Dodgers send Rochon, Peterson, Johnson to state

Dodgeville’s unbeaten 165 lb. wrestler Haakon Peterson, 120 lb. Shane Rochon and 144 lb. Nathan Johnson will represent the Dodgers at the WIAA State Wrestling Tournament February 26-28 at the Kohl Center in Madison.

Peterson and Johnson are seniors while Rochon is a junior. They will wrestle in Division 2 after their top two finishes at the Richland Center Sectional Saturday.

Peterson, champion at 165,  carries a record of 49-0 this season and is unbeaten for his career at Dodgeville.

Rochon, runner-up at 120,  is 31-3.

Johnson, who finished runner-up at 144,  is 42-9 on the season.

Dodgeville coach Ryan Lord looked ahead to state.

“Shane Rochon (120), Nathan Johnson (144) & Haakon Peterson (165) will each be representing Dodgeville at the WIAA State Wrestling Championships.  Haakon won his 4th Sectional Championship while Shane and Nathan each qualified as runner-ups.

“Haakon again had a dominating day of wrestling.  After a 45 second tech fall and a 45 second pin, Haakon defeated a very tough Easton Kammerud of Mount Horeb in the finals by a score of 17-5. I know Easton has had a lot of National level success and I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see a rematch in the State Finals.

“Shane has been recovering from a knee injury all season and last week in practice we knew that he was getting back to his typical form.  He looked great on Saturday! His semifinal match we knew was going to face a tough match in Reedsburg's Jayden Vanderhoof, who came in with a 34-2 record.  Shane wrestled smart and came away with a 4-0 win. In the finals he had a rematch of last year's State Finals match with Kolten Bollig of Evansville.  Shane looked great in the match and we had a few calls that didn't quite go our way.  Shane got a takedown for a 3-2 lead with 11 seconds left, but was called for locked hands in a scramble as time expired to force the match to overtime.  We had another scramble in overtime, but unfortunately came up short.  It was a great match and I know Shane came away knowing that he's right there as we approach the State Tournament.  Nathan has also been battling some injuries and did a great job in qualifying for the State Tournament.  I think his best wrestling is yet to come as he closes out his DHS wrestling career.

“Although there was plenty of joy in sending three wrestlers to the State Tournament from an extremely tough Sectional Tournament, there was also heartbreak.

“Rhet Spurley had a very tough weight class with a very talented freshman winning the weight class in addition to three returning state qualifiers and placewinners.  Rhet lost a heartbreaker in the semis and finished in 4th after placing 5th at the State Tournament last year.  It's a devastating feeling, but I know he'll continue to work hard and come back stronger next year.

“Braydenn Husom was the only other Dodger to place as he closed out his Dodger career with a win in his 7th place match.  Braydenn has put in a lot of work over the years and really showed a lot of improvement throughout his career.

“The State Tournament kicks off next Thursday at the Kohl Center.  Haakon and Shane have first round byes as 1 and 2 seeds and Nathan will have a first round match as a 4 seed against Espen Pitts of Mauston/Necedah.”

Team Acores

Evansville 246.5, Mount Horeb/Barneveld 205.5, Belmont/Platteville 143.5, Lodi 143, Stoughton 136, Reedsburg Area 128, Belleville/Mont./New Glarus, 111.5, Fennimore 105, Dodgeville 97.5, Cuba City/Bent./SW 87.5, Baraboo 64.5, Monroe 64, Richland Center 29.5, River Valley 28, Portage 25, Brodhead/Juda 20.5

Dodgeville

120 Champ. Rd of 16 Shane Rochon (28-2) Jr., DODG received a bye, Quarters Shane Rochon (28-2) Jr., DODG over Donovan Richards (7-16) Fr., STOU (MFF), Semis Shane Rochon (28-2) Jr., DODG over Jayden Vanderhoof (37-4) Jr., REAR (Dec 4-0), 1st Place Match Kolten Bollig (45-3) So., EVAN over Shane Rochon (28-2) Jr., DODG (SV 6-3), 2nd Place Match Shane Rochon (28-2) Jr., DODG over Thomas Lohmar (35-9) So., BRJU (TF 19-0 (2:14))

138 Champ. Rd of 16 Rhet Spurley (45-10) Jr., DODG over Luke Butteris (1-11) Fr., RIVA (F 3:30), Quarters Rhet Spurley (45-10) Jr., DODG over Liam Angeles (25-18) So., STOU (TF 17-1 (3:39)), Semis Carson Bassett (31-13) So., FENN over Rhet Spurley (45-10) Jr., DODG (Dec 5-4), Cons. Semis Rhet Spurley (45-10) Jr., DODG over Samson Timlin (29-11) Jr., REAR (MD 8-0), 3rd Place Match Evan Curtis (34-11) Jr., CCBS over Rhet Spurley (45-10) Jr., DODG (Dec 7-5)

144 Champ. Rd of 16 Nathan Johnson (39-8) Sr., DODG over Mauricio Sangabirel (1-10) Fr., BARA (F 1:07), Quarters Nathan Johnson (39-8) Sr., DODG over Todd Hall Jr. (20-17) So., BRJU (F 0:24), Semis Nathan Johnson (39-8) Sr., DODG over Harrison Cyvas (21-6) Sr., STOU (MD 16-7), 1st Place Match Dylan Weigel (51-1) Sr., BEPL over Nathan Johnson (39-8) Sr., DODG (MD 13-2), 2nd Place Match Nathan Johnson (39-8) Sr., DODG over Race Howlett (42-11) Sr., EVAN (Dec 9-8)

