Ehlen title, Wallace second place highlight ‘best state tournament’ in program history
By Mike Ramczyk
Correspondent
Burlington wrestling head coach Jade Gribble didn’t hesitate to praise his team’s performance at last weekend’s WIAA Individual Wrestling state tournament.
Six Demons medaled, or placed in the top six, and two reached their respective title matches, with Max Ehlen capturing a championship at 145 pounds.
It was the most medalists in school history.
Quite simply, it was the best Gribble has ever seen.
“It was the best state tournament that Burlington has ever had,” Gribble said. “Last year, we had four state place-winners, which was the most we ever had before this year. Hopefully this lights a fire under others on the team to understand they can pave their own way through hard work and dedication.”
“You’ve heard the old saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ and this is truly the case here. From a supportive family, club coaches, middle school coaches, high school coaches and teammates they all play a part but ultimately, the athlete deserves the credit for the success. That’s one of the things that makes wrestling such a great sport. We always talk about kids taking accountability – in wrestling there is nobody else to blame. They are the only ones that can step out on the mat and wrestle. They get the blame and they get the fame.”
There was plenty of fame to go around for the Demons last weekend.
Zach Wallace took second at 195 pounds. Ben Kumprey was third at 160.
Qwade Gehring (182) and Jaden Bird (113) each took fourth, and Cody Welker was fifth at 152.
Bird (37-7) lost a tough match to start out, 7-6, to Michael Smith of Appleton North, before bouncing back with three victories and falling in the third-place match.
“Jaden had goals of winning a state championship going into this weekend and after a tough first-round loss it was a testament to his determination and mental toughness to come back,” Gribble said. “I can not explain how tough it is for someone to come all the way back after an emotional loss like he had.”
Welker (30-7), a four-time state qualifier, won his first match against a former state place-winner from Wisconsin Rapids, then beat Mukwonago’s Cole Hansen, a wrestler who beat Burlington twice recently, in the fifth-place match, 7-3.
“We have been working with Cody on a position that he gets into often and making an adjustment in his style to get better in that position,” Gribble said. “On Saturday morning he made the adjustment to get that final take down at the end of the match to win.”
Kumprey (36-5), another four-time state qualifier, won four of five matches, including an 8-1 decision in the third-place match.
“Ben had a great year and is another wrestler who had never earned a medal at the state tournament even though he was always good enough,” Gribble said. “Ben showed he belongs in the conversation as one of the best wrestlers in the state.”
Gehring (42-6), a three-time state qualifier, fell to University of Minnesota recruit Sam Skillings of Menomonie in the quarterfinal and third-place matches, but he dominated in four wins.
“Qwade missed out on some opportunities in previous years to earn a state medal. This year he has put together a fantastic year,” Gribble said. “Qwade has been wrestling the best I have ever seen him wrestle and stayed focused on his goals. He is a powerful, explosive wrestler who is able to score at anytime. I’m very proud of Qwade and all that he has been able to accomplish in his high school career.”
Wallace (39-7) battled in the 195-pound title match, but undefeated Marshall Kools (44-0) of Neenah was too much.
The junior is poised to be back at state next season.
“Zach has been wrestling the best I have ever seen him wrestle the last few weeks and this carried into the state tournament,” Gribble said. “Although he didn’t reach his final goal of winning in the state finals, Zach dominated his side of the bracket to earn his trip to the state finals. Zach is a great athlete that wrestled intelligent matches throughout the state tournament.”
At 120 pounds, Grant Koenen lost in his first match, 5-4. He finished his strong season at 31-8.
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