LA CROSSE — Aquinas High School wrestling coach Deke Stanek understood the challenges that awaited his team as they entered the La Crosse Center on Friday.
The Blugolds are the current kings of the MVC and have been serious challengers to qualify for the WIAA Division 3 team state tournament for several years now.
The Clash National Duals, however, are a challenge unlike any of those, and knocking off teams will to travel to another part of the country to compete is never easy. Teams from nine states were on board for the latest installment of this tournament, but Aquinas won all three of its dual meets on Saturday to walk away champion of the sixth bracket.
“We knew this was going to be an uphill battle, especially after drawing Stillwater (Minn.) right out of the gate,” Stanek said. “But I saw our guys wrestle with grit and toughness, and I didn’t think they conceded points, which I’m really proud of them for.”
The Blugolds, who lost two of three duals on Friday, beat Anoka (Minn.) 32-31, Hastings (Minn.) 47-24 and Decorah (Iowa) 44-28 on Saturday.
Junior Roger Flege (22-2) gave Aquinas a pivotal win with a pin at 133 pounds in the one-point victory over Anoka. That produced a 32-22 lead with two matches remaining. It was also his sixth victory during an unbeaten weekend.
“He had another good weekend for us and went 6-0,” Stanek said of his fourth-place Bi-State Classic finisher from last week. “He’s a good leader for us and a big spark for us when we need him.
“He wrestles really hard all the time and beat a couple of good kids today.”
Flege pinned two opponents, beat two others by technical fall and the remaining two by decision.
Junior teammate Tyson Martin (22-1) also went unbeaten at 215. Martin, who placed third at the Bi-State last week, pinned five of his opponents and beat the other by technical fall. Four of those pins came in the first minute of matches.
Sophomore Chase Schams (19-3) won three matches by pin and won three matches by forfeit. Stanek said his performance influenced the forfeits.
“He had three forfeits, but it was because they saw the way he was wrestling,” Stanek said. “Teams had wrestlers, but they didn’t send them out there.”
Freshman Lincoln Stanek (17-4) was 5-1 in matches at 107, and junior Waylon Hargrove (14-4) won five of six bouts at 160. Both pinned four opponents.
