BLANCHARDVILLE — The Pecatonica-Argyle Vikings are looking to ramp things up this season.
The long-successful co-op returns two WIAA Division 3 state-qualifying wrestlers from a year ago – senior Lucas Gilbertson (195) and sophomore Noah Krahenbuhl (120). Gilbertson was 35-11 last season and lost in the first round at state after finishing third at sectionals. Krahenbuhl was 31-13 as a freshman, finishing second at sectionals and then losing in the first round at state in the 113-pound weight class.
Also returning are sectional qualifiers Dakota Doescher, a sophomore who finished 25-13 at 106-pounds last year, and junior Easton Schraepfer (152), who finished 30-15 a season ago. The coaching staff is excited with many more grapplers than just the prominent returners.
“Christian Orloff is an incoming freshman that can make a splash at 126,” Vikings coach Mike Pittz said. “Dalton Turner (160) is a returning junior who had 20 wins last year.”
Pecatonica-Argyle Schedule
Thursday, Nov. 29 at Sugar River, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 1 at Black Hawk Invitational, 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 6 vs. Belmont-Platteville, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 15 at Beloit Turner Invite
Thursday, Dec. 20 at Lake Mills, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 28 at Whitewater Tournament, 10 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 29 at Whitewater Tournament, 10 a.m.
Saturday, Jan. 5 at Sauk Prairie Invitational
Saturday, Jan. 12 at Weston Invitational
Tuesday, Jan. 15 at Mineral Point, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 17 at River Ridge-Cassville, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 24 Conference Duals at North Crawford, 5 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 26 at Lancaster Invitational
Saturday, Feb. 6 Conference at DeSoto
Pittz said his goal for his team is to continue winning dual meets, repeat as Scenic Ridge and Rivers Conference champions and send “multiple kids to the state tournament.”
While other area teams struggle with low participation numbers in wrestling, the case is not so dire for Pec-Argyle.
“Numbers and experience will be our strength this season,” Pittz said. He added that “we still have a lot of young guys that need to improve and be difference makers for us.”
The Vikings lost just two wrestlers to graduation last year, which is why Pittz feels a conference title is a strong possibility.
“But Brookwood and New Lisbon always have strong programs,” Pittz said.
Chevy Hughes was 12-14 as a sophomore at 126-pounds last year, and Lane Busser finished his junior season 14-18 with a fifth-place finish at regionals. Griffin Gordon finished 12-12 at 138, BJ Penniston wrestled at 145 in the regionals as a sophomore, Zander Brunker was 15-18 at 160 as a sophomore and Kyle Hartley took fifth as a sophomore in the 170 bracket at regionals.
