Peak’s technique shines early in overtime
By Mike Ramczyk
sports@southernlakesnewspapers.com
MADISON – Elkhorn junior Benji Peak was in some kind of zone.
After winning his first WIAA state wrestling championship with a 10-8 sudden death overtime victory Saturday evening, the lanky 126-pounder circled the mat with his arms pointed to the sky, making sure to point out his teammates in the Kohl Center stands.
Peak wasn’t close to done.
He jogged over to the waiting arms of Elkhorn head coach Ken Reynolds, who hoisted the newly-crowned champ in the air with a bear hug.
Then, an overjoyed father in the front row squeezed Peak with a vice grip, picking him up off the ground, above the barricade.
Finally, Peak ran up roughly 10 rows of seats and proceeded to hug each of his Elkhorn teammates.
Fighting back tears of joy, Peak had just avenged a 6-5 loss earlier in the season to Hortonville’s Jake Barnett with the two things he’s banked on all weekend – technique and conditioning.
A few weeks removed from a rotator cuff injury, Peak (45-2) is the first state champion at Elkhorn since Jake Stilling in 2012 and 2013. Jon Kelly (1987) and Scott McLernon (1982-83) also won titles for the Elks.
“Oh my God, I am just so excited,” Peak said minutes after his victory. “I’ve worked so hard and put so much time in this year, staying after practices, working with coaches, going to camps. It’s the best feeling in the world. I’ve had a lot of big matches and first-place matches, but I don’t think I’ve had one like this in my entire life.”
Peak started early with two takedowns to grab a 4-0 lead, but a chess match ensued with ties at 4-4 and 6-6. Things got interesting late in the third period, as Peak scored a reversal with five seconds on the clock before Barnett countered with another reversal and hung on Peak’s back as time expired.
That’s all Peak needed, as a neutral stance was taken in the extra frame.
Displaying the graceful footwork of a ballet dancer, Peak used Barnett’s momentum against him, spun around and took him down 10 seconds into overtime for a dramatic, sudden death victory.
Reynolds said he knew Peak would have an advantage on his feet in the extra frame. The plan was to take Barnett down to win.
“We felt very confident Benji would win on his feet,” Reynolds said. “We wanted neutral because he scrambles so well. He knew he couldn’t get turned, and he didn’t. There wasn’t a lot of pressure to have to get away to win. Benji knew if he got to neutral in overtime, he would win.”
Peak and Reynolds have grown together
Reynolds raved about Peak’s attitude toward the team, as he has inspired teammates and wanted a team state appearance as much as an individual title.
The bear hug was evident of a deep bond between coach and athlete, even though Reynolds wasn’t sure at first how the two would mesh.
“I get emotional, but everyone told me we wouldn’t get along,” Reynolds said. “He’s Benji, he’s all about himself, that couldn’t be more wrong. Today was about Benji, and it should be. He wanted the team to win in the worst way. He watched video of every kid on our team, that’s the kind of kid Benji is.”
Peak said the game plan was to score early and take control as much as possible.
Up 8-6, he couldn’t believe he gave up the final reversal to take it to overtime.
“I still felt confident into overtime,” Peak said. “After getting the reversal, it kind of razzed him. We have the best conditioning in the state. I knew I could take him down. He tried that 360, and I felt it and scooted around the corner. It was high-risk, high-reward.”
Peak revealed after the match that he tore his rotator cuff two weeks ago. His adrenaline pushed him through the championship match and wasn’t an issue.
From wrestling on Sundays to a nutritious diet, Peak’s state title is no accident. While today was a “cheat” day, Peak went with nuts, cheese, celery and some water to start out the tournament Thursday.
“Not taking any days off, wrestling on Sundays when I probably shouldn’t,” Peak said. “My practice partners are the best, they push me. My diet was very good, and weight cut is a huge part of it. I splurged a lot today with my diet, but it was all good.”
Peak credited a supportive coaching staff and family.
“Without these guys, none of it would’ve happened,” he said. “Kevin Wallace is great with statistics, Ken is a technique guy, he knows what he’s doing and Chris Behrens, our JV coach, puts us through a workout nobody in the state does. When I go into the third period, I think “Behrenstein,” that’s what we call it.”
Benji’s dad Tony almost wasn’t there in the front row for the championship celebration.
“There was an open seat in the front row, and I asked a lady if I could sit there,” Tony said. “I told her if I can’t sit close, I will have to run down the stairs and leap the rail, and I’ll probably get tased. She said there was no need for anyone to get hurt today, and it worked out well.”
Tony said he couldn’t have been any more proud of his son. He added that Benji has forgotten more about wrestling than he will ever know, and Benji’s offseason work intensified after taking third place at state last season.
“It’s great to see all that hard work finally pay off,” Tony said. “He wrestles all summer with freestyle and Greco, and it got him here today. His offseason regimen got more intense, he hit some Higher Level camps and did well at some national camps.”
“I sit and watch and clap as the supportive parent. I can’t tell him anything. He deserved this one.”
Other area state medalists
113: Grant Truesdale, Elkhorn, sixth, pinned Wagner, West Allis Hale, 5:13; def. Spuhler, Hartford, 4-3; lost to Koontz, Stevens Point, 5-2; lost to Dentino, Arrowhead, 6-2; lost to Gille, Pulaski, 4-3.
132: Daniel Stilling, Elkhorn, fifth, pinned Lubeck, Rapids, 1:44; def. Acker, Tosa West, 13-4; def. Halverson, Pewaukee, 5-3; lost to Leon, Kaukauna, 9-4; def. Boemer, Cedarburg, 12-9.
145: Austin Thomas, Waterford, fifth, def. Kiser, Indian Trail, 8-1; lost to Otto, Arrowhead, 5-3; def. Hertel, Marshfield, 3-1; def. Winchel, Sparta, 2-1; lost to DeMeyer, Rhinelander, 3-0; def. Shulfer, Bay Port, 4-1.
170: Tanner Cadman, Waterford, sixth, def. Goodman, PEW, 11-5; def. Lance Otter, Burlington, 3-2; lost to Acosta, Manitowoc Lincoln, 3-1; lost to Alsteen, KAUK, 4-1; pinned by White, D.C. Everest, 2:48.
182: Jared Krattiger, Waterford, third, def. Danielski, Appleton North, 8-2; def. Sklenar, PEW, 15-2; lost to Hemauer, DeForest, 3-2; def. Schlass, West Bend West, 8-2; def. Yineman, Neenah, 11-5.
195: Jack Trautman, Waterford, third, def. Wasieleski, FDL, 9-2; pinned by Smith, Eau Claire Memorial, 1:06; def. Maule, 9-1; def. Westcott, Holmen, 7-0; def. Lipke, Milton, 10-5; def. Stroik, DCE, 3-1.
285: EJ Mastrocola, Waterford, sixth, pinned Travis, BUR, 4:54; def. Amold, Milw. King, 3-2; pinned by Kluever, KAUK, 0:27; lost to Cole, Ashwaubenon, 8-5; lost to Meinerz, HART, 9-1.
