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By all measures, the Chisago Lakes High School wrestling team had a pretty successful season. Their 21 wins were the second most in school history and junior Clay Olson participated in the state tournament. "Overall, I was very happy with how season went," said Wildcat head coach Shawn Frederixon. Going into the season forfeiting four of the middle weights, we were pretty unsure what was going to happen record-wise. But the kids really came through. We've never had this many guys with thirty or more wins in a season, and four of those are underclassmen. Also, we ended up one short of the school record for wins."

Olson broke two school records this season. His 39 wins eclipsed the record of 38 set by the legendary Dan Dellwo in 1995. And Olson's 212 team points beat the mark of 208 set last year by Troy Montague. "Clay had an outstanding year," said Frederixon. "It was fun to see him experience the state tournament this season. He looks forward to an even better season as a senior next year." Olson's 39 wins also set the school record for wins by a junior. Travis Kammerer set the record for wins by a sophomore with 34, and Quade Zupko had the most wins ever by an eighth-grader, also with 34. Having these three wrestlers back next year bodes well for the Wildcats. Frederixon commented "We still have some weights we need to fill in for next year. If we get those filled in, we'll be fine. I'm definitely looking forward to next season."

Frederixon then talked about his senior wrestlers:

"Derek Silbernagel had been with us for four years. He's had some really good success for us. It's tough to lose a kid like Derek - he's a tough wrestler who behaves well and has good grades - all the things you like in an athlete."

"Tyler McConville came here three years ago and had to work hard to earn his spot because he was behind some really tough kids. He improved a lot in the last three years and won some big matches for us this year. He's a tough kid."

"Pao Thao had never wrestled before he won 17 matches for Blaine as a sophomore. He moved up here two years ago, got along really well with everyone right from the start and won 65 matches for us in two years."

"Thao Vang and Simon Ellerbusch are two guys who came out for wrestling the first time as seniors this year. Thao picked up things really fast, was really tough and definitely improved throughout the year. It's too bad he didn't come out earlier. Simon came out halfway through the season, decided to give it a try, had fun and stayed with us till the end. Both guys had great attitudes and worked hard. It was fun to have them on the team. And as a credit to the rest of our kids, they enjoyed having these two on the team and always encouraged them."

Here's a list of awards, personal achievements and records for this year's Wildcat wrestling team:

STATE TOURNAMENT ENTRANT

Clay Olson

NSC AWARDS

All Conference

Derek Silbernagel

Pao Thao

Clay Olson

Dylan Hoyt

Travis Kammerer

Quade Zupko

All Conference Honorable Mention

Jake Nase

Vince Virga

All Conference Academic

Derek Silbernagel

Thao Vang

TEAM AWARDS

Rookie of the Year - Jake Nase

Most Improved - Quade Zupko

Most Dedicated - Clay Olson

Mr. Inspirational - Travis Kammerer

Most Valuable Wrestler - Clay Olson

Captains - Tyler McConville, Derek Silbernagel, Pao Thao

Turkey Toss MVP - Jake Nase

"Mann" Award - Quade Zupko, Chase Kammerer, Thao Vang, Clay Olson

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY LEADERS

Wins - Clay Olson 39

Most Team Points - Clay Olson 212

Takedowns - Pao Thao 117

Pins - Dylan Hoyt 19

Most Near Falls - Derek Silbernagel 36

Most Reversals - Clay Olson 25

Most 1st Takedowns - Pao Thao 25

INDIVIDUAL SEASON WINS RECORDS

8th Grade - Quade Zupko 34

10th Grade - Travis Kammerer 34

11th Grade - Clay Olson 39

INDIVIDUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

30 Match Winners

Clay Olson, Travis Kammerer, Pao Thao, Quade Zupko, Jake Nase, Derek Silbernagel

20 Match Winners

Dylan Hoyt, Tyler McConville, Riley Myers

Fastest Fall for Varsity Wrestlers 2008-2009

Wt. Wrestler Fall Time

135 Easton Gilman 1:48

125 Tyler Heckel 1:41

140 Ben Hinderman 1:25

285 Dylan Hoyt* 0:12

145 Travis Kammerer 0:45

119 Tyler McConville 1:13

285 Nick Meyer 0:39

160 Andrew Miron 1:14

152 Riley Myers 0:33

215 Jake Nase 1:15

125 Brandon Oberg 1:58

189 Clay Olson 0:43

160 Derek Silbernagel 0:26

112 Bobby Sontag 1:56

112 Pao Thao 0:56

189 Vince Virga 1:52

103 Quade Zupko 0:20

*Fastest Fall Champ

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