Boyceville Bulldogs take ten youth wrestlers to the state tournament

By Kelsie Hoitomt

BOYCEVILLE — The Boyceville youth wrestling team brought ten competitors down to Madison the weekend of March 22-23 for the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation Kids’ Folkstyle State Championship. Four of the wrestlers brought home metals – including three golds – from the state meet held at the Alliant Energy Center.

Taking first place for the Bulldogs were Brock Schlough at 110 pounds in the boys born in 2000-01 weight class and Micah Johnson at 130 pounds in the 1998-99 class.

Schlough started the tournament off with a pin in 40 seconds against Lorenzo Lazcano. He then won by a major decision of 13-0 over Max Allen. The semi-finals match was no contest as he pinned Guenther Hebbe in 47 seconds. The finals match was the toughest of the day as he won by a point of 4-3 over Val Kochlu of Wausau West.

Johnson started off strong as well with a 9-3 decision over the number one seed in the bracket, Kelvin Yde. He then pinned Isaac Roffers in just under two minutes to advance to the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, he then crushed Alec Bess with tech fall of 16-1. It was another major decision that earned him the championship title after beating Benjamin Klister 9-0.

Dakota Scott also took home a gold metal in the boys born in 1998-99, 270-plus pound weight class after receiving byes.

Also taking a spot on the podium in fifth place was Garrett Joles in the boys born in 1998-99 150 pound weight class. He won his first two matches with a pin in two minutes over Carter Olson and a decision of 9-2 over Benjamin Kitslaar. He then lost in the semi-finals by two points in a 9-7 decision against Michael Burgireno. He lost again while wrestling back against Casey Persike after being pinned in just over a minute. However, he came back and won his metal after beating Jacob Sigler late in the match with a pin in just over four minutes.

Making a close run to the podium was Justin Malean who won his first match against Gavin Gemein by a pin in two and half minutes. He then lost his second match to Jack Trautman III by two points on a 6-4 decision. He came back with another win after that on a 9-0 decision to Peyton Montgomery, but lost to Noah Kaemmer 4-1 in his last match.

Also making their appearance at state were Tretten Joles who won his first match as well with a pin over Dayton Lewis in just under two minutes. He then lost his following two matches on a 10-2 decision and a 9-0 decision. Elijah Scott who lost his first match 4-3, then received a bye and lost his match after that. Gunner Johnson lost his first match 8-1, then won 7-3, but was pinned in his third match. Braeden Burnell was pinned in both of his matches and Dyllon Johnson lost his only two matches on a decision and a tech fall.