Grapplers face tough competition in Eau Claire

EAU CLAIRE — Wrestling against teams in all three state divisions at the Eau Claire North Husky Invite Dec. 8, the Bloomer-Colfax wrestling team placed 19th out of 24 teams.

Brady Simonson was the highest finisher for B-C as he took fourth at 120 pounds, winning by a pin at 1:48 over his Ladysmith opponent, then won a 4-2 decision over Cadott, and a pin in 3:51 over Auburndale  before losing a semi-final match to Medford 7-2. He then wrestled for third place and lost 9-4 to Brett Benson of Stanley-Boyd.

Tucker Hovde, Trevor Newton and Dan Thorgerson all placed 10th as Hovde, wrestling at 113 pounds won three of four matches before falling in the ninth place match 10-5 to Yelang Her of Whitehall. Justin Wachtendonk was 11th at 106 pounds for B-C.

Matt Shaw placed 12th at 170 pounds by winning two of four matches then lost the last one via a pin to Justin Lewis of Auburndale.

Wrestling at 182, Jake Floodquist finished 16th after winning his first match by pinning his Whitehall opponent in 3:49, then dropped the next four. Jon Thorgerson also placed 16th for the team.

Stephen Snyder placed 19th in the 220 pound division after losing two matches and receiving a bye in two, then won his final match with a pin over Logan Enerson of Rhinelander in 3:44.

Preston Klukas, wrestling at 120 pounds also finished 19th, winning two matches then won by forfeit in his last one.

David Blanchard lost three matches at 126 pounds but came back to win 7-1 over Walker Golubiff of Bruce for 23rd place.