Chris Caporale, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Photo by Mary Langenfeld Bonduel High School junior Jacob Banker competes in the WIAA Division 3 state wrestling tournament quarterfinals at the Kohl Center on Friday. He lost to Brady Peat, of Iowa-Grant Highland, in a 6-1 decision but later beat Daniel Kocourek, of Reedsville, in the wrestlebacks, 4-2, to secure a spot on the podium at 170 pounds.
Photo by Mary Langenfeld Alex Peplinski, of Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School, competes in the WIAA Division 3 state wrestling tournament quarterfinals at the Kohl Center on Friday. He pinned Stephen Schostok, of Kenosha Christian Life, in their 182-pound match in 1 minute and 35 seconds.
All three local wrestlers who competed Thursday at the WIAA Division 3 state meet in Madison secured positions in the top six Friday and are guaranteed at least a medal.
Bonduel junior Jacob Banker and Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s Stetson Potrykus and Alex Peplinski will be standing on the podium at the end of the tourney Saturday.
“That’s obviously the No. 1 goal when we get to the state tournament — to place,” Bonduel head coach Chris Rank.
Peplinski (44-4), a three-time state qualifier, advanced to the state title match at 182 pounds, earning another first-period pin, this time in the semifinals over Laconia’s Caleb Hopp (44-7) Friday night. Peplinski needed 1 minute and 34 seconds, one second less than his quarterfinal pin earlier in the day.
Peplinski will face Boyceville’s James Palmer (43-1) for the state title Saturday.
Banker (34-6), who finished in third place last season, dropped a 6-1 decision in the quarterfinals to Iowa-Grant/Highland’s Brady Peat.
“He just got taken down on a questionable call in the first period,” Rank said.
Rank said the takedown turned the tide of the match, which was a rematch of last season’s consolation semifinal that Banker won 6-5.
Banker bounced back with a 4-2 sudden victory in the wrestlebacks over Daniel Kocourek (41-7), of Reedsville. Banker used a takedown in the overtime to win.
“He’s a leg rider, which made it a little more difficult for Jacob to get away and score,” Rank said.
Banker will wrestle Saturday morning against Jordan Blanchard, of Coleman, in the wrestlebacks to attempt to earn a spot in the third-place match. Blanchard beat Banker in both the regional and sectional title matches.
“I think he would like another chance at Blanchard,” Rank said before the opponent was decided.
Blanchard lost a 4-3 decision to a former state champion Helton Vandenbush in the semifinal Friday night.
At 152 pounds, Potrykus (38-8) also lost in the quarterfinals Friday morning, a 9-1 major decision to Cadott’s James Pfeiffer (38-4).
But Potrykus squeaked out a 3-1 decision win against Kenosha Christian Life’s Hunter Shuler to ensure a spot on the podium. Potrykus has a meeting with Iowa-Grant/Highland’s Max Maylor (44-2) Saturday morning.