Morgan notches regional title for Wilmot
A hard effort by Wilmot Union High School’s wrestling squad in the WIAA Division 1 Elkhorn regional has emerged five qualifiers for Saturday’s Sectional competition in at Verona.
The five advancing was an impressive feat, according to coach John Watson.
Headlined by senior 145-pound Jake Morgan, who is still undefeated at 34-0, the Panthers are sending sophomore Joey Graham (113), sophomore Jeremy Toro (138), senior Jacob Walker (152) and junior Seth Willis (220).
“As a program I felt that we wrestled quite well and competed very hard,” Watson said. “The kids that got through, and the kids who did not all gave superior efforts.”
After Morgan won his first two matches, he defeated Milton’s Nick Richards, sending him to the mat in 39 seconds.
Although the No. 2 ranked Morgan swiftly won the regional title, Watson noted the senior has the ultimate test in the sectional competition, top-ranked wrestler Collin Kraus of Stoughton.
“Our champion Jake Morgan will face his toughest test of the season at the sectional where the only wrestler ranked above him won the other regional,” Watson said.
Graham, at 113, captured third place, defeating Beloit Memorial’s Edwin Chavez by a 13-4 major decision and improved to 28-7.
The 113-pounder could have finished second, but lost in a wrestle back to 30-4 Brett Perkins of Janesville Parker on a 10-6 decision.
Toro, meanwhile, captured fourth, losing a 4-0 decision in the third place match to Lake Geneva Badger’s Nate Otero (24-15). Toro will take an 18-13 record into sectional competition.
In the 152-pound class, Milton’s Evan Whitehead (17-7) pinned the 7-9 Walker at 0:41 in the third-place match.
Willis, who battled at 220, finished third following a 3-1 over time victory against Badger’s Saul Gomez in a 3-1 over time victory.
Wilmot notables
120 – 5th place match: Drew Hebior, WIL, def. Jared Zeinmentz, DD, 8-1; 4th place wrestle back: Tyler Kersten, Milton, def. Hebior, MD 14-3.
132 – 5th place match: Ellie Keen, WIL, def. Palmer Goodwick, Parker, 13-11.
160 – 5th place match: Anthony Klein, WIL, pin Eric Gonzalez, DD, 3:14; 4th place wrestle back: Chase Craig, Badger, pin Klein, 2:52.
Central sends six to sectionals
Behind two second-place finishes, Westosha Central advanced six wrestlers to the Sectionals after the Falcons’ performance at Kenosha Bradford.
After sophomore Ryan Cavill (120) lost his first-place match to Bradford’s Tyler Hansen (29-4) on a 17-0 technical fall, the 27-13 sophomore won a second-place wrestle back against Tremper’s Avry Nichols in a 13-0 major decision.
Austin Kukla, at 138, captured second-place, defeating Racine Park’s Jacob Rodriguez 8-4 in a wrestleback, after dropping the first place match to Jacob Deates of Bradford at 1:58.
The 138-pound senior takes a 22-9 record into sectionals.
Junior Andrew Koroly (106) finished fourth, losing to Bradford’s Colin Widmar 6-2. Koroly, a junior, is 24-14 following the regional performance.
At 132, freshman Jefferson Kearby (18-18), lost a tightly contest 18-15 decision to Tremper’s Tyler Nitsch, who holds a 29-17 record.
Dennis Grubb, a 152-pound sophomore finished fourth after 5-1 loss to Union Grove’s Sam Larson (26-18).
However, Grubb required an extra match when Kyle Guillen of Racine Case challenged him to a fourth-place wrestle back where the Central wrestler won 6-4.
Reid McNeill (20-19) finished fourth at 195 when he went the distance against Austin Decker of Racine Park, but lost 10-5.