LA CROSSE — The Aquinas High School boys wrestling team fell too far behind early to mount a successful comeback in a high-profile dual meet against Chatfield on Friday.
The Blugolds, who are ranked first in Division 3 by Wisconsin Grappler, won four of the last five matches, but the Gophers — ranked second in Class A by The Guillotine — used wins in the first four to pave the way for a 38-35 victory at the Reinhart Athletic Complex.
Aquinas sophomore Martez Sheard (10-1) stopped Chatfield’s winning streak that began the dual by scoring a 12-3 major decision over Layne Root at 132 pounds.
Sophomore teammate Tyler Paulson, who is ranked fifth in Division 3, then gave the Blugolds a significant victory when his takedown in the final 15 seconds gave him a 4-2 win over senior Kaisen Johnson — ranked eighth in Minnesota’s Class A.
Paulson improved his record to 13-1 with that win.
Senior Roger Flege (6-2, 150), senior Marcus Klar ( 9-4, 165) and senior Waylon Hargrove (11-2, 175) then gave Aquinas pins, and junior Isaac Miller won a major decision at 190 to get the Blugolds within 32-29 with two matches remaining.
The Gophers won by pin at 215 before senior Tyson Martin (12-1) finished the dual with a pin for Aquinas, who finished with seven wins in the 14-match competition.
E.H. Stech Invitational
WEST ALLIS — West Salem/Bangor had for advance to Saturday’s semifinal round after sweeping through first-day competition.
Seniors Teghan Moore, Mason Chambers and Caden Anderson accompanied sophomore Landon Rieber through quarterfinal victories as the first three rounds were contested on Friday.
Moore (14-1) advanced with a bye, technical fall and decision at 126, and Chambers (12-2) followed a by with a pin and technical fall at 157.
Anderson ( 14-1) pinned both of his opponents in the first period after receiving a first-round by at 190, and Rieber (3-1) pinned all three of his opponents — including West Allis Hale sophomore Romeo Valdivia (10-3) in the second round — at 120.
Senior Cayson Anderson (5-4, 113), junior Peyton King (10-7, 120), sophomore Ryan Antson (10-7, 144), junior Justice Elam (11-4, 175) and senior Kaiden Stello (11-5, 285) are all still alive for third place.
