Troy A. Bruzewski Leader Correspondent
Photo by Above the Fold Media Bonduel High School senior Dan Tauchen has hold of Jared Roen, of Riverdale, during a semifinal match in the WIAA Division 2 state tournament Friday. Tauchen lost to Roen by a 5-0 decision but will still head to Saturday’s meet in the consolation bracket.
Two Bonduel High School wrestlers will compete for spots on the podium at the WIAA Division 3 state tournament Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wittenberg-Birnamwood's August Peplinski, meanwhile, still has a chance to end up on the podium's top step in Division 2.
Bonduel
In the 160-pound class, Dan Tauchen (43-3), who drew an opening-round bye, opened his tourney Friday by pinning Zach Stluka (37-8), of North Crawford/Seneca, in 3 minutes, 43 seconds in the quarterfinal. However, he lost a 5-0 decision to Jared Roen (39-3), Riverdale, in the semifinal, sending Tauchen to the consolation bracket Saturday.
At 170 pounds, Mitch Sokolski (40-11) also lost his semifinal, dropping a 10-5 decision to Luke Nowak (43-3), of Iowa-Grant/Highland. He recovered in the consolation round, winning a 7-0 decision over Alex Stodola (35-7), of Coleman, and advancing to a Saturday morning match.
After winning his first-round match at 106 pounds, Jordan Boldt (39-7) lost twice Friday. Austin Wolfe (38-4), of Boyceville, sent Boldt to the consolation bracket with a 6-0 decision in the quarterfinal. Boldt’s state final concluded in his following match, with a 7-0 loss to Riley Blair (40-7), of Fennimore.
At 126 pounds, Garrett Siolka (42-9) lost by technical fall to Kal Gerber (42-0), of Cameron, in the quarterfinal and by major decision to Elton Kelsey (38-2), of Oconto.
Wittenberg-Birnamwood
August Peplinski (50-1) won his first two matches in Madison by shutout. So the wrestler who scored two points against him should feel somewhat accomplished.
Peplinski advanced to Saturday’s 195-pound final with a 5-2 win over Brady Wetter, of Dodgeville, in the semifinal. Peplinski will face Ramsey Bloy (43-1), of Freedom, for the title. Bloy entered the tourney as the weight's top seed.
Alex Peplinski (45-5) also nearly made in the finals, in the 170-pound division, but fell 6-4 to Tony Britton (37-5), of Luck/Frederic, in their semifinal match. Peplinski scored the first point and held a 3-1 lead to close the second period. However, Britton scored the next five points. Peplinski will face Brandon Bueschler (35-11), of Wrightstown, in the consolation bracket.
At 126 pounds, Zach Urquhart (34-13) was pinned at 3 minutes, 43 seconds of his quarterfinal match with Hunter Marko, of Amery, then lost to Ryan McGinnes, of Sheboygan Falls, in the consolation round in 3 minutes, 20 seconds.
“Zach is out of the tournament, but just getting to this day, I’m happy,” Witt-Birn coach Troy Ostrowski said.