By Jeff Budlong, sports editor
The rich got richer Monday.
The Minnesota Gopher wrestling team, which already boasts the collegiate heavyweight champion in junior Cole Konrad, added Albert Lea heavyweight state champion Ben Berhow who signed his letter-of-intent in the Albert Lea High School gymnasium.
Berhow, who is the first Tiger wrestler to sign with a Division I school, finished his senior season with a 47-2 record to go along with the state title and racked up 101 total victories in his high school career.
“I was leaning towards there going up there (on his visit) and they are all real down-to-earth guys which just reminded me of our team here,” said Berhow of his decision.
Berhow is a successful three-sport athlete for the Tigers, but said his success this past season helped him decide to continue wrestling in college over playing football or baseball.
“I am very happy for Ben and I am very proud of Ben,” said Albert Lea head wrestling coach Larry Goodnature. “I am very proud of our program to have one of our athletes sign with a Division I wrestling school and the University of Minnesota which is a premier wrestling school.”
Despite his success, Berhow believes he has just scratched the surface of his wrestling potential.
“I have never really trained all year around for wrestling. I think I can become twice the wrestler I am now making that commitment,” he said.
Berhow credits the Tiger program for pushing him to this point through hard work and an expectation of success.
“It was a big jump from 215 to heavyweight and it took me a while, but The Clash was a real turning point,” he said.
He is looking forward to the chance to wrestle a national champion every day in the Gopher wrestling room.
“He is the best … and the thing with that is I won’t only be wrestling him. They have lots of national champions in that room,” he said.
Berhow, who figures to redshirt his first year, was also recruited by Nebraska, Iowa, Virginia, Old Dominion and West Point.
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