By CHRIS AARHUS, Staff Writer [email protected]
For years now, people watching the state wrestling tournament have asked one question: Who would win between Class A and Class B? Thanks to Grand Forks Central head coach Matt Berglund, fans are about find out.
On July 15, the best of Class A will match up against the best of Class B in the first-ever North Dakota Dual Classic, which is to be held at the Bismarck High School gymnasium.
Berglund has been the dual’s catalyst, organizing it from the very beginning.
“This is something we’ve talked about for a very long time, “Berglund said. “I took it upon myself to say ‘let’s stop talking about it and do something. We’ve had a lot of support from other coaches around wrestling.”
The obvious purpose for the dual is to see the best of each class go head to head, but that is unlikely to happen as champions might have other conflicts. In any case, the top five finishes for all 14 weight classes of Class A and Class B were sent letters. If the champion of one team’s weight class isn’t able to make it, the runner-up will fill in. If the runner-up is not available, then the third place winner will take the spot and so on …
According to Berglund, the biggest thing about organizing the first official Dual Classic is getting the participants to make it an annual event.
“With it being the first year, it’s not going to be well known, “Berglund said. “This is another way to showcase the sport.”
Berglund didn’t dream up a scenario overnight and send out a few letters to put this dual in action. It took a little more than that.
The dual had to be sanctioned and, since doing a seniors-only dual would be nearly impossible, Berglund went to USA Wrestling. USA Wrestling has sanctioned the event and it will follow the same guidelines as the North Dakota High School Activities Association.
“Since this isn’t a senior-only event, it had to be sanctioned by an outside entity, “Berglund said. “We checked with NDHSAA to see about conflicts with high school wrestling and it’s fine as long as we don’t mention the (North Dakota High School) Coaches Association or the NDHSAA.”
Berglund originally had the idea in high school when he wrestled for Valley City. He was a two-time state champion in 1993-94.
“I would have loved to have done this in high school, “Berglund said. “I never got a chance to do that. People can see how (the two classes) measure up. I played in the Shrine football game and that was a memorable experience. We want to create that for wrestlers.”
As of right now, Class A has the advantage as six champions have already committed. Kyle Williams of Grand Forks Central, Daron Hohbein of Mandan, Chris Lundberg of West Fargo and T.J. Sailor, Tyler Johnson and Scott Glasser, all from Bismarck High, have agreed to partake in the event.
On the Class B side, Casey Buchholz of Oakes and Heath Roberts of Velva-Garrison-Max-Sawyer have committed.
“Hopefully, this is something that takes off, “Berglund said. “I admire a state champion who wants to wrestle a state champion.”
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