Cody was a 3x state champion for Waverly-Shell Rock and was part of the 2008 team that set the all-time point record with 225 points. He went on to wrestle at Northern Iowa, where he qualified for nationals his sophomore year. He’s now the Assistant Coach at South Dakota State. Cody and his wife just welcomed their first baby, Colt William. Welcome to the wrestling family! So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Cody Caldwell!

When it comes to high school wrestling in Iowa, the Reiter’s are one of the most successful families. Bart Reiter was Iowa’s 18th 4x high school state champion and the second in his family to accomplish the feat, with the other being Mack, one of his brothers. Bart went on to wrestle at the University of Minnesota before finishing out his career at UNI. He’s now the co-owner of Reiter Construction with Eddie, another one of his brothers. You can find out more information about Reiter Construction by checking out their Facebook page. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Bart Reiter!

Remember last week when I told you to remember this name? Well I was lucky enough to sit down with Blake Rasing! Blake is from New Hampton, Iowa, where he won a state title at heavyweight his senior year against last week’s guest, Brian Rodas. He went on to wrestle for the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he is the last Hawkeye wrestler to win a Big Ten title. He now resides in Chicago and loves doing taxes. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Blake Rasing!

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I’ve been blessed to have grown up around some hammers on the mat, and Brian Rodas was certainly one of them. Brian wrestled at MFL MarMac High School, where he was consistently one of the top guys in the state at 215 and heavyweight. However, his road to state always seemed to go through kids who ended up either at or near the top of the podium at the state tournament. Brian finally qualified for state his senior year, where he finished runner-up to Blake Rasing of New Hampton. Remember that name. Brian also starred on the football field and went on to both wrestle and play football at Southwest Minnesota State University. He now is an assistant coach at Minneota High School, one of the top Class A programs in Minnesota. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Brian Rodas!

Alex grew up in Neola, Iowa and attended Underwood High School. He was a 4x Iowa high school state champion, compiling a record of 190-1. He’s going into his junior season at the University of Nebraska and I’m really expecting big things from him this year. We talk about a lot of different things in this episode, from fishing to wrestling to Jersey Shore. It was blast to get to know Alex. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Alex Thomsen!

Alex Thomsen signature apparel website: https://www.chainwrestling.co/collections/alex-thomsen

Doug grew up in the small town of Arlington, Iowa, but has gone on to do big things in the wrestling community. He was a 2x Iowa high school state champion for Starmont before becoming an All-American at the University of Iowa. He became the head wrestling coach of the Linn-Mar Lions in 1997 and has built them into one of the most well-respected programs in the state. His wealth of wrestling knowledge is great and it’s easy to understand why he’s been able to sustain so much success. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Coach Doug Streicher!

This isn’t a story about failed college expectations. This is a story about overcoming adversity, perseverance and really finding the best fit for you. Destin paved his own path that was right for him as opposed to following the path that others thought he should take. I’m super humble that Destin came on and allowed me to help tell his story. This is one episode you won’t want to miss. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Destin McCauley!

Kyven was one of those kids that had all the talent in the world. He was a 3x Iowa high school state finalist and 2x state champ. He went on to wrestle at Iowa State University, where he overcame a devastating shoulder injury his freshman year to become a 3x All-American as well as a national champion his senior year. He’s been successful on the international circuit thus far and has paired with Constant Pressure Sports and released his own apparel. You can find the link in the show notes if you want to buy some Kyven Gadson merchandise. He created the Be Rare Initiative in 2020 and is also one of the founding members of the Black Wrestling Association. The dude is always grinding. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy, Kyven Gadson!

Kyven Gadson apparel: https://www.cp.clothing/kyven-gadson/

Courtney is as passionate about wrestling as anyone I’ve come across. She was the first woman to wrestle varsity all 4 years at her high school. She’s now an InterMat correspondent covering specifically the MAC and has written incredible articles showcasing some great wrestling stories. You can find a couple of her stories below to see for yourself. With that being said, please sit back, relax and enjoy, Courtney Woods!

Courtney Woods articles: https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24952 --------- https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24748