February 28, 2013 at 2:05 p.m.
Sarbacker pins his way to 138 lb. state title
The senior won not only won a Division 3 championship, but he joined his brother (Ben) as a state champion. Ben actually won two, one in 2006 and he repeated in 2007.
Sarbacker won his title with a 3:15 pin over Westby's Ross Willington.
Also reaching the podium at state was 195 lb. senior Derek Peat.
Another senior, 285 lb. Ben McFall, as well as 145 lb. sophomore Luke Nowak won their opening matches, but lost their quarterfinal and wrestleback match.
Iowa-Grant/Highland coach Ryan allen talked about his state wresters saying, "Congratulations to Tucker he really wrestled well. He believed in himself and worked very hard for this goal. He just kept getting better all season long. I am very proud of him.
"I thought Derek also wrestled very well this weekend. We had a very tough kid in the first round, and Derek came out ready to wrestle and got a major. I think that was a bit of a confidence builder and although he lost a close one in the semi's, he kept that confidence up all weekend and came back to get third place. Congrats to Derek, he also has worked very hard throughout the season and off-season.
"Ben ran into the runner-up in the quarter finals and lost a close one. I believe Ben could have very easily been in the finals this weekend but things just didn't work in his favor. I know Ben was a bit disappointed but in the end, I think he had a great season. Ben was definitely one of the hardest workers on this team and congrats to him on a great season.
"Luke got a big first round win but then got beat out. However, I think he gained some valuable experience at the Kohl Center. Luke had a great sophomore campaign, as he was another guy who really worked his tail off. I hope this experience helps Luke for next year."
Iowa-Grant/Highland Results
D3-138-Tucker Sarbacker (40-6) placed 2nd.
Quarterfinal-Sarbacker won by major decision over Spencer Bisek (Arcadia) 35-17 (9-1), Semifinal- Sarbacker won by decision over Erik Ulrich (Clear Lake) 46-3 (9-4), 1st Place Match-Sarbacker (Iowa-Grant/Highland) won by pin over Ross Withington (Westby) 41-12 (Pin 3:13)
D3-145-Luke Nowak (33-16).
Champ. Round 1-Nowak won by pin over Jake Genthner (Ken. St. Joseph Cath. Ac.) 28-17 (3:03), Quarterfinal-Hayden Krueger (Crandon) 43-3 won by decision over Nowak (7-0), Cons. Round 1-Cullen Pedersen (New Lisbon) 43-3 won by decision over Nowak (6-0)
D3-195 - Derek Peat (37-9) placed 6th.
Champ. Round 1-Peat won by major decision over William Browning (Brillion) 42-6 (12-2), Quarterfinal-Peat won by decision over David Steinhorst (Kewaunee) 39-9 (11-8), Semifinal-Markus Armstrong (Ladysmith) 34-0 won by decision over Peat (5-4), Cons. Semi-Peat won in sudden victory-1 over Dondrick Tackes (Stratford) 36-3 (3-1), 3rd Place Match-Peat won by decision over Atticus Sharp (Weston/Ithaca) 42-8 (5-3)
D3-285-Ben McFall (35-8).
Champ. Round 1-McFall won by decision over Tanner Grant (Cumberland) 35-7 (8-4), Quarterfinal-Silas Petrie (Brillion) 45-1 won by decision over McFall (12-8), Cons. Round 1-Matt Stensrud (Markesan) 35-7 won by pin over McFall (1:17)
