“As far as the season itself-I think it went well. We finished 3rd in conference duals with an 8-2 record and also 3rd in the conference tournament. That’s not bad considering we only filled 11 of 14 weight classes. Sometimes less.” Thus did Orioles head wrestling coach Greg Burzynski describe the season just past for wrestling. With junior Breckin Burzynski (35 - 14) going on to state after both he and Willy Graham (31 - 18) made regionals, the wrestling season was full of action.

It started Dec. 3 with a trip to the Black River Falls Invite, followed in turn by the Eau Claire Invitational Dec. 10.

Come Dec. 29 the wrestlers headed to the LaCrosse Bi-State Tournament. From there it was the Bluejay Challenge at Merrill on Jan. 7, with Jan. 14 seeing them headed to Chippewa Falls after competing in a dual against Regis and Cadott. Before long it was on to the Wausau East Lumberjack Invite, with Jan. 26 seeing the wrestlers compete at Thorp against Abbotsford-Colby and Thorp/Owen Withee.

From there it was on to Abbotsford on Feb. 4, with team closing pre-state competition held at Neillsville and Amery. Regarding individual wrestlers and their season records, these are the summary statistics:

Senior Justin McManus took away a season record of 25 - 18 competing in the 120-pound weight class.

Junior Troy Trevino finished with a season record of 30 - 14 competing in the 126-pound weight class.

Junior Breckin Burzynski finished with a season record of 35 - 14 and advanced to state for a second time, competing in the 132-pound weight class.

Junior Landen Hoel finished the season with a record of 27 - 17 competing in the 138-pound weight class.

Freshman Aaron Sturm finished with a season record of 15 - 13 competing in the 145-pound weight class.

Sophomore Brody Westrom finished with a season record of 11 - 13 competing in the 152-pound weight class.

Senior John Burgoyne finished with a season record of 8 - 9 competing in the 160-pound weight class.

Sophomore Dylan Seichter finished with a season record of 17 - 14 competing in the 170-pound weight class.

Senior Caden Koepl finished with a season record of 13 - 21 competing in the 182-pound weight class.

Freshman Willy Graham finished with a season record of 31 - 18 competing in the 220-pound weight class while advancing to Amery regionals

Sophomore Damien Seicther finished with a season record of 23 - 18 competing in the 285-pound weight class.

The wrestling season now over, it’s soon into spring sports, and back to wrestling next fall.