By Joe Shinners Talk to Jake Sueflohn about the stellar season he has had this year and one thing becomes immediately clear. The Arrowhead junior wrestling star has some unfinished business in this state, and he won’t be happy until he’s settled it. That journey resumes Saturday at 10 a.m., when Arrowhead and Sueflohn, the top-ranked Division 1 135-pounder in the state, head to the Hartford Sectional. The top two finishers in each of the 14 weight classes advance to the individual state tournament. The individual state tournament is scheduled to be held Feb. 25 to 27 at the Kohl Center in Madison. Sueflohn should easily move on to the state tournament. He has posted a record of 41-1, and barring an upset will attend his third consecutive state tournament. Two years ago, Sueflohn finished the year with a 50-4 record and finished third at 119 pounds. Last year, Sueflohn went 38-5 and finished second at 125. His career record stands at 129-10. His progression on the mat has helped Sueflohn land in elite company in the state. It includes Port Washington junior Alex Dieringer and Germantown junior Jesse Thielke. The trio is part of a junior class that is among the best the state has produced since 2002, according to many. All three are nationally ranked. But while Dieringer has won one state title and appeared in two state finals and Thielke has won two state titles, Sueflohn is still waiting to see his name in the tiny listing of state champions in the state tournament program. Sueflohn, however, has defeated Dieringer and Thielke during the past year, as well as lost to both. A year ago, Sueflohn became the first wrestler in the state to defeat Thielke during the high school season. Sueflohn’s 7-6 victory over Theilke in the sectional final at Hartford last year grabbed the attention of many. Thielke, however, returned the favor by beating Sueflohn in the D1 125 final at the state meet by an 8-5 decision. Sueflohn wasn’t as shocked as many by his victory over Thielke. “It may have been a surprise to them, but it wasn’t a surprise to me,” said Sueflohn, who gave up football and committed himself to wrestling the entire off-season and preseason. “Without football, I can focus a lot on wrestling and I can put the focus on where it needs to be,” he said. Last year at the Cheesehead Invitational at Kaukauna, the top invitational in the state, Sueflohn lost to Dieringer by a 20-9 major decision. But this year, it was Sueflohn who returned the favor as he beat Dieringer by a 10-6 decision in the final to win the prestigious tournament title. This year, Sueflohn also beat Chris Dardenes, an Oak Park (Ill.) senior, at the Oak Park River Forest Invitational by a 7-5 decision in overtime. Both were nationally ranked at the time. Dardanes had defeated Sueflohn twice before that meeting. “Beating Dieringer was big, but beating Dardenes was my biggest win of the year. He beat me twice, and it was nice to get revenge,” Sueflohn said. “I’m kind of flipping the outcome of some of these matches this year.” Sueflohn has gone on to defeat four other nationally ranked wrestlers this year. His only loss was to Wisconsin Rapids sophomore Rylan Lubeck, the top-ranked 140-pounder in Division 1, at the Oconomowoc Duals in the first week of the season. Still, Arrowhead coach John Mesenbrink lets it be known that Sueflohn’s focus is in state right now. “He’s got unfinished business in our borders,” said Mesenbrink. “Jake is a lethal weapon. He’s got a good motor. Good stamina. And mentally, he’s one of the toughest guys I’ve had. He’s on the hunt. He doesn’t feel like he’s done everything that he wants to do.” Sueflohn dismisses talk of pressure and the hype that goes with his No. 1 ranking. “This year had been good so far to me, but I have to finish it out first,” said Sueflohn after winning the Homestead 135 regional title. “There are some expectations, but you have to take it one match at a time. No one is going to give it to you. You may deserve to win it, but you have to go and take care of business.” Mesenbrink credits Sueflohn’s defensive improvements on takedowns as well as his offensive ability to attack on his feet. Suelohn agreed. “Not playing football really paid off,” said Sueflohn. “Mainly I improved on my feet. It was a weak point for me last year.” Go Back to the Home Page Read More Articles by Joe../../../Archive.htmlshapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1