LA CROSSE - Monroe had three wrestlers place at the annual Bi-State Classic.
Juniors Nick Walker (heavyweight), Dylan Schwitz (145 pounds) and freshman Kevin Klopfenstein (119) gave solid points as the Cheesemakers finished in eighth place in the 15-team Division 2 bracket.
Schwitz, who went to state last year, finished sixth overall in his bracket, losing to South Saint Paul's Jesse Munos 12-3 in the fifth-place match. In the tournament, Schwitz went 5-3 with two pins.
"Schwitz grew up a little bit here. Now he knows he has to wrestle for six minutes every match instead of wrestling just to try to score as many points as he can or pick up a pin," Monroe head coach Jeriamy Jackson said.
Klopfenstein also finished sixth, losing to La Crosse Logan's Kyle McKenzie in the fifth-place match, 4-0.
"He picked up invaluable experience," Jackson said of his youngest star. Klopfenstein finished 4-3 in the tournament with a pin.
Walker took eighth after falling to Black River Falls wrestler Jaysen Sargent via pin in 51 seconds in the seventh place match. Walker just started wrestling a little over a year ago, but Jackson likes what he's seen from the bulky junior.
"He is just soaking up everything. And he has something that you can't teach, desire and a heart that wants to win. He's come a long way in a year and a half," Jackson said. Walker finished the tournament with a 4-3 record, including two pins.
Juniors Nick Walker (heavyweight), Dylan Schwitz (145 pounds) and freshman Kevin Klopfenstein (119) gave solid points as the Cheesemakers finished in eighth place in the 15-team Division 2 bracket.
Schwitz, who went to state last year, finished sixth overall in his bracket, losing to South Saint Paul's Jesse Munos 12-3 in the fifth-place match. In the tournament, Schwitz went 5-3 with two pins.
"Schwitz grew up a little bit here. Now he knows he has to wrestle for six minutes every match instead of wrestling just to try to score as many points as he can or pick up a pin," Monroe head coach Jeriamy Jackson said.
Klopfenstein also finished sixth, losing to La Crosse Logan's Kyle McKenzie in the fifth-place match, 4-0.
"He picked up invaluable experience," Jackson said of his youngest star. Klopfenstein finished 4-3 in the tournament with a pin.
Walker took eighth after falling to Black River Falls wrestler Jaysen Sargent via pin in 51 seconds in the seventh place match. Walker just started wrestling a little over a year ago, but Jackson likes what he's seen from the bulky junior.
"He is just soaking up everything. And he has something that you can't teach, desire and a heart that wants to win. He's come a long way in a year and a half," Jackson said. Walker finished the tournament with a 4-3 record, including two pins.
