Simonson returns to state competition

COLFAX — Colfax-Bloomer wrestler Brady Simonson will make his second trip to the WIAA state meet in three years after placing second in the 126 pound division at the Amery sectional Feb. 21. Simonson, a junior, was a state participant as a freshman at 113 pounds and lost both matches, but did not qualify his sophomore year. He will now take his 41-5 record and wrestle this Thursday night at 7:15 in Madison.

After winning his first match 13-0, Simonson lost by a fall in 1:22 in his second match to eventual champion Hunter Marko of Amery. He then came back to win via a fall at .57 in the next round, then decisioned Dontae Thompson of Ashland 16-6, allowing him to wrestle for second place in a wrestleback. Although the top three individuals qualify for the big show, he punched his ticket to state with an 8-1 win over Mitch Hustad of Osceola.

“The match against Marko was my toughest one of the day,” Simonson said. “Even though I knew I would get to state by taking third, I wanted to win the second place match so I would get a better seed in the state meet. I am hoping the experience of competing at state as a freshman will help me and I won’t be as nervous as I was then,” he added.

C-B grappler Brady Hetke, competing at 195 pounds, lost his first match, won the second and lost the third, thereby ending his season.