By Brenda Erdahl
Sports Editor
Annandale – Maple Lake wrestlers received the thrill of a lifetime when wrestling great Kyle Dake came to town to bestow some knowledge and show off a few moves.
Dake, a four-time NCAA Division 1 Champion and Olympic bronze medalist visited Maple Lake High School, Saturday, Dec. 2, where he took over practice for the day. He demonstrated some moves, gave athletes some insight on diet and how to approach competition, and talked about what it takes to be a champion.
Not only is Dake a four-time NCAA Division 1 champion, he is the only wrestler in NCAA history to win the honor at four different weights. He is also a three-time EIWA champion, a four-time world champion, a one-time Hodge Trophy winner and a bronze medalist in the 2020 summer Olympics.
As a student at Cornell University in New York, he posted a final collegiate wrestling record of 137-4 and ended his college career on a 77-match win streak with two undefeated seasons. He currently lives in Ithica, NY with his family.
ANML Head Coach Ben Youngs said having Dake host practice for the afternoon in Maple Lake was an unbelievable opportunity.
“The (kids) who know wrestling are thrilled. Some of the newer kids probably can’t grasp just how big of a deal it is, but it’s an unbelievable opportunity and all my friends who are involved in the sport can’t believe we get him here,” Youngs said.
This is the second time Dake has visited the ANML team. Two years ago, almost to the day, he was in town doing the exact same thing – teaching the local athletes how to be better wrestlers. It’s not chance that brings the renown athlete to the area. The Nilsons, who have a son wrestling for the ANML team have a family connection with the Dakes, Youngs said.
The students and Dake had a busy afternoon Saturday. Practice started at 3:30 p.m. with Dake in the driver’s seat. At 4:30 p.m. elementary aged wrestlers and parents were invited to watch from the stands. From 5:15 to 5:45 the elementary wrestlers were on the mat with Dake and afterward there was time for pictures and autographs.