Stanley-Boyd wrestling is back from State, with mixed results.
Wrestling Thursday, Anna Krizan (25 - 5) took a tough bracket spot, competing against Megan Schuenemann (20 - 3) and falling by major decision (MD 12 - 0).
Orioles wrestling head Coach Greg Burzynski shared more on how the match went and the bright future for the freshman Oriole.
“Anna lost her preliminary round match and was done,” Coach Burzynski said. “She has a bright future ahead of her. When the brackets came out, we knew that was a tough spot to be in. She went out and wrestled hard and, more importantly, she was able to experience the state tournament. When she makes it there again, some of those nerves will be gone and she can go into it as just another tournament.”
Also competing at state but in the 138-pound weight class was Breckin Burzynski (45 - 6), who wrestled his way through three matches, winning Championship Round 1 by decision (Dec 4 - 2) over Mason Baumgartner (29 - 17) of Prairie du Chien, before falling to Cole Bozile (23 - 4) of Oconto Falls in the Quarterfinal and Mason Mau (43 - 7) of Belleville/Monticello/New Glarus, both by decision.
Coach Burzynski had praise for Breckin.
“The knee injury he has been dealing with most of this season had worsened at sectionals. He battled through the week of practice like he always does. His third state appearance did not go as planned...he went 1-2 in his three matches and lost in the blood round in a tight match...a one-point loss and we thought he had a takedown with a few seconds left in the match, we didn’t get the call. That loss was hard. We had high hopes of him being in the state finals this year. I am proud of him regardless of place. Heck, he BEAT the state champion of his weight class this weekend earlier this year at Bi-State! He ended the season 45-6 and is in the top 8 in the state. He has a true love for the sport and is driven to improve every day. Few people know the amount of hours he has spent on the mat in the spring, summer, and fall over the years. All while being a 3-sport athlete for S-B. He has battled through several injuries throughout his career. He is a warrior.”
Competing for Stanley-Boyd meanwhile in the 285 pound weight class as a heavyweight, Willy Graham (47 - 10) took fifth, starting with a win by fall (1:48) over Owen Schultz (47-10) of Wittenberg-Birnamwood, then continuing through to the fifth place match Saturday, where he won by decision (Dec 5 -1) over Jack Simmons ( 42 - 15) of Prairie du Chien. Graham got praise from Coach Burzynski shared thoughts after the results were in.
“Willy had a great first state tournament!” He said. “He went 3-2 and worked his way to a fifth-place finish. He has really improved this year. He has been very coachable and willing to make the necessary changes to get better. He should be proud of what he has accomplished in his sophomore season. He finished the year 47-10 and three of those losses were to 4-time champion from Amery, Koy Hopke. I am excited to see what he can do the next two years on the mat.”
Asked about the trip to Madison and thoughts on next year, each of the three State wrestlers had comments to share.
“Pretty happy with fifth,” Graham said of how things turne out on return Sunday. “I’ll be back next year.”
“I don’t really have any thoughts on my performance but I just think Willy performed really well and has good things to come,” Burzynski said.
“Great coaches,” Krizan said. “Ready for next year. I’ll miss Breckin. Superstar will still be here,” she said, referring to Graham.
Come next year, meanwhile, Stanley-Boyd will have a new head wrestling coach, as Coach Burzynski turned in his resignation after 16 years as head and 22 overall coaching Stanley-Boyd wrestling.
“I will not be the head coach next season,” Coach Burzynski said. “I have turned in my resignation after 16 years as head coach and 22 years overall coaching S-B Wrestling.”
