Spotlight on MN Storm's Zac Nielsen

Howdy All, I recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Zac Nielsen at the 2013 U.S. Open Championships in Las Vegas where Zac competed for the MN Storm in Greco 84kg. Zac ended up with a Silver medal with two pins (0:36 and 0:44) and a Tech Fall (7-0, 7-0) before dropping a decision to MN Storm's Jordan Holm (3-0, 1-0) in the finals.

I have known Zac for a while now as he is from my neck of the woods and have crossed paths many times.

Zac and Brandon Paulson

Zac is a senior at Northern Michigan University (NMU) majoring in German studies, minoring in International Studies, and on track to graduate this December.

In addition, Zac is a resident athlete in the United States Olympic Education center Greco-Roman wrestling program at NMU.

During our chat Zac mentioned he will be heading to Vienna, Austria for further studies to complete his degree. Tough duty and he will be crossing the pond again on return mid-June. As such Zac will not be competing at the World Team Trials this year to give priority to earning his degree.

p.s. Yes I am smiling much :)

Vienna, Austria - May 2013

Some more background...Zac was originally planning to attend Luther College in Iowa after High School, but Jim Grunwald, then a coach at NMU, felt NMU was a better fit and opportunity for Zac...except a good placing at Fargo Nationals was missing from Zac's resume. Zac then made a commitment to GR/FS training and competed at the 2007 Fargo Nationals - placing 2nd in Jr Greco and 3rd in Jr FS at 189lb and the deal was sealed for education and Greco training at NMU.

Fall at 2013 U.S. Open

3 Questions & Responses

What are your thoughts on the recent IOC recommendation to remove Olympic Wrestling in 2020?
It is devastating to say the least, for me, this is what I do, I am a wrestler so it is a little bit like training for state and then all of a sudden the MNSHL decided to cut wrestling from state and we would all be just stunned and baffled as to why. They could say  something like "no one is buying your tickets and thats why we're cutting you" and I would say in return, "I did not train for ticket sales, I trained for a state championship". And then to go on and say that if is a ratings issue or a ticket sales issue, to me, they want to get rid of it for a financial or political reason and that is exactly what the Olympics in my eyes is not about, putting all that stuff aside and having trained athletes compete in the arena of competition as a gesture of goodwill. It should be about the tradition and the competition and nothing else. Representing your country and yourself and recognizing the hard work that was done is what the Olympics mean to me.

What are you looking forward to most via the trip to Europe?

As far the trip goes, that is pretty much all in effort in order to finish my degree quicker and get on with my wrestling as soon as I can. Having said that, I am looking forward to just about everything I guess. This will be the longest trip I have ever had abroad I really get the chance to soak it in. This will really give me a chance to further observe a different culture, get better at the language, and meet some new friends.

What are your goal(s) for the year 2013?

The top goal of 2013 (because I am missing this years world team trials) will be to graduate from NMU. Wrestling is how I got to NMU and I don't want it to be the reason that I would leave. I am so close at this point it would be very silly to drop out now just because I want to hit the gas in wrestling.

Thanks much to Zac for his time!

More on Zac -

Northern Michigan University/USOEC (Marquette, MI):

2012-2013

• Second - US Open  (Las Vegas)

2011-2012

• Second - Haarvisto Cup (Imajoki, Finland)
• Second - U.S. Senior Open (Oklahoma City, Okla.)

2010-2011

• Fourth - 2011 Senior Open (Cleveland, Ohio)
• First - 2011 University Nationals (Akron, Ohio)

Before NMU/USOEC: Lettered in wrestling, football, and track (hurdles and first to go to State), played trumpet in the band at Zimmerman HS graduating in 2007. Drummer in the band Dueces Wild!

Wrestling

2005 171lb (A) MSHSL State Champion

2006 189lb (AA) MSHSL 3rd Place 

2007 189lb (AA) MSHSL State Champion

2007 189lb - Fargo Nationals 2nd Place Greco, 3rd Place Freestyle

#66 on theGuillotine MN HS wrestling career list with a 201-56 record

Football Records @ Zimmerman HS

Single Season, Yards………...  1406 (2006)
Career Total, Yards………….    2522 (’03-’06)
Most TD's, Game...................  6 (2006) vs. East Central
Most TD’s, Single Season…..   26 (2006)
Most TD’s, Career………….      36 (’03-’06)
Most Points, Career…………    198 (’03-’06)
MVP 2005 & 2006
2005 & 2006 - Rum River All-Conference

Personal: Zachary P. Nielsen ... born Nov. 22, 1988 in Zimmerman, MN. ... son of Pete and Jill Nielsen ... two brothers, Jeff (currently attending and wrestling for Augustana, Sioux Falls SD) and Carter (currently attending and wrestling for Foley HS) ... enjoys fishing, disc golf, and collecting coins.

