Four Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) wrestlers competed in the WIAA Division 1 Individual Meet in Madison last week. And, while none of the wrestlers placed in the competition, SPASH coach Gee Pope said he felt the experience was a plus for his team.
"With three of the four wrestlers back next year, the future looks bright for us as a team and as individuals," he said. "I know that, while the kids did well, they are hungry for next year."
Grey Pope finished highest for the Panthers, taking fourth place in the 171 pound weight class. "Grey competed against a very strong weight class. He easily won his first match, 14-0, then he won a tight, tense match, 2-1.
After that, Grey wrestled his best match of the season, 3-0, to the eventual champion. The match was tied 0-0 until the Menominee wrestler escaped with 40 seconds to go.
"Grey tried everything but just couldn't get a hold of him for the takedown," Gee Pope said.
Grey Pope lost the third-place match, 5-3. He finished 2-2 at the tournament and 34-4 on the season. "He had a great tournament, showing that he can wrestle with the best in the state," Gee Pope said.
Nate Kurszewski, who competed at 140, finished 1-2 at the tournament and 29-12 for the season. "Nate was also in a very tough weight class. He wrestled an excellent match against the eventual champion in losing, 10-4. Then he came back to beat an outstanding kid from Baraboo, 3-0. I thought it was his best match of the season," Gee Pope said.
Kurszewski lost his final match, 9-0.
"Nate had an outstanding senior year, leading our team in several statistical categories," Gee Pope said.
In the 119-pound weight class, Jake Calhoun finished 1-2 at the tournament and 32-6 on the season. He won his first match, 10-2, lost by a pin in his second match and lost by injury default in his third.
"Jake came into the tournament with an injury suffered during practice and then got injured again in his third match. He gave it his best, but just couldn't go," Gee Pope said. "He was disappointed in not placing this year, but he had a great season and will be back with a vengeance next year."
At 135, Jon Slezak finished 1-2 in the tournament and 32-10 on the year. "Jon wrestled two great matches. He took an undefeated kid from Brookfield Central into overtime in his first match before losing. Then he really beat up on his second opponent, 10-2. In his third match, against Neenah, he came up just a little short.
"Jon is just a sophomore and will be back next year looking to move onto the medal stand," Gee Pope said.
Despite not having a wrestler place, Pope said he was happy with the team's performance overall. "We had a great season this year, winning three tournaments, finishing third at Northern Badger, taking third in conference and finishing second in our regional," Gee Pope said. "The credit for that goes to a hardworking bunch of kids. Their dedication to the sport made it a wonderful season."