Feature Stories from the Star Eagle pages.
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NRHEG grad channels his passion for wrestling into the business world
STILL COMPETITIVE — Though he left his wrestling gear long in the past, 1997 NRHEG graduate Matt Petsinger has not lost his competitive nature, but now he uses it to help people through his American Family Insurance office in Waseca. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
Matt Petsinger has gained a couple pounds since his high school and college days.
But it’s still probably best not to mess with him. If you do, you might quickly find yourself in a headlock on your back. Old habits die hard, you know.
Petsinger, a 1997 NRHEG graduate, is the most decorated wrestler to wear a Panther uniform, amassing an amazing 171 career victories, including an incredible 131 falls. Both are, of course, school records. He earned six varsity letters, advanced to state three times and twice finished as state runner-up. He followed with an illustrious career at Minnesota State-Mankato, where he was a four-time Division II All-American and national champion as a senior.
These days Petsinger can be found on main street in Waseca, where he runs the American Family Insurance office, something he’s done since last year. He recently purchased a building in New Richland with hopes of future expansion.
Of course, wrestling has never been far from his mind or his life. He’s still asked about the state championship match against Brad Pike of Hayfield when he was a junior. The match was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation and still tied at the end of overtime. Then the referee tossed a coin. Pike won and of course chose the lower position, virtually assuring the win.
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New pastor comes to area from Northern Minnesota
WELCOME TO NEW RICHLAND — Brian Schanil is the new pastor at Vista Evangelical Covenant Church. (Star Eagle photo by Melanie Piltingsrud)
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Contributing Writer
Pastor Brian Schanil just started ministering at Vista Evangelical Covenant a few weeks ago.
One of Schanil’s impressions of the New Richland area so far is that it’s warmer than his previous pastoral call in Warren, MN, just 60 miles south of the Canadian border. He served as a pastor there for 21 years. Schanil says he accepted the call at Vista because he needed a different challenge.
Schanil is a second-career pastor with two Bachelor of Science degrees in microbiology and biochemistry. Does he find that useful in his sermons? “Not a bit,” laughs Schanil, who likes to joke that believers are called to “magnify the Lord.” Until 1986, Schanil sold microscopes for Leeds Precision Instruments, whose clientele consists of schools, industries, medical companies, etc. “It was the largest microscope dealer west of the Mississippi at the time.” Schanil made good money there, but he said after a while, it wasn’t fulfilling.
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Jacob, Karenna wear crowns
NRHEG Snow Week royalty was crowned Friday, Feb. 15 in the high school gymnasium. From left: Devin Buendorf, Andre Hill, Spencer Tufte, Aaron Fleming, Jack Hogstad, King Jacob Schuller, Queen Karenna Strom, Sydney Schlinger, Darian Pearson, Caty Nelson, Caitlin Goette, Hannah Budach. See the Feb. 21 edition of the Star Eagle for coverage of the Snow Week talent show and coronation and a Snow Week photo page. ( Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
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NR youth wrestling tournament named after Harlan Schlaak
THE CREW — Members of the Schlaak family gathered for a photo during last month’s Harlan Schlaak Wrestling Tournament in New Richland. All last names are Schlaak unless otherwise noted. Front from left: Nathan, Carol, David and Nolan. Row two: Dustin, Loren, Aiden, Paul, Jack VanHal, Owen, Dakota, Ryan, Steve, Memphis, Brandon, Tony, Kelli, Justin and Gaven. Back: Keith, Chad and Gary. Not pictured: Eugene, Neil, Colton, Anna and Kordell. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
If there’s one thing you can say about the New Richland area, it’s that there are a lot of Schlaaks.
The Schlaak (rhymes with lake) family has brought numerous sports accolades to NRHEG, but its biggest contribution has been in wrestling.
Now, the wrestling community has given something back, with the New Richland Area Wrestling Club naming its annual mid-winter tournament after Harlan Schlaak.
Harlan, who died last April, and his wife Carol were founders of the NRAWC in 1967. Harlan and Carol had five children — Gary, Neil, Keith, Donna and Linda, producing 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, with another on the way.
As they said at the conlusion of a recent wrestling presentation in New Richland, that’s a lot of Schlaaks. The area has been referred to as the land of 10,000 Schlaaks.
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Public performances set for Feb. 15, 16
NRHEG finished second in sub-section One Act Play competion at Wells, advancing to section at St. Peter. Front from left: Michiah VanSyckel, Aubrey Johnson, Sierra Johnson. Row two: Hope VanWilgen, Micaela Vaale, Elizabeth Karl, Alexandra Combs, Mia Williams, Maggie Maloney, Madie DenHerder, Amanda Inouye. Back: Kendall Habana, Kayliegh Wilkie, Minna Lim, Nataly Gaona, Jordan Horejsi, Autumn Combs, Cora Harpel, Riley Chicos, Gavin Anderson. NRHEG One Act Play performances for the public are Friday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Waseca ALC and Saturday Feb 16 at 2 p.m. at the Waseca ALC, 14 2nd Ave NE, Waseca. (Submitted photo)