Morgan caps off remarkable Panthers wrestling career

Morgan locks up an opponent at state. Morgan’s illustrious career included four state trips and one championship match (Bob Mischka/The Report).
Morgan locks up an opponent at state. Morgan’s illustrious career included four state trips and one championship match (Bob Mischka/The Report).

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

While Jake Morgan did not get the redemption he wanted in the WIAA Division 1 state wrestling finals, the 145-pound Wilmot Union High School senior capped off his career as one of the most decorated in the program’s history.

Wilmot coach John Watson said the senior made a remarkable impression since transferring from Carmel Catholic in Mundelein, Illinois.

“Jake really has been the face of Wilmot wrestling since he arrived three years ago,” Watson said. “He has been a leader in the program and a role model for our younger wrestlers.”

Morgan, a four-time state qualifier, entered the tournament with a 38-1 record, with his only loss against No. 1 ranked Collin Kraus of Stoughton in the sectional championship a week earlier.

After Morgan defeated Jake DeMeyer (41-7) of Rhinelander on a 12 second injury default in the opening round, he captured a 5-4 decision against West Allis Hale’s Oliver Arena (37-9) in the quarterfinals, moving on to the state semifinals.

In the state semifinals, Morgan narrowly escaped with a 2-1 overtime win against 38-6 Aidan Yde of Hartland Arrowhead, which led to a state finals match against Kraus, who beat Morgan 3-2 in the Verona sectional.

The Panthers senior held on for six minutes, but dropped a difficult 13-4 decision to Kraus, landing Morgan in second place.

Watson said the turning point of the match was a takedown, which yielded the most points for Kraus.

“The first takedown turned the match, Kraus is very tough defensively and Jake could not open him up,” Watson said.

In spite of the loss, Morgan’s second place finish was improvement from last year, when he placed fifth in the state tournament.

Morgan, who qualified as a freshman in Illinois, compiled a 96-8 overall record through his three seasons at Wilmot Union High School.

Watson said the senior wrestler had his healthiest season, following some sporadic injuries early in his career.

“That may be the price he pays for his explosive power and his high energy offense,” Watson said. “He finally had a mostly injury free season this year and the result was a well deserved trip to the state finals.”

Additionally, as a senior, he claimed the Southern Lakes Conference title at 145 and also the regional championship in Elkhorn.

Falcons’ Cavil suffers opening round loss

Sophomore Ryan Cavil of Westosha Central High School made his first state appearance at 120 pounds.

The 120-pound, who entered with a 30-16 record, faced Wausau West’s Vellko Kochiu, who pinned Cavill in 1 minute, 2 seconds.

Cavil finished second at the Racine Case Sectional, where he won on a wrestle back against Kenosha Tremper’s Avry Nichols, sending him to the mat in 38 seconds.


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