MONROE - Jesse Keizer doesn't want a hyper extended elbow injury to derail his wrestling season. He's doing everything he can to make sure he is on the mat on Saturday in the WIAA Division 2 Evansville regional.
The senior missed the Badger Conference tournament where the Cheesemakers finished fifth last weekend. Keizer, a sectional qualifier last year, injured his elbow in practice last week and also had to overcome a concussion earlier this season. He's looking forward to the regional tournament, where Monroe is expected to have a showdown with Brodhead-Juda and Evansville-Albany for the regional title and a sectional team berth.
"It's feeling better," Keizer said of his elbow. "I'm definitely hoping I can wrestle with it. At the current rate, I should. I would definitely love to be out there. It would be my final hurrah."
In addition to Keizer's injury, sophomore Cody Wolf has a knee injury and hasn't practiced in a couple of weeks. A regional championship would be the first since 2001 for the Cheesemakers, but will this year's team have enough firepower?
"It depends on who is wrestling," Monroe coach Jeriamy Jackson said. "If we have to give up four weight classes, it will be really tough. I definitely think they are ready. We have a shot. It's a good rivalry to have with Brodhead and Evansville because we are all fairly close."
Six wrestlers from area teams are ranked in the top 10 in the Wisconsin Wrestling Online Division 2 poll. Brodhead-Juda sophomore heavyweight Logan Maurer, who is ranked third, is the favorite to win his weight class. The other main contender is 10th-ranked Monroe junior Brett Zimmerman (32-8). Zimmerman, who gives up about 35 to 40 pounds at heavyweight, has lost three matches to Maurer the last two years.
"I feel like I have the ability to beat him," Zimmerman said. "I have to wrestle my match and wrestle like everyone thinks I can. I have to go out and leave everything on the mat."
Even though Zimmerman gives up a lot of weight wrestling at heavyweight, he has been able to adjust and thrive. He leads the team with 25 pins.
"I feel like my speed and strength has helped," Zimmerman said. "Most of them don't expect me to be that quick or strong, and they just try to bully me."
The other ranked wrestlers for the Cheesemakers include seniors Kevin Klopfenstein, fourth at 138, and Trevor Gorr, fourth at 220. Monroe seniors Aaron Hesgard (132) and Dusty Burkhalter (182) were sectional qualifiers last year and are top contenders again.
Brodhead-Juda senior Hunter Colden (40-0), ranked second at 170, is the favorite in his weight class. Colden is also just four wins away from setting a new school record for wins in a season, a record he set last year with 43 victories. Colden is also looking to continue his journey toward qualifying for state for the fourth straight year.
"We always take it one match at a time," said Tim Colden, Brodhead-Juda coach and Hunter's father. "The most important match is always your next match. You can't look ahead."
Hunter's brother, Brady Colden (35-5) at 160 along with Gavin Baade (182) and Reave Lincoln (220) also will be top contenders at the regional. Tim Colden said the team's strength all year has been the upper weights, but the Cardinals also have several wrestlers in the lower weight classes that are expected to contend for sectional berths, including Justin Sangermano (113).
Evansville-Albany is led by sixth-ranked Ben Reed (195), who won against both Monroe and Brodhead-Juda in dual meets this year. The Blue Devils edged Monroe for the regional championship last year by six points, but both the Cheesemakers and Cardinals are hoping a tournament setting turns the tide in their favor.
"We have a lot of talent and good wrestlers," Zimmerman said. "We took fifth place in the conference with 10 wrestlers. That was a good feat. I feel like we have a chance to win it because we have a lot of guys fighting for it."
The Cheesemakers and Cardinals only met once earlier this year, at the Sugar River Scramble on Dec. 8. The Cardinals finished second and Cheesemakers were third. Even though his team won, Tim Colden said you can't compare February to December.
"That is a long time ago," he said.
The last time Brodhead-Juda won a regional title was in 2005, and the Cardinals are hoping to repeat history.
"It will come down to who shows up to wrestle and who has the best day," Tim Colden said. "Monroe and Evansville both have good teams."
Sugar River coach Peter Swenson said the regional will come down to Brodhead-Juda and Monroe, but the Raiders have several wrestlers with a legitimate chance to qualify for the sectional including Kody Popenfus (113), Young Chul-Vetterli (152), Jak Nelson (195), Anthony Chiarello (138) and Jacob Larson (160). Popenfus didn't wrestle at conference last weekend due to a shoulder injury.
"Kody is chomping at the bit to get back out there," Swenson said. "What is the bigger picture: a conference championship or making it to state?"
Swenson is confident that several Raiders can make an impact and earn a sectional berth.
"It's a brand new season," Swenson said. "Everyone is 0-0. It will come down to who will cut down on the mistakes instead of waiting back."
Jackson said Monroe's preparation for the postseason is simple and does not include learning new moves.
"We are studying, staying in shape and keeping focused," he said. "Keeping your mind right is a big thing right now."
The Cheesemakers have wrestled top competition in the Badger South Conference and competed at the Bi-State Classic, so Jackson isn't worried about his guys being on the regional stage.
