By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
A few years ago, the expectation for the Burlington wrestling program was just to get to individual and team state.
Now, it’s not about getting there, it’s about winning the whole thing.
With two consecutive team state trips and four returning individual state qualifiers, the defending conference champion Demons have high hopes for even more accolades in 2013-14.
Already ranked No. 1 in the area by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10th-year head coach Jade Gribble is enjoying some of the best numbers in his tenure (more than 50 kids in program).
Though top performers Josh Bird, who won state at 120 last year, and Chris Marks (195) will miss some early-season action, Burlington’s depth and overall ability rivals any team in the state.
“There’s already a target on our backs,” Gribble said Tuesday night. “We have a nice mixture of talent. We have two state place-winners and good experience. We’re solid across the board.”
A top performer the Demons will have in Thursday’s home opener against Waterford is junior Ben Hornickle, a two-time fourth-place winner at state. With Hornickle and Bird holding down the 126 and 132 weight classes, the lightweights are stacked.
Bird, who broke his thumb roughly six weeks ago, is expected back by January. Marks will return next week.
Gribble focused on team bonding in the offseason. The guys played paintball, had fun with a ropes course and did a lot of hanging out to develop chemistry. Gribble said the guys aren’t there yet, but the team concept will be etched into their brains every day.
“A lot of people think wrestling is just an individual sport,” he said. “But you need your teammates when you’re dead tired to cheer you on. We are getting healthy and teaching about the value of being a team.”
Burlington qualified a whopping eight wrestlers for state last season. But Brody Fitzpatrick, Cody Elsbury, Max Shenkenburg and Cody Agnes all graduated. However, Bird, Hornickle and seniors Greg Miller (220) and Tyler Kirkeeng (285) all bring back state tournament experience.
Gribble said a lot of talent is gone, but he is excited about this year’s lineup.
Other returning starters are Robert Elsbury (120), Lucas Shenkenburg (145), Wes Gavin (152), Isaiah Brenner (160) and Hegeman Piedt (182). Senior Matt Burton (285) provides solid depth behing Kirkeeng.
New faces that will make an impact will be Joe Joerndt (106), Luke Iverson (113), Joe Elliott (138) and Joey Montez (170).
Gribble said the team goals are the same as every season. But this year, he wants his guys to strive to win at state. Last year, Burlington suffered an early exit at team state and wasn’t competitive.
“We want to win conference,” Gribble said. “We want to win team sectionals, and we must win matches in Madison. The team concept should help us.”
The grappling gets underway Thursday at home against rival Waterford. The first 750 spectators receive a free T-shirt, a promotion Gribble said started back when he was in high school in Riverdale.
“We only have three home meets this year,” he said. “We will put good wrestling out, and hopefully people will come.”
This weekend, Burlington travels to the Slinger Invite, a tournament it won last year. The event features some of the state’s best competition, including fifth-ranked Cedarburg.
“We hope to finish toward the top,” Gribble said. “We will take extra wrestlers and see what we have.”
Gribble said Waterford is an SLC dark horse this season, while Badger and Elkhorn, both co-champs last year, will once again contend.
Union Grove welcomes new coach Jordan Hein, who also took over the football program.
Once the Demons return to full strength, Gribble knows the sky is the limit with this bunch. They are hungry.
“Kids have state goals,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to win state.”
Early returns
Burlington opened the season Thursday night with a quality 37-27 victory over visiting Waterford.
The first 750 fans in attendance were given Burlington Wrestling T-shirts, and barely any remained. A packed house watched the Demons jump out to a 25-6 lead. But Waterford closed the gap to 25-20, when Hornickle stepped up for Burlington.
The junior, who finished fourth at the WIAA state meet the past two seasons, pinned Russ Soens in 1:01.
Elliott and Gavin followed Hornickle with decision victories, and Waterford won the final match of the evening.
Burlington’s Luke Iverson (106) and Hegeman Tiedt (182) also notched wins via pinfall.
Last year’s other conference co-champs, Elkhorn and Lake Geneva Badger, also battled last night. Elkhorn downed Badger, 35-31. Elkhorn’s Bryce Fitzgerald (120), Konnor Mohr (138) and Jordan Barr (195) all had pins.
Schedule
(HOME MEETS IN CAPS)
December – 7: at Slinger Invite. 12: at Union Grove. 19: DELAVAN-DARIEN. 21: at Fond du Lac Invite. 27-28: at Bi-State Classic. January – 4: BURLINGTON INVITE. 9: at Badger. 18: at Freedom Invite. 23: WILMOT. 24: at Homestead Invite. 30: at Elkhorn. February – 3: WESTOSHA CENTRAL. 8: SLC meet at Union Grove.
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