Chris and Tim are back with another NCAA Nationals Special Edition — starting with a quick recap of the Minnesota high school grads, Gophers, and NDSU wrestlers they’re following in Cleveland.

Then things get special.
Tim’s daughter, Steph Rice, joins the show to share a perspective we don’t hear often enough. A three‑sport high school athlete who would have wrestled in a heartbeat if girls wrestling had existed back then, Steph talks about what the sport meant to her, what she missed out on, and what it’s like watching today’s generation finally get the opportunities she never had.

It’s heartfelt, honest, and the perfect addition to our NCAA coverage.

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We kick off our NCAA Nationals coverage with a special episode packed with road trip memories, wrestling stories, and the athletes we’ll be following in Cleveland. After 16 years of traveling together, we’ve got tales to tell! We are spotlighting three groups of wrestlers:

• Minnesota high school grads chasing national glory
• North Dakota State standouts ready to make noise
• University of Minnesota Gophers with championship dreams

From the basement to the big stage, this is Matside Minnesota Extra — Special Edition.

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Yeah…
Season one in the books, Minnesota style.
Grab your headgear, we takin’ it matside.

Twenty-two episodes, yeah we put in the grind,
Talking Minnesota wrestling every single time.
From the first big show when the season got goin’,
Coach Horn and Moen had the welcome mat rollin’.

Pillager in the house, yeah the wrestling world grew,
Building up the community, that’s what wrestlers do.
Cardinal editions digging deep in the past,
Staples wrestling history all the way back to ‘59 fast.

Derek on the mic asking questions so clean,
Studio he built looking sharp on the scene.
Chris telling stories from the ref’s point of view,
Years on the whistle so you know it’s all true.

Sometimes we stumble with the “alright… well…”
Tryin’ to drop the ums but you know the show’s swell.
Talking coaches all around the state line,
Koetter, Card, Pickar, Wagner — wrestling lifeline.

Bemidji girls coach Bahr brought the energy through,
Then Adam Hagen — yeah we taped that one twice too.
Technical glitches but we powered right through,
That’s podcast wrestling grit — what we do.

Big moment though, history written that night,
Three Staples-Motley girls heading down to state lights.
Girls wrestling rising and we’re learning the game,
Minnesota’s growing — remember the name.

Live from Anchor North, yeah the crowd came to hear,
“Winner winner chicken dinner!” fundraiser cheer.
Cardinal fans backing wrestlers all season long,
That community support keeps the program strong.

Got a superfan listenin’, never missin’ a take,
Willy Tappe tuned in to every move we make.
Even brought a clock so the hosts stay on track,
Still run long sometimes — but we appreciate that.

So thanks for listening all across the state line,
From youth mats to the bright state tournament shine.
Season one done but the story’s not outside—

Stay strong…
…and stay Matside.

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Matside Minnesota – Cardinal Edition

For our final Cardinal Edition of the season, we’re closing things out with two powerful conversations that capture the heart of Staples‑Motley wrestling.

We begin with Mark Anderson, Editor of the Staples World newspaper, who recently wrote the editorial “Staples‑Motley Wrestling 2026 Was an All‑Time Top Team.” Mark joins us to talk about the numbers, the history, and the moments that make the case that this year’s Cardinals might be one of the best Class A teams ever assembled.

In the second segment, we welcome senior Turner Beachy for a long‑awaited interview. Turner’s story is one of resilience, loyalty, and incredible athletic range. From a season filled with injuries and illness, to cutting down to 127 pounds for the good of the team, to his past success as a state wrestling placewinner, pole vault champion, and member of a state runner‑up football team — Turner has lived one of the most unique careers in Cardinal history. And now, he’s heading to Miles City, Montana to pursue his passion for rodeo.

A fitting finale to a special season of Cardinal Edition — full of pride, perspective, and the stories that make this community so special.

#MatsideMinnesota #CardinalEdition #StaplesMotley #MNwrestling #HighSchoolWrestling #TurnerBeachy #StaplesWorld

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We are back from an unforgettable weekend at the Minnesota State High School League State Wrestling Tournament, and this episode is all about reliving the best moments. We share our experiences both matside and inside the NSPN streaming booth, where we helped bring wall‑to‑wall coverage of every match to fans across the state.

We break down the matches and teams that stood out, the storylines that defined the weekend, and the moments that will stick with us long after the lights at Grand Casino Arena fade.

A mix of reflection, analysis, and the kind of storytelling that makes the state tournament special every single year.

#MatsideMinnesota #MNwrestling #StateTournament #HighSchoolWrestling #NSPN #MSHSL

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Matside Minnesota

This week’s episode is a two‑part sprint toward the postseason.

In Segment One, we break down team section tournaments from the past weekend, giving each class just six minutes on the clock. It’s fast, focused, and packed with takeaways from one of the most exciting weeks of the year.

In Segment Two, we welcome Aaron Lorentz of MNwrestle to help preview this weekend’s individual section tournaments. Once again, the timer is set for six minutes per section, covering storylines, top contenders, and the matchups fans should be watching as wrestlers battle for their ticket to Grand Casino Arena.

A rapid‑fire, info‑loaded episode that sets the stage for an electric postseason.

#MatsideMinnesota #MNwrestling #SectionTournaments #HighSchoolWrestling #MNWrestle #RoadToState

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Matside Minnesota – Cardinal Edition

In this episode, We sit down with two of the Staples‑Motley Cardinals’ most experienced and wrestlers, Elijah Greenwaldt and Riley Reese. Both seniors are highly ranked in their weight classes and bring the perspective of athletes who have already battled their way to the Minnesota State Tournament in past seasons.

The guys talk through some of the biggest matches of the year, how these seniors have grown as competitors, and what it means to lead a Cardinal team with major postseason aspirations. Elijah and Riley share insights on training, mindset, and the challenges of navigating a tough schedule as they prepare for one final run.

A great mix of experience, personality, and Cardinal pride.

#MatsideMinnesota #CardinalEdition #StaplesMotley #MNwrestling #HighSchoolWrestling #ElijahGreenwaldt #RileyReese

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Matside Minnesota

In this fast‑paced episode, we break down all seven sections we cover — 6A, 7A, 8A, 6AA, 7AA, 8AA, and 8AAA — using a six‑minute timer for each preview. Some sections stayed within regulation… and a couple needed overtime.

We look at:

• The top seeds in each section
• Potential high‑stakes rematches
• One or two must‑watch individual matchups
• Storylines that could shape the road to state

It’s rapid‑fire and full of the energy that makes section week one of the best times of the year in Minnesota wrestling.

#MatsideMinnesota #MNwrestling #SectionPreview #HighSchoolWrestling #RoadToState

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