Stratford, Point wrestlers win gold
MADISON - It's not getting any easier for the Stratford wrestlers, but they're still getting the job done.
The Tigers advanced six competitors to the Division 3 championship and four left the Kohl Center with gold medals around their necks.
A.J. Schoenfuss (49-3), Jeremy Schoenherr (41-0), Kam Bornbach (48-2) and Tyson Kauffman (48-3) were Stratford's gold medalists, while Macey Kilty and Mason Kauffman had to settle for silver.
Schoenfuss, now a two-time state champ, posted a 6-2 decision over Riley Blair of Fennimore in the 120-pound final.
"It felt a little better because it's the second one," Schoenfuss said. "It's not getting any easier for any of us. We're known in the state and it's the second year in a row we've had four state champs. People notice that."
Schoenherr and last year's 120-pound champ, had the highest scoring match in the finals with the Stratford sophomore posted a 15-13 victory to win at 126 pounds.
"He's an upper body guy and he's good at it," Schoenherr said. "I capitalized on the throws he tried to force and it feels good to win for a second time."
Junior Kam Bornbach won his second straight 182-pound title, beating Gerrett Joles of Boyceville 4-3. Bornbach got a late takedown and fought off Joles' attempts to eke out the win.
"This one was harder than last year and it's only going to get harder from here," Bornbach said. "When you get in high level matches, you can't make mistakes. I made some tonight, but I was able to redeem myself with that takedown."
Winning his first title for the Tigers was 285-pounder Tyson Kauffman, who beat Bennett Gunderson of Bonduel 3-0.
"It feels amazing knowing all my hard work in the offseason and during the season paid off," Kauffman said. "I pride myself on what I do on the mat because I'm not very good on my feet."
Kilty's bid to be the first girl in WIAA history to win a state championship fell short, falling to Ryan Anderson of Clear Lake 9-6 in the 106-pound championship.
Kilty bolted to a 5-0 first period lead by earning a takedown and three-point near fall. In the second period, Kilty choose down, but couldn't get off the bottom. Anderson notched two and three-point near falls to tie the match after two periods.
"I thought I was pretty close (to pinning him) when I had him on his back," said Kilty, who is now 28-5.
In the third period, Anderson, who choose down, scored a reverse and two-point near fall to lead 9-5. Kilty got a late escape, but was unable to notch a takedown to close the gap.
"It gave me a little extra push to hear all the people cheering for me, but I feel like I let this match get away. I believe I should have been up there on top of the podium tonight."
Mason Kauffman (50-1) had to forfeit his 152-pound championship match due to a medical condition that forced an overnight stay at UW-Hospital after Friday's semifinals.
Kauffman who won 99 straight matches in his wrestling career, was diagnosed with myocarditis, a virus that attacks the heart, causing enlargement.
Panther Power
Twin brothers Brady and Dylan Koontz started the Stevens Point Area Senior High trio of finalists with a 1-2 punch, a pair of gold medals, while their teammate, Fritz Schierl finished as a runner-up.
Brady (43-1) dominated Arrowhead's Dominic Dentino 11-4 to win the Division 1 106-pound title, the first of his career. Ten minutes later, Dylan (44-0) won an 8-4 decision to win at 113 pounds.
"It's an incredible experience with me and my brother winning in consecutive weights," Brady said.
Added Dylan, "It's a great feeling. We've always pushed each other in the wrestling room and it showed today. We've worked hard for this moment all season."
Schierl (43-1), lost 6-3 to DeForest's Jackson Hemauer at 160 pounds, capping his Panther career.
SPASH sent five wrestlers to the Kohl Center and all left with hardware.
"We had a good weekend," Dylan said. "It's great knowing that we are one of the better teams in the state and we showed it this weekend."
In Division 2, Medford's Tucker Peterson was edged 8-6 by Jordan Michael of Lomira at 170 pounds. Peterson finished the season at 37-2.
Also in D2, Almond-Bancroft/Pacelli's Cole Warzynski (47-2) missed out on his bid to be a two-time champ after falling to Gabe Bautz of Catholic Memorial 8-3 at 285 pounds. He was the D3 champ at the same weight last year..
Mark Massoglia can be reached at 715-424-7309 or mark.massoglia@gannettwisconsin.com. Follow him on Twitter @markmazzy.
STATE MEDALISTS
Here are the Central Wisconsin wrestlers by division, who placed third through sixth place.
Division 1
120: Vellko Kochiu (33-7), Wausau West, 5th
126: Patrick Spray (47-5), Wisconsin Rapids, 5th
126: Chance Bailey (38-10), SPASH, 6th
160: Brock Benitz, (44-4), Wisconsin Rapids, 3rd
160: Nate White, (44-12), D.C. Everest, 4th
195: Nate Engle (28-3), SPASH, 5th
285: Brady Lenz (40-5), Wausau West, 3rd
Division 2
113: Josh Ehster (36-8), Mosinee, 3rd
126: Trenton McManus (45-4), Adams-Friendship, 4th
132: Jordan Sarver (40-6), Nekoosa/Port Edwards, 3rd
170: Quinton Wallenfang (41-7), Tomahawk
182: Hunter Luepke (42-7), Spencer/Columbus, 5th
220: Dane Borchardt (44-4), Tomahawk, 5th
Division 3
113: Jake Drexler (47-4), Stratford, 5th
145: Austin Engel (35-6), Athens, 3rd
145: David Marquardt (37-14), Stratford, 6th
170: Bryce Holderman (44-9), Amherst, 6th
195: Max Villnow (43-10), Amherst, 5th
220: Dakota Venzke (36-6), Athens, 5th
285: Tyson Sommer (37-10), Athens, 3rd