It is no secret that wrestling courses through the veins of the Hastings Beissel family. Chad Beissel, a 1997 HHS graduate and Blake’s father, was part of the 1996 Raider State Championship team for wrestling, and Blake’s grandfather, Pete Kranz, is a long-time wrestling coach at Hastings.

Beissel has appeared at two Minnesota State High School League’s (MSHSL) state wrestling tournaments, placing fifth as a freshman and in his second trip to state in March of 2022, Beissel won the title for Class AAA at 106 pounds as a sophomore.

Now in his junior year, Beissel has committed to the University of Minnesota. Beissel released this statement via social media.

“I am beyond excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at the University of Minnesota! I want to thank my family, friends, coaches, and teammates for getting me where I am today. I can’t wait for what the future brings me. I would also like to thank the Gopher Wrestling staff for blessing me with the opportunity to wrestle at the Division 1 level. Excited for what the future holds! Ski-UMah!” said Blake.

The Journal reached out to Blake’s father Chad Beissel to see what this means to them.

“It is definitely exciting,” said the elder Beissel. “I really cannot wait to see what the future holds for Blake. He’s dreamed about being a Gopher since he started wrestling at age five. We went on the recruiting visit last week and it was home. He knew it right away.”

Beissel’s accolades do not end with the MSHSL state title in 2022.

In 2021 he was a USA wrestling 16u Freestyle All-American after placing sixth in the nation.

He is currently ranked ninth in the Guillotine’s latest Pound-for-Pound Class of 2024 rankings. The Guillotine is a MN based wrestling news source since 1971 and the source for Minnesota high school rankings.

Additional accolades for Beissel according to the Guillotine with weight class and Beissel place:

•2022 Northern Plains Regional GR

Junior 113 2nd

•2022 Northern Plains Regional FS Junior 113 1st

•2022 MSHSL State Tournament 3A

10th 106 1st 49-2

•2021 Minnesota Christmas Tournament 3A 10th 106 2nd

•2021 USA Wrestling Nationals FS 16U

100 6th

•2021 Northern Plains Regional GR 16U 100 2nd

•2021 Northern Plains Regional FS 16U

100 5th

•2021 MSHSL State Tournament 3A 9th 106 5th 32-3 With the commitment to the Gophers and his remaining two seasons with the Raiders, Beissel is expected to wrestle at the 125lb weight class as of right now.

Congratulations Blake! Way to make Hastings proud!