Photos by Hillary Ehlen
Jaden Van Maanen
- Redshirt Freshman
- La Crosse, Wisconsin
- 149 pounds
- Was a two-time Wisconsin state champion for La Crosse High School before coming to NDSU.
Why NDSU wrestling?
I just kind of thought that NDSU was the best fit for me. I like the coaches a lot and the SHAC was just getting built and obviously, the SHAC is super nice. I love the team here, I love everyone, it’s awesome.
What is the difference between wrestling at NDSU and other places?
It’s just the guys we have on the team and the coaching staff. Everyone here is trying to make each other better and we’re building off of each other.
What is a key to your success this season?
I have to stay focused and work hard every single day. Not just pick and choose when I want to work hard, but just every time I’m in the wrestling room, on the track, in the weight room, I’m putting 100 percent effort into it.
Brandon Metz
- Redshirt Freshman
- West Fargo, North Dakota
- 285 pounds
- Compiled a 16-4 unattached record last season as a redshirt. Was a three-time North Dakota state champion at West Fargo High School.
Why NDSU wrestling?
I’ve been around the program for quite a while, since around the Spring of my sophomore year in high school. The coaching staff is really supportive and have been really involved with my wrestling. Especially coach Kish, him and I have had a good relationship since early in high school, he’s been a big factor in me growing as a wrestler and I take that to heart. When I step on the mat, I have the full support from all of them and that’s a big deal for me. I knew that coming into college and I think that made it an easy transition for me. Also as a kid, I’ve always wanted to support NDSU, I’m from here, I love it here.
How do you define the word tradition and how does it relate to NDSU wrestling?
Tradition is having standard and consistently meeting it. The tradition here is consistently pumping out great wrestlers and great people overall. If that’s what we’re doing at the end of the day, that’s the tradition that’s met.
What is the difference between wrestling at NDSU and other places?
It’s a little bit of an underdog effect. We’re not exactly top-tier, but we’re hungry because we do have good things about us. People see it and people recognize it and it does not go unnoticed.
How important was it for you to stay local when choosing a school to wrestle at?
Being comfortable overall is big. I walk around campus and I see tons of people I know and have so much support from the community. I see people out on the street or going out to eat asking me how NDSU is and how things are going. It’s just nice to strike up conversations with different people.
