Joeshinners.com State Day 2

MATSIDE
State Tournament Facts
What: 67th WIAA individual state wrestling tournament
When: Thursday through Saturday.
Where: Kohl Center, Madison.
Ticket prices: $8 per session. Tickets are available at the Kohl Center.

Thursday
Session 1: Division 1 preliminaries - 3 p.m. Division 1 quarterfinals - approximately 5:15 p.m. Divisions 2 & 3 preliminaries - approximately 7:15 p.m.

Friday
Session 2: Division 1 consolations - 10 a.m.; Divisions 2 & 3 quarterfinals - approximately 11:15 a.m.; Division 1 consolation semifinals - approximately 1:45 p.m.; Divisions 2 & 3 consolation semifinals - approximately 2:45 p.m.
Session 3: Division 1, 2, 3 semifinals at 7 p.m. D1 on mats 1 & 2. D2 on mats 3 & 4. D3 on mats 5 & 6.

Saturday
Session 4, 11 a.m.: Division 1 consolation wrestlebacks on mats 1 & 2; Division 2 consolation wrestlebacks on mats 3 & 4; Division 3 consolation wrestlebacks on mats 5 & 6.
Session 5, 6 p.m.: Championships in all three divisions. D1 on mat 1. D2 on mat 2. D3 on mat 3.
Broadcast information: All six mats of the pre-finals matches will be streamed live on WIAA.tv. The finals for all divisions will be aired tape-delayed on FS Wisconsin. The Division 1 finals are scheduled to air at 9 p.m. Thursday, April 8. The Division 2 finals are scheduled to air at noon Saturday, April 10. The Division 3 finals will air at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 3. Check local cable listings for the FS Wisconsin channel in your area.
Other notes
Tournament overall numbers: There are 224 qualifiers for the championships
in D1 and 168 in both Divisions 2 and 3. There are 86 schools represented in D1, 71 in D2 and 63 in D3.
Team-leading qualifiers: Wisconsin Rapids leads the D1 field with 10. Harfford, Kaukauan, and Muskego qualified seven. In D2, Ellsworth led the field with 10, followed by Pewaukee with 8 and Oconto Falls with seven. In D3, Colman led the field with nine, followed by eight teams with six apiece.

Returning champions (15): D1: Jesse Thielke, jr., Germantown, 125, 43-0 (125-2009, 112-2008); Torin Boernke, jr., Marshfield, 130, 31-2 (112-2009); Alex Dieringer, jr., Port Washington, 140, 41-1 (103-2008); Brad Dolezal, jr., Marshfield, 145 44-0 (140-2008); Noah Budi, sr., Kaukauna, 189, 44-0 (2009-160). D2: Jarod Donar, so., Cuba City/Southwestern, 45-0, 125 (119-2009); Zach Zehner, sr., Tomahawk, 43-0, 130 (125-2009); Rudy Chagoya, Tomahawk, sr., 135, 48-1 (130-2009); Joe Raygor, sr., St. Croix Falls, 39-0, 171 (171-2009). D3: Justin Mudlaff ,jr., Random Lake, 119, 43-0 (103-2008, 112-2009); Bubba Gudis, sr., Bruce, 43-0, 130 (119-2009); Brayden Wienke, sr., Clear Lake, 152, 46-0 (145-2009); Buddy Lincks, sr., Waterloo, 160, 38-3 0160-2009); Patrick Kissel, sr., Oostburg, 171, 38-0 (171-2009); Chad Johnson, sr., DeSoto, 215, (41-1) (215-2009).
Undefeated wrestlers (26): D1: Justin Enderby, sr., Pulaski, 45-0, 119; Thielke; Siven Fursth, jr, Janesville Craig, 36-0, 130; Dolezal; Joe Immekus, sr., West Allis Central, 44-0, 160; Matthew Pennings, sr, Green Bay Preble/East, 45-0, 160; Budi; Alex Polizzi, sr, Beloit Memorial, 41-0, 215; Nikola Bogojevic, sr., Superior, 44-0, 285; Bill Mitchell, sr., South Milwaukee, 15-0, 285. D2: Jarod Donar, City/Southwestern, 45-0, 125; Zehner; Ben Schmitt, sr., Belleville/Monticello/New Glarus, 35-0, 160; Raygor; Cody Wedde, sr., Clintonville, 39-0, 171; Matt Tourdot, sr., Sparta, 47-0, 215; Logan Figueroa, sr., Valders, 42-0, 285. D3: Mudlaff; Gudis; Charlie Van Straten, jr., Shiocton, 44-0, 130; Tucker Pittz, jr., Mineral Point, 43-0, 140; Wienke; Kissel; Keith Rudesill, jr., Ladysmith, 34-0, 189; Cole Myren, jr., Whitehall, 37-0, 215; Matt Wyss, sr., Boyceville, 20-0, 285.

