Late pins push Burlington past Elkhorn for share of Southern Lakes title

By Mike Ramczyk

Sports Editor

WILMOT – A sixth consecutive Southern Lakes Conference championship for the Burlington wrestling squad seemed to be slipping away, slowly but surely, Saturday afternoon.

Only two championship matches remained at the SLC tournament at Wilmot Union High School, and the Demons, whose only chance to earn a share of the conference crown was by winning the meet, were 10 points behind Elkhorn, the regular season SLC dual champion.

At 220 and 285, Burlington’s Hegeman Tiedt and Nick Otter couldn’t simply win by decision. The rivalry between the Elks and Demons is too even and intense for that cop-out.

In fact, there couldn’t even be a pin and a decision win. Both Tiedt and Otter had to dig deep and register pins, or Elkhorn would at least tie for the day and win conference based on its perfect dual meet record tiebreaker.

Tiedt, a junior, and Otter, a senior, laughed in the face of adversity, as both made quick work of their opponents with dramatic, early pin falls, and the Demons nipped the Elks, 255-253, in the meet’s team standings.

Though Elkhorn won the dual season with a 7-0 record compared to Burlington’s 6-1 mark, the Demons’ SLC meet victory earned them a share of the championship, their sixth straight share of a conference title.

Sprinkle in fellow conference champs Jared Bird (126), Josh Bird (132) and Ben Hornickle (138), who won an unprecedented fourth consecutive SLC title, and Burlington avenged a 34-23 dual loss to Elkhorn from December.

For Hornickle, who won by major decision in the 138-pound championship bout, said this is only the beginning for the Demons.

“It feels really good, but it’s not the main goal,” he said. “The main goal is a state championship, for everyone, me and the team. It felt pretty nice to beat Elkhorn. We knew it’d come down to extra points, and we had more heart.”

Tiedt couldn’t budge the stocky, powerful Ricardo Cruz of Delavan-Darien for roughly three and a half minutes in the championship match before finally making his move.

“I had that final burst of energy in the end,” Tiedt said. “It was absolutely exhilarating to win on the last match. Everyone wrestled their best today.”

Otter only needed 1:33 to annihilate Badger’s Cole Mikrut via pin fall, and the 285-pound senior couldn’t have been happier after the meet.

“I know I did my part,” Otter said. “But it was everybody. Ben had a big win, Jared had a big win, Marks won in overtime. Everyone contributed.”

Burlington’s recent wrestling excellence has produced a plethora of heavyweight talent, so Otter has been waiting in the wings the last three years while studs like Tyler Kirkeeng and Tyler Vorpahl were in the top slot.

Now, Otter joins that elite company of heavyweights.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said. “I’d like to beat Kaukauna at the team state tourney, and my personal goal is to place at state. We’ve improved in different spots. We’ve gained good freshmen, and we have experienced seniors.”

Tristan Lind (pin fall), Isaiah Brenner and Chris Marks provided some insurance with big wins late in the day. Every point mattered, and Burlington fully understood that thanks to its multitude of pin falls and major decisions.

“I was telling them we needed to score extra points, and we need majors, tech falls and pins whenever we could,” said Burlington Jade Gribble. “If Otter wouldn’t have gotten a pin at the end, we would’ve tied and lost conference. Every point mattered.”

The Demons led Elkhorn, 211.5-204, heading into the championship round, which lasted nearly three hours and began at 2 p.m. The Elks and Demons faced off in six championship matches, with each team taking three victories.

Another huge contributor to Burlington’s win was Jared Bird at 126. He was out with an ankle injury most of the season and had to miss the first meeting between these two squads.

His presence was felt early and often in the championship, as Jared Bird aggressively attacked Elkhorn’s Bryce Fitzgerald in a 9-3 rout. Jared Bird, a freshman, controlled the match against Fitzgerald, the senior, and sparked Burlington’s run in the championship round.

Fitzgerald is ranked No. 7 in the state in Division 1 at 126.

“It was huge because it was an upset,” Gribble said. “Jared kind of dominated the match and looked incredible.”

Gribble said it was the closest SLC meet he’s ever been associated with.

The victory didn’t come without its hardship, as Burlington’s Luke Iverson seriously injured his knee at 120 and may miss the final month of the season.

“Today means that our kids battle, and they have high expectations of themselves,” Gribble said. “Conference isn’t the goal, it’s just one goal. Elkhorn is well-coached, and they have a good team, and it feels good to beat them. Hopefully we can build on this and keep going.”

Burlington will compete in WIAA regionals next Saturday, Feb. 14. A regional victory places them in the team sectional Tuesday, Feb. 17. The Demons would most likely face Oak Creek with a trip to team state on the line. Team state is March 6-7 at the Fieldhouse at UW-Madison.

Individual sectionals are Saturday, Feb. 21, and the WIAA individual state tournament is Thursday, Feb. 26 through Saturday, Feb. 28.

