By Tim Wester
Sports Correspondent
With the Southern Lakes Conference seemingly getting stronger by the year, Union Grove wrestling coach Andy Weis realizes there is no time for rebuilding.
Despite losing state qualifiers Adam Braley and Cole Ryan to graduation, Weis expects his team to pick up the slack right away.
So far, the Broncos haven’t let their coach down.
Leading the charge is Evan Storm-Voltz (6-0), who has the daunting task of replacing Ryan at 220.
“Evan certainly has some big shoes to fill, but I can’t complain about how he’s doing so far,” Weis said. “He wrestled at 195 once last weekend and may wrestle some at the weight depending on matchups, but the way he’s wrestled at 220, he may just have is spot iron down.”
The other large void left to be filled is Braley’s spot at 195. Senior Todd Willms, who was a WIAA Sectional qualifier last year, has been tabbed as the replacement.
“Todd was a sectional qualifier for us last year, but actually tore his meniscus at regionals and didn’t get to wrestle at sectionals,” Weis said. “He is healthy now and played football this fall. He still has a little bit of the injury in the back of his head, so he just needs to trust that he is knee is strong and get past his concerns about the injury.”
While the replacements appear to be solid, the Broncos also return a solid nucleus of wrestlers, including state qualifier Brett Kieslich, who has a 6-0 mark at 132 this season.
“Brett is already wrestling really solid and has grown to the point where he is refining all of his moves, instead of having to learn them,” Weis said. “There is something to be said for that.”
Other returnees include sectional qualifier Aidan Gutierrez, who has jumped to a 5-1 mark this season.
“Aidan came on strong for us last season and is looking to build upon it,” Weis said. “He is already wrestling well this season.”
With the heavier weights once again expected to lead the way for the Broncos, Weis said he is also seeing some promising development in the lighter weight classes.
Sophomore Shane Kieslich, who wrestled at 113 on the varsity squad last season, has successfully jumped to 120.
“Shane is starting to figure things out and just needs to gain the confidence in his moves,” Weis said. “He has a completely different style than is brother Brett, but has a similar level of skill.”
With the Broncos returning a strong core of wrestlers, along with a maturing group of underclassmen, Weis expects his team to be a formidable group this year.
How this translates in the deep and rugged Southern Lakes Conference remains to be seen.
The Broncos already own a conference dual meet victory over Wilmot and also had a strong showing at the Tom Manley/Emery Howard Duals.
“The Southern Lakes Conference is just a grind,” Weis said. “Burlington is still the favorite until somebody beats them, and Waterford has a solid group of freshmen coming in. Then there is Badger and Elkhorn, who are always tough.”
“The tough competition makes us better and will help us in February,” Weis said. “Hopefully we can stay healthy and be right in the thick of things in conference this year.”
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