Four-time qualifiers (26): D1: Josiah Bobier, sr., Kaukaua, 39-5, 119; Jackson Urso, sr., Stoughton, 32-4, 135; James Miller, sr., Milton, 43-2, 189; Budi; Kyle Wey, sr., Oak Creek, 34-3, 189; Polizzi; James Wixom, sr., Sauk Prairie, 35-2, 171. D2: Zess; Cullan Morrissey, sr., Oconto Falls, 130, 40-1; Nathan Brown, sr., Sheyboygan Falls, 32-5, 125; Dustin McKinney, sr., Unity, 135, 43-1; Ben Chappa, sr., Sheboygan Falls, 31-2, 152; Dylan Iczkowski, sr., Mosinee, 40-1, 189. D3: Gudis; Dylan Schroeder, sr., Mineral Point, 40-1, 125; Lincks; Chad Heise, sr., Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas, 38-2, 152; Garrett Bonte, sr., Glenwood City, 40-1, 160; Bryant Edge, sr., Iowa-Grant, 32-6, 215.

History of champions: For a complete list of individual champions, access the WIAA website: http://www.wiaawi.org/wrestling/individualchamps.pdf

List of qualifiers: Brackets and tournament schedule are available on theWIAA website
at: http://www.wiaawi.org/index.php?id=214 or by accessing the TrackWrestling site at: http://www.trackwrestling.com.

Results: Access results through the WIAA webite at: http://www.wiaawi.org/index.php?id=391 or by accessing the TrackWrestling.com Web site at http://www.trackwrestling.com.

Team of the week

Week 11: West Allis Central. The Bulldogs, ranked No. 5 in the area, upset No. 1-ranked Arrowhead, 34-27, at the Homestead team sectional to earn their first berth to the state team tournament since 2001, the only time Central has qualified for the team tournament. Central also won the Greater Metro Conference dual and tournament titles, a regional title to go a long with the team sectional title this year.

Wrestler of the Week

Shane Hughes, Arrowhead. The junior knocked off the top two area wrestlers at 171 pounds in a four-day span to inject himself into the fray in the state’s toughest weight class this year. Hughes defeated Milwaukee Custer senior Davion Willis, 13-12, to win the 171 title at the Sussex Hamilton Regional. It was Willis’ first loss of the year. Hughes wasn’t done, however, for the week. During the Homstead teams sectional final, Hughes defeated West Allis Central senior Dan Diebitz, 6-5. It was Diebitz’ second loss of the year.

Joe’s Week 10 Team Rankings

Team Rankings Area (Final)
1, Arrowhead, 10-2 2, Muskego, 14-3 3, Burlington, 15-0 4, Pewaukee, 17-2 5, West Allis Central, 25-5 6, Hartford, 24-3 7, Franklin, 16-4 8, Kenosha Tremper, 33-4 9, Mukwonago, 14-3 10, Kewaskum, 13-5

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State Individual Day 2
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Regionals Week Sectional Week
State Individual-Day 1 State Individual- Day 2 State Individual-Day 3 State Team Preview State Team Results All Area Team

