Apple Valley Wrestlers Ready To Build On State Successes

Apple Valley High School winning the state wrestling tournament has become as much a part of the signs of spring as the sighting of a robin.

This weekend, the Eagles go for their sixth-straight Class AAA championship and 19th overall state title at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

"The kids are ready to go," Apple Valley head coach Jim Jackson said. "They've been ready all year."

The Eagles matmen have become one of the greatest dynasties in all of high school sport, claiming 18 state titles since their first in 1983. Since 1999, Apple Valley has won every state team title except for 2005.

"It's a credit to the kids and their families," said Jackson, who has been the Eagles head coach for the past 15 years and has been involved with the team for the past 31 seasons. "The kids train hard and there is a culture and tradition of success in this program."

The top-ranked team in the state through the regular season, Apple Valley rolled through its Section 3AAA team and individual tournaments in February, topping second-ranked Hastings 62-3 to win the team championship on Feb. 18, then qualifying 13 individuals for the state meet one week later.

But Jackson said it's far from routine.

"There's new kids each year," he said. "Everybody has their own story and their own dreams for success."

This year's state meet begins with the opening rounds of the team tournament, scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday morning with Apple Valley facing White Bear Lake.

Provided the Eagles are able to overcome the Bears, they would move on to the Class AAA semifinals at 1 p.m., with the state finals scheduled for 7 p.m.

After the team tournament, Apple Valley's baker's dozen of qualifying grapplers invade the mats beginning at 1 p.m. Friday for two days of competition that will conclude with the championship rounds after 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Eagles who will wrestle individually are:

• , freshman, 103 pounds

• , senior, 112 pounds

• , junior, 125 pounds

• , seventh-grader, 130 pounds

• , senior, 135 pounds

• , junior, 140 pounds

• , sophomore, 145 pounds

• , senior, 152 pounds

• , senior, 160 pounds

• , senior, 171 pounds

• , senior, 189 pounds

• , junior, 215 pounds

• , junior, 285 pounds

McCauley will be looking to make Apple Valley history as the first five-time state champion in school history. He currently is one of four Eagles who are four-time state victors.

In addition, Trom, Kelliher and Brandon Kingsley each will be going after their third-straight state titles.

"We always strive for perfection," Jackson said. "We hope our wrestlers make their individual goals and their team goals."

But to get there, it will take three days of solid work.

"The kids go to downtown St. Paul for once reason and that is business," Jackson said. "We'll have fun on Saturday night when it's over. I want the kids to enjoy themselves during the tournament, but I want them to stay focused on those team and individual titles."