Zembal, Wagemann face rough road at state

By Dan Truttschel~Sports Correspondent

Both Wilmot wrestlers who competed at last weekend’s WIAA Division 1 State Tournament left with at least one consolation prize.

Each fell to a wrestler who eventually would be on the medal stand – and that’s not a bad way to end a season.

Senior Kody Zembal (132) and junior Matt Wagemann (113) represented the Panthers at the Kohl Center, Madison, last Thursday and Friday.

Zembal won his first-round match with a 6-4 “sudden victory” in overtime over Pulaski’s Michael Frehse. Zembal was the first to record a takedown in the extra session.

That win sent Zembal to a second-round contest against Sauk Prairie’s Austin Fjoser, and the outcome wasn’t as positive, as he fell by pin in 2:28.

Fjoser eventually finished fifth overall to earn a state tournament medal.

The loss sent Zembal to the consolation round, where he fell 4-3 to Kaukauna’s Evan Hietpas. Zembal, who entered the tournament ranked fourth in the state, finished his senior season at 40-4 overall.

Zembal’s trip to state capped a big three weeks that saw him claim Southern Lakes Conference, regional and sectional championships. He debuted at state as a junior, where he lost both matches at 120 pounds.

Wagemann had a tough draw from the start, as he opened the tournament with La Crosse Central’s Ben Thornton. Wagemann fell by major decision 9-1 to the eventual state runner up.

Thornton entered the tournament as the state’s top-ranked 113 pounder. He won the title at 106 pounds last year. In this year’s championship match, he lost 8-4 to Waukesha South senior Bill Prochniewski.

In the consolation bracket, Wagemann fell 8-3 to West Bend’s West’s Tswvyim Lor. The Wilmot junior closed the year at 33-10 overall.

The state tournament berth was the second straight for Wagemann, who qualified at 106 pounds as a sophomore. He lost in the first round and did not receive a wrestle back.

 


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