8 area wresters receive Academic All-state honors
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Eight area wrestlers have been named as 2020-21 Academic All-State Award recipients by the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association and WiWrestling.com.
Boyceville seniors Trett Joles and Nathan Stuart, juniors John Klefstad, Kyle Lipke, Ira Bialzik and Tyler Dormanen and sophomore Emma Gruenhagen along with Glenwood City sophomore Ian Radintz were chosen for this year’s honors.
Joles, Dormanen and Radintz each competed in the WIAA Division 3 Individual State championship held February 13 at Wausau East High School. Joles captured his third straight state title with a gold-medal performance at 195-pounds to finish his senior season at 19-0. Radintz, in his first state tournament, finished as the state runner-up at 106 pounds with a 17-1 record. Dormanen capped a 17-3 season with a third place finish at 160 pounds.
In the St. Croix Falls sectional meet Boyceville’s Ira Bialzik placed third while teammates Nathan Stuart (138), Emma Gruenhagen (126), Kyle Lipke (170) and John Klefstad (220) all placed fifth.
“All seven are very deserving of this honor,” Boyceville head coach Jamie Olson said of his Academic All-State honorees. “Wrestling has always been number 3 on our priority list. Family and grades have always been 1 and 2. I’m very proud to say we not only won the conference this year, but also had the most athletes honored. Congratulations to this very special group of athletes.”
Glenwood City head coach Shane Strong also gave a glowing tribute to Radintz’ work ethic.
“Ian commits himself to not only wrestling, but his academic responsibilities as well,” stated Coach Strong. “I’m not sure I have ever witnessed Ian giving less than his best in anything he participates in. He holds himself to a high standard day in and day out.”
In order to be eligible for Academic All-State honors, a wrestler must been nominated by their coach, have a minimum 3.25 grade point average (non-weighted) or weighted grades must be adjusted to a 4.0 scale and the nominee must be in good standing at school prior to the season and throughout the school year.