Hastings Wrestling

Coach Kya Rybachek is originally from Hibbing, MN and graduated from Hibbing HS in 2020. While in high school, he was voted Ms. Minnesota, the recipient of  the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award, was a MWCA folkstyle state champion, and a MNUSA junior triple crown winner. Kya also had a winning varsity record against boys, multiple time Northern Plains Champion, Fargo All-American, AAU National Champion, USA folkstyle All-American, and a USA Preseason All-American. After high school she attended Augsburg University where she was a regional Champ, 2x NCAA qualifier, 4th place NCAA All-American, and a 3x Academic All-American.  Kya began he coaching career in Hibbing where she coached the youth program for two years. One thing that she is most excited about from coaching in Hastings is the large growth of their girls program. After being the only girl on her team all of high school, she said it’s incredible to see a full line-up of girls. Coach Kya is excited to see a...

  Coach Joe Lawler is originally from Rochester, MN and attended Rochester Mayo High School, graduating in 2002. In high school, he was a team captain and a two-time state place winner: 4th in 2001 and 5th in 2002. Coach Lawler began his coaching career at Rochester Mayo (2013-2020) for 8 years before moving to Hastings where he has been coaching our youth program for two years (2022-Present).  Coach Lawler got into coaching in Hastings because his son wrestles for the youth program. His favorite thing about Hastings wrestling is the culture. Joe's favorite memory of Hastings wrestling was watching the 2023 Team win the 3A Team State Title. In the future, he is most excited  to watch Max and his friends wrestle for the program. Joe has been married for 7 years this month and has 3 children; Max (5), Reese (4), and #3 coming in February 2024. Coach Lawler had a few more things to add as well. He loved living in sunny Arizona and went to Arizona State University. H...

Coach Mitch Shemon is from Hastings, MN and wrestled for HHS. In high school, he was an all-conference wrestler and captain of the team. He was also part of two place winning teams (cons. champs in 2006, 2nd in 2007), member of the MN storm cadet national team, and an all-American at Cadet Folkstyle Nationals . Mitch has been been coaching in Hastings for 12 years. He wanted to coach in Hastings because he wrestled for the program and loved it! He said, "Hastings has a great program tradition that teaches kids not just how to be great athletes and wrestlers, but also teaches them how to be successful in life." Coach Shemon says, "The best thing about coaching in Hastings is that each coach, no matter the level, impacts every kids walking through the doors. The Hastings wrestling program has a system in place where the techniques, philosophies, and goals are aligned from the Varsity level to the Pre-K level. Coach Shemon's favorite coaching memory was winning the ...

  Bennett Brockman is the son of Christie and Charlie and the brother of Bronson and Piper. His favorite musical artist is 21 Savage, his favorite TV Show is The Blacklist, his favorite movie is 21 Jump Street, and his favorite food is pizza. If Bennet was a NASCAR driver, the sponsorship on his car that would best represent him would be Spikeball. He started wrestling in 5th grade because his friend Nick Liefeld got him into it. His first thoughts about wrestling was that it was a hard sport that pushes you. His favorite moments from wrestling have been the team tournaments Finally, Bennett's goals are to get his varsity letter this year and once day, be a starter on varsity.  Steve Seleski is the son of Melissa and Vinny and the brother of Emma. His favorite band is Maroon 5, his favorite TV Show is Family Guy, his favorite movie is 21 Jump Street, and his favorite food is steak. If Steve was a NASCAR driver, the sponsorship on the hood of his car that best represents him wo...

                                                                        Peyton Erickson is the son of Angie and Greg Erickson and the brother to Makenna Erickson. His favorite type of music is pop, his favorite TV Show is Kick In It, favorite movie is Star Wars Revenge of the Sith, and his favorite food is popcorn. If Peyton was a NASCAR driver, the sponsorship on his car that best represents him would be Gatorade. He started wrestling in 1st grade and got into the sport because of his mom and Chad Beissel. Peyton's initial thoughts of wrestling was that he liked the games at practice but not really the sport. The idea of getting better everyday and giving everything he has to be a state placer drives him everyday. His favorite moments of Hastings wrestling has been the Bi-St...

  Annabel Norquist is the daughter of Steve and Sarah and the sister of Derrick, Allister, and Veronica. Her favorite musical artist is The Weeknd, her favorite TV show is Gilmore Girls, and  her favorite food is chocolate strawberries. If Annabel was a Nascar driver, the sponsorship on the hood of her car that best represents her would be Starbucks. She started last year and her dad was the one that got her into the sport. Annabel's initial thoughts on wrestling was that she was nervous but excited to see what the future held for her. Annabel loves the wrestling community and the friends she has made. Her goals for the future are to build the girls team and learn more about the sport. Annabel's favorite memory of Hastings wrestling was wrestling at the Bi-State. Finally, she is most excited for the girls team to continue to grow and eventually have enough numbers for a varsity and JV. Dylan Warzecha is the son of Kevin and Crystal. His favorite musical artist is Jason Aldean ...

Coach Luke Vaith is a 2009 Hastings graduate. During high school, he was a 4x state place winner, winning a state title during his senior year. After high school, he attended Hofstra University on Long Island, NY where he was a conference champion and a 3x NCAA qualifier. Luke is entering his 11th year coaching in Hastings. He has spent 8 years as the head youth coach and is now entering his 3rd year as an assistant coach with the high school program. Luke came back to coach in Hastings because of his love for the K-12 program. His favorite thing about coaching in Hastings is the people he has been able to work with over the last few years. Luke favorite moment from coaching in Hastings has been the everyday grind in the wrestling room with all the kids. He is excited to see our kids strive to achieve great things.