By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School wrestling team finished 4-0 in dual meets Saturday and won the Grafton Duals for ninth time in 10 years.
The Elks finished their Southern Lakes Conference dual meet season with a 49-25 victory Jan. 28 at home against Wilmot.
The Elks wrestle Saturday at Waterford in the SLC Varsity Tournament. The Elks must win the tournament if they wish to share the conference title with Badger.
Badger beat Elkhorn 36-30 Jan. 21 in a SLC dual meet at home. Badger beat Burlington 56-18 Jan. 28 in the final SLC dual meet of the season for both teams.
Badger finished undefeated (7-0) in SLC duals. Elkhorn and Burlington each finished 6-1.
“We have to win the tournament to get a share of the title, which I have no doubt we can do,” Elks coach Ken Reynolds said. “I don’t think Badger would disagree – we’re probably the favorite heading into the tournament.”
Two-time state qualifier Konnor Mohr did not wrestle in the dual meet versus Badger due to injury. Mohr wrestled at Grafton and finished 4-0 at 170 pounds.
Grant Truesdale (106), Dan Stilling (126), Riley Remington (152) and Bryce Jacobson (160) also finished 4-0 and won their weight class at Grafton.
“They bought into what we’ve been coaching and asking them to do,” Reynolds said. “I don’t know if they finally put their guard down or what, but they bought into it and had some success.”
James Welsh (132) also won his weight class, despite finishing 3-1.
“He’s one of those guys we’ve been trying to get to buy into our system,” Reynolds said. “He really executed well and had a great day.”
Reynolds said Truesdale also wrestled well and turned in an exceptional day.
“Again, another wrestler who listened to us, took it into that match and made the adjustments,” Reynolds said. “Grant’s a really coachable kid.”
Teddy Woyak (113), Myles Schumaker (182) and Richie Heidemann (285) also finished with three wins at Grafton.
Trey Howes, (195), Jordan Barr (220), Heidemann, Stilling, Kevin Pauley (145), Remington, Jacobson, Mohr and Schumaker won for the Elks against Wilmot.
“I feel like we’re turning the corner,” Reynolds said. “The guys are gelling. They’re believing. The things we have to have happening right now are coming together.”
