Spirit Lake Park trio scores high marks 
on and off the wrestling mat

BY MATT PFIFFNER
Publisher, The Predicament
Seniors Chris Sandy and Mike Kalkhoff and junior Michael Sandy helped lead Spirit Lake Park to the most successful season in school history this past winter.

The Indians finished fourth in the Class 2A State Tournament and capped off the year a week later with a third-place effort in the school's first-ever appearance at the State Duals.

Chris Sandy finished second at State for the second year in a row to add to the title he won as a sophomore, Michael Sandy placed for the third time in as many trips to State and Kalkhoff earned his first State Tournament berth to close out his career.

But, the trio's efforts on the mat is just part of their story.

For just the second time in the 17-year history of The Predicament's Academic All-State Teams, three wrestlers from the same school earned First Team honors. The Sandy brothers and Kalkhoff join the Logan-Magnolia trio of Adam Kline, Matt Johnsen and Klint Kersten of 2003 in that very exclusive club.

Having one wrestler on the team is an honor, two is special and three is simply amazing.

"We're very fortunate with the group of kids we have character-wise and academic-wise. We do not spend a lot of time talking about those things, but the expectations are there. They know it's there," Spirit Lake Park Coach Rick VanderWoude said. "And they've set those expectations in themselves and for other kids to see that, hopefully it just builds year after year. It's in place and hopefully it just stays there by example. They've led the rest of the team by example."

For Chris Sandy, it's his third straight Academic All-State First Team honor. He joins West Liberty's Chuy Lira as the only two wrestlers this season who can boast that honor. The 4.0 student said hard work is the key to his success on and off the mat.

"I think if you're working hard in everything you do, it all falls into place," Chris Sandy said. "It's just about not being lazy. If you want to do something, you're going to get it done, because you're going to work hard enough to do it."

His younger brother, who carries a 3.92 GPA, said having two parents as lawyers has helped keep athletics in perspective compared to academics.

"We've always been raised academics first. Other things come after it. That's always just how it's been. Academics and sportsmanship," Michael Sandy said. "Our parents really push us academically. They set goals for us. It's really been pushed throughout our lives."

Kalkhoff, who is right behind classmate Chris Sandy with a 3.98 GPA, said having your grades in order helps a great deal throughout the grind of a wrestling season.

"It's really hard sometimes to focus, if you have to make weight that day or have a big dual that night. It's good to know you're grades are fine. It's one less thing to worry about. You don't have to worry about passing a class or your eligibility," he said. "When you have practice every night, a couple duals a week and a tournament on Saturday, it's easy to get behind. But if you can work ahead a little bit on Sunday or whenever, you don't get behind."

Chris Sandy, who will continue his wrestling career and academic studies at Wartburg College, said studying is tougher during the wrestling season, but it can also be a good escape from worries like cutting weight or a big upcoming match.

"It's much harder during the season. Sometimes all you want to do is go home, go to your room and go to sleep," he said. "Instead, you take out your science book or whatever it may be and keep studying. It think that makes you tougher mentally."

VanderWoude, who also coached three Academic All-Staters last season - First Team members Chris Sandy and Josh Sundall and Second Teamer Michael Sandy - said all the kids who make the team get the big picture.

"Being a guidance counselor, I realize how competitive things are. You can be a good wrestler and get into college, but a lot of guys who wrestle in high school, don't go on to wrestle in college, so it's the academic thing from here on out," he said. "As much as you may tell them that, kids don't always think that at the time. But it's honestly the most important thing they've probably accomplished. It's great that a place like The Predicament recognizes it and gives it the praise it's due.

"You see this a lot now where some of the best wrestler are also some of the best students, the best leaders. Basically, they strive to do the best at whatever it is they do. I think it's a good testament to our sport. It's a good thing to see happen."

That competitive fire to do their best isn't just put to use in the wrestling room or out on the mat, they also compete in the classroom. Chris Sandy joked about being in the same class with his brother one year and taking great pleasure in scoring higher on a test. Kalkhoff said Chris Sandy has bragging rights over both of them with his perfect 4.0 GPA.

"We joke about it a little bit. Chris has got me a little bit. I got one B throughout high school and Chris has straight A's," he said. "But we both know that we're going to do everything we can to get those A's."

So when you have had this much success on the mat and in the classroom, what happens when there is a disappointing loss or test score? It hasn't happened a lot, but each one chimed in with their thoughts.

"I think it's worse to lose. It sucks to lose. It's one on one," Chris Sandy said. "And to be honest, I've spent more time in wrestling than I have on my grades. Even though I do work hard at my grades."

As for his brother Michael?

"I'd have to say grades. Like a big semester grade. I wouldn't say a test, because if I do bad on a test, I know I have to raise it up a level and step it up. It also depends on the magnitude of the match. How big it is," he said. "It depends on the situations you're in. A semester grade would be a lot bigger than a dual meet loss, compared to a State loss or State place match loss."

Kalkhoff said the difference between a disappointing outcome on the mat and in the classroom can be seen at home.

"If you lose a close match, you're parents are going to be nice about it," he said. "But if you get a bad grade on a test, it's like, 'Why aren't you studying? What are you doing on the weekends?'"

Three different answers for three unique kids.

"They're just three completely different individuals. Yet they've all had a lot of success, both on the mat and in the classroom," VanderWoude said.

Each of the three Academic All-State wrestlers have made their mark on the Spirit Lake Park program.

"Chris Sandy basically has set the standard of what our program is right now. He's been a three-time finalist and a State champ one of those three," VanderWoude said. "His discipline and work ethic is unlike anything I've seen. He may not be the most talented wrestler, but the kid just doesn't stop, no matter what he's doing. And that transfers into the classroom. He's just ultra-competitive and it shows in everything he does."

The Indians' coach said his other senior always keeps his plate full.

"Mike Kalkhoff has worked for everything he's gotten in wrestling. It hasn't come easy. I think he was able to get what he wanted out of the sport," he said. "And academically, he's kind of been the leader. What he's done outside of the wrestling room has been huge. He's involved in absolutely everything there is. He's basically filled every minute of every day while he's been in school. That's the way he lives his life, which is awesome."

VanderWoude said Michael Sandy provides the comic relief on the team, but has the same drive as the other two when it's time to get serious.

"Mike Sandy is probably the most charismatic of the whole group. He just keeps people cracking up and keeps the mood light. Yet he's able to focus in competition and in the wrestling room," he said.

Kalkhoff, who will continue his studies at Iowa State University in chemical engineering, said being named to the Academic All-State First Team with the Sandy brothers capped off a great senior campaign.

"It was a great way to end the season. We've been a team all year. Having three guys for this, it's like a team again," he said.

Click here to view The Predicament's 2006 Academic All-State Teams