I/G’s Klimek qualifies for state wrestling tournament

A strong start by Independence/Gilmanton sophomore Grant Klimek made him the only one of 14 area wrestlers to qualify for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division Three State Wrestling tournament.

Klimek (138, 44-8) dominated his first two matches at Saturday’s Westby sectional to clinch a state tournament appearance. He beat Brentyn Ewing (11-32) of Kickapoo/La Farge by technical fall, 16-1, in the semifinal round. He arguably did better in the next match as he scored a reversal early in the second period before pinning Mineral Point’s Sammy Springer (28-17) later in that period. 

Klimek lost the championship to Brody Miess (41-4) of Riverdale, 11-4. He finished in second place and Springer took third. 

The I/G sophomore is the ninth-seeded wrestler in the state tournament and will take on Brexten Kane (44-13) of Crandon on Thursday evening. The winner of that match will take on Wyatt Unser (42-0) of Glenwood City later that night. Wrestling will continue Friday afternoon and Friday evening before the championship round on Saturday. 

Klimek was the only area wrestler to advance but wasn’t the only I/G wrestler to win matches at the sectional competition.

Both Owen Gierok (132, 16-9) and Sam Marsolek (144, 40-11) dominated their first matches.

Gierok beat Iowa-Grant/Highland’s Hayden Aultman by technical fall, 19-3. However, he lost his next two matches, falling to Lakota Brewer (44-7) of Riverdale, 12-2, and Kaden Mickelson (31-14) of Cashton, 5-4. 

Marsolek pinned Thomas Sprosty (33-13) of North Crawford/Seneca in the first round but was pinned by eventual champion Roen Carey (46-4) of Mineral Point in the semifinal. His tournament ended after his next match, a 15-9 loss to Racyn Schooley (36-17) of Pittsville. 

Mason Severson (120, 33-15), Landan Stamper (157, 17-33), and Drew Bragger (285, 32-14) all wrestled two matches in the tournament but lost both. Chase Back (165, 32-19) lost in the quarterfinal round and did not get another match.

All six Whitehall wrestlers went winless in the tournament. Evander Peterson (157, 29-14), Broc Coburn (165, 17-13), and Caden Bacino-Hansche (215, 22-9) all wrestled two matches, but fell in both. Devin Hutsell (175, 29-10) won the regional title, but lost his quarterfinal match, Kevin Juresh (120, 29-14) and Frank Juresh (106, 31-9) both lost their only matches. 

Blair-Taylor’s Billy Miller (150, 29-17) lost both of his matches in the tournament.