By David Paulsen
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
For Cody Nannemann, it was a great way to end a high school wrestling career.
Nannemann, who went into the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Championships at the Kohl Center in Madison, as the No. 11-ranked wrestler in the state at 160 pounds, came home with the title, defeating the No. 6, No. 5, No. 3 and No. 1-ranked wrestlers in the process.
Nannemann, who finished the season 45-5, defeated Bay Port’s Alexander Walla 5-0 in his opening round match Feb. 21.
On Feb. 22, Nannemann defeated Andres Marquez of Racine Horlick by a 10-0 major decision in the quarterfinal. Marquez came into the meet as the top-ranked wrestler at 160.
In the semifinal match, Nannemann defeated No. 3-ranked Mason Reinhardt of Merrill 7-2.
That pitted him against Ashwaubenon’s Mitchell Cole, ranked No. 6, in Saturday’s final.
Nannemann ended up winning this match by injury default, as media reports indicate Cole, injured his left knee in the semifinals and was not cleared to wrestle in the finals.
Senior Kody Azarian finished fourth at 120 pounds.
Azarian, ranked No. 3 going into state, opened with a 10-2 major decision win over Josh Cowling of Neenah, but then dropped a very close 3-2 decision to Quinn Miracle (ranked No. 4) of Chippewa Falls in the quarterfinal match.
Azarian rebounded to win his next three matches. He defeated Ryan Nelson of Elkhorn by a 16-2 major decision in the consolation round one, Bill Holz of Menomonee Falls by a 4-2 decision in consolation round 2 and Zach Miller of Wauwatosa West/East by forfeit in the consolation semifinal.
That win put Azarian into the third-place match against No. 2-ranked Chase Farr of Bay Port. Farr pinned Azarian in two minutes 10 seconds. Azarian ended his senior season with a 45-5 record.
That weight class in particular was loaded at the state level. Azarian entered the state meet ranked third, and Josh Bird of Burlington fifth, at 120 pounds. Robert Lee of Kaukauna was the top-ranked 120 pounder, followed by Chase Farr of Bay Port.
Bird ended up defeating Lee 8-6 in overtime to claim the title at 120 pounds, while Miracle ended up fifth and 12th-ranked Zach Miller of Wauwatosa sixth.
The third Wolverine who competed at state was sophomore Max Fisher at 138 pounds.
Fisher lost to Austin Powell of Sauk Prairie by a 3-2 decision in his opening round, and had no opportunity for a wrestleback.
Fisher finished at 40-6 overall this season.
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