WiWrestling.com Rankings
Click for Complete List
(Final) Individual Division 1
103  1 Joe Umlauf Wausau West 9 2 Bobby Nachreiner Hartford 9 3 Zach Bruley Oshkosh North 11 4 Austin Hietpas Kaukauna 11 5 Wyatt Booth Merrill 11 6 Tyler Rice Kenosha Tremper 9 7 John Wells Milton 10 8 Alex Blaney Bay Port 9 9 Quinn Miracle Chippewa Falls 9 10 Gabriel Grahek Milwaukee Marquette 9 11 Jason Munoz Wisconsin Rapids 11 12 Kris Neumann Madison Edgewood 12  HM Mitchel Gundrum West Bend East 11 HM Austin Gonzalez Janesville Parker 9 HM Jordan Baumgartner Hudson 12 HM Alex Valentine LaCrosse Central 12 HM Tanner Dworak Tomah 10 HM Kameron Bourgeois Whitnall 11 HM Matt Ehlen Burlington 10 HM Ezekial Torres Milwaukee Bradley Tech 12 HM Daulton Vallesky Kettle Moraine 10 HM Casey Dentino Brookfield East 10 112  1 Ryan McQuade Appleton West 11 2 Tony Perl Sheboygan North 11 3 Justin Scherkenbach Muskego 10 4 Izzy Balsiger Chippewa Falls 10 5 Sam Kortes Franklin 11 6 Nate Hettinga Wausau West 10 7 James Bennett Holmen 10 8 Gordon Johnson Hudson 11 9 Steve Van Wychen Kaukauna 12 10 Nick Urso Stoughton 10 11 Austin Christenson Waterford 10 12 Derek Gill Burlington 10  HM Mason Bohm Shawano 11 HM Jake Jaborek Wisconsin Rapids 11 HM Skyler Pederson West Allis Central 10 HM Garrett Guttenberger Mukwonago 11 HM Jacob Syndergaard Pulaski 10 HM Ian Johnson Deforest 12 HM Logan Scheel Oshkosh West 10 HM Zurik Adler Tomah 12 HM Peter Wolff River Falls 12 HM Luc Stewart Ashwaubenon 11 HM Ferriez Johnson Milwaukee Bradley Tech 11 119  1 Justin Enderby Pulaski 12 2 Logan Cudd River Falls 11 3 Dominic Garcia Kenosha Tremper 10 4 Josiah Bobier Kaukauna 12 5 Jake Cain Middleton 9 6 Keegan Einerson Wisconsin Rapids 10 7 Jared Kust Shawano 11 8 Brennan Casey-Schmidt Janesville Parker 11 9 Rickie Pody Wausau West 12 10 Tyler Semrad Waukesha West 12 11 Nate Hennes Hartford 10 12 Adam Yde Hartland Arrowhead 10  HM Andrew Moyle West Allis Hale 10 HM Blake Koch Reedsburg 11 HM Hank Mattson Mukwonago 9 HM Landon Shea Milton 10 HM Jaron Cashaw Appleton West 11 HM Alex Kueck Neenah 10 HM Matt Natzke Merrill 12 HM Cody Szohr Germantown 11 HM Mike Miller Sauk Prairie 10 HM Danny Laurent Waukesha North 11

125 1 Jesse Thielke Germantown 11 2 Garrett Whitehead Milton 10 3 Justin Meins Port Washington 11 4 Zach Mommaerts Oconomowoc 12 5 Chad Stuiber Ashwaubenon 12 6 Ben Westover Wisconsin Rapids 11 7 Steven Fisher Greenfield 12 8 Peter Buchholz Racine Horlick 12 9 David Cabral Franklin 11 10 Justin Wolfenden Brookfield East 12 11 Cameron Kleven Oshkosh West 10 12 Tanner Owens Hudson 10

Click for Complete WiWrestling.com Rankings
State Rankings
Crossface Team
(Final)
Division 1: 1, Wisconsin Rapids; 2, Kaukauna; 3, Milton; 4, Wausau West; 5, Arrowhead; 6, Hudson; 7, Pulaski; 8, Muskego. Honorable mention – Marshfield, Hartford, Mukwonago, Stoughton, Merrill, West Allis Central, Hortonville, Green Bay Preble/East, Ashhwaubenon.
Division 2: 1, Luxemburg-Casco; 2, Oconto Falls; 3, Ellsworth; 4, Lodi; 5, Pewaukee; 6, Tomahawk; 7, Sparta; 8, Kewaskum. Honorable mention: Freedom, River Valley, Wrightstown; Marshall, Delavan-Darien, Campellsport, Amery, Sheboygan Falls, Seymour, Marshall, Valders, Nekoosa/Port Edwards.
Division 3: 1, Coleman; 2, Mineral Point; 3, Boyceville; 4, Edgar; 5, Cadott; 6, Reedsville; 7, DeSotoa; 8, (tie) Clear Lake and Glenwood City. Honorable mention: New Lisbon, Westby, Brillion, Oostburg, Random Lake, Iowa-Grant, Arcadia, Lomira Shiocton.

Crossface Individual
(Note: Rankings of all three divisions combined, top five individuals in state; area wrestlers ranked, through Thursday.)

