Hawks qualify seven for state, a new school record
The Prairie du Chien Blackhawk wrestling team is advancing seven individuals to the State Tournament.
Evansville was the host of a WIAA Division 2 Sectional on Saturday, Feb. 22. This sectional was represented by wrestlers from 26 teams from four regionals. PdC was represented by 11 individuals, all of whom advanced from last Saturday’s regional tournament.
At 106#, Rhett Koenig opened his day with a 6-1 decision over Heintz (Lodi). In the semifinals, Koenig would punch his ticket to the State Tournament with a second period fall over Van Dinter (Wisconsin Dells). Koenig would finish second after losing by decision 3-1 in the finals to Beckett (Portage).
At 126#, Luke Kramer would win his first round match by 4-0 decision over Crawford (Portage). Kramer would win again in the semifinals by decision 4-2 over Teague (Beloit Turner) to qualify for the State Tournament. In the finals, Kramer was defeated 3-1 by Scofield (Evansville/Albany), which pushed him into a second place wrestleback, where he was defeated by Schuh (Monroe) by decision 3-2 to finish third.
At 132#, Matt Rogge would win by fall in the first period against Strouse (Edgerton). In the semifinals, Rogge would toe the line with SWC foe Donovan (Richland Center) and win by 9-3 decision to secure his spot at the State Tournament. In the finals, Rogge was defeated by a 4-1 decision by Anderson (Viroqua) to finish second.
At 160#, Traeton Saint opened the day with a quick first period fall over Hoehn (Mauston). In the semifinals, Saint would record another first period fall, this time over Braunschweig (Evansville/Albany) to qualify for State. In the finals, Saint was upended by major decision 12-4 by Neff (Jefferson). This put him into a match to determine true second, and Saint would win by decision 6-2 over Reilly (Monroe).
At 170#, Bradyn Saint also would start with a first period fall over Cassady (Lake Mills). In the semifinals, Saint would punch his ticket to State with a 4-1 decision over Martinez (Mauston). In the finals, Saint would lose by fall in the third period to Helmbrecht (Lodi). In the true second place match, Saint would pin Goffinet (Cuba City) in the first period for a second-place finish.
At 195#, Tyler Hannah entered sectionals with zero losses and kept it that way by pinning all three of his opponents en route to a first-place finish. In round one, Hannah pinned Jelinek (Richland Center) in the second period. In the semifinals, Hannah pinned Ries (Beloit Turner) in the third period. In the finals, Hannah would deck his opponent, Lobdell (Darlington/Blackhawk) in the first period.
At 220#, Colten Wall would open with a 12-4 major decision over Kinkaid (Jefferson). In the semifinals, Wall would record a third-period fall over Morris (Richland Center). In the finals Wall would win by decision 7-3 over Roche (Columbus).
Also representing PdC, but coming up short in their quest for the State Tournament were Ryder Koenig (113#), Maddox Cejka (120#), Kurt Wall (138#), and Chase Fisher (145#), all of whom, as underclassmen, will have an opportunity to be back next year.
PdC Pairings
The following are the first round pairings for Prairie du Chien wrestlers for the State Tournament held at the Kohl Center in Madison. Wrestling starts at 7 p.m., Thursday. Friday’s session starts at approximately 11:15 a.m.
(Thurs) 106# - Rhett Koenig (Fr., 47-6) vs. Caden Kleinschmidt, Winneconne (Fr., 23-8).
(Thurs) 126# - Luke Kramer (Fr., 43-11) vs. Chad Moegenburg, Wittenberg-Birnamwood (Sr., 41-5)
(Thurs) 132# - Matt Rogge (Jr., 40-6) vs. Connor Cass, Lake Country Lutheran (Sr., 21-16).
(Thurs) 160# - Traeton Saint (Sr., 48-3) vs. Chase Peltier, Barron (Sr., 34-9).
(Thurs) 170# - Bradyn Saint (Jr., 46-6) vs. Troy Nabbefeld, Freedom (Jr., 26-14).
(Fri) 195# - Tyler Hannah (Sr., 50-0) vs. will face the winner between Eric Decker, Tomahawk (Jr., 35-9) and Jacob Peacy, Port Washington (So., 32-11).
(Fri) 220# - Colten Wall (Sr., 17-4) will face the winner between Kyle Dietzen, Omro (Jr., 35-9) and Kyle Anschutz, Ellsworth (So., 29-14).