The Orioles varsity wrestling team has been busy.
Meeting Cadott and Regis in a home triangular on Thursday, Jan. 15, the boys varsity scored several wins. Notable finishes in the home triangular Thursday include Ryan Bowe winning by fall (3:10) over Owen Mertens of Regis/Altoona in the 144 pound weight class, Aaron Sturm winning by tech fall (TF 19-3, 3:23) over Ryder Parker of Regis/Altoona in the 165 pound weight class, Bentley Shilts winning by fall (2:00) over Ricardo Garcia of Regis-Altoona in the 175 pound weight class, and Willy Graham winning by Decision (Dec 6-4) over Gavin Lofgren of Regis/Altoona in the 215 pound weight class.
Prior to the home triangular, the Oriole varsity wrestling team headed to Stevens Point, Eau Claire, and Merrill, with good results.
Oriole head varsity wrestling coach Jake Fitzsimmons shared more on the road competition.
“The girls traveled to UW Stevens Point to take part in the WI Girls Duals,” he said. “11 of the teams that were there were ranked in the state. We beat D1 Eau Claire North and took 12th place lost to #14 in the state.
“On Saturday the girls and boys competed at the Bluejay Challenge. The boys were dealing with sickness and injury, but were led by Aaron Sturm 6th 165 and Zephyr Greenhow 1st JV 113. Everyone on the boys side won at least 2 matches. We are a young team and have a big group of underclassmen that keep battling and are improving.
“The girls took 2nd at the 28 team Bluejay Challenge and brought home a team trophy. The girls beat #14th ranked, D1 Merrill in their own gym. The girls were led by Sierra Marten 1st 126 and Nevaeh Walters 1st 145. Koraline Pennala 107 and Ava Kempf 114 both made the finals and took 2nd. Lillian Fitzl finished in 3rd at 120. I’m proud of how the girls battled after getting back late from UWSP, making weight, and wrestling 9 matches in 2 days. Sierra Marten went 9-0 over the two days. Ava Kempf is making big strides and beat a girl ranked in the state that she had previously lost to and also outplayed another girl ranked in the state.”
The Oriole girls now head to St. Croix Falls for a wrestling invitational on Friday, while the boys compete at Wausau East on Saturday, Jan. 24. Details are in the sports calendar.