Let’s wrestle at the…2006 "Black Hawk Tournament"

You’ve noticed it.  Wrestling enthusiasts are crowding the forum, mothers are charging their video cameras and hiding the junk food, coaches are scrutinizing their lineups and analyzing their competition, and wrestlers are working harder than ever.  Alleluia – wrestling season is once again upon us.

It’s good to be back and writing this year.  I hope that my articles will continue to provide the wrestling fan base with reliable and concise information on tournaments and duals they may not be able to attend.  I hope to cover even more events this year, as I have teamed up with former Pecatonia/Argyle wrestler Jason Gruenenfelder to attend a variety of tournaments in different areas of the state.  With that being said, Jason attended the Black Hawk tournament this past weekend and the following article was put together from his results.

FINALS

103: #1-seed Jesse Bushkopf (DeForest) v. #3-seed Weston Olund (Merrill)

DeForest’s former conference champion with a 4^th place finish at sectionals in 2006, sophomore Jesse Bushkopf, matches up with Merrill’s sophomore varsity lightweight, Weston Olund.

Olund goes in for the first shot which allows Bushkopf to lock up a cradle, awarding him the first two points halfway through the first period.  Bushkopf continues to work at the cradle until a stalemate is called.  He continues to keep Olund on bottom for the remainder of the period but no more points are awarded.  Bushkopf deferred the choice for the second and Olund responds by choosing bottom.  Bushkopf uses his dominating position to set up an arm bar, turning Olund for three near fall points.  Despite Olund’s attempts to stay off his back, Bushkopf persists and gets the pin halfway through the second period.

Final: Bushkopf fall 3:11

112: #1-seed Grant Sutter (Dodgeville) v. #3-seed Darren Langer (DeForest)

Returning 2005 Black Hawk champion and 4^th place state tournament finisher Grant Sutter of Dodgeville faces fellow junior Darren Langer of DeForest, who placed 3^rd at sectionals in 2006.

Sutter immediately clenches an outside single for the takedown within the first few seconds and then lets Langer go.  Sutter taps and goes for another single, lifts the leg up, and trips Langer for another two points.  Langer scoots off the mat, and once they get back on, Sutter cuts him loose.  Another two points are awarded to Sutter for a double leg.  Sutter focuses in this time, going right for the arm bar to turn Langer, then the legs in and a power half, but his opponent fights.  Sutter’s attempt at a Guillotine puts them off the mat, and he rides Langer out for the remainder of the period.  The second period begins neutral by Sutter’s choice.  Sutter’s offensive moves take the wrestlers out of bounds, but he finally clenches a single leg for two.  He is called for potential danger on an arm bar.  Sutter then cuts Langer who steps up his offensive with a shot.  Sutter silences his attempt with a shot of his own, nailing the takedown for himself.  He cuts Langer and gets another two to end the period.  For the third period, Langer chooses top.  Off the whistle, Sutter stands and reverses for two, cutting Langer.  Sutter again drives for two, cuts, and drives for two again.  He attempts for the turn again, putting in the legs and an arm bar, but no progress.  Sutter sticks with the shoot and cut the rest of the period, cutting Langer and sealing two more takedowns.

Final: Sutter major 20-7

119: #1-seed Trevor Dyreson (Deerfield) v. #2-seed Brodie Altfillisch (Merrill)

Juniors Trevor Dyreson of Deerfield and Brodie Altfillisch of Merrill come to the mat with 2005 Black Hawk places of 5^th and 4^th respectively.  Both also spent time on the floor in the Kohl Center last year, Dyreson with a 6^th place finish at 112 and Altfillisch as a qualifier at 103.

Altfillisch’s early shot at an outside single leaves his head hanging for Dyreson to hit a throw, finding the opponents in a scramble on the mat with Altifllisch coming out on top for the points.  The remainder of the period saw a fighting Dyreson attempting the switch numerous times, but Altfillisch followed him and held onto control.  Altfillisch deferred the choice for the second, and Dyreson chose bottom.  The scene from the end of the first continued, this time with Dyreson finally escaping with a reversal with three seconds left on the clock.  Altfillisch chooses down for the third, standing to his feet off the whistle.  Dyreson tries to bring him back down but loses control after a scramble which finds Altfillisch around back for the reversal.  Altfillisch works a high half nelson and Dyreson tries to hit a stand up, but Altfillisch drops them back down.  As time dwindles down, Dyreson goes for the Granby roll in a desperate attempt, nearly finishes it, but Altfillisch again follows and maintains control as the buzzer sounds.

Final: Altfillisch decision 4-2

125: #1-seed Bobby Wunnicke (Dodgeville) v. #2-seed Tyler Rauls (DeForest)

Dodgeville’s 2006 112-pound state champion and Black Hawk title defender Bobby Wunnicke, a junior, meets DeForest’s 125-pounder Tyler Rauls in the finals.

