Greg Bates, Leader Correspondent
After wrestling for 10 years, Wyatt Welch decided to sit out his sophomore year.
“I kind of lost the heart for it, but after I took the year off I was like, ‘I’ve got to get back and do it,’” Welch said.
The Shawano Community High School wrestler’s comeback included one main goal: state. He came up short last season as a junior, falling in the opening round of sectionals. This season was his final opportunity.
Welch had a shot on Saturday to make his dream a reality. After working through wrestlebacks, he needed to get a victory in his fourth match of the day. However, the 113-pounder was pinned in the first period, putting an end to his career in a WIAA Division 2 sectional at Oconto Falls.
“I was happy I made it this far, but I wanted to make it farther and I wanted to keep going,” Welch said.
Placing fourth was a big accomplishment for Welch in a tough bracket.
“We were going to be happy with a state berth, third or higher, but he never stopped battling and I’m happy the way he finished the year,” Shawano head coach Michael Homan said. “He came out there and gave it all he had.”
Taking on Luxemburg-Casco’s Nathan Ronsman in a match that would guarantee the winner a top-three finish and a trip to Madison, Welch took a chance early in the match. He attempted a collar tie, but Ronsman recovered and got on top of Welch. Ronsman locked up a cradle and Welch couldn’t break the grip. He was pinned in 44 seconds.
“I knew what I had to do, I just made a mistake and it cost me my career pretty much,” Welch said.
Welch (24-13) opened the day with a 5-0 decision over Nekoosa/Assumption/Port Edwards’ Brant Hall.
“I went in there head strong and just wanted to continue on,” Welch said. “I didn’t want to end up like last year and be one and done. I just pushed as hard as I could.”
In the semifinals, Welch faced Denmark’s Brock Bergelin, who won a state title last season as a sophomore. Bergelin scored a pin in 1:25 to send Welch into wrestlebacks.
“I’ll admit I was a little intimidated going into it, but I wanted to see if I could give him a run for his money – that didn’t happen,” Welch said.
In his third match, Welch downed Anthony Keuntjes of Winneconne by a 4-2 decision to set up the match against Ronsman.
It was a bittersweet day for Welch, advancing for a shot at state but coming up just shy.
“I’m more or less happy that I could at least bring the representation of Shawano and that we just weren’t done in regionals,” Welch said. “Even though we have a small team that there’s someone that at least made it through.”
Homan was proud of the fact Welch had a solid day on the mat and he was able to end his career on a high note.
“He’s just a good kid,” Homan said. “We wish him the best and hopefully he’s going to come back to the program and take over with us and do some coaching.”