MADISON — The fourth-seeded Holmen High School boys wrestling team ran into a familiar buzz saw during the WIAA Division 1 team state tournament on Friday.
The Vikings won their quarterfinal dual meet at the University of Wisconsin Field House, but waiting in the wings was top-seeded semifinal opponent Kaukauna, which is trying to win its fifth straight championship.
While Holmen opened the tournament with a 57-18 victory over fifth-seeded Muskego, the Galloping Ghosts ended its run in the semifinal round with a 40-22 defeat.
The Vikings won 11 of 14 matches against the Warriors, and Caleb Eggerichs (132 pounds), Colin Griffin (157), Emerson Lau-Melby (175), Abraham Henderson (190), Conner Degner (215) and Rex Lancaster (113) all won by pin in a dual that began at 132.
AJ Alesch (150), Jonathon Lamprich (165) and Conley Vogel (106) all won by technical fall for Holmen, which is making its 13th state appearance. Holmen’s Brock Needham also picked up an impressive 6-4 victory over Mason Techmeier at 126.
The Vikings won five matches in the dual loss to Kaukauna.
Noah Henderson (138), Lancaster (106), Nathan Henderson (120), Needham (126) and Turner Campbell (132) all won for Holmen. Lancaster recorded the only pin, and Nathan Henderson beat Nolan Micke by major decision.
