Area wrestlers aiming for pins, wins

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By DAVID BOSSICK mailto:david.bossick@lee.net
Thursday, December 13, 2007 2:37 AM CST

Area wrestling teams have rolled out the mats already this season as each team and individual began their path for WIAA gold.

For Cadott, the Hornets will try to attempt to defend its state co-championship. For Bloomer and Stanley-Boyd/Thorp, it’ll be a chance for both schools to reach for the state tournament.

Cadott

The Hornets have their work cut out for them. Cadott lost four wrestlers from its WIAA Div. 3 state co-championship and the team has its work cut out for it when it comes to the Cloverbelt title race.

“Mosinee won the conference tournament and only lost one wrestler,” said Hornets coach Ed Lenard. “Neillsville took second in the conference and they only lost two wrestlers from their squad.“

Graduated from last year’s team were Derek Foiles, Ben Poppe, Jeremiah Burish and Greg Sonnentag. Burish and Sonnentag both placed at the state tournament and Sonnentag won his second title.

The cupboard isn’t necessarily bare for Cadott. The Hornets return 13 wrestlers from last season, including seniors Shane Geissler, David Guns, Cheyenne Hladilek, Grant Weltzin and Alan Yeager.

The schedule is tough for Cadott, including dates at the Northern Badger Tournament and the Stevens Point Duals. Lenard believes his team will be up to the challenges, and he is realistic with the team’s outlook.

“We expect to have a strong team again. We probably will not have any real outstanding wrestlers as we do not return any individual state wrestling qualifiers or place winners,” he said. “But, we feel that we will be a great dual meet team because of all the experienced wrestlers we have returning.“

Bloomer

The Blackhawks also had some losses from last season that will be deeply felt. Bloomer lost state qualifiers Cory Neeser, Austin Zwiefelhofer and Jordan Eder from last year’s team.

It was also a team that won the Heart O’North title and a regional championship. The Blackhawks lost in the sectional to Neillsville.

“We have a lot of strong individuals and hope to have three to four people wrestling at the state tourney,” Bloomer coach Joel Hall said.

The Blackhawks return two state qualifiers from last year’s team in Jordan Poirier and Andy Marquardt. Poirier placed fifth. Luke Nayes also is back and he was one match from qualifying for the state tournament.

Bloomer also returns Zach Borofka, Corey Poirier, Kale Clements, Justin Saurauer and Derek Loew. Those returners will be joined by Derrick Seibel, Jordan Koehler and Seth Miller.

As for the conference race, Hall believes his team’s reign as league champs could very well be over this season.

“Ladysmith should run the table in the conference with Barron second,” he said.

Stanley-Boyd/Thorp

Orioles coach Jay Thorpe knows his team has its work cut out for it in the Cloverbelt with Cadott, Neillsville and Mosinee with strong teams.

“We’re pushing for fourth,” he said.

But watch out for several wrestlers suiting up for Stanley-Boyd/Thorp. Sectional qualifiers Dustin Wozniak and Greg Ponick return for the Orioles as does Kyle Thorpe, who placed fifth at the state tournament last season.

However, Thorpe again enters the season with an injury. Last year, he suffered an injury during football season that forced him to start the season late. This year, he suffered a toe injury and he’s out until January.

“We have to have the younger kids to fill in,” Jay Thorpe said.

Two of those younger are expected to make an impact. Freshman Cecil Philson is coming in with good expectations while Jacob Hoffstatter has experience wrestling in another state.

“(Hoffstatter is) my nephew and he moved here from Illinois,” Thorpe said. “He has experience and will fill in nicely.“