Wrestling: White takes over as sole head coach of Warriors

Brainerd Warrior head coach Mikkey White (right) demonstrates a hold on Mason Callstrom (left) while Jonas Ewald watches at practice this week. Steve Kohls Brainerd Dispatch

By Michael Bialka

December 01, 2018 at 6:00 AM

With the resignation of Mike Boran following last season, Mikkey White steps in as the sole head coach of the Brainerd Warriors.

White served as co-head coach with Boran the last two seasons. White said his biggest change since taking over has been the addition of the behind the scenes work that accompanies the role of a sole head coach.

"As co-head coach with Mike, he took care of all that work while I planned and ran the practices, which I will continue to do," White said. "(Assistant) coaches Jim Kath and Marty Wagner have, and will continue, to be a huge part of our program."

White, whose team will open at the Wadena-Deer Creek Invitational Saturday, Dec. 1, is encouraged by what he has seen from his wrestlers since workouts began Nov. 19. Nine seniors return from last year's team that finished 11-13 overall. The delegation includes state entrants from two previous years- Brad Patnode (2016) and Braden Kramer (2015).

Brad Patnode went 29-10 primarily at 138 pounds last season. He finished third in the Section 8-3A individual tournament. Kramer was 15-12 at 152 last season and placed fifth in the section.

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Warriors Wrestling

Head coach: Mikkey White, third season (first year as head coach, co-head coach 2 years)
2017-18 record: 5-3 CLC, 11-13 overall
Captains: Brad Patnode, Kyle Patnode, Braden Kramer, Morgan Gibson
Assistant coaches: Jim Kath, Marty Wagner
Returning state entrants: Brad Patnode (2016), Braden Kramer (2015)

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"Both are technically really good," White said. "They're strong kids. They know how to win. The thing with Braden is we've got to keep him healthy this year. He's had some injuries that he has dealt with it seems like every year. If we can keep him healthy, this year he should be able to win a lot of matches. He's so hard to score on. He keeps such good position, which is why he can beat good kids.

"Brad's the same way. He's really tough. He can score a lot of points. He's good on his feet, tough on top. He battles. That's why he can win those matches."

Brad Patnode and Kramer are two of the four captains. Seniors Kyle Patnode, Brad's brother, and Morgan Gibson are the other captains.

Kyle Patnode compiled a 30-9 mark at 132 last season and finished third in the section. Morgan Gibson went 20-14 and finished sixth in the section at 182.

"Kyle has been right there for a lot of years," White said. "I think this is going to be his year. He's so stingy. It's really hard to score on Kyle. He surprises guys with his ability to stop them from being able to score on him. He's tough on top. He pins a lot of kids. I think he's going to do some really good things this year.

"Morgan's the same way. He's a really strong wrestler. We've got to see where the rest of the field lines up as far as other teams and who else is at 195. Morgan should be able to win quite a few matches. He's just a good, strong wrestler who's got a lot of drive. He's a great leader, too."

Other seniors back include Denny Busbey (29-9, fourth in section at 126), Mark Boran (9-7), Fletcher DeRosier (5-19), Josh Turner (6-10), John Nelson (12-12, eighth in section) and Isaiah Boberg (9-16, sixth in section at 170).

"Denny Busbey is going to win a lot of matches," White said. "He worked hard in the offseason and it's really paid off. He's super quick. He's a really good, technical wrestler. I think he's going to score a lot of points this year."

Junior Atlee Danielson, who placed third in the section at 106, is back after compiling a 25-9 mark last season. Junior Austin Newgord finished 11-16 and eighth in the section at 195.

In recent years, Brainerd has struggled to field wrestlers at 220 and 285. White hopes the addition of Pillager student Cade Barrett will help solve that problem.

"Cade wrestled for New London-Spicer last year," White said. "He will be our 220-pounder. He's going to do well. He's looking really good in the room.

"We do have a heavyweight, but it's his first year of wrestling. We will take some forfeits here and there. Until he gets more experience there, I don't want to throw him out to the wolves."

White expects Bemidji to be the team to beat in the section with defending champion Willmar close behind as well as Little Falls with Brainerd hopefully in the mix.

"I'm really excited about this season," White said. "I think we're going to have a real strong lineup. We will have the ability to move some people around. I think we'll be able to win a lot of matches. I think we've got a lot of talent.

"I'm excited about our leadership. We've got some strong leaders in our seniors and even with some of our other guys. We've got some quiet leaders that work hard. They pick out guys who are the toughest in the room and they go after them. Just having that kind of culture, and that kind of atmosphere in the room, is what's going to help make us better. I'm excited about the guys we have. It's just a great group of guys."

Roster

Seniors: Josh Turner 132, Denny Busbey 132, Kyle Patnode 138, Mitch Pontius 145, Mark Boran 145, Brad Patnode 152, John Nelson 160, Isaiah Boberg 170, Braden Kramer 170, Morgan Gibson 195

Juniors: Beau Kubesh 113, Atlie Danielson 120, Blake Wgeishofski 160, Tucker Peterson 160, Max Ferrie 170, Caleb Kramer 170, Austin Newgord 182, Cade Barrett 220, Tommy Fickett (out for season with injury)

Sophomores: Kyle Eschenbacher 126, Ben Boberg 132, Jadon Petrie 138, Harry Carlson 138, Paris Hampton 145, Forrest Gibson 182

Freshmen: Tommy Daniels 106, Griffin Carlson 106, Hunter Adamski 106, Gabe Wagner 132, Adam Cox 145, Dylan Wgeishofski 152, Talon Kintop 152, Jonas Ewald 182, Dalton Barrett 182, Mason Callstrom 182, Chandler Derosier 285

Eighth-grader: Isaiah Jillson 106

Schedule

Saturday, Dec 1, at Wadena-Deer Creek Invitational 10 a.m.

Thursday, Dec 6, Alexandria 7:15 p.m.

Friday, Dec 7, Paul Bunyan Invitational 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec 8, Paul Bunyan Invitational 10:30 a.m.

Dec 13, at Grand Rapids Quadrangular 4:30 p.m.

Dec 18, at Sauk Rapids quadrangular 5 p.m.

Dec 21, Royalton Triangular at Upsala 5 p.m.

Jan 5, at Cambridge-Isanti Invitational 9 a.m.

Jan 10, at St. Cloud vs. Tech/Apollo and Fergus Falls 5 p.m.

Jan 11-12, at Bemidji Invitational 10 a.m.