Pick up Wednesday’s Burlington Standard Press for more on Burlington, including photos from Saturday’s SLC meet.

Bird, Hornickle keep rolling along

Burlington’s best two candidates to win individual state titles showed they’re ready for the postseason Saturday.

Josh Bird, the No. 1-ranked wrestler at 132 in the state of Wisconsin, flexed his muscles with two pins and a technical fall, and Hornickle, ranked No. 4 at 138, displayed his skills with two pins and a major decision.

Gribble said he doesn’t remember the last person to win a conference title in all four of his seasons, a feat Hornickle did with ease.

“The main goal is to win a state championship,” Hornickle said after the SLC meet. “It’s the same goal for everyone. We had more heart today. I didn’t think it would be that close, but Nick pulled off a great match.”

Both Hornickle and Bird only have one loss apiece this season. It’s borderline a formality they will be there on the last day of the individual state tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison.

Hornickle, a senior, said he has really been working on his craft, and he said he has the best shot this season to win a state title.

“I’ve been working really hard in the summer, going to tournaments and practicing hard in the practice room every day,” he said.

So how does Hornickle beat just about everyone who steps up?

“I’m aggressive with a little bit of funk in it,” he said about his wrestling style.

Take Hornickle’s aggressiveness and take it to the 100th power, and you have Josh Bird, a one-man wrecking ball who eviscerates foes with tenacious moves and brute strength.

“It was really exciting,” he said. “We came together as one, and we trained for a conference title. It was good to beat Elkhorn.”

Josh Bird said his brother, Jared, has been his training partner since they were both kids starting out with the sport.

“Jared hurt his ankle earlier in the year, but he came out on fire today,” Josh Bird said.

Josh Bird may have won a state championship as a freshman, but he doesn’t undersell his younger sibling.

Is Jared every bit as good as Josh?

“Yeah, I think he is,” said Josh Bird.

Burlington’s team chemistry is impeccable. It starts in the practice room at Burlington High School every day after school, but it carries over off the mat, whether it’s at a wrestler’s house on the weekend or in the hallways at school.

Josh Bird said this year’s squad has grown a lot together and been all about the concept of team.

“We all hang out together and do things together instead of act like individuals,” Josh Bird said. “We’re all friends in the practice room, and we like to joke with each other. Nobody ever has any grudges or hard feelings.”

“Kaukauna (No. 1 team in D1) is one of the toughest teams out there, and we may have them in the first round at team state,” Josh Bird said. “If we come full circle, we should be able to beat them.”

“My goal individually is to dominate the state tournament. I just try to wrestle the best I can. This year, I’ve put in the most hours of training in my career. I’m more mature, I know my mistakes, how to change them and how to progress from the past.”

Burlington results

106: Jacob Whited (Burlington) – DNP
Quarterfinals – Joey Graham (Wilmot Union) over Jacob Whited (Burlington) (For.)
Cons. Round 1 – Andrew Koroly (Westosha Central) over Jacob Whited (Burlington) (Dec 8-5)

113: Derek Koenen (Burlington) – 3rd
Derek Koenen (Burlington) over Grant Truesdale (Elkhorn Area) (Fall 3:43)
Quarterfinals – Derek Koenen (Burlington) over Ismael Caello (Delavan-Darien) (TF 16-1 3:51)
Semifinals – Stevie Kraus (Badger) over Derek Koenen (Burlington) (MD 12-0)
Cons. Semis – Derek Koenen (Burlington) over Grant Truesdale (Elkhorn Area) (Fall 2:43)
3rd Place Match – Derek Koenen (Burlington) over Jacob Wagemann (Wilmot Union) (MD 9-0)

120: Luke Iverson (Burlington) – 6th
Quarterfinals – Luke Iverson (Burlington) over Jimmy Graham (Wilmot Union) (Fall 1:03)
Semifinals – Brett Kieslich (Union Grove) over Luke Iverson (Burlington) (Inj. [time])
Cons. Semis – Anthony Christenson (Waterford) over Luke Iverson (Burlington) (M. For.)
5th Place Match – Jimmy Graham (Wilmot Union) over Luke Iverson (Burlington) (For.)

