MADISON - Darlington senior Devin Malott capped his quest for a medal at the WIAA Division 3 state wrestling tournament.
Malott (40-4), who is ranked fourth in the Wisconsin Wrestling Online Division 3 poll, wrestled back to take fifth place Saturday at the Kohl Center.
Malott, who is the first four-time state qualifier in Darlington's history and the school's winningest wrestler, pinned Brillion sophomore Brock Kasten in 2 minutes, 4 seconds to earn his first medal in his final prep wrestling season. Malott's 5-3 win over Kasten in the quarterfinals assured him of a medal at state.
"Being one of Darlington's best wrestlers by setting all the records, it's a good feeling," Malott said. "Finally, getting to place is like icing on the cake. I'm glad I got to end my season with a win. I know I probably could have taken third or fourth, but fifth isn't too bad."
Malott will wrestle at UW-Stevens Point next year.
"My next goal is to be an All-American," he said. "For some reason not too many good wrestlers go on to college. I figure what is a state championship compared to a national championship or placing at nationals."
Darlington coach Tom Mathias has no doubts that Malott is one of the best wrestlers in school history.
"Our goal has been to come out and be a state champion," Mathias said. "He has had a career and broken all kinds of records at Darlington. He has a great work ethic and with what they can do with him at the college level, I think he will find success there."
In the wrestleback, Malott lost a hard fought match 2-1 to Cadott senior Josiah Yager (47-4), who is ranked second and finished third at state.
Malott entered the third period locked in a scoreless battle. Yager scored on a takedown to start the period to take a 2-0 lead. Malott then scored on an escape with 1:02 left, but he couldn't come back to win.
"He may feel like he is not getting the job done," Mathias said after the wrestleback match. "It was just a difference of a takedown. If we get it, we win. His weight class is really stacked. He has a lot of quality wrestlers in his weight class."
Malott (40-4), who is ranked fourth in the Wisconsin Wrestling Online Division 3 poll, wrestled back to take fifth place Saturday at the Kohl Center.
Malott, who is the first four-time state qualifier in Darlington's history and the school's winningest wrestler, pinned Brillion sophomore Brock Kasten in 2 minutes, 4 seconds to earn his first medal in his final prep wrestling season. Malott's 5-3 win over Kasten in the quarterfinals assured him of a medal at state.
"Being one of Darlington's best wrestlers by setting all the records, it's a good feeling," Malott said. "Finally, getting to place is like icing on the cake. I'm glad I got to end my season with a win. I know I probably could have taken third or fourth, but fifth isn't too bad."
Malott will wrestle at UW-Stevens Point next year.
"My next goal is to be an All-American," he said. "For some reason not too many good wrestlers go on to college. I figure what is a state championship compared to a national championship or placing at nationals."
Darlington coach Tom Mathias has no doubts that Malott is one of the best wrestlers in school history.
"Our goal has been to come out and be a state champion," Mathias said. "He has had a career and broken all kinds of records at Darlington. He has a great work ethic and with what they can do with him at the college level, I think he will find success there."
In the wrestleback, Malott lost a hard fought match 2-1 to Cadott senior Josiah Yager (47-4), who is ranked second and finished third at state.
Malott entered the third period locked in a scoreless battle. Yager scored on a takedown to start the period to take a 2-0 lead. Malott then scored on an escape with 1:02 left, but he couldn't come back to win.
"He may feel like he is not getting the job done," Mathias said after the wrestleback match. "It was just a difference of a takedown. If we get it, we win. His weight class is really stacked. He has a lot of quality wrestlers in his weight class."
