Third as a team at regionals, with many individuals with first and second. These were the results from regionals Saturday, Feb. 10 at Medford, where the Stanley-Boyd varsity boys wrestlers faced off with Division 2 opponents looking for a place at Sectionals this coming Saturday at Tomahawk. Orioles head coach Greg Burzynski summed up the day after results were in.
“I thought we wrestled very well as a team,” he said. “All of the boys went into that tournament ready to wrestle. We had 6 sectional qualifiers and Brody and Dredyn were only one spot out. Breckin had another strong showing. He had 2 pins and a major decision on his way to a regional championship. Landen had his best showing of the season and earned his first tournament championship at regionals. Willy also put on a dominant performance pinning his way to the title.”
Starting with the 285-pound heavyweight division, William Graham (42 – 7) placed first and scored 30 team points, winning by fall (2:30) over Blaine Severson (36 – 11) of Mondovi/Eleva-Strum to take first place.
Also taking first but in the 144-pound weight class was senior Landen Hoel (28-9), winning by decision (Dec 7 – 2) over Parker Lissner (21-0) of Medford Area Schools in the first place match and scoring a total of 27.5 team points.
Following up Hoel with another first-place finish was Breckin Burzynski (42 – 3) in the 138 pound weight class, winning by major decision (MD 10-0) over Owen Higgins (34-7) of Medford Area Schools to score a total of 29 team points.
Taking third place finishes on Saturday were Troy Trevino and Aaron Sturm. Trevino (35 – 9) won by fall (3:01) over Jack Derleth (30-11) of Tomahawk in the 126 pound weight class to take third place and score 19 team points, while Sturm (24 – 12) won by injury default (Inj. 5:37) over Gavyn McFarlane (31 – 16) of Neillsville/Greenwood/Loyal in the 157 pound weight class, scoring a total of 19 team points.
Placing fourth at regionals, Candin Yeager (32 – 18) won by major decision (MD 12-0) over Mason Antczak (26 – 22) of Osseo-Fairchild/Augusta/Fall Creek) to score 15 team points.
As to other Oriole finishes, Brodric Westrom (21-25) took fifth in the 165-pound weight class to score five team points, while Dreyden Arneson (17 – 14) finished fifth in the 215 pound weight class and scored 16 team points. Dylan Seichter (29-18) finished sixth in the 190-pound weight class and scored 9 team points. Darrin Dorn (26 – 23) won by fall scored two team points in the 132-pound weight class, while Stephen Lin (3-26) received a bye in Consolation Round 2 of the 113-pound weight class, followed by a consolation semi against Barrett Fedie (18 - 11) of Mondovi/Eleva-Strum.
Interviewed after their matches were done but before the team as a whole had finished, seniors Breckin Burzynski and Troy Trevino shared some thoughts.
“I think as a team we’re doing really well today,” Burzynski said. “Everyone’s wrestling to the best of their ability. And I think we could have a shot at going to team sectionals if we keep it up.”
Teammate Troy Trevino shared Burzynski’s positive assessment.
“I agree with Breckin,” he said. I would say we have some untapped potential for sectionals. And I wouldn’t sleep on us, because we’re going to be back. The Kohl Center isn’t ready for the small-town studs.”
Reached after final team results were in, Willy Graham was upbeat.
“We wrestled really well as a team and are hoping to have a good tournament at Tomahawk next Saturday,” he said.
The Orioles now head to Tomahawk Saturday, Feb. 17, with Kohl Center chances dependent on individual performance at Sectionals.
