Tiedt family will be honored Thursday at Waterford
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
In a matter of only four days, Burlington senior Wes Gavin experienced the high of a tournament title and low of a serious injury.
Four days after winning first place at 152 at the Highlander Invite in Homestead, Gavin succumbed to a kneecap injury.
On Tuesday night, Burlington coach Jade Gribble said the coaching staff is waiting to make a long-term decision until the swelling subsides.
Gavin is 28-7 this season.
Fortunately for the Demons, they have a winnable dual Thursday against Waterford before eight days off leading up to the Southern Lakes meet Feb. 7 in Wilmot.
“We will use a backup at Gavin’s weight,” Gribble said. “It stinks because Wes has been getting better throughout the year. He’s hard to score on, and he’s a really good scrambler. He is much more confident.”
Waterford, who Gribble says is a talented team, is dealing with its own big injury. Max Fisher, the 2014 Area Male Athlete of the Year, is on the shelf with a dislocated elbow.
“Waterford has a nice team,” Gribble said. “We’re ready for the SLC tourney. Our goal is to win conference, but Elkhorn is in the driver’s seat.”
Burlington has one conference loss, a 34-23 defeat early in the season to the Elks. It will take a conference tournament victory to propel the Demons past Elkhorn in the standings.
Based on recent history, there’s no reason to believe Burlington isn’t fully capable of winning the conference crown.
The Demons beat down Westosha Central Monday night, 67-9, and they were only a measly four points from a third straight tourney title Friday in Mequon.
On Jan. 22, Burlington handled a talented, state-ranked Lake Geneva Badger squad in Burlington.
Oak Creek, which was trounced by the Demons in a dual earlier this season, nipped Burlington, 458-454, for the Highlander title Friday.
Gavin, Hegeman Tiedt (220), Josh Bird (132) and Ben Hornickle (138) all took home titles in the scramble format, which features four pools and no championship bouts.
“We didn’t wrestle great,” Gribble said. “Scrambles are goofy. Not all of the best wrestlers get to advance to the championship round.”
Gribble added that Oak Creek, ranked as an honorable mention pick in the Division 1 Wisconsin Wrestling Online poll, could be an opponent at team sectionals.
“They wrestled really well,” Gribble said.
Tiedt improved to 33-5 Monday night and was 5-0 Friday night.
The 220-pound Tiedt thoroughly made his presence felt, as three wins were by pin fall and one by technical fall.
“Hegeman has the heart of a giant,” Gribble said. “He’s very coachable and has blossomed a little bit this year. He’s opened up his offense this year and was more defensive last year. He must stay in control. He’s fun to watch.”
It was business as usual for Bird (31-1) and Hornickle (37-1).
“I want us to wrestle well, and whatever happens happens,” Gribble said.
Match Thursday to benefit Darin Tiedt
Barry Davis, head wrestling coach for the Wisconsin Badgers, delivered a Barr Alvarez signed helmet and football to Kevin Bird, father of Josh and Jared, earlier this week.
Davis signed it, and raffle winner at Thursday’s Burlington-Waterford match will have the option to return it to Davis, or Davis will return it to Alvarez for new head coach Paul Chryst’s signature.
“We will sell raffle tickets and draw the winner of each at the meet,” Bird said.
The proceeds from the raffle will benefit Darin Tiedt and his family. Tiedt, Hegeman’s dad, is recovering from two strokes he suffered last year. Tickets will be one for $5 or three for $10.
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