Athlete Profile: Kaden Bergsbaken

Bonduel senior enjoys strong final year on mats

Bonduel wrestler Kaden Bergsbaken enjoyed a strong finish to his high school wrestling career.

Wrestling primarily at the 195-pound weight class, Bergsbaken earned a 12-1 record during the abbreviated regular season. He earned wins by pin in six of those matches.

The senior also earned a win by pin at the Division 3 Lena Regional on Jan. 30. Bergsbaken placed third in the 195 weight class to cap his season.

Q: When did your interest in wrestling begin?

A: I started wrestling early in elementary school but then took a year off to try out basketball. Thankfully, I went back to wrestling; I then had a passion for the sport ever since.

Q: What is your favorite part about the wrestling season?

A: Everything. Wrestling is a gradual sport. Each meet prepares you for the next up until the end of season tournament time where every athlete is at the peak of their abilities.

Q: What has wrestling taught you over the years?

A: Confidence, respect, teamwork, compassion, growth. The list could honestly fill up this entire page. I truly believe no other sport teaches humility at the same level as wrestling. Because of this sport, I am a greater person than I could have ever imagined.

Q: You were one of the top-ranked wrestlers in your weight class. What was the key to your individual success this season?

A: Rankings aside, the key to my successes is nothing more than confidence in ability and determination. Just wrestle, be humble enough to fix your mistakes, then wrestle again.

Q: Talk about how different this season has been, with its limited opportunities to wrestle and other obstacles.

A: As unfortunately small as this season may have been, I’m thankful enough to have had a season at all. Masks can be a bother and some of these new rules don’t make all that much sense, but Wisconsin wrestling is still alive and that makes me proud.

Q: Do you have any rituals you go through before a match?

A: Dozens at least. I’m a very routine person so if I can do everything exactly the same before each match, then I’m ready to go. Most of it is just “lucky” shirts, chewing gum, listening to specific music, etc.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Bonduel wrestling team?

A: Anything that’s team related. Teammates make the difficult practices enjoyable, losses easier to handle, and team bonding is what really makes us a family. There are too many memories that I’ll probably never forget.

Q: What are you going to miss most about high school wrestling?

A: Not being able to compete on the home mats after this season is going to be a hard pill to swallow. Any of my athletic endeavors in wrestling after this year will be in new facilities at different locations. I’ll miss the hometown feel indefinitely.

Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?

A: TV show — “Parks and Recreation.” Movie — Too many to list. Musical artist — anything that I like the sound of — sorry, I’m not really a “favorites” person.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: Anyone who wrestles me might be surprised to know that I’m left-handed. I’ve been practicing duality, but I still mostly wrestle heavily on the right — it’s just the way I was taught.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: I have dreams like you wouldn’t believe. I want to be so many things and accomplish hundreds of goals. Academically, I plan on continuing my education in the state of Minnesota for eight years to become a chiropractor. I also want to wrestle; it’s become such a huge part of my life and I don’t know what I’d do without it.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Kaden Bergsbaken

Sport: Wrestling

Weight class: 195

School: Bonduel High School

Year: Senior