150 Champ. Rd of 16 Braydenn Husom (26-21) Sr., DODG over Wyatt Gehin (4-7) Fr., BMNG (F 2:16), Quarters Hudson Jablonski (41-7) Jr., REAR over Braydenn Husom (26-21) Sr., DODG (TF 15-0 (5:00)), Cons. Sub-Semis Hayden Struse-Clark (22-16) Sr., LODI over Braydenn Husom (26-21) Sr., DODG (F 3:48),7th Place Match Braydenn Husom (26-21) Sr., DODG over Jesse Kastner (20-18) So., BEPL (Dec 11-10)

157 Champ. Rd of 16 Skyler Hanke (14-11) Sr., REAR over Logan Vondra (8-21) Fr., DODG (F 3:22)

165 Champ. Rd of 16 Haakon Peterson (46-0) Sr., DODG received a bye,  Quarters Haakon Peterson (46-0) Sr., DODG over Jerdan Crase (13-26) Fr., BEPL (TF 15-0 (0:45), Semis Haakon Peterson (46-0) Sr., DODG over Lukas Loshaw (23-10) Sr., BMNG (F 0:45), 1st Place Match Haakon Peterson (46-0) Sr., DODG over Easton Kammerud (20-3) Fr., MHB (MD 17-5)

190 Champ. Rd of 16 Patrick Harms (29-18) So., MONR over Brady Godfrey (13-25) Sr., DODG (F 0:35)

215 Champ. Rd of 16 Ethan Burggraf (21-27) Sr., BEPL over Anthony Butteris (6-10) Jr., DODG (F 5:09)

285 Champ. Rd of 16 Alex Anastacio (23-22) Sr., MONR over Isaac Vondra (15-16) Jr., DODG (F 2:38)

River Valley was shut out of advancing anyone to the state meet. Blake Brickl, at 190 lbs. finished one spot short, taking 3rd place.

He finished his senior season with a 38-13 mark.

River Valley coach Shane Liegel said his team was battling injuries, but he was proud of their accomplishments.

“We had two placers in Senior Blake Brickl at 190 and Junior Max Giroux at 144. Blake took 3rd and Max took 7th. 

“We were unfortunately dealt with some injuries over the last couple weeks with Senior Mason Schulte and Junior Ty Larson having to miss the tournament due to injuries. We had 3 out of our 4 girls make it to the sectional tournament next week. Sophomore Makenzie Schulte 1st at 126, Freshmen Raelynn Ragsdale 1st at 152, and Freshmen Elle Osborn 2nd at 165. Another freshmen of ours Onika Mattison fell short and took 3rd at 165. 

“We are grateful for our Seniors who battled this season with us and wish them nothing but the best moving forward. They may not wear the singlet ever again, but they will continue to wear the RV with honor and pride. We look forward to welcoming our 8th grade class into the room next season.” 

River Valley

106 Champ. Rd of 16 Dane Horkan (12-16) Fr., REAR over Nolan Fritchen (10-22) Fr., RIVA (F 0:23)

132 Champ. Rd of 16 Cade Birchman (14-8) Sr., FENN over Blake Potter (11-24) Fr., RIVA (TF 16-0 (3:11))

138

Champ. Rd of 16 Rhet Spurley (45-10) Jr., DODG over Luke Butteris (1-11) Fr., RIVA (F 3:30)

144 Champ. Rd of 16 Max Giroux (22-18) Jr., RIVA over Nolan VanSchyndle (19-16) Jr., CCBS (F 4:51), Quarters Dylan Weigel (51-1) Sr., BEPL over Max Giroux (22-18) Jr., RIVA (F 3:22), Cons. Sub-Semis Ashlin mihlbauer (42-11) Sr., BMNGMover Max Giroux (22-18) Jr., RIVA (TF 22-4 (3:48)), 7th Place Match Max Giroux (22-18) Jr., RIVA over Todd Hall Jr. (20-17) So., BRJU (SV 11-8)

165 Champ. Rd of 16 Bryce Ballweg (12-13) Fr., LODI over Spencer Sackett (10-25) Sr., RIVA (MD 12-4)

175 Champ. Rd of 16 Carter Wubben (6-18) So., STOU over Tyler Kratwell (1-7) Jr., RIVA (F 0:33)

190 Champ. Rd of 16 Blake Brickl (34-12) Sr., RIVA received a bye, Quarters Blake Brickl (34-12) Sr., RIVA over Patrick Harms (29-18) So., MONR (F 1:51), Semis Ryder Zdanczewicz (33-11) Sr., FENN over Blake Brickl (34-12) Sr., RIVA (TF 18-2 (3:10), cons. Semis Blake Brickl (34-12) Sr., RIVA over Dean Smilgis (19-18) So., STOU (F 1:18), 3rd Place Match Blake Brickl (34-12) Sr., RIVA over Brady Baer (30-16) So., BMNG (F 0:55), 2nd Place Match Ryder Zdanczewicz (33-11) Sr., FENN over Blake Brickl (34-12) Sr., RIVA (RULE)

215 Champ. Rd of 16 Ian Powell (20-16) Fr., REAR over Drew Riedel (8-24) Jr., RIVA (MD 17-8)

285 Champ. Rd of 16 Gavin Reynolds (13-14) So., MHB over Colt Neubauer (13-25) Fr., RIVA (Dec 6-0)