Crossface All-State Team

Division 1  103 pounds 1. Joe Umlauf, Wausau West 2. John Wells, Milton 3. Wyatt Booth, Merrill 4. Jason Munoz, Wisconsin Rapids 5. Quinn Miracle Chippewa Falls 6. Austin Heitpas, Kaukauna 7. Zach Bruley, Oshkosh North 8. Bobby Nachreiner, Hartford  Honorable mention: Kris Neumann, Madison Edgewood; Tanner Dworak, Tomah; Tyler Rice, Tenosha Tremper; Alex Valentine, Lacrosse Central; Mitchell Gundrum, West Bend East  112 1. Justin Scherkenbach, Muskego 2. Izzy Balsiger, Chippewa Falls 3. Tony Perl, Sheboygan North 4. Jon Schuster, Wausau West 5. Derek Gil, Burlington 6. James Bennett, Holmen 7. Gordan Johnson, Hudson 8. Steve VanWychen, Kaukauna  Honorable mention: Jake Jaborek, Wisconsin Rapids; Nick Urso, Stoughton; Ian Johnson, DeForest Austin Christensen, Waterford 
Click for Complete All-State Crossface Rankings

Dieringer Finds Proper Perspective
By Joe Shinners Perspective is what Port Washington junior wrestler Alex Dieringer is all about. He’s been at the top of the podium almost everywhere he goes. Yet he’s experienced frustrating losses in the public eye, and still understands that for him wresting is about one thing: having some fun out there on the mat. Thankfully for Dieringer, he’s had many more good days than bad days as he embarks on his third trip to the individual state wrestling tournament as one of the top five wrestlers overall in the state. The individual state wrestling tournament runs from Thursday through Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison. As usual, Dieringer will be the favorite to win a state title, this year in Division 1 at 140 pounds after Port shifted up to Division 1 after a one-year stint in D2 a year ago. His main competitors are expected to be Wisconsin Rapids sophomore Rylan Lubeck (45-3) and River Falls senior Cam Loomis (39-2). Dieringer, the state D1 state champion at 103 pounds two years ago as a powerful lightweight, is looking to regain his state championship form after a frustrating loss in the D2 finals at 125 a year ago. That’s when Dieringer lost to Tomahawk’s Zach Zehner, now a senior, by a 7-6 decision in the 125 D2 final after a poorly timed headthrow was perfectly countered by Zehner. That loss has been gnawing at Dieringer ever since. More

Photo by Patrick Granger

145 - Wilmot's Ryan Gartner, Sophmore, shoots on Delevan's Kyndle Bennett for a takedown.

State Titles Fuel Thielke’s Drive
By Joe Shinners This is the time that drives Jesse Thielke. Talk to him after a match when it matters. The kid is focused, driven and not in a mood to discuss pleasantries. There’s still work to do. Sure, he’s got the national ranking (top 10 in his weight class in several national polls), national age group titles (too many to list), USA wrestling national team experience last summer in his age group and two individual Division 1 state tournament titles to his credit already.

Make no mistake about it,
however. This is a time when Thielke wants to win big. He wants to win in front of a big crowd in his state. He wants to win in front of those who have always had high expectations of him. It’s been that way since he was only a youth wrestler who won almost every tournament and then burst on the high school scene as many young kids do with high expectations. The only difference between the other young kids and Thielke is that Thiekle delivers when it matters.
More

Photo By Patrick Granger
Arrowhead’sJake Sueflhon works to escape from Hundson senior Tyler Boumeester in last year’s State Tournament.

