Kuball strikes gold

According to WEM-JWP wrestling coach Skyler Petry, the state tournament is the most exciting part of the season and of the whole year for wrestling fans.

This year was even better for the Grizzlies.

Keegan Kuball, a sophomore, came home with the Class A state championship at 285 pounds. He's the fourth Grizzly to win a state title since WEM and JWP combined for wrestling in 2008, joining Brady Ayers in 2013, Petry in 2014 and Will Storch in 2018.

Petry said the state tournament experience is like none other.

"The amount of wrestling talent and excitement all packed into one arena can't be matched by much else," he said. "It's the time of year where you get to see hours, days, and years of training and effort all come together to hopefully get the results the guys have been running towards."

Petry felt Kuball is a great example of a tough wrestler who had the goods to win the tournament last year, but came up short in some matches that stayed on his mind and the coaches' minds for this whole year.

"It stings more when you know you're so close to winning a title in terms of ability, but just miss the podium," said Petry. "That sticks with you in your mind for a long time. I didn't coach Keegan last year, but have known him from growing up with my younger brother, Carson Petry, since they were little, young scrappers and have watched him many times before as he grew older and could see that he was going to be really tough one of these days."

Coaching Kuball has been a pleasure for Petry.

"Being able to help coach him this year was awesome as there was a whole village behind him in supporting his endeavors," said Petry.

Kuball's parents, Nate and Shannon, are very involved in wrestling events.

"They have done a terrific job of raising Keegan into a hard-working, respectful, and competitive young man," said Petry. "It was even better this year to get former Grizzly wrestlers Brady Ayers and Colin Ayers to help Keegan get as ready as possible for the state tournament. Throughout the season, you wouldn't have to worry about Keegan pushing himself every day in the wrestling room. You never wanted to miss him battling it out with teammate Jack Cahill or some of his coaches. His positive attitude and effort rub off on the rest of the team and have made him not only a great wrestler, but a great leader as well."

Petry was especially impressed with how Kuball bounced back from last year's disappointing showing at the Xcel Energy Center.

"We know how hard it can feel to go to the state tournament with hopes of winning the whole tournament and come home with heartbreak instead," said Petry. "Seeing him use that as fuel for this season was that much more satisfying when he finally got his hand raised on the biggest stage in the state. Even this season he had some results that didn't sit well with him, but his supportive family, teammates, and coaches still believed in him that he can bring it all together when it matters most, and you could see it in Keegan that he believed he could do it too. Keegan isn't the biggest hugger in the world, but after his comeback victory in the finals, not a single person could hug and congratulate him quick enough."

Petry said Kuball is an outstanding example of what the coaches want WEM-JWP wrestlers to be.

"He excels in all elements that we emphasize for our wrestlers to take away from the sport: leadership, integrity, family, and effort. He is a leader by example in the way he holds himself on the mat and in the classroom. He shows integrity in the way he supports his teammates and the way he wins and loses matches with respect without making excuses or complaints for why things didn't go well. He loves to compete and win, but still does a great job being humble in his victories as well. He has a big supporting family as well as his wrestling family that he supports right back. He fights and works hard to represent his families in the best light possible. Lastly, his effort in the aspects of life he pursues is just what you want to see in a great wrestler and person in life. I get the luxury of being his teacher and coach and seeing that his effort doesn't happen only in the wrestling room."