Michael Kemerer was a quick fan favorite last year as a freshman for Iowa Wrestling. He was always shooting right from the opening whistle and his offensive style was fun to watch. Kemerer placed third at 149 lbs. and finished with a 33-3 record with four pins, five technical falls, and twelve major decisions. That is a very impressive freshman season especially considering he was wrestling up a weight class.
Michael Kemerer was not only a huge recruit out of Murrysville, PA (Franklin Region HS) for Iowa Wrestling in their Recruiting Class of 2015, he was also the first wrestler from the Young Guns Wrestling Club in the Pittsburgh area to make his way to Iowa. That Young Guns club is ran by former Iowa two-time All-American Jody Strittmatter. Iowa Wrestling fans could tell right away that Kemerer was going to be special.
I look for an even more impressive season from Kemerer this year. You will be able to see right away the added horsepower that Kemerer has put on. When an Iowa wrestler has the type of dedication, skill set, discipline, and toughness that Michael Kemerer has, I do not put limitations on predictions. All I can say is I look for Kemerer to be much better this season and that the sky’s the limit for this guy.
You look much bigger than this time last year when you were basically a 149 pounder wrestling up at 157. How is your weight and how are you feeling?
Michael Kemerer: It’s good. I am maybe a little bit more filled in for the weight than last year, just growing. Nothing real intensional, just working real hard in the weight room and working hard wrestling. I just matured and put on some muscle.
With being one of only two returning All-Americans, you will be looked to for leadership in your sophomore season. What do you bring to the table for leadership for the Iowa Wrestling team?
Kemerer: Taking care of myself and hold myself accountable. The program teaches to attack and to score points, go out and dominate and I can help teach that to other guys. The standard speaks for itself so it’s going out and doing my job. If anybody has any questions I will help them out.
You placed third last season in your freshman year. What will it take for you to get to the top of the podium?
Kemerer: I think it’s just hard wrestling that’s what wins wrestling matches. I obviously have that match last year that I lost that is something that I have to go back and correct making those mental errors. Also there is hard wrestling. You know who the competition is and you still have to go out and wrestle hard.
Who is you favorite teammate to watch wrestle?
Kemerer: I don’t know, I’ve got a lot. I really like watching Marinelli wrestle. He’s a good partner for me. I like how explosive he is and he is a fun guy to wrestles in the room. Kaleb Young I have been watching wrestle for a long time and we wrestled together. Even new guys like Spencer Lee, he is always fun to watch. Lots of good guys.
You were an NWCA Academic All American and Academic All Big Ten last year. What is your major and could you tell us how important academics are to you?
Kemer: I am a Finance major. Academics is huge. It’s good so that after wrestling you have that plan depending on what the future is. I think it’s just good to be learning every day and becoming a well rounded person.
What are your plans after college?
Kemerer: I want to wrestle and win at the highest level for World and Olympic titles. Those are my goals. After that I really couldn’t tell you. I want to wrestle until I can’t do it anymore.
What is it like to have fellow Young Guns teammates Kaleb Young, Spencer Lee, and Max Murin joining the Iowa Wrestling program after you?
Kemerer: It’s awesome because it’s guys that I have wrestled with and grew up with. Seeing them get better and myself get better, it’s just motivating. All of us in this room getting better is something to look forward to not just yourself but seeing those other guys getting better too.
What is your favorite part of being an Iowa Hawkeye wrestler?
Kemerer: Probably just honestly the standard. If you are going in and spending extra hours and extra time in here and in the weight room. I know some places I have been to in the past people would say he is a try hard, blah, blah, blah. In here it’s like there is no to hard, there is no to dedicated. We are all pushing ourselves to do that extra stuff. That standard is just really high and I like that. There is never to much.
Iowa Wrestling has led the country in attendance for the past eleven consecutive seasons which is every year Tom Brands has been head coach. Do you take keeping that streak going personal or is there anything you do to entertain the fans?
Kemerer: I like to go out and wrestle hard and score points. I guess that is what the fans want to see so I think it’s great. There is no place like Iowa and their fans and how knowledgeable they are. We want to go out and give them a good product. I think when I wrestle hard and do it kind of takes care of itself.