WIAA State Wrestling
Semifinal Results

DIVISION 1 103 pound John Wells, Milton, def. Bobby Nachreiner, Hartford, 7-2; Tyler Rice, Kenosha Tremper, def. Gabriel Grahek, Milw. Marquette, 6-5 (double overtime). 112 Justin Scherkenbach, Muskego, def. Sam Kortes, Franklin, 6-4; Ryan McQuade, Appleton West, pinned Tony Perl, Sheboygan North, 5:47. 119 Justin Enderby, Pulaski, def. Logan Cudd, River Falls, 3-1; Dominic Garcia, Kenosha Tremper, def. Jared Kust, Shawano, 5-2. 125 Justin Wolfenden, Brookfield East, def. Kyle McKenzie, La Crosse Logan, 7-5; Jesse Thielke, Germantown, maj. dec. over Justin Meins, Port Washington, 17-3. 130 Torin Boemke, Marshfield, def. Jared Kissinger, Verona, 5-2; Siven Furseth, Janesville Craig, def. Kasey Einerson, Wis. Rapids Lincoln, 4-3. 135 Jackson Urso, Stoughton, maj. dec. over Marshall Pennings, Green Bay Preble / East, 11-2; Jake Sueflohn, Arrowhead, def. Jake Raflik, Wis. Rapids Lincoln, 6-0. 140 Alex Dieringer, Port Washington, pinned Matthew Gray, Wilmot, 3:41; Rylan Lubeck, Wis. Rapids Lincoln, maj. dec. over Jake Morrison, Oconomowoc, 22-10. 145 Brad Dolezal, Marshfield, def. Joey Woppert, Brookfield East, 9-2; Zak Benitz, Wis. Rapids Lincoln, def. Conner Monk, Wausau West, 4-3. 152 Kyle Crain, Hudson, pinned Joe Immekus, West Allis Central, 2:47; Scott VanDeLoo, Kaukauna, def. Ian Hackett, Holmen, 2-0. 160 Matthew Pennings, Green Bay Preble / East, def. Al Yde, Arrowhead, 2-1 (double overtime); Ian Johnson, Milton, def. Mitch Hanson, DeForest, 7-3. 171 Devin Peterson, Wis. Rapids Lincoln, def. Shane Hughes, Arrowhead, 7-2; Davion Willis, Milw. Custer / Madison / Marshall / Northwest / South, pinned Sami Khatib, Appleton North, 0:29. 189 Noah Budi, Kaukauna, def. Tremayne Williams, Appleton North, 8-3; Jordan Gruettner, Muskego, pinned Kyle Wey, Oak Creek, 5:32. 215 Alex Polizzi, Beloit Memorial, def. Kolby Knuth, Appleton North, 6-0; Patrick Bruyette, Greenfield, def. Steve Sizer, West Bend West, 7-2. 285 Nikola Bogojevic, Superior, def. Najee Parker, Kenosha Tremper, 5-1; Bill Mitchell, South Milwaukee, def. Evan Knutson, Wausau West, 4-2 (overtime).
DIVISION 2 103 pounds Chad Bartschenfeld, Amery, def. John Roycraft, Winneconne, 4-0; Brett Buechler, Wrightstown, maj. dec. over Alex Hauri, Parkview, 10-0. 112 Daniel Banh, Freedom, maj. dec. over Jack Pearce, Ashland, 13-5; Hunter Weber, Marshall, pinned Matt Ronsman, Luxemburg-Casco, 1:15. 119 Bob Donar, Cuba City, pinned Kyle Wilson, Neillsville, 1:00; Joseph Her, Two Rivers, def. Mitch Teeters, Pewaukee, 4-3. 125 Brandon Wixom, Clinton, def. Colin Dolata, Mauston, 6-4; Jarod Donar, Cuba City, pinned Roarke Langer, Ellsworth, 5:23. 130 Zach Zehner, Tomahawk, pinned Seth Liegel, River Valley, 5:42; Cullan Morrissey, Oconto Falls, tech. fall over Cole Hansen, Marshall, 15-0. 135 Dustin McKinney, Unity, maj. dec. over Jordan Giachino, Luxemburg-Casco, 13-2; Tristan Rowley, New Holstein, def. Rudy Chagoya, Tomahawk, 4-2. 140 Damien Luchterhand, Neillsville, def. Kyndle Bennett, Delavan-Darien, 10-8; Mitch Berceau, Luxemburg-Casco, def. Brandon Sleeman, Adams-Friendship, 1-0. 145 Isaiah Erickson, Cumberland, def. Mike Dusel, Pewaukee, 3-2; Levi Kuesel, Ellsworth, def. David Galamo, New Holstein, 14-9. 152 Dusty Jentz, Belmont / Platteville, def. Blake Lundgren, Amery, 5-4; Ben Chappa, Sheboygan Falls, def. Josiah Brendemuehl, Mishicot, 4-1. 160 Spencer Meinholz, Marshall, def. Noah McLay, Ellsworth, 5-2; Jacob Morrissey, Oconto Falls, pinned Ben Schmitt, Belleville / Monticello / New Glarus, 4:00. 