MONROE - Kevin Klopfenstein and Trevor Gorr have amassed 72 wins between them this season and each has enjoyed his share of big moments.
But both Monroe High School juniors will have a tough time feeling good about this season unless they finish it at the WIAA state wrestling tournament later this month at the Kohl Center.
Cheesemakers coach Jeriamy Jackson likes the chances of that happening for both of them.
Klopfenstein (132 pounds) and Gorr (220) will join juniors Jesse Keizer (120), Aaron Hesgard (126) and Dusty Burkhalter (182), and sophomore Brett Zimmerman (heavyweight) at Saturday's Division 2 sectional tournament at Richland Center as the Cheesemakers account for nearly half of the 13 area individuals still competing.
While Jackson isn't ruling out any of the six advancing to state Feb. 23-25 in Madison, he said the Cheesemakers' regional champs - Klopfenstein and Gorr - are set up the best by virtue of the draws they received after each captured regional titles on Saturday, Feb. 11.
"The matchups for us, I think, are pretty favorable," Jackson said of Klopfenstein and Gorr. "We kind of knew what we had to do (at regionals). By Trevor and Kevin winning the tournament, it's worked out exactly like we thought it would."
Gorr, the Cheesemakers' lone Badger Conference champion who is ranked sixth in Division 2, will open the sectional tournament against Adams-Friendship's Kyle Burrows (38-5), who he defeated 3-0 at the Bi-State Classic in December.
"That's a good sign," Jackson said. "It's got to boost his confidence when he's already seen that opponent and beat him, and knowing he can beat him again if he wrestles well."
Gorr is 38-4 this season and desperately wants to reach the state tournament after losing in the second round at sections a year ago. Wrestlers can guarantee a trip to state by winning their first two matches at sectionals, which means they can finish no lower than third place
The key for Gorr?
"Just to maintain his confidence," Jackson said. "He's been in some big matches all year long, but nothing puts as much pressure on wrestlers as the matches that determine who goes to state. We have a lot of faith in him that if he goes out and wrestles like he has all year long that he'll make it."
Klopfenstein (34-10), who qualified for state two years ago when he set a Monroe freshman record with 40 wins, enters Saturday with some emotional baggage after losing his sectionals opener last year to an opponent he'd beaten earlier in the season. He opens Saturday against Prairie du Chien's Sam Stormoen (26-12).
"Kevin hasn't wrestled him, but he's beaten some guys who beat (Stormoen), and that's a good feeling," Jackson said. "He mentioned to me, 'Yep, I'm in the same position as last year,' and kind of had a different look in his eye. He's wrestled kids better than the kids he has to wrestle this weekend. It's got to give him confidence that he can go out there and take care of business."
Added Jackson: "If Trevor and Kevin beat those guys, they have good matches up in the second round, too."
Of the four remaining Cheesemakers at sectionals, Jackson said Hesgard is in the best position to make some noise because of how the brackets shook out.
"He couldn't have asked for a better position," Jackson said. "If Aaron wrestles well and keeps his head together, he's got a good chance."
Keizer (25-16), Burkhalter (29-14) and Zimmerman (23-13), all runners-up at regionals, all are on the more difficult sides of the bracket in their weight classes, Jackson said.
"Our attitude is wipe the slate clean and let's get at it," Jackson said. "If you have a good tournament, you never know what can happen."
Brodhead-Juda sends three regional champions into action Saturday at Richland Center in senior Kramer Lewis (160), junior Hunter Colden (170) and freshman Logan Maurer. Freshmen Brady Colden (145) and Reave Lincoln (220) complete the Cardinals' contingent.
Colden (38-3) is a two-time state tournament qualifier.
Freshman Kody Popenfus (106) and senior Brooks Hendrickson (152) will compete for Sugar River.
Black Hawk sophomore Jared Pickett will compete in the Division 3 regional at Darlington.
But both Monroe High School juniors will have a tough time feeling good about this season unless they finish it at the WIAA state wrestling tournament later this month at the Kohl Center.
Cheesemakers coach Jeriamy Jackson likes the chances of that happening for both of them.
Klopfenstein (132 pounds) and Gorr (220) will join juniors Jesse Keizer (120), Aaron Hesgard (126) and Dusty Burkhalter (182), and sophomore Brett Zimmerman (heavyweight) at Saturday's Division 2 sectional tournament at Richland Center as the Cheesemakers account for nearly half of the 13 area individuals still competing.
While Jackson isn't ruling out any of the six advancing to state Feb. 23-25 in Madison, he said the Cheesemakers' regional champs - Klopfenstein and Gorr - are set up the best by virtue of the draws they received after each captured regional titles on Saturday, Feb. 11.
"The matchups for us, I think, are pretty favorable," Jackson said of Klopfenstein and Gorr. "We kind of knew what we had to do (at regionals). By Trevor and Kevin winning the tournament, it's worked out exactly like we thought it would."
Gorr, the Cheesemakers' lone Badger Conference champion who is ranked sixth in Division 2, will open the sectional tournament against Adams-Friendship's Kyle Burrows (38-5), who he defeated 3-0 at the Bi-State Classic in December.
"That's a good sign," Jackson said. "It's got to boost his confidence when he's already seen that opponent and beat him, and knowing he can beat him again if he wrestles well."
Gorr is 38-4 this season and desperately wants to reach the state tournament after losing in the second round at sections a year ago. Wrestlers can guarantee a trip to state by winning their first two matches at sectionals, which means they can finish no lower than third place
The key for Gorr?
"Just to maintain his confidence," Jackson said. "He's been in some big matches all year long, but nothing puts as much pressure on wrestlers as the matches that determine who goes to state. We have a lot of faith in him that if he goes out and wrestles like he has all year long that he'll make it."
Klopfenstein (34-10), who qualified for state two years ago when he set a Monroe freshman record with 40 wins, enters Saturday with some emotional baggage after losing his sectionals opener last year to an opponent he'd beaten earlier in the season. He opens Saturday against Prairie du Chien's Sam Stormoen (26-12).
"Kevin hasn't wrestled him, but he's beaten some guys who beat (Stormoen), and that's a good feeling," Jackson said. "He mentioned to me, 'Yep, I'm in the same position as last year,' and kind of had a different look in his eye. He's wrestled kids better than the kids he has to wrestle this weekend. It's got to give him confidence that he can go out there and take care of business."
Added Jackson: "If Trevor and Kevin beat those guys, they have good matches up in the second round, too."
Of the four remaining Cheesemakers at sectionals, Jackson said Hesgard is in the best position to make some noise because of how the brackets shook out.
"He couldn't have asked for a better position," Jackson said. "If Aaron wrestles well and keeps his head together, he's got a good chance."
Keizer (25-16), Burkhalter (29-14) and Zimmerman (23-13), all runners-up at regionals, all are on the more difficult sides of the bracket in their weight classes, Jackson said.
"Our attitude is wipe the slate clean and let's get at it," Jackson said. "If you have a good tournament, you never know what can happen."
Brodhead-Juda sends three regional champions into action Saturday at Richland Center in senior Kramer Lewis (160), junior Hunter Colden (170) and freshman Logan Maurer. Freshmen Brady Colden (145) and Reave Lincoln (220) complete the Cardinals' contingent.
Colden (38-3) is a two-time state tournament qualifier.
Freshman Kody Popenfus (106) and senior Brooks Hendrickson (152) will compete for Sugar River.
Black Hawk sophomore Jared Pickett will compete in the Division 3 regional at Darlington.
