Travis Wiuff is fresh off his New Year's Eve win in Minneapolis versus Brett Murphy (also from Minnesota).
Wiuff won in a third-round unanimous decision, 30-26. Now, he has another big match coming up on Saturday, but this one is a little different than what we normally see from him. On Saturday night, Travis, along with some American Wrestling Federation stars, will be a part of "Kasson Karnage," an all-ages, family-friendly show, which also will be a TV taping for the CW.
"Honestly, I have no clue what I'm getting myself into here; it's definitely my first step down the pro wrestling path," Wiuff said. "But professional wrestling has always been something I've been a fan of and something I've thought about doing, so I'm excited to be involved. I'm almost 36, and I know my fighting career will have to end someday — I'm not saying it's coming to and end, but someday, it will — so who knows, maybe this opportunity will be a step in that direction."
It all got started when Josh Mitchell, a health teacher who runs the weight room at Kasson-Mantorville High School, was looking for a way to revamp the weight room. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from Kasson Karnage will go to the weight room.
"I work at the school as a paraprofessional, and I'm a wrestling coach," Wiuff said, "so I like that I get to be a part of this, along with some of the teachers. It's not your average fundraiser. It's definitely off the wall and entertaining — it's going to be a fun night."
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The night will feature The High Flying Luchadores, from Mexico, and former WWF star Tony Denucci.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and the bell time is at 7. More information can be found at www.ProAWF.com.
Fine-tuned competitor
Congratulations to Henry Wang, of Rochester!
Last weekend, he was a division winner in the Music Teacher's National Association Senior Piano Competition held in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Century High School sophomore has been playing for 10 years, the last three as a student of professor Alexander Braginsky.
"I got started when I was 5, and my parents signed me up for lessons," Henry said, "but I always liked it, and by fifth grade, I was really enjoying it, to the point my parents didn't have to push me to practice or anything like that."
"In the summertime, when I'm not in school, I can devote more time to practice — about six to eight hours a day," he said. "Now, with school, I usually get in about three hours, sometimes five."
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All that practice is certainly paying off. This is the second year Henry has won at the state and divisional levels. Next, he heads to Chicago to compete again as a national finalist in March.
The repertoire will be the same at the state, division and national levels, and for his program, Henry plays five pieces from four composers.
Good luck, Henry!
