Albert Lea youth wrestlers shine at national competition

Published 10:06 pm Thursday, May 4, 2017

Five Albert Lea area youth wrestlers were selected to be part of three Minnesota teams to compete April 13-15 at the Heartland USA Elementary National Duals in Council Bluffs, Iowa, according to a press release.

Representing Minnesota Storm was sixth-grader Derrick McMillian, who went undefeated at the tournament, earned All-American honors and was named Most Valuable Wrestler. 

Fourth-grader Brody Ignaszewski went undefeated, earning All-American as well.

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Minnesota Storm won the tournament by dominating Pennsylvania in the finals.

Sixth-grader Cole Glazier wrestled for Minnesota Thunder, which placed ninth overall. Glazier received Most Valuable Wrestler.

Representing Minnesota Lightning — which placed 14th overall — were fourth-grader Logan Davis and  fifth-grader Mike Olson, who went undefeated at the tournament to earn All-American honors and receive Most Valuable Wrestler.

Albert Lea area wrestling varsity-assistant and youth coach Andy Hackenmueller said it was great having five wrestlers from the program represent their school and their state at the national level. 

“It is a testament to those kids and the amount of time and effort they have put in; it is also reassuring knowing that the Albert Lea Program will be competitive for a long time with those young leaders coming up,” Hackenmueller said in response to each Minnesota team recognizing an Albert Lea Wrestler as MVW.