40 Years of Success
The first state championship winning 1983 wrestling team poses for their yearbook photo.
Apple Valley’s motto is “A Tradition of Excellence”. In the 40 years of the school’s existence, it is safe to say that they have lived up to the tradition.
The Eagle’s first of 83 team state titles came just seven years after the school opened, when the wrestling team began their dynasty under head coach Bill Demaray. The wrestling team has gone on to win a school record 24 team championships, including 17 of the last 18 tournaments. “There have been some great ones in wrestling. Sometimes when we were not expected to win it and yet somehow found a way,” said athletic director Pete Buesgens.
There have also been many individual titles won by wrestlers, including 5-time champion Destin McCauley (2006-2008, 2010-2011) and 6-time champion Mark Hall (2011-2016). Overall, there have been 181 individual championships in all sports, the first of which came from Skip Grantham in the 1977 boys swimming tournament.
The second-most championships (9) has come from the boys soccer team. Their first title came in 1984, when head coach Chuck Scanlon led the team to his first of nine soccer championships. Scanlon coached the team to a 47-game win streak from 2008 to 2010, which resulted in championships in 2009 and 2010.
The school’s overall championship total could be even higher, but the Minnesota State High School League doesn’t count the dance team’s and cheer team’s four state titles each, or the track team’s 15 True Team titles as official state championships. Still, Apple Valley has been most successful in the 1990s, where they won 23 of their 60 MSHSL titles.
Although the players usually only play for four years, the best coaches are on the team for many years. The best coach Apple Valley has seen is by far former wrestling coach Jim Jackson. Throughout his career here, he has been involved in 20 state championships. Scanlon has the second most titles for the Eagles with nine in soccer and two in girl’s hockey, including the very first state championship in the country. (To learn more, stay tuned for Jacob Wegner’s article on Friday.)
Throughout the 40 years of Apple Valley’s existence, there have been many memorable state championships. Perhaps the most memorable is the boy’s hockey thriller in 1996. “Most of the public would say boys hockey 1996 [is the most memorable]. It had the epic multiple overtime game with Duluth East,” said Buesgens. However, he doesn’t agree with the general public. “I think any time you can win a state title, it’s pretty special.”
Another memorable title is the 2013 boys basketball title, where alumnus Tyus Jones led the school to its first-ever championship. (To read more about both the hockey and basketball championships, watch for Kyle Steinberg’s articles on Thursday and Friday.)
In just 40 years, Apple Valley has become the #1 ranked school for MSHSL championships in arts and athletics. “There was a two-week span when I was coaching when we won three [championships],” said Buesgens. “It’s incredible. And it’s not normal. And that’s how it’s kinda become at Apple Valley. It’s like ‘Oh, wrestling won a state championship again. And the sun came up’.”
Apple Valley has definitely showed that there is a “tradition of excellence” in the 40 years the school has been open.
Ron Hunkins • Apr 6, 2016 at 1:30 pm
I agree with everything you said….but I feel you left a “couple” of things/people out of the the history that were MAJOR contributors to the foundation of “Excellence”. First, and most importantly, the hall of fame, Mr. Everything, coach Bud Bjornaraa was a “fixture” in the Apple Valley Athletic Department for many years. As the head track coach, he was “legendary”! His creative training “toys” are still talked about today! Additionally, as freshman football coach and weight room/training room God Father, he probably had a greater impact on the preparedness of the AV athletes than any other single individual.
Another coach/mentor that deserves at least a mention, is Kim Mikyla the gymnastics coach of the State Champion Eagles. Other “sculptors” of AV’s athletic prowness and successes would have to include Paul Miller (hall of fame varsity football coach) and the husband/wife team of Rod and Geri Dirth. There are many more that certainly deserve mention, but I recognize the limitation of space.
Thank you for allowing me to add my “two cents worth”…my basis of “opinion” is that I had four children that were influenced by these individuals during the 80’s and 90’s. AVHS will always be in our heart and blood!