Spotlight on MN Storm's Kevin LeValley

Kevin LeValley

Howdy All,
Recently had the opportunity to sit down for lunch and chat with Kevin LeValley down at the UofMN in the Dinkytown area, and had a great time discussing a wide range of topics generally associated with wrestling (i.e., yes, I did talk a bit about my passion for education, specifically math and sciences).

As we chatted I learned Kevin is currently earning a Masters Degree in Sports Management at the UofMN and is on schedule to complete in December 2013. Good stuff given the competitive landscape facing graduates in the current economy.

On the wrestling side Kevin is a Graduate Assistant Coach with the Gopher Wrestling team along with fellow Graduate Assistant Coaches Dustin Schlatter, Ben Berhow, and Zach Sanders.

In addition, Kevin is a member of the Minnesota Storm Freestyle team that trains under the tutelage of Jared Lawrence (co-owner of PINNacle Wrestling) and is bringing home honors and medals at the International level, specifically the past few months.

Kevin was named the Outstanding Wrestler for Men’s Freestyle competition at the 1^st Minnesota Storm Holiday Cup held this past December in Rochester and won the Gold medal at the Cerro Pelado International in Havana, Cuba on February 16^th.

  

Kevin resides in the Minneapolis area and rooms with past Gopher wrestlers Sonny Yohn and Cody Yohn, is not married, no kids, and has a girlfriend currently in Mankato seeking a Masters Degree.

Kevin attended Limon HS Colorado, and both his parents (Dan and Tammy) are involved with Colorado/USA Wrestling as Junior Director and Secretary respectively.

3 Questions & Responses

What are your thoughts on the recent IOC recommendation to remove Olympic Wrestling in 2020?

Like the rest of the wrestling community, I was alarmed at the IOC's decision to drop wrestling in 2020.  After taking some time to look deeper into the issue at hand, I am confident that both USAW and FILA are doing everything in their power to reverse that decision.  Wrestling is a historic, global, and blue-collar sport.  Wrestling has helped to provide me with an education while instilling in me many of the qualities I believe are necessary to be successful in every aspect of life.  I am very grateful for everything this sport has provided me and my family over the years, and hope that future generations will have the opportunity to compete in the sport I have grown to love.  

You mentioned the food in Cuba was good - what was your favorite?

Everything about Cuba was great.  The people, the wrestling, and yes....the food.  There was a small stand across the street from where we stayed that made the BEST Cuban sandwiches for less than a buck...they were great!

What are your goal(s) for the year 2013? 

The ultimate goal for 2013 is to make the World Team and win a gold medal at the 2013 World Championships.  First things first though, I have to take care of business at the U.S. Open.

Thanks much to Kevin for his time! and please note:

Kevin’s next competition is this week @ the US Open April 17-20 in Las Vegas, NV.

Kevin LeValley vs Kyle Dake at 2011 EIWA 149lb Championship

More on Kevin -

Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA) 149 pounds:
Career Highlights:
2X NCAA Division I All-American (7th in 2010, 7th in 2011)

2011 EIWA Champion

All-time wins leader (127-40 career record)
Single season wins leader (42 in 2009-2010 season)
Team USA University World Team Member (2010)
8-time Bucknell Bison Athlete of the Week
2011 Bucknell University Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award

Before Bucknell: Lettered in wrestling and golf at Limon High School ... served as three-year captain under head coach Cameron Soester ... won four high school state titles ... named Colorado Wrestler of the Year in 2007 ... set state record with 260 career near falls ... was a three-time USAW Junior National Greco All-American ... also earned All-America honors for his runner-up finish at the 2006 NHSCA Junior Nationals ... won three Greco state championships ... claimed two freestyle state championships and one runner-up finish ... earned All-America Scholar, NHSCA Academic All-America and Academic All-State honors ... went 152-6 in his career.

Personal: Kevin L. LeValley ... born Nov. 5, 1988 in Blackwell, Okla. ... son of Dan and Tammy LeValley ... has one sister, Dani ... father played football at McPherson College ... majoring in education.