Simonson on his way to state

For the first time since 1993, Colfax will have a representative in the WIAA state wrestling tournament. Freshman Brady Simonson, wrestling at 113 pounds for Bloomer-Colfax, is not only a conference and regional champion, but as of Feb. 16, he is a sectional champion after winning three straight matches at the Division II Somerset sectional.

Simonson began the day with a record of 32-8 and won his first match by pinning David Pintens from Barron in 3:49. His second win was a little more difficult as he out-lasted Mitch Husted of Osceola 1-0, then in the finals Simonson won by an 8-5 decision over Jimmy Smith of Rice Lake.

Simonson will now head to the Kohl Center in Madison for state competition. As a sectional champion, he will not have to wrestle in the preliminary round and he will begin quarter final competition Friday, Feb. 22 at 11:15 against either Cody Vogel of East Troy who is 43-4 or Gunnar Leisner of Oconto Falls who has a record of 31-4. Both are freshman.

If Simonson wins the first round, he will wrestle at 7:00 Friday night but if he loses that match he will compete at 2:45. Championship matches are Saturday night at 6:00.

Travis Anderson was the last Colfax wrestler to compete at the state level, placing third in 1993. That was the final year Colfax had a wrestling program until combining with Bloomer last year.