Robb was hired to teach Social Studies and coach Wrestling at Perham. Moser served at the Junior High level for a year and five more as a varsity assistant before taking the reins as Head Coach, in Moser's 18 years at the helm, Perham qualified for the State Toumament 12 times and placed 9 times, including runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2008 to Simiey and STMA, respectively. Moser was voted the MWCA Class AA Wrestiing Coach of the Year in 2007. This past season, Perham finished 3"* in the Class AA State Toumament with a 30-2 dual meet record wrestiing a rigorous schedule, individuaiiy, Moser's matmen finished with six individual medalists including three finalists. Robb credits a great deal of Perham's success to an outstanding coaching staff. His assistant coaches are not afraid to disagree or offer suggestions on how things could be done better, but at the end of the day, there is a spirit of collaboration and mutual support for the betterment of the team. In Robb's 18 years at the helm, the Perham Wrestling Team recorded a dual meet win-loss record of 425-99-1. Robb's wife, Eryn, is an elementary teacher in Perham and has coached Voiieybaii and Track for the past 25 years, serving as head Voiieybaii Coach for the last five years. Robb and Eryn have three boys - Reid, Ty, and Drew. Ty Just finished an undefeated Senior season capping it off with an Individual state title at 195 pounds and plans on attending NDSU next Fall. Moser has decided to retire as head wrestiing coach for a number of reasons, one being the opportunity to follow Ty's wrestiing adventure at NDSU. Robb felt super fortunate to be able to end his coaching career on such a high note, with his team's last dual meet resulting in a victory at State and then being able to sit in the coaching chair while watching his son win an individual State Championship. Kiiwshier - MWCA Class AAA Head Coach oi the Year Joe Kunshler, son of Warren and Cheryl, grew up in Forest Lake with four sisters - Kim, Kris, Keiiy, and Kara - and one brother, Jon. His introduction to the sport of wrestling came in first grade when he Joined the Ranger Wrestling Ciub. Kunshler won his first MN / USA State Title as a 3^^ grade youth wrestler under the direction of Myron Organ. Joe excelled in the sport through High School, garnering 122 wins and finishing as a State Runner-up in 1997 and Sr** Place at State in 1998 wrestling under the tutelage of Hail of Famer, Robert Dettmer. He enrolled at Augsburg College where he had the opportunity to be on three Division ill National Championship teams. After graduating from Augsburg, Kunshler was hired to teach Physical Education and Outdoor Education (Bob Dettmer's teaching assignment) and coach wrestling under Co-Head Coaches Bob Dettmer and Rich Elliott at Forest Lake High School, his alma mater. Dettmer served in Iraq for two years before returning to Forest Lake. Joe also assisted Billy Pierce for five years and took over as Head Coach in 2012. During that time Kunshler has had the opportunity to coach eight Individual State Champions, five as an assistant and three as Head Coach. This past year Joe led his Rangers to their first trip to state in 26 years.