126: Jared Bird (Burlington) – 1st
Jared Bird (Burlington) over Bryce Fitzgerald (Elkhorn Area) (Dec 9-3)
Quarterfinals – Jared Bird (Burlington) over Nate Otero (Badger) (Fall 2:31)
Semifinals – Jared Bird (Burlington) over Gage Wultke (Delavan-Darien) (Dec 5-0)
1st Place Match – Jared Bird (Burlington) over Bryce Fitzgerald (Elkhorn Area) (Dec 9-3)

132: Josh Bird (Burlington) – 1st
Josh Bird (Burlington) over Alex Brahm (Elkhorn Area) (TF 22-7 4:13)
Quarterfinals – Josh Bird (Burlington) over Hunter Valach (Wilmot Union) (Fall 0:28)
Semifinals – Josh Bird (Burlington) over Jonathan Heck (Westosha Central) (Fall 0:50)
1st Place Match – Josh Bird (Burlington) over Alex Brahm (Elkhorn Area) (TF 22-7 4:15)

138: Ben Hornickle (Burlington) – 1st
Ben Hornickle (Burlington) over Riley Remington (Elkhorn Area) (MD 13-0)
Quarterfinals – Ben Hornickle (Burlington) over Lucas Leydens (Westosha Central) (Fall 1:10)
Semifinals – Ben Hornickle (Burlington) over sean pritchard (Waterford) (Fall 0:27)
1st Place Match – Ben Hornickle (Burlington) over Riley Remington (Elkhorn Area) (MD 13-0)

145: Lucas Shenkenberg (Burlington) – 3rd
Quarterfinals – Lucas Shenkenberg (Burlington) over Sam Larson (Union Grove) (Fall 2:00)
Semifinals – John Olsen (Elkhorn Area) over Lucas Shenkenberg (Burlington) (Dec 7-0)
Cons. Semis – Lucas Shenkenberg (Burlington) over John Culp (Westosha Central) (Fall 1:53)
3rd Place Match – Lucas Shenkenberg (Burlington) over Chase Craig (Badger) (Fall 1:20)

152: Lance Otter (Burlington) – 2nd
Konnor Mohr (Elkhorn Area) over Lance Otter (Burlington) (MD 9-1)
Quarterfinals – Lance Otter (Burlington) over Jacob Walker (Wilmot Union) (Fall 3:57)
Semifinals – Lance Otter (Burlington) over Austin Thomas (Waterford) (Fall 2:11)
1st Place Match – Konnor Mohr (Elkhorn Area) over Lance Otter (Burlington) (MD 9-1)

160: Isaiah Brenner (Burlington) – 4th
Bryce Jacobson (Elkhorn Area) over Isaiah Brenner (Burlington) (Dec 5-4)
Quarterfinals – Isaiah Brenner (Burlington) over Aidan Gutierrez (Union Grove) (Fall 3:32)
Semifinals – Jared Krattiger (Waterford) over Isaiah Brenner (Burlington) (MD 16-7)
Cons. Semis – Isaiah Brenner (Burlington) over Nick Rainey (Wilmot Union) (Fall 1:53)
3rd Place Match – Bryce Jacobson (Elkhorn Area) over Isaiah Brenner (Burlington) (Dec 5-4)

170: Nathan Crayton (Burlington) – 2nd
Keaton Verhoeven (Elkhorn Area) over Nathan Crayton (Burlington) (Fall 3:21)
Quarterfinals – Nathan Crayton (Burlington) received a bye
Semifinals – Nathan Crayton (Burlington) over Jack Trautman (Waterford) (MD 9-1)
1st Place Match – Keaton Verhoeven (Elkhorn Area) over Nathan Crayton (Burlington) (Fall 3:22)

Tristan Lind (9-1) – 2nd
Quarterfinal – Tristan Lind (Burlington) 9-1 received a bye () (Bye)
Semifinal – Tristan Lind (Burlington) 9-1 won by fall over Keith Tremelling (Westosha Central) 2-7 (Fall 4:53)
1st Place Match – Jordan Barr (Elkhorn Area) 9-1 won by decision over Tristan Lind (Burlington) 9-1 (Dec 1-0)

195: Chris Marks (Burlington) – 3rd
Dylan Linhart (Elkhorn Area) over Chris Marks (Burlington) (Dec 1-0)
Quarterfinals – Chris Marks (Burlington) over Carlos Dominguez (Delavan-Darien) (Fall 0:37)
Semifinals – Dylan Linhart (Elkhorn Area) over Chris Marks (Burlington) (Dec 1-0)
Cons. Semis – Chris Marks (Burlington) over Reid McNeill (Westosha Central) (Fall 1:00)
3rd Place Match – Chris Marks (Burlington) over Nick Halpin (Badger) (UTB 3-2)

220: Hegeman Tiedt (Burlington) – 1st
Hegeman Tiedt (Burlington) over Hunter Hummel (Elkhorn Area) (Fall 0:24)
Quarterfinals – Hegeman Tiedt (Burlington) received a bye
Semifinals – Hegeman Tiedt (Burlington) over Hunter Hummel (Elkhorn Area) (Fall 0:28)
1st Place Match – Hegeman Tiedt (Burlington) over Ricardo Cruz (Delavan-Darien) (Fall 4:00)

285: Nick Otter (Burlington) – 1st
Quarterfinals – Nick Otter (Burlington) received a bye
Semifinals – Nick Otter (Burlington) over Ryan White (Union Grove) (Fall 2:51)
1st Place Match – Nick Otter (Burlington) over Cole Mikrut (Badger) (Fall 1:33)