By Joe Shinners Madison – There’s only one thing that is going to make Port Washington junior Alex Dieringer happy. That is another state title after he let one get away a year ago. Dieringer assured himself of that chance by pinning Wilmot sophomore Matt Gray in 3:41 in one 140-pound semifinal at the state individual wrestling tournament Friday night at the Kohl Center in Madison. Dieringer advanced to the 140 final to face Wisconsin Rapids sophomore Rylan Lubeck. The finals are scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. Saturday. “I really wanted it this year,” said Dieringer, who improved to 44-1. “After last year. I never should have lost to that guy. I’ve gotten a lot better this year. I’ve been wrestling my coaches and I’m almost beating them.” Dieringer, who lost by a 7-6 decision to Tomahawk’s Zach Zehner in the 125 D2 final a year ago, built a 5-0 lead over Gray early. Gray appeared ready for an escape or reversal, but Dieringer quickly regained control turned Gray (37-2) and ended the match. “Now that this match is over, everything should be a landslide,” said Dieringer. Now I just have to win one more. Dieringer will face an experienced and physical wreslter in Lubeck (48-3). Lubeck defeated Oconomowoc senior Jake Morrisson (31-6) by a 22-10 major decision in the semis to set up a matchup of the top 140-pounders in the state in the final. “Rylan’s been my teammate on the summer Greco-Roman team, so we know each other,” said Dieringer. “He’s strong, but I’m as strong as he is. I’ll be able to handle his big, angular back.” Dieringer led a run of success for the area’s top four wrestlers as Germantown junior Jesse Thielke, Arrowhead senior Jake Sueflohn and Milwaukee Custer senior Davion Willis all stormed into the finals. Thielke, seeking his third consecutive D1 state title, continued his run through the tournament by dispatching Port Washington junior Justin Meins (46-0) by a 17-3 major decision in one 125-pound final. Thielke is to face Brookfield East senior Justin Wolfenden (43-7), the surprise of the D1 tournament, in the 125 final. Wolfenden defeated La Crosse Logan sophomore Kyle McKenzie (41-4) by a 10-6 decision in the other 125 semifinal. Sueflohn (47-1) was methodical in blanking Rapids sophomore Jake Raflik (40-11) by a 6-0 decision in one 135 D1 final. Sueflohn denied Raflik any offensive opportunities out of his favored Greco-Roman positions and moved into a final for the second straight year. Sueflohn is to face Stoughton senior Jackson Urso (35-4) in the final. Urso defeated Green Bay Preble/East junior Marshall Pennings (44-6) by a 11-2 major decision. “I’m happy (to win) but my goal has not been accomplished yet,” said Sueflohn, the only one of Arrowhead’s three semifinalists to advance. “I’ve accomplished all my goals this year except this one right here. It’s all or nothing.” Willis (53-1) wasted no time taking control of his semifinal at 171and ended it quickly by pinning Appleton North junior Sami Khatib (37-8) in 27 seconds. Willis is to face No. 1-ranked Wisconsin Rapids sophomore Devin Peterson in the 171 final. Peterson defeated Arrowhead junior Shane Hughes (34-13) by a 6-2 decision in the other 171 semifinal, ending Hughes’ strong run at the end of the season. OT thrillers: Kenosha Tremper freshman Tyler Rice (47-6) had to work overtime to advance to the 103 D1 final. It was worth all the work however. Rice posted a 6-5 decision over Milwaukee Marquette freshman Gabriel Grahek (41-4) when Grahek when Grahek was called for stalling when he slid a leg ride in on Rice while Rice was standing in the second 30-second period of double overtime. Rice, one of three area wrestlers to win overtime semifinal matches, is to face Milton sophomore John Wells (43-5) in the D1 103 final. Wells defeated Hartford freshman Bobby Nachreiner (44-6) by a 7-2 decision in the other semifinal. “It feels great when you work your butt off all year for one result and it happens,” said Rice. Rice was joined in the finals by Kenosha Tremper sophomore Dominic Garcia. Garcia (52-1) defeated Shawano junior Jared Kust (43-5) in one 119 semifinal. Garcia is to face top-ranked Pulaski senior Justin Ederby (48-0) in the final. Also winning in overtime was South Milwaukee 285-pounder Billy Mitchell (18-0). Mitchell forced overtime with a late escape to tie the match at 2-2 and saved his best sprawl and spin move to finally end his match with Wausau West junior Evan Knutson (49-3) and preserve a 4-2 overtime victory. In the final, Mitchell will face top-ranked Superior senior Nikola Bogojevic (47-0). Bogojevic defeated Tremper senior Najee Parker, 3-1, in the other 285 semifinal. For Mitchell, out almost the whole season with a thumb injury, reaching the final was his coaches doing. “To get to the finals, it’s a group effort,” said Mitchell. “I’m just a puppet in their hands. I do what they tell me to do. This is where all the work they put me through pays off.” Muskego sophs deliver: Muskego has known that its sophomore class is the best class the school as had in many years. Finally, two of them broke through to reach the final in their respective weight classes in all-Southeast Conference battles. At 112 pounds, Justin Scherkenbach (45-4), the No. 2-ranked 112 pounder, defeated Frankin junior Sam Kortes (43-6) by a 6-4 decision in one 112 semifinal. It was Scherkenbach’s third victory of the year over Kortes. Scherkenbach used a two-point nearfall in the third period to take a 6-2 lead and used a solid ride the rest of the way before giving up a late reversal to reach the 112 final where he will face top-ranked Appleton West junior Ryan McQuade (46-1) in the final. “I knew I could beat him,” said Scherkenbach said of Kortes. “It was just a matter of time. It feels great. My friend Jordan is in the 189 semis and I know he’s going to win. It feels great.” Gruettner (45-4) did deliver, too. Gruettner will be an underdog as well, facing No. 1-ranked Noah Budi (46-0) in the final. Gruettner broke open a close match by pinning Oak Creek senior Kyle Wey (36-4) in 5:32 to reach the final. It was Gruettner’s third victory of the year over Wey. Go Back to the Home Page Read More Articles by Joe../../../08-09_Articles.htmlshapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1