"We have been on those big stages before," Jackson said. "They are ready for the competition."
The senior missed the Badger Conference tournament where the Cheesemakers finished fifth last weekend. Keizer, a sectional qualifier last year, injured his elbow in practice last week and also had to overcome a concussion earlier this season. He's looking forward to the regional tournament, where Monroe is expected to have a showdown with Brodhead-Juda and Evansville-Albany for the regional title and a sectional team berth.
"It's feeling better," Keizer said of his elbow. "I'm definitely hoping I can wrestle with it. At the current rate, I should. I would definitely love to be out there. It would be my final hurrah."
In addition to Keizer's injury, sophomore Cody Wolf has a knee injury and hasn't practiced in a couple of weeks. A regional championship would be the first since 2001 for the Cheesemakers, but will this year's team have enough firepower?
"It depends on who is wrestling," Monroe coach Jeriamy Jackson said. "If we have to give up four weight classes, it will be really tough. I definitely think they are ready. We have a shot. It's a good rivalry to have with Brodhead and Evansville because we are all fairly close."
Six wrestlers from area teams are ranked in the top 10 in the Wisconsin Wrestling Online Division 2 poll. Brodhead-Juda sophomore heavyweight Logan Maurer, who is ranked third, is the favorite to win his weight class. The other main contender is 10th-ranked Monroe junior Brett Zimmerman (32-8). Zimmerman, who gives up about 35 to 40 pounds at heavyweight, has lost three matches to Maurer the last two years.
"I feel like I have the ability to beat him," Zimmerman said. "I have to wrestle my match and wrestle like everyone thinks I can. I have to go out and leave everything on the mat."
Even though Zimmerman gives up a lot of weight wrestling at heavyweight, he has been able to adjust and thrive. He leads the team with 25 pins.
"I feel like my speed and strength has helped," Zimmerman said. "Most of them don't expect me to be that quick or strong, and they just try to bully me."
The other ranked wrestlers for the Cheesemakers include seniors Kevin Klopfenstein, fourth at 138, and Trevor Gorr, fourth at 220. Monroe seniors Aaron Hesgard (132) and Dusty Burkhalter (182) were sectional qualifiers last year and are top contenders again.
Brodhead-Juda senior Hunter Colden (40-0), ranked second at 170, is the favorite in his weight class. Colden is also just four wins away from setting a new school record for wins in a season, a record he set last year with 43 victories. Colden is also looking to continue his journey toward qualifying for state for the fourth straight year.
"We always take it one match at a time," said Tim Colden, Brodhead-Juda coach and Hunter's father. "The most important match is always your next match. You can't look ahead."
Hunter's brother, Brady Colden (35-5) at 160 along with Gavin Baade (182) and Reave Lincoln (220) also will be top contenders at the regional. Tim Colden said the team's strength all year has been the upper weights, but the Cardinals also have several wrestlers in the lower weight classes that are expected to contend for sectional berths, including Justin Sangermano (113).
Evansville-Albany is led by sixth-ranked Ben Reed (195), who won against both Monroe and Brodhead-Juda in dual meets this year. The Blue Devils edged Monroe for the regional championship last year by six points, but both the Cheesemakers and Cardinals are hoping a tournament setting turns the tide in their favor.
"We have a lot of talent and good wrestlers," Zimmerman said. "We took fifth place in the conference with 10 wrestlers. That was a good feat. I feel like we have a chance to win it because we have a lot of guys fighting for it."
The Cheesemakers and Cardinals only met once earlier this year, at the Sugar River Scramble on Dec. 8. The Cardinals finished second and Cheesemakers were third. Even though his team won, Tim Colden said you can't compare February to December.
"That is a long time ago," he said.
The last time Brodhead-Juda won a regional title was in 2005, and the Cardinals are hoping to repeat history.
"It will come down to who shows up to wrestle and who has the best day," Tim Colden said. "Monroe and Evansville both have good teams."
Sugar River coach Peter Swenson said the regional will come down to Brodhead-Juda and Monroe, but the Raiders have several wrestlers with a legitimate chance to qualify for the sectional including Kody Popenfus (113), Young Chul-Vetterli (152), Jak Nelson (195), Anthony Chiarello (138) and Jacob Larson (160). Popenfus didn't wrestle at conference last weekend due to a shoulder injury.
"Kody is chomping at the bit to get back out there," Swenson said. "What is the bigger picture: a conference championship or making it to state?"
Swenson is confident that several Raiders can make an impact and earn a sectional berth.
"It's a brand new season," Swenson said. "Everyone is 0-0. It will come down to who will cut down on the mistakes instead of waiting back."
Jackson said Monroe's preparation for the postseason is simple and does not include learning new moves.
"We are studying, staying in shape and keeping focused," he said. "Keeping your mind right is a big thing right now."
The Cheesemakers have wrestled top competition in the Badger South Conference and competed at the Bi-State Classic, so Jackson isn't worried about his guys being on the regional stage.
"We have been on those big stages before," Jackson said. "They are ready for the competition."
