WRESTLING

Marshfield has three champions, advances five wrestlers overall to state

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Stevens Point Area Senior High sophomore Justin Groshek has his arm raised after his win in the 106 pound championship match during a WIAA Division 1 individual wrestling sectional Saturday at Wausau West.

WAUSAU - As the final second ticked off, Marshfield's Gabe Pugh clapped his hands a couple times and then pointed up towards where his supporters were sitting in the bleachers at the Wausau West Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon.

The celebration came after the Tigers' freshman edged Wisconsin Rapids' Cale Benitz 6-3 in the 113-pound championship match during a WIAA individual wrestling sectional tournament. It earned Pugh a trip to the state tournament next week in Madison. It also reversed a tough loss to Benitz just the week before in regional competition.

"It feels amazing," Pugh said. "I knew I had to be a lot more aggressive today than I was the week before," Pugh said. "He pinned me in the regionals because I wasn't in a good position but this time I tried to just work harder than he did."

Pugh was among three Marshfield wrestlers who won a sectional title and five overall who advanced to the state meet, which will be held Feb. 22-24 at the Kohl Center.The five state qualifiers ties a Tigers' program record.

Rhinelander had three champions — Tyler Olson (120), Jacob DeMeyer (145) and Alec Kurtz (195) — and Reuben Guzin and Colton Krueger won a wrestleback to finish second at 113 and 220, respectively, to earn a state berth as well.

A total of 16 local and regional wrestlers advanced from Saturday's tournament to Madison overall. Marshfield had nine wrestlers reach the semifinal round and had a sectional-high 131.5 points. Rhinelander had six semifinalists and finished second with 107.5 points.

Marshfield's Nolan Hertel lost to DeMeyer in the 145-pound championship but is headed to the state tournament for the third straight year. His teammates Ben Schawnebeck-Ostermann and Sam Mitchell won titles at 170 and 182 pounds, respectively, and it's the second straight trip for Mitchell.

Marshfield junior Tanner Kanable (145) finished second in his weight class to advance to state as well, as did Wisconsin Rapids' Wyler Lubeck (138) and Bergh Diebel (152) along with Wausau West's Cameron Schmeiser (120)

It is the second straight trip for Schemiser, who was second in the sectional at 106 pounds last year.

Marshfield junior Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann, right, won the title at 170 pounds Saturday during a WIAA Division 1 individual wrestling sectional Saturday at Wausau West.

Schwanebeck-Ostermann, a junior, earned his first state trip with a major decision over Eau Claire Memorial's Levi Smith, who he has trained with in a wrestling camp in Eau Claire.

It was a bounce back performance for Schawnebeck-Ostermann, who was pinned on Tuesday during Marshfield's team sectional win over Hudson.

"i was pretty upset after (the sectional)," Schwanebeck-Ostermann said. "But I give the credit to my coaches. They worked with me this week and got me ready for today."

Hertel and Mitchell were not the only local wrestlers who are headed back to the state tournament.

Stevens Point Area Senior High sophomore Justin Groshek won the 106-pound title for the second straight year and teammate, Chance Bailey, won at 126 pounds for the third trip to Madison of his prep career.

D.C. Everest senior Thomas Severson won the 132-pound championship for his second straight state trip and third of his career as well.

"I felt almost like an underdog last year, even being ranked sixth (in Division 1) going into state. This year there was pressure to get (back to Madison)," said Groshek, who is ranked second in the weight class.

Team scores: Marshfield 131.5, Rhinelander 107.5, Hudson 92.5, River Falls 81.5, Wisconsin Rapids 78, D.C. Everest 49, SPASH 46, New Richmond 40, Eau Claire North 36.5, Menomonie 36, Superior 36, Wausau West 29, Chippewa Falls 21, Eau Claire Memorial 18, Merrill 14.

Local and regional state qualifiers: 106: 1. Justin Groshek, Stevens Point. 113:1. Gabe Pugh, Marshfield; 2. Reuben Guzik, Rhinelander 120: 1. Tyler Olson, Rhinelander; 2. Cameron Schmeiser, Wausau West. 126: 1. Chance Bailey, Stevens Point; 2 Tanner Kanable, Marshfield. 132: 1. Thomas Severson, D.C. Everest. 138: 2. Wyler Lubeck 145: 1. Jacob DeMeyer, Rhinelander; 2. Nolan Hertel, Marshfield. 152: 2. Bergh Diebel, Wisconsin Rapids 170: Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann, Marshfield. 182: Sam Mitchell, Marshfield. 195: Alec Kurtz, Rhinelander. 220: 2. Colton Krueger, Rhinelander.