Wunnicke begins with the offensive, but his first point is gained from Rauls tapping him in the face.  Rauls goes for the shot but Wunnicke is the one who ends up with the takedown, clenching a double leg.  Wunnicke’s attempt to lock up a bar is resisted by Rauls and they go off the mat.  The period ends as Wunnicke tries to turn Rauls with a power half.  For the second, Rauls deferes the choice to Wunnicke who chooses neutral.  Wunnicke shoots, catches Rauls in a front headlock, and drives him to his back for the takedown.  Rauls tries to regain his place and get to a base, but Wunnicke sets up the arm bar and the half, turning Rauls to his back for the pin.

Final: Wunnicke fall 3:20

130: #1-seed TJ Wunnicke (Dodgeville) v. #3-seed Jerrod Watkins (Mt. Horeb)

Former Black Hawk champ and the 2006 119-pound state champion, senior TJ Wunnicke of Dodgeville, joins junior Jerrod Watkins of Mt. Horeb, who claimed a 4^th place finish at Black Hawk in 2005.                                                  

Wunnicke secures the first takedown, lets Watkins go, and gets another.  Watkins successful escape on the edge of the mat puts Wunnicke in for another shot which Watkins counters with a spin around and near takedown points, but Wunnicke fights him off.  Wunnicke focuses and hits a far ankle pick, taking Watkins down on the edge of the mat.  He hooks in the legs, turns his opponent with a half, and pins him with mere seconds left in the period.

Final: Wunnicke fall 1:55

135: #1-seed Andy Phelan (Dodgeville) v. #7-seed Bill Broullire (Merrill)

Dodgeville’s sophomore Andy Phelan who finished 5^th at Black Hawk last year, pinned his way into the finals.  Bill Broullire of Merrill, a 3^rd place finisher at last year’s tourney, found himself in the finals after defeating the opponents on his side of the bracket, including a tech fall over the #2-seed.

Phelan seems to have control of the tie up and is working a headlock when Broullire spins behind in an attempt at the two, but they go off the mat.  Shots are fired the rest of the period, but no points awarded.  Phelan defers the choice for the second, and Broullire chooses to go down.  Phelan immediately cuts Broullire, and the two continue to try for shots.  Broullire catches Phelan off balance in the tie up and puts him to his back, securing five points.  Phelan fights to get off his back but remains on bottom for the remainder of the period.  Phelan chooses bottom for the third, and Broullire spends the period making him wish he hadn’t.  Phelan tries for multiple switches and stand-ups, but Broullire silences him.  Broullire ends up turning Phelan for the pin.

Final: Broullire fall 5:27

140: #1-seed Tim Czaja (Waterford) v. #3-seed Ben Lodahl (Delevan-Darien)

Junior Tim Czaja of Waterford comes to the mat as a 2006 state qualifier and with a 2005 Black Hawk championship title to face Delevan-Darien’s sophomore varsity 140-pounder Ben Lodahl.

Czaja begins the offensive with attempts at snap downs and a duck under but they go off the mat.  Lodahl attempts a shot which leaves his head open for Czaja, who uses it to spin around for the first takedown.  Czaja rides Lodahl for the rest of the first.  Lodahl defers the choice in the second, and Czaja goes down.  He stands up for the escape in a matter of seconds and faces his opponent to shoot for a single, earning him another two.  Czaja rides Lodahl out for the remainder of the period, is warned for stalling, and gives up a point to his opponent as he continues to stall.  For the third, Lodahl chooses down.  Czaja immediately cuts and drives back in for the leg to trip Lodahl for another takedown.  He cuts his opponent again, and ends the period after multiple unsuccessful attempts at another takedown.

Final: Czaja decision 7-3

145: #1-seed Brad Welter (Merrill) v. #2-seed Robert Guzman (Delevan-Darien)

The anticipated match between Merrill’s former Black Hawk champion and 140-pound state runner-up Brad Welter and Delevan-Darien’s third-place Black Hawk finisher and 135-pound 6^th place state finisher Robert Guzman was left unwrestled due to a forfeit by Guzman, possibly from a concussion in his semifinal match with DeForest’s Tyce Shirley.

Final: Welter wins by forfeit

152: #1-seed Jason Rauls (DeForest) v. #3-seed Aaron Erickson (Merrill)

Seniors Jason Rauls of DeForest and Aaron Erickson of Merrill meet up in the 152-pound final match.  Erickson claimed a 2^nd place finish at the Black Hawk tournament last year.

