The Drill: Kallevig's wrestling plan is well thought out
Nov. 16—WORTHINGTON — Spectators at a wrestling match don't always know what's really happening on the mat. There is a chess match going on, a strategy that both wrestlers employ individually as they match wits together. To know who's trying to do what, that's what makes the experience extra enjoyable for the fan.
To use an example, look at baseball. Fans like home runs. They're easy to understand. They're dramatic. But to fully appreciate the strategies going on in the heads of the pitcher and the batter is to fully understand the game. The pitcher has a plan that involves location, speed, and more. The batter also has a plan that involves what pitch to jump on, what pitch to lay off of, and so on, and what to do in specific counts. Baseball, too, is a chess match. If you don't consider the chess match, you can only enjoy a portion of what's happening on the field.
The Globe recently interviewed Minnesota West Community and Technical College wrestler Joe Kallevig for a Drill feature. When Kallevig, a freshman from Willmar, was asked to explain how he approaches his matches, his answer was a breath of fresh air into the mind of the chess player.
And we don't even know if he plays chess.
But we know he's a thinking man's kind of wrestler.
"I'm very much an on-my-feet type of wrestler," Kallevig began. "I like to dictate the speed, dictate the pace. I like to be heavy-handed on the guy, get him tired right away. First period, I'm moving him around, trying to find angles, figuring out what works, figuring out his weaknesses. Second period I'm going in and I'm exploiting all those weaknesses, getting points, racking up as many as possible. I don't like riding people.
"Third period is when I put the hammer down, where I get those back points because he's tired. I feel that the shape I'm in is definitely an advantage. My thing about my conditioning is I will always outwork every single wrestler on the mat. Win or lose, he's going to walk off the mat way more tired than I am."
Meanwhile, the opposing wrestler has a strategy, too. Wrestling is a physical activity, but it's a mental activity, too.
Kallevig competed in the Minnesota state team tournament both as a junior and a senior in high school. He also participated in a national high school tournament at Virginia Beach, Va. It was a memorable experience that involved competing in a facility containing more than 80 mats.
It would be hard to find a more focused wrestler. But then, Kallevig is focused on just about everything he takes on.
"I give 110 percent in everything I do, no matter what it is," he said.
The Globe interviewed Joe Kallevig recently during a pre-season wrestling practice at the college, then gathered video footage of him. You can see the video online at
. Here's a sample of the interview:
QUESTION: What kind of personal goals do you have for your college career?
ANSWER: "Personal goals for my college wrestling career is participating in the national tournament, making a name for here at Minnesota West, having fun. Making sure people learn about this place. Because when I was recruited here, I told people back in high school where I was going and they were like, 'Where is that?' So it's mainly making sure people know where this is, getting this place on the map."
QUESTION: From where do you get your inspiration?
ANSWER: "The inspiration for my sports is definitely my mother. She's the one who allowed me to participate in wrestling after years of saying no to other sports, and let me start this journey my freshman year of high school. And I really appreciate her for giving me the opportunity to express — be able to find my love for this sport."
QUESTION: What do you like to do in your spare time, when you're not wrestling?
ANSWER: "What I like to do in my spare time when I'm not wrestling... um ... probably watch wrestling."
