Highly touted wrestler and five-time state champion in Minnesota Mark Hall just won his class at nationals. He is now training in Colorado Springs. Here is a brief interview with him and Bob Sandsevere of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press:
Mark Hall is on a roll. In February, as a junior, he won his fifth straight individual wrestling championship for Apple Valley High School. He hasn't lost a high school match since his freshman year.
Last weekend, Hall went to Las Vegas for the United World Wrestling Junior Freestyle National Championships for 17- to 20-year-olds. He won his weight class at 163 pounds and was selected the tournament's outstanding wrestling. Next year for Apple Valley, Hall will attempt to become Minnesota's first six-time state champion. Hall left Apple Valley about a week after winning his fifth state title to work out at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
BS: Why the decision to leave Apple Valley for Colorado Springs?
MH: I think it's a maturity thing. This is the first time for me to be out here alone. I'm training with the top senior-level wrestlers in the world. I wouldn't be able to get that type of training in Apple Valley. When I'm in Apple Valley, it is exceptional with the coaches I have. I just wanted a little more.
BS: Are you still doing schoolwork with Apple Valley?
MH: I'm taking online classes.
BS: Is that easier or more difficult than attending class?
MH: A little of both. Parts are harder. Parts are easier.
BS: How much of each day is spent wrestling?
MH: Four days we'll wrestle two times a day. Sometimes, we'll lift weights. Sundays we're off. Saturdays are one practice. It wears on you a little bit, but it's why not just anybody can be out here. You have to be tough. It's not something that takes a toll on your body. It's fun.
BS: Are you one of the younger wrestlers in the program?
MH: I'm the youngest, and the smallest, too. When I say smallest I don't mean everybody is over 200 pounds. There are a couple of guys out of college and a couple of guys who will be going into college next year. Most of the ages are 20 to 25.
BS: Was it a little intimidating at first?
MH: No. I've been out here before. Wrestling against the older senior-level guys, I learned to have no fear.
BS: Talking about fear, do you see fear in guys when they face you in high school matches?
MH: Maybe a little bit. I think for the high school season, I go out and have fun. It doesn't last forever. I try not to focus on the other guy I have to wrestle. I try to cherish the moments I have with my teammates.
BS: There is no doubt you will wrestle for Apple Valley as a senior?
MH: No doubt.
BS: How big a deal is it to be a six-time state champion?
MH: It's a huge deal. Nobody has done it before. For me, I have to keep my head on straight and keep making the right decisions. I've only won five so far. Six individual and six team championships are not promised.
BS: Do you know where you'll go to college?
MH: No.
BS: I'm guessing you've heard from every big-time wrestling program?
MH: A lot of Big Ten schools. Big 12. A lot of schools from the bigger wrestling conferences.
BS: Would you have a problem if a college wanted you to redshirt as a freshman?
MH: I don't mind. It's not a big deal to me if I have to redshirt. I'd still be wrestling and working out.
BS: What are your goals beyond a sixth straight state title?
MH: At least win three NCAA titles. I can expect three out of myself. I think three or four is a good goal for me and then go right into the Olympics.
BS: What Olympics are you focusing on?
MH: I can try next year. I'll really be all in for 2020.
Mark Hall is on a roll. In February, as a junior, he won his fifth straight individual wrestling championship for Apple Valley High School. He hasn't lost a high school match since his freshman year.
Last weekend, Hall went to Las Vegas for the United World Wrestling Junior Freestyle National Championships for 17- to 20-year-olds. He won his weight class at 163 pounds and was selected the tournament's outstanding wrestling. Next year for Apple Valley, Hall will attempt to become Minnesota's first six-time state champion. Hall left Apple Valley about a week after winning his fifth state title to work out at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
BS: Why the decision to leave Apple Valley for Colorado Springs?
MH: I think it's a maturity thing. This is the first time for me to be out here alone. I'm training with the top senior-level wrestlers in the world. I wouldn't be able to get that type of training in Apple Valley. When I'm in Apple Valley, it is exceptional with the coaches I have. I just wanted a little more.
BS: Are you still doing schoolwork with Apple Valley?
MH: I'm taking online classes.
BS: Is that easier or more difficult than attending class?
MH: A little of both. Parts are harder. Parts are easier.
BS: How much of each day is spent wrestling?
MH: Four days we'll wrestle two times a day. Sometimes, we'll lift weights. Sundays we're off. Saturdays are one practice. It wears on you a little bit, but it's why not just anybody can be out here. You have to be tough. It's not something that takes a toll on your body. It's fun.
BS: Are you one of the younger wrestlers in the program?
MH: I'm the youngest, and the smallest, too. When I say smallest I don't mean everybody is over 200 pounds. There are a couple of guys out of college and a couple of guys who will be going into college next year. Most of the ages are 20 to 25.
BS: Was it a little intimidating at first?
MH: No. I've been out here before. Wrestling against the older senior-level guys, I learned to have no fear.
BS: Talking about fear, do you see fear in guys when they face you in high school matches?
MH: Maybe a little bit. I think for the high school season, I go out and have fun. It doesn't last forever. I try not to focus on the other guy I have to wrestle. I try to cherish the moments I have with my teammates.
BS: There is no doubt you will wrestle for Apple Valley as a senior?
MH: No doubt.
BS: How big a deal is it to be a six-time state champion?
MH: It's a huge deal. Nobody has done it before. For me, I have to keep my head on straight and keep making the right decisions. I've only won five so far. Six individual and six team championships are not promised.
BS: Do you know where you'll go to college?
MH: No.
BS: I'm guessing you've heard from every big-time wrestling program?
MH: A lot of Big Ten schools. Big 12. A lot of schools from the bigger wrestling conferences.
BS: Would you have a problem if a college wanted you to redshirt as a freshman?
MH: I don't mind. It's not a big deal to me if I have to redshirt. I'd still be wrestling and working out.
BS: What are your goals beyond a sixth straight state title?
MH: At least win three NCAA titles. I can expect three out of myself. I think three or four is a good goal for me and then go right into the Olympics.
BS: What Olympics are you focusing on?
MH: I can try next year. I'll really be all in for 2020.