Q&A with Chase Clasen: North Idaho College鈥檚 interim head wrestling coach
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — A Q&A with the interim head wrestling coach at North Idaho College, Chase Clasen.
How long have you been coaching?
Chase Clasen: Going on two years.
What is your background in this sport?
Clasen: My father and uncle both wrestled, therefore I was encouraged to start wrestling at the age of four.
What are one or two things that the team does in training that are keys to their success?
Clasen: One thing that the team does in training that are keys to their success is the emphasis we put on repetition, repetition, and repetition.
Please describe the most memorable games/tournaments/championships your team has won.
Clasen: One of the most memorable matches that our team won was at national duals in the quarterfinal against #5 ranked Indian Hills. It was a back-and-forth match with ranked wrestlers in nearly each weight battling it out. All the matches took a lot of guts to win, and in the end our team pulled through for the victory. It was loud, chaotic, and exhilarating.
How do you encourage the team after a disappointing loss?
Clasen: As a staff we always preach to come back and get the next best thing. Wrestling and life doesn鈥檛 always go your way. Everyone wants to be a national champion or undefeated but doing that is rare. Therefore, you must be prepared to face adversity and do what鈥檚 right for yourself and your team by coming back through the consolations and scoring a lot of points. The guys that buy into that ideal often have less heartache after the tournament.
Describe your proudest coaching moment.
Clasen: My proudest coaching moment was in the blood round matches at the national tournament. We had some serious competition in all our matches for our guys to All-American. Brant Porter defeated the #2 seeded wrestler, Navarro Nanpuya beat the guy that had previously beaten him twice, and Devin Winston defeated the #8 ranked wrestler from Pratt.
What is the biggest life lesson you’ve learned from being a coach?
Clasen: The biggest life lesson that I have learned from being a coach is that good leaders have to make decisions that are in benefit of the members on their team and not themselves.
What legacy do you hope to leave as a coach?
Clasen: The legacy that I hope to leave behind as a coach is that my Athletes will always try to be the best in all that they do.
What’s next for you?
Clasen: I have accepted a new Head Coaching position with Concordia University in Nebraska. I鈥檓 absolutely grateful for the opportunity NIC has given me and I鈥檝e built some lifelong relationships along the way. I鈥檓 excited for this next chapter in my coaching career.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Clasen: I鈥檇 like to thank my Assistant Coach Bryce Parson for the friendship we have developed over this season. I couldn鈥檛 have done this without you brother.
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