Matside Minnesota

Matside Minnesota

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.

Episodes

January 22, 2026 67 mins

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, perspect...

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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

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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

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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 s...

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January 1, 2026 53 mins

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 th...

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December 25, 2025 79 mins

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 buildi...

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December 17, 2025 87 mins

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 defini...

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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 leadi...

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December 4, 2025 63 mins

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 ...

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November 27, 2025 57 mins

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.

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November 20, 2025 56 mins

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 Etzl...

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