Wrestling: Balsiger, Yeager vy for state titles

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By DAVID BOSSICK david.bossick@lee.net
Saturday, February 23, 2008 12:07 AM CST

MADISON — There’s one opponent in the way of Chi-Hi’s Martino Balsiger and Cadott’s Alan Yeager.

A win means each wrestler is the state champion.

A loss is a runner-up finish.

Both Balsiger and Yeager reached the championship match of their respective weight classes Friday night at the WIAA state individual wrestling tournament at the Kohl Center.

Besides Balsiger and Yeager, Chippewa County has five other wrestlers left for today’s action. Each wrestler is guaranteed to place in the top six in the state.

Balsiger (39-4) defeated Muskego’s Scott Lau in the semifinals at 119 pounds, 10-4. The championship match pits Balsiger against Tomah’s Ian Duncan (44-7).

“He’s had a remarkable run. The last match was his best match,” Chi-Hi coach Tom Pomietlo said. “In these big matches, you have to be confident and he’s confident.

“I believe he can do it.”

Yeager (45-4) earned a berth in the finals at 215 pounds in Division 3 with a 10-3 decision against Brookwood’s Lee VanCleef. He started the day with a 4-2 win against DeSoto’s Chad Johnson. To win the title, Yeager must beat Onalaska Luther’s John Poppie (28-3).

“Alan had a really good match. His forte is on his feet because he’s very small for a 215-pounder,” Cadott coach Ed Lenard said. “He has to rely on takedowns. He had three takedowns (against VanCleef). That really made the difference.”

Lenard said the championship match is a toss-up between Yeager and Poppie.

“From what we know, Alan beat the kid from Whitehall, (Wes) Dubiel. Dubiel split with this kid.”

The remainder of the county’s wrestlers can hope for a third place finish at best, but it’ll take two victories today.

Like last year, Chi-Hi’s Alec Schindler lost in the state semifinals. This year, Schindler (43-3) lost to Kaukauna’s Dillon Bera (48-3) at 145 pounds. Schindler will wrestle against Neenah’s Matt Cowling (34-6) Saturday morning.

“It just came down to Alec couldn’t get away,” Pomietlo said. “That kid should win the state title. We knew he was strong and a very physical wrestler, kind of an alter ego of Alec.”

Cadott’s Mike Sonnentag (30-1) was defeated for the first time this season in the semifinals by Weston’s Nate Duren (39-7), 7-2, at 103 pounds in Division 3. Sonnentag takes on Bruce’s Bubba Gudis (31-4) today. Sonnentag defeated Darlington’s Devin Malott, 6-2, Friday to start the day.

“He kind of upset Bubba at sectionals. It’s going to be a tough match,” Lenard said. “He’ll need an outstanding effort there to wrestle for third.”

Fellow Hornet Josiah Yeager (43-7) also made it to the semifinals as he recorded a 14-1 major decision against Adam Giebel of Elkhart Lake at 112 pounds in Division 3. But, then lost to Mishicot’s John Junk by pin in 3 minutes, 27 seconds. Yeager faces Oshkosh Lourdes’ A.J. Zemke (45-6) today.

Cornell/Gilman’s Matt Kvapil won his first match of the tournament Friday morning, 5-2 against Mishicot’s Josiah Brendemuehl at 140 pounds in Division 3. Kvapil (27-6) then lost to Cedar Grove-Belgium’s Brandon Garcia in the state semifinals by major decision, 10-2. Kvapil wrestles Shell Lake’s Willie Christ (40-10) today.

Bloomer’s Andy Marquardt defeated Pewaukee’s John Hrabik in the quarterfinals at 152 pounds in Division 2, but then lost to Luxemburg-Casco’s Zac Cibula by pin, 3:32. Cibula, a three-time state champion, seeks his fourth title today.

Marquardt (37-5) takes on River Valley’s Scott Liegel (43-4) today.

Three others saw their dreams of placing at the state tournament come to an end.

Cornell/Gilman’s Corey Hodowanic and Bloomer’s Luke Nayes and Zach Borofka all were eliminated in the consolation bracket Friday.

Hodowanic lost his match with Dylan Kansier of North Crawford/Seneca, 4-1, at 103 pounds in Division 3 Friday morning in the championship round. Hodowanic (35-7) followed it up with an 8-1 loss to Gudis.

Nayes lost a 14-8 decision to East Troy’s David Edwards Friday morning at 135 pounds in Division 2 in the quarterfinals. Nayes (39-6) then dropped a 6-3 decision to Seymour’s Seth Moe.

Borofka dropped a 5-2 decision to Freedom’s Taylor Kolb in the quarterfinals at 140 pounds in Division 2. He finished his season with a 37-8 record following a 3-2 loss to West Salem/Bangor’s Steve Stark.