Each year, the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association (MWCA) recognizes one Head Coach and one Assistant Coach as coach of the year. This year, the MWCA selected Hastings Head Coach Tim Haneberg as the Head Coach of the year for 2023. Mark Krier of Zumbrota-Mazeppa won Assistant Coach of the Year.

According to their release on www.theguillotine.com, “Coach Haneberg guided Hastings to one of the most exciting State Duals Finals in Minnesota history. The Raiders never gave up as they won the final five matches (three by fall) to pull out the one-point victory for the state title. The momentum carried into the rest of the weekend as the Raiders finished as runner-up in the state individual tournament.”

Haneberg was chosen as the coach of the year from the voting that was held after the team state tournament from each team that placed first and second in each class.

“This type of award speaks volumes about the people who are in and around the program. It starts in our athletic office with Trent Hanson and Jackie Kranz. Next is the coaching staff at HHS that includes Josh McLay, Paul Vaith, Kevin McBride, Andy Trembath, Pete Kranz, Alex Diaz, Luke Vaith, and Alisha Brown along with HMS staff of Kyle Kresuer, Mitch Shemon, and Ryan Mulvihil. Finally, this type of award recognizes the wrestlers we have on the team. I am fortunate to have the best role models on the wrestling team who lead by example and with empathy and kindness,” said Haneberg about the honor of winning this award.

Both coach of the year winners will be recognized at the Hall of Fame Banquet in Benson, MN on Saturday, April 29th. Congratulations Coach Haneberg!