Sjomeling earns rare wrestling honor
Posted on: Mar 16, 2018
DHS junior Reier Sjomeling captured a rare honor this season by putting forth extraordinary effort on the wrestling mat and in the classroom.
After excelling in both arenas, Sjomeling became just the fourth Tiger ever named to the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association 2018 All-State Academic Wrestling Team.
Only 28 Minnesota high school wrestlers make the team each season, two from each weight class. Members are determined by a mathematical formula that takes into account their cumulative grade point average, overall win-loss record, win percentage, state tournament participation and state tournament placement.
Sjomeling placed fifth at 113 pounds in this year’s state tournament, which was his first trip to state.
“We’ve had a lot of good wrestlers that do well academically who have not made this team,” said Delano head wrestling coach Jeff Olson. “It means a lot. We hope that our kids will excel in all areas of their life. Academics are obviously a huge part of that, so when kids like Reier demonstrate that, it feeds down and it’s an example to younger kids. It helps build that culture of kids who are committed to excellence in everything they do.”
Cody Socher (2008) was Delano’s first wrestler to make the team. Kevin Kneisl followed in 2016, and Reier’s older brother Tucker earned the honor in both 2016 and 2017.
“I thought this was a nice way to continue his legacy, but also make my own,” said Sjomeling.
Training to become a successful athlete is a time-consuming business, and Sjomeling is active year-round in tennis and cross country as well. How does he maintain his academic success in the midst of his other pursuits?
“I think the key to success in both the classroom and the wrestling room is putting in the extra time, whether that’s in the weight room for wrestling or just getting extra help from the teachers during school. That really helps overall with your grades,” Sjomeling said, adding that his favorite subject is calculus.
Olson said it is beneficial to have a student and athlete of Sjomeling’s caliber in the wrestling room, and said he deserved the recognition.
“It’s pretty awesome for him to earn this,” he said. “It’s a tremendous honor.”
* For more information on the all-state academic team, click here.