Coming back to help
Wellstone and Stewart return to the program they helped build
Posted: 12/6/02
by Todd Abeln
Sports Editor
The Apple Valley wrestling program has a great tradition.
With any tradition, once you are a part of it you are always a part of it.
Two former state champion wrestlers are now helping to keep that tradition going.
Mark Wellstone and Jeff Stewart are a part of the Apple Valley wrestling program coaching staff. Wellstone isnít new to the coaching staff, but Stewart is in his first year coaching.
Wellstone has been an assistant coach for the past six years. He began his coaching career in Stewartís final year as a student and now theyíre coaching together.
Both got their coaching careers started after becoming state champions for Apple Valley wrestling and graduating from college.
Stewart is a two-time state champion and Wellstone won one state title.
Both got their coaching start with the help of head coach Jim Jackson.
After Wellstone graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he was looking to get into coaching wrestling.
He asked Jackson for some help and Jackson said only one thing.
ìI asked Jim Jackson if he knew of any openings coaching anywhere, and he said if your going to coach your going to coach here,î Wellstone said.
That is pretty much the same story for the 24-year-old Stewart.
Jackson knew that Stewart was going to graduate from the University of Iowa last year and Jackson asked him if he would like to join the staff.
ìHe (Stewart) is one of our products. Which is neat for the kids to be able to look up and see his name around here and what it takes to get where he went,î Jackson said.
Where he went after his two state titles is to the storied University of Iowa wrestling program.
While at Iowa, Stewart was involved in a serious car accident that left him in a coma for 29 days and stopped him from wrestling.
The accident came in March of 1998, his freshman year.
He missed some time from school because of rehab, but Stewart made up the time away from class by taking summer school classes and was able to graduate in five years with a degree in interpersonal communications.
ìMy health is 100 percent. My mental well being is 10 times better than it ever was,î Stewart said. ìThe biggest gain I have from the wreck is my attitude and my mental toughness.î
Stewart was a member of the Iowa wrestling team for all five years, but he never was able to wrestle because of the accident.
He was able to practice with the team and stay in shape.
So why get into coaching?
ìIíve always wanted to coach in some capacity,î Stewart said. ìIt (the Apple Valley wrestling program) did so much for me, itís something I want to give back.î
He has only been coaching for a couple of weeks now, but Jackson said he is learning and brings a lot to the table for his team.
ìI think he is a great role model,î Jackson said. ìHeís learning. You have to deal with each kid differently.î
And who wouldnít want somebody that trained at Iowa to be part of your coaching staff?
ìHe went through one of the best programs in the country,î Jackson said. ìHe knows what its like to train and know what it is like being the best.î
Stewart thinks his background and youth will help him connect with the kids.
ìI learned from the best and know I can come back here and teach others,î Stewart said. ìHaving somebody around youthful, like Mark Wellstone, having youthful guys, I am only five years older than the kids and I think thatís beneficial.î
Stewart and Wellstone have quickly grown close.
ìIt is easy to tell that we will grow to be good friends,î Wellstone said. ìWe have similar outlooks on things.î
The two of them also bring a sense of fun to the Apple Valley wrestling room.
ìYou have to have a little bit of fun and he (Stewart) and Wellstone are what I call them the goofballs of the program,î Jackson said.
For the past couple of seasons, its been just Wellstone as the goofball.
ìIt is fun to have another goofball up here,î Wellstone said. ìItís a breath of fresh air up here. He has new ideas, great techniques and the kids love working with him.î
But why did Wellstone get into coaching?
ìI just love coaching and I love working with kids. That is why I got into coaching,î Wellstone said.
For Wellstone, who also teaches and coaches soccer at St. Paul Highland, the coaching part has also helped him get away and clear his mind.
Wellstone lost his father, Sen. Paul Wellstone, mother Sheila and sister Marcia in a plane crash in late October and he said coaching has been good.
ìItís great to be able to get up here and put everything else out of my mind for three to four hours and wrestle with the guys. Itís a nice break,î Wellstone said.
With both Wellstone and Stewart back coaching for the Eagles program, the tradition of wrestling at Apple Valley will probably continue for many years to come.
Todd Abeln is at sports.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.
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