By David Paulsen
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
After what the Burlington High School wrestling squad accomplished last week, it would be surprising if the team does not find itself ranked in the next state team wrestling ranking.
In its own six-team invitational on Saturday, the Demon boys defeated the No. 5-ranked Division 1 team, the No. 12-ranked Division 1 team, and the No. 5-ranked Division 3 team.
“If we are, it’s nice for the kids,” head coach Jade Gribble said of the possibility of being ranked.
The team in the Jan. 4 ranking was an honorable mention team.
The Demons defeated No. 12-ranked Fort Atkinson 52-14, No. 5-ranked Division 3 team Mineral Point 43-21, and the No. 5-ranked Division 1 squad Mukwonago 38-28. In addition, the boys annihilated New Berlin West/Eisenhower 73-6 and Oak Creek 62-9.
“We wrestled well,” Gribble said. “What’s crazy is I think there’s still room for improvement. I’m real happy with how we’re wrestling right now.”
Five Demons went undefeated in their five matches. They were freshman Ben Hornickle at 106, senior Derek Gill at 126, junior Brody Fitzpatrick at 138, senior Willie Ehlen at 145 or 152, and senior Brandt Gavin at 160.
Seniors Matt Ehlen (132) and Ryan Jazdzewski (182), sophomore Greg Miller (195) and senior Neal Miller (285) all went 4-1.
Only two Demon wrestlers did not have winning records on the day.
In the win over Mukwonago, the team was penalized one point for unsportsmanlike conduct. Gribble said one of his freshmen wrestlers threw his headgear after losing a match.
“It wasn’t a major thing,” Gribble said, noting he talked to the wrestler, who he did not name, about the infraction. “He let his emotions get the better of him.”
Three matches that went a long way toward giving Burlington the win over Mukwonago took place at 145, 152 and 195.
At 145, Willie Ehlen defeated Joe Mattson 7-2. Mattson is ranked No. 5 in the state and Ehlen No. 6.
“Willie took control after giving up an early takedown,” Gribble said. “He scored the next seven points.”
At 152, junior Max Shenkenberg won a 9-6 decision over Alex Kleinschmidt. Gribble noted Shenkenberg was down late in the match but came back for the win.
“Max just kept fighting,” Gribble said.
At 195, Greg Miller pinned Joe Quaglieri in four minutes 48 seconds.
“That was a huge match for us,” Gribble said.
On Jan. 5, Burlington hosted Westosha Central and shut out the Falcons 63-0.
“We started at 182 (with Jazdzewski) and kind of took control from there,” Gribble said.
The win improved the Demons’ Southern Lakes Conference record to 5-0.
Burlington had six pins, two technical falls, two major decisions and three decisions in the win. Both teams forfeited at 120.
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