LA CROSSE - Two Monroe wrestlers are still alive to medal at the Bi-State Classic at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Monroe junior Traiten Gorr went 4-0 Monday at 220 pounds and earned a berth in the semifinals today. Gorr (21-0), ranked No. 10 in the Wisconsin Wrestling Online Division 2 poll, is unbeaten and will face Stratford senior Hunter Kauffman today. Kauffman, ranked No. 5 in Division 3, is the No. 1 seed and the only other unbeaten wrestler at 220 in the 54-team field.
"He's on a roll right now," Monroe coach Tom Witt said of Gorr. "He's staying within himself."
Gorr won three matches by pin Monday and has posted seven straight wins by pin.
The other wrestler who assured himself of a top-12 finish is sophomore Cole Murray (126). Murray (17-4) went 3-1 Monday and lost a hard fought quarterfinal match to D.C. Everest's Don Veverka 5-0. Murray trailed 2-0 in the second period before Veverka escaped and sealed the win.
"He mentally gave up a little bit," Witt said. "He has to stay confident in himself. He's right there. There is not a kid in his weight class that I don't think he can step on the mat and compete with."
Murray posted two pins and edged Justin Stemper of Caledonia/Houston/Spring Grove 5-3.
Three other Monroe wrestlers finished the tournament 2-2, but didn't advance to the second day: freshman Dempzy Foley (145), junior Jarod Amacher (152) and sophomore Hayden Arneson (182).
The tournament starts at 9:30 a.m. today, but Gorr is expected to wrestle at 11 a.m.
Monroe junior Traiten Gorr went 4-0 Monday at 220 pounds and earned a berth in the semifinals today. Gorr (21-0), ranked No. 10 in the Wisconsin Wrestling Online Division 2 poll, is unbeaten and will face Stratford senior Hunter Kauffman today. Kauffman, ranked No. 5 in Division 3, is the No. 1 seed and the only other unbeaten wrestler at 220 in the 54-team field.
"He's on a roll right now," Monroe coach Tom Witt said of Gorr. "He's staying within himself."
Gorr won three matches by pin Monday and has posted seven straight wins by pin.
The other wrestler who assured himself of a top-12 finish is sophomore Cole Murray (126). Murray (17-4) went 3-1 Monday and lost a hard fought quarterfinal match to D.C. Everest's Don Veverka 5-0. Murray trailed 2-0 in the second period before Veverka escaped and sealed the win.
"He mentally gave up a little bit," Witt said. "He has to stay confident in himself. He's right there. There is not a kid in his weight class that I don't think he can step on the mat and compete with."
Murray posted two pins and edged Justin Stemper of Caledonia/Houston/Spring Grove 5-3.
Three other Monroe wrestlers finished the tournament 2-2, but didn't advance to the second day: freshman Dempzy Foley (145), junior Jarod Amacher (152) and sophomore Hayden Arneson (182).
The tournament starts at 9:30 a.m. today, but Gorr is expected to wrestle at 11 a.m.
