LA CROSSE - Earning the chance to wrestle at state is every wrestler's dream.
For Monroe senior Gavin Wels, the Bi-State Classic tournament in La Crosse was a stepping stone. Wels won the title at 112 pounds, defeating Portage's Ryan Hayes, 3-2. In an elite tournament featuring almost 60 Division 1, 2 and 3 schools, Wels proved to be at the top of his game.
He earned his title shot by defeating previously unbeaten North Crawford-Seneca senior Dylan Kansier, a two-time state champion and returning Bi-State champion, 5-4 in the semifinals.
"It's a huge accomplishment," Monroe coach Jeriamy Jackson said. "In the finals, he was a little hesitant. He did what he needed to do."
Monroe senior heavyweight Lucas Leu took 10th place after Baraboo sophomore Jordan Mukite pinned him in 2 minutes, 19 seconds. Monroe junior Dillon Weckerly finished 11th at 171 by defeating Hudson's Art Vinzant, 1-0.
Leu entered the tournament seeded 12th and finished 10th and Weckerly entered seeded 16th and took 11th.
Jackson said Weckerly had the potential to finish sixth or seventh, but lost two one-point matches.
"It's always a good thing when you beat your seed," he said.
Monroe junior Cory Kundert at 215 was the fourth Cheesemaker wrestler to reach the second day and he was pinned by Ellsworth's Alex Hoyer in 2:36.
"It wasn't a technique thing," Jackson said. "The kid was just a bull."
Jackson said the Bi-State Classic is a good preparation for regional, sectional and state tournaments.
"We have to be in close matches to know what it's like so we are not surprised or scared when we are in one again."
Mid-State Classic
WHITEWATER - The Darlington wrestling team had two medal winners at the Mid-State Classic at Whitewater on Tuesday.
Darlington junior Devin Malott finished fourth place. He lost a third place match to Fort Atkinson sophomore Cody Foerster, 3-1 in overtime.
Malott had his title hopes dashed with a semifinal loss to Elkhorn sophomore Ryan Slack, 8-3.
The Redbirds other medal winner was sophomore Colton Hackett, who finished eighth place at 189. Hackett lost a seventh place match to Brookwood's Mike Geier, 13-6. The Redbirds finished 21st out of 38 teams.
For Monroe senior Gavin Wels, the Bi-State Classic tournament in La Crosse was a stepping stone. Wels won the title at 112 pounds, defeating Portage's Ryan Hayes, 3-2. In an elite tournament featuring almost 60 Division 1, 2 and 3 schools, Wels proved to be at the top of his game.
He earned his title shot by defeating previously unbeaten North Crawford-Seneca senior Dylan Kansier, a two-time state champion and returning Bi-State champion, 5-4 in the semifinals.
"It's a huge accomplishment," Monroe coach Jeriamy Jackson said. "In the finals, he was a little hesitant. He did what he needed to do."
Monroe senior heavyweight Lucas Leu took 10th place after Baraboo sophomore Jordan Mukite pinned him in 2 minutes, 19 seconds. Monroe junior Dillon Weckerly finished 11th at 171 by defeating Hudson's Art Vinzant, 1-0.
Leu entered the tournament seeded 12th and finished 10th and Weckerly entered seeded 16th and took 11th.
Jackson said Weckerly had the potential to finish sixth or seventh, but lost two one-point matches.
"It's always a good thing when you beat your seed," he said.
Monroe junior Cory Kundert at 215 was the fourth Cheesemaker wrestler to reach the second day and he was pinned by Ellsworth's Alex Hoyer in 2:36.
"It wasn't a technique thing," Jackson said. "The kid was just a bull."
Jackson said the Bi-State Classic is a good preparation for regional, sectional and state tournaments.
"We have to be in close matches to know what it's like so we are not surprised or scared when we are in one again."
Mid-State Classic
WHITEWATER - The Darlington wrestling team had two medal winners at the Mid-State Classic at Whitewater on Tuesday.
Darlington junior Devin Malott finished fourth place. He lost a third place match to Fort Atkinson sophomore Cody Foerster, 3-1 in overtime.
Malott had his title hopes dashed with a semifinal loss to Elkhorn sophomore Ryan Slack, 8-3.
The Redbirds other medal winner was sophomore Colton Hackett, who finished eighth place at 189. Hackett lost a seventh place match to Brookwood's Mike Geier, 13-6. The Redbirds finished 21st out of 38 teams.