Although Erickson claims the first points with an "okey chokey" which puts Rauls to his back for near fall points, he finds himself out of position and Rauls rolls through for the reversal.  Rauls hooks up a cradle but when he begins to sit back with it, Erickson turns into him for the reversal halfway through the period.  Erickson holds on to his dominance to finish the period.  Rauls defers the choice for the second upon which Erickson goes down.  Erickson gets the escape with a Granby roll, Rauls responds with a double leg takedown, and Erickson again hits a Granby for a reversal.  Rauls sits and spins for his own reversal.  Erickson fires back with his own sit out and then turns into Rauls for the reversal and a cradle lock up.  As time runs out, Erickson gains two near fall points.  Rauls goes down for the third, hits a Granby of his own, and pulls the reversal on Erickson.  He cuts his opponent and tries for the shot, but Erickson spins around for the points.  Rauls uses the Granby again for a reversal, locks up a cradle, but Erickson nails a reversal again by turning into his opponent and finishes the period riding his opponent for the win.

Final: Erickson major 19-10

160: #1-seed Grant Miller (Dodgeville) v. #10-seed Casey DeHart (Merrill 

The third-place Black Hawk finisher in 2005, Dodgeville’s Grant Miller pinned his way into the finals to face fellow junior Casey DeHart of Merrill in the finals.  DeHart overcame his side of the bracket by a decision over the #2 seed and a pin over the #3 seed in the semifinals.

After a period full of multiple counters by DeHart to Miller’s shots, Miller finally clenches a front headlock with an under hook throws DeHart to his back as the buzzer sounds.  DeHart chooses down for the second after Miller defers.  Miller cuts DeHart from the bottom.  DeHart shoots and drives, but Miller throws him to his back on the mat edge for the two, but no back points.  Miller cuts his opponent again, and they grapple for the takedown the rest of the second.  Miller chooses down for the third, grabs the wrists, and hits a standing switch for the reversal.  He tries for a power half and arm bar, and DeHart’s block finds him warned for stalling.  The period ends with Miller earning his final point for DeHart’s stalling.

Final: Miller decision 7-2

171: #1-seed Trevor Weinkauf (Waterford) v. #3-seed Dustin Johanning (Highland)

Juniors Trevor Weinkauf of Waterford and Dustin Johanning of Highland both saw 5^th place finishes at Black Hawk last year.

Johanning’s immediate offensive gives Weinkauf the set up for the front headlock which earns him two but they go out of bounds.  Weinkauf is cautioned twice on before the start.  He tries to turn Johanning with the legs in the rest of the first.  Weinkauf goes down for the second, and stands quickly for the escape.  He counters Johanning’s fireman’s attempt with another front headlock for another two.  He ends the period with a gain of another two near fall points.  They are neutral by Johanning’s choice for the third, and Weinkauf uses another headlock to put him to his back for five total points.  Weinkauf rides him out for the win.

Final: Weinkauf major 12-0

189: #1-seed Dan Baumgartner (Spencer) v. #2-seed Eric Kramer (Waterford)

The fellow seniors meet up after successful roads into the finals.

After a run of attempted shots by both opponents, Kramer seals the takedown late in the period with a power double.  Kramer defers the choice, Baumgartner goes down, and quickly stands for the escape.  Kramer gets an under hook and shoots a high crotch for the points with seconds left, just enough time for Baumgartner to scramble out for the escape.  Kramer chooses down for the third and gets warned for stalling.  Baumgartner goes for the cradle but loses control, and Kramer gets one.  Kramer snaps and spins for the takedown points and finishes the match in control. 

Final: Kramer decision 7-2

215: #1-seed Drew Barman (DeForest) v. #2-seed Kyle Thompson (Mt. Horeb)

Seniors Drew Barman of DeForest and Kyle Thompson of Mt. Horeb, a 2005 3^rd place finisher at Black Hawk, come to the mat for the 215-pound championship.

Barman’s multiple shot attempts are unsuccessful, but Thompson finds success with a snap and spin.  Thompson controls the remainder of the period.  He defers the choice and Barman decides neutral.  Barman gets the single leg for two, but Thompson gets to his base and out for the escape.  Barman tries for the shot the rest of the period.  For the third, Thompson chooses down.  Barman cuts him and goes for a double, but Thompson pulls out a freestyle half to put Barman to his back and claims a pin.

Final: Thompson fall 4:45

275: #1-seed Aaron Graves (Waterford) v. #2-seed Joe Levickis (Merrill)

Seniors Aaron Graves of Waterford and Joe Levickis of Merrill are both 2005 place winners of the Black Hawk tournament – Graves as runner-up and Levickis with a third place finish.

Graves gets an under hook and tries to jack up Levickis.  As he is doing that Levickis hits him in a head steal and launches Graves to his back.  Levickis squeezes and lifts the head to record a fall with 1:02 left.

Final: Levickis fall :58

TEAM SCORES:

Merrill: 276

Deforest: 203

Delevan-Darien: 171

Dodgeville: 157

Waterford: 133

Mount Horeb: 126

WRESTLER AWARDS:

Lower Weight Outstanding Wrestler: TJ Wunnicke (Dodgeville) 130lbs.

Upper Weight Outstanding Wrestler: Kyle Thompson (Mount Horeb) 215lbs.