171 Joe Raygor, Saint Croix Falls, def. Tom Schumacher, Freedom, 3-1; Josh Eastlick, Belmont / Platteville, def. Connor Hanson, Ripon, 5-1. 189 Josh Ferron, Berlin, pinned Evan Sinram, Prairie du Chien, 2:31; Dylan Iczkowski, Mosinee, def. Zach Wetzel, Campbellsport, 7-0. 215 Cody Endres, Lodi, maj. dec. over Alex Schleis, Kewaunee / Algoma, 16-7; Matt Tourdot, Sparta, def. Cody Wedde, Clintonville, 7-3. 285 Taylor Henry, Viroqua, def. Brian Schaetz, Denmark, 10-3; Logan Figueroa, Valders, pinned Kit Conrad, Wisconsin Dells, 0:39.
DIVISION 3 103 pounds Brady Webb, Spring Valley, def. Josh Bayer, Peshtigo, 5-3; Evan Miller, De Soto, def. Darek Behnke, Coleman, 8-4. 112 Mack Drees, Peshtigo, def. Jason Stuart, Boyceville, 2-0; Cody See, Westby, maj. dec. over Dylan Loos, Oshkosh Lourdes, 13-2. 119 Corey Hodowanic, Cornell / Gilman, def. Devin Malott, Darlington, 6-2; Justin Mudlaff, Random Lake, def. Kyle Johnson, Bruce, 4-0. 125 Nate Duren, Weston / Ithaca, def. Mike Sonnentag, Cadott, 3-2; Dylan Schroeder, Mineral Point, def. Nathaniel Behnke, Bruce, 5-1. 130 Bubba Gudis, Bruce, maj. dec. over Charlie VanStraten, Shiocton, 15-7; Nick Mudlaff, Random Lake, def. Josh Ebert, Reedsville, 5-1. 135 Ryan Vogt, River Ridge / Cassville, def. Felipe Martinez, Arcadia, 10-4; AJ Zemke, Oshkosh Lourdes, def. Myles Magee, Coleman, 5-1. 140 Jake Dean, Laconia, pinned Cullin Kowalczyk, Bonduel, 1:16; Tucker Pittz, Mineral Point, def. Zach Gillis, Saint Croix Central (injury default). 145 Dominic Flock, Cashton, def. Jacob Borkowski, Horicon, 9-8; Roy Munroe, Cadott, def. Calvin Canales, Rio, 11-6. 152 Brayden Wienke, Clear Lake, pinned Austin Nottestad, Westby, 1:31; Chad Heise, Lena / St. Thomas Aquinas, maj. dec. over Matt Smith, Saint Croix Central, 11-0. 160 Garrett Bonte, Glenwood City, maj. dec. over Tyler Garcia, Cedar Grove-Belgium, 16-2; Buddy Lincks, Waterloo, maj. dec. over Austin Ebert, Reedsville, 9-0. 171 Brady Tibbits, Mineral Point, pinned Troy Stillings, Coleman, 3:50; Patrick Kissel, Oostburg, def. Ethan Sebranek, Hillsboro, 10-8. 189 Ben Tauchen, Bonduel, def. Andy Borchardt, Edgar, 10-5; Mitch Kuchta, Coleman, def. Matt Knight, Random Lake, 8-3. 215 Bryant Edge, Iowa-Grant, pinned Cole Myren, Whitehall, 1:38; Chad Johnson, De Soto, pinned Aaron Karlen, Edgar, 1:30. 285 Matt Wyss, Boyceville, def. Jordan Zeitler, Coleman, 9-4; Rance Nofsinger, Brookwood, pinned Ben Drexler, Florence, 2:43.
More

Willis’ Road to Redemption
Began on Mat, Classroom

By Joe Shinners It’s been a long and trying road that Milwaukee Custer senior wrestler Davion Willis has walked. At times, he’s stumbled. But as he enters the stretch run of his final wrestling campaign, Willis can say he has straightened up and regained a steady footing in life over four years of effort. He’s excelled on the mat, in the classroom and in the community thanks to his determination and drive. He can thank wrestling, a saving grace for the young man who once never thought of goals or following a path to success that he is now on. It wasn’t always rosy for Willis, one of the top 171-pound wrestlers in the state. Life can be and was cruel to him early on. His mother died when he was only 7 years old. His relationship with his father has been distant, to say the least. It was tough sledding when he was growing up in Chicago. Nothing came easy.

Davion Willis Photograph by Patrick Granger

Dieringer Shoots to Clean Slate

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. More

Photo by Patrick Granger