Frieden approved to lead Elkader Central wrestling program

Elkader Central took another step toward the return of its high school wrestling program.

After four seasons in a sharing agreement with Upper Iowa Conference power MFL Mar Mac, the Warriors have a new head coach. According to a report from correspondent with The Gazette, the Central Community School Board approved a contract Monday, naming Isaac Frieden to the position.

After a dip in numbers that left them with only five starters in 2009, Elkader Central merged with the Bulldogs. According to the correspondent report, enough students expressed interest to reinstate the program.

The Warriors tied for 52 in the Class 1A state meet in 2009 with seven points. Nick Winter was the last state medalist for Elkader Central, placing eighth at 125 pounds that year.

Winter and Mitch Funk placed at the 2A state meet the following year. Funk was fourth at 103, while Winter was fifth at 140. Winter also placed eighth at 152 in 2011.

Jed Siegwarth was another Elkader Central wrestler, who placed for the combined program, earning eighth at 140 in 2011.

Frieden was a standout at Valley Community, placing seventh at 152 in the 2008 1A state meet as a senior.

MFL MarMac Coach Chet Bachman led the program since the merger. Jarod Bormann was the Warriors' last independent season.

These are from the compilation book "Wrestlers, clear the mats..." by Dan McCool. Visit the works of one of the nation's top wrestling writers at http://reachforthestars1921.com/

He assembled this listing of sate qualifiers (and some placers) from Elkader and Central of Elkader through the years:

1967 - Jim Gilmore, Elkader 95 pounds

1967 - Rick Maehl, Elkader Hwt

1982 - Paul Monroe, Central (Elkader) 155 pounds

1982 - Bob Burgin, Central (Elkader) 185 pounds

1984 - Paul Monroe, Central (Elkader) 155 pounds

1984 - Jim Berns, Central (Elkader) 185 pounds

1998 - Darrell Jaster, Central (Elkader) 189 pounds

2003 - Zach Wilker, Central (Elkader) 215 pounds

2004 - Zach Wilker, Central (Elkader) 215 pounds (fourth place)

2007 - Zach Mueller, Central (Elkader) 112 pounds

2008 - Nick Mueller, Central (Elkader) 103 pounds

2008 - Nick Winter, Central (Elkader) 112 pounds

2009 - Mitch Funk, Central (Elkader) 103 pounds

2009 - Nick Winter, Central (Elkader) 125 pounds (eighth place)

2012 - Jed Siegwarth, MFL/Mar-Mac/Central 145 pounds (eighth place)

2012 - Aaron Hundt, MFL/Mar-Mac/Central 220 pounds