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Kelliher named MWCA Mr. Minnesota of Wrestling; Jackson named Coach of the Year

April 4, 2011

Matt Kelliher of Apple Valley is this year's Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association (MWCA) Mr. Minnesota of Wrestling. He will be honored at the MWCA Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, April 9th in Benson, MN.

The MWCA annually presents the Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler award to the senior that best exemplifies the highest ideals of high school wrestling in Minnesota. Judging is based on past performances, citizenship, academics, leadership, and adherence to MSHSL rules.

Kelliher is a three-time state champion and a four-time state finalist. He won the Class AAA 135 pound title this year, the 125 pound title as a junior, and the 119 pound title as a sophomore. Matt also placed second at 112 pounds as a freshman.

He ended his high school career with a 174-14 record (winning 92.6%).

Kelliher was an Apple Valley team captain his junior and senior seasons and he helped the Eagles win state championships every year he competed for them.

Kelliher was a double All-American at the 2010 USA Wrestling Junior Nationals placing second in freestyle and eighth in Greco-Roman. He was an All-American as a cadet in 2009 placing third in freestyle.

Kelliher, Apple Valley's third MWCA Mr. Minnesota Wrestler, will continue his wrestling career in college next year with the Wisconsin Badgers.

Matt's brother Tom is a redshirt sophomore for the Badgers and his brother Craig is a redshirt freshman for Central Michigan.

Matt's parents are Tom and Darla and his high school coach is Jim Jackson.

Also being honored at the Bartelma Hall of Fame Banquet will be Minnesota Head Coach of the Year selection Jim Jackson of Apple Valley, Assistant Coach of the Year Dave Pfaffinger of Blue Earth Area, and Lifetime Achievement honoree Dwight Burman of St. James.

Jackson and Pfaffinger, along with Kelliher now represent Minnesota as The National Wrestling Coaches Association’s State award winners and may be selected for further honors at the Regional and National levels.

2011 MWCA Bartelma Hall of Fame inductees are John Barrett, Jim Carrington, Jim Dotseth, Jeff Gallagher, Ed Homan, Bruce Thompson, Stephen “Pete” Saxe, and Joel Sharratt.

MWCA Mr. Minnesota Wrestlers: 2011 - Matt Kelliher, Apple Valley 2010 - Dylan Ness, Bloomington Kennedy 2009 - Kevin Steinhaus, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 2008 - Jake Deitchler, Anoka 2007 - Zach Sanders, Wabasha-Kellogg 2006 - Mike Thorn, Saint Michael-Albertville 2005 - Nate Matousek, Glencoe-Silver Lake 2004 - Charlie Falck, Apple Valley 2003 - Eric Sanders, Wabasha-Kellogg 2002 - Jeff Pfaffinger, Blue Earth Area 2001 - Marcus LeVesseur, Bloomington Kennedy 2000 - Nate Baker, Jackson County Central 1999 - Jacob Volkmann, Battle Lake-Underwood-Henning 1998 - Luke Becker, Cambridge-Isanti 1997 - Chad Erikson, Apple Valley 1996 - Dan Duncombe, St. Michael-Albertville 1995 - Jon Fitzgerald, Martin County West 1994 - Chad Kraft, Heron Lake-Okabena-Lakefield 1993 - Brandon Howe, Totino Grace 1992 - Brandon Paulson, Anoka 1991 - Chad Nelson, Stewartville 1990 - Chad Carlson, Willmar