By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School wrestling team lost its first Southern Lakes Conference dual meet in more than three years Jan. 21. when the Elks lost 36-30 at home to Lake Geneva Badger.
Elkhorn wrestles its final SLC dual meet of the season tonight at home against Wilmot. The Elks will look to defend their title Saturday in the Grafton Duals at Grafton High School.
“Given the level of competition, that’s a fairly solid win streak,” Elks coach Ken Reynolds said of the Elks’ three-year run in SLC dual meets. “The conference, in those couple of years, was the most competitive it’s ever been. For us to do that is pretty amazing.”
Elkhorn’s last loss in a SLC dual meet, prior to facing Badger, came on Jan. 3, 2013. Burlington beat the Elks 34-27. Elkhorn has won a piece of the SLC title, or won it outright, in four of the previous six seasons.
The Elks can tie for the season lead in SLC dual meet wins if Burlington beats Badger in a SLC dual meet tonight at Badger and the Elks beat the Panthers.
In that instance Elkhorn, Badger and Burlington would each finish with one loss in SLC dual meet competition. The SLC Varsity Wrestling Tournament is Feb. 6 at Waterford.
Badger opened the dual against Elkhorn with three straight victories. Badger led 15-0 before the Elks’ Riley Remington beat Chase Craig 6-2 at 152 pounds. Bryce Jacobson (160) followed with a 4-2 decision against Badger’s Michael Peter.
Badger responded with wins in the next three matches and took a 26-6 lead. Elkhorn’s Jordan Barr (220) broke Badger’s run by pinning Matt Szescol in 50 seconds.
Elkhorn’s Grant Truesdale (106), Teddy Woyak (113) and Benji Peak (120) responded with consecutive victories by pin.
Truesdale pinned Beau LaDu in 2:43, Woyak pinned David Dublin in 47 seconds and Peak pinned Michael Sanders in 2:00.
“Truesdale has been really solid for us down at 106,” Reynolds said. “The lighter weights have been carrying this team.”
The three straight victories in the lower weights narrowed Badger’s lead to 32-30 before the night’s final match. Badger’s Robby Mutimer beat Elkhorn’s Daniel Stilling by major decision (13-5) at 126 pounds for four points, and gave Lake Geneva the dual meet victory.
“Mutimer is a senior state qualifier and Dan is a freshman,” Reynolds said. “Dan moved up a weight class and Mutimer moved down a weight class. There’s a lot of factors that went into that match.
“Dan did an unbelievable job – by no means was that dual lost there.”
Reynolds said the Elks were not at the top of their game against Badger. Wrestling without two-time state qualifier Konnor Mohr at 170 did not help. Mohr missed the dual because of an illness.
