Boys State Swimming Qualifiers
The Whippet Boys Swim Team had a very fun and exciting day at the WIAA Sectional in Milton on Saturday February 15. All posting great times and even had a few STATE QUALIFIERS!
Qualifying for the State Meet on Friday, February 21st are:
*Cruz Aranda 200 FR & 100 FR
*Myles Morse 500 FR
*200 Freestyle Relay: Jack Hefty, Langdon Coburn, Mateo Bazeley, Cruz Aranda
*400 Freestyle Relay: Cruz Aranda, Jack Hefty, Langdon Coburn, Mateo Bazeley
Boys' Wrestling Regionals
On Saturday, February 15, the Boys’ Wrestling Team traveled to Delavan to participate in the Regional Wrestling Tournament. This tournament consisted of 14 teams with wrestlers competing to put themselves in the top four with the opportunity to compete in the Boys’ Sectional Saturday at Waupun.
Leading the way were three champions; Jarvis Porcaro, Connor Friend, and Traysen Thomason. All three of these young men wrestled outstanding through the day.
Jarvis started his day off with a first period pin and in the process earned his 100th career win, which is quite an accomplishment.
Jarvis also pinned his semi-final opponent in the first period and wrestled an outstanding championship match securing a technical fall and winning his first regional title.
Connor Friend was our second champion. Connor wrestled with a purpose all day as he came out strong in his first two matches getting pins to work his way into the championship match. We knew that he had a tough competitor from St. Johns Military Academy and would need to weather the storm as the young man comes out showing his strength. Connor found himself in a hole after a big time throw from his opponent, but he kept his composure and just kept plugging away. As a coach I am not sure I have been in the corner of such an intense match. The crowd was really getting into the match which was exciting, as it was so cool to see Rock Valley Teams getting involved in the cheering. By the 3rd period it showed why we stay after practice and do the extra things. Connor continued to plug away and was able to secure takedowns and back points to overcome his deficit, finally securing a pin. This match is what wrestling is about, a great battle between outstanding competitors and the crowd getting into it no matter what school they are from!
Traysen Thomason had the opportunity to be the next match on the mat and he fed off of the crowd energy. The coaches had never seen him wrestle with the intensity and drive that he did. He had a game plan for his opponent and followed it to a T. He secured 3 takedowns and then the pin to win his 2nd regional title. Traysen was extremely excited after the match as he had never shown the emotion he did with his excitement. It was a very exciting two matches in a row for the team.
Coming in runner up was Jasen Porras. Jasen started the day off with a nice pin and then had a very tough competitor in the semifinals from Shoreland. Jasen has become very good at watching his opponents and is good at analyzing what his opponents will do. He followed his plan and weathered an early storm but chipped away and ended up getting a technical fall 22-7 victory. This match also showed what the extra things outside of normal practice will do for a competitor. Jasen faced a tough foe in the finals as his opponent is ranked number 1, but Jasen did not back down and worked his tail off, but came up short on the title.
Closing out the qualifiers was Richi Kalra who had a very exciting quarterfinal match that was exciting to the very end. It might be the best overall match Richi has wrestled all year as he kept himself in good position to secure the victory. He then ended up dropping his next two, but did secure his ticket to sectionals with his 4th place finish.
The 5 qualifiers will next be in action on Saturday, February 22, when they travel to Waupun High School. Wrestling starts at 10:00. The top three wrestlers from each weight will advance to the state tournament at the Kohl Center.
Girls Wrestling Regionals
On Friday night, February 14, the Girls’ Wrestling Team traveled to Mukwonago High School to participate in the Girls’ Regional Wrestling Tournament. This tournament consisted of 22 teams with girls wrestling to place in the top four of their weight class to advance to the Girls’ Sectional to be hosted by Whitewater High School on Friday, February 21. The girls are all in one division so participants range from Badger High School to a small division school like Catholic Central. Based on our location in the state this posed as a huge challenge for the girls.
Leading the way for the Whippets was Marianna Kubicz who went 3-0 on the day securing a pin in the semi-finals and then a strong double leg takedown to start the championship match, unfortunately hurting the young lady she was wrestling who had to injury default.
Coming in 3rd place with an outstanding last match of the night for her was Payton Taylor who was in a very close match throughout, however continued to hold good positions. She was able to use her power in the end to get the opponent out of position scoring the decisive takedown near the end of the 3rd period. Payton is in her first year of wrestling but does a great job listening and adjusting during matches.
Rounding out our qualifiers was A’Lani Ross. A’Lani started her night off in great fashion with a 2nd period technical fall 17-0. She unfortunately dropped her semi-final match. In the 3rd place match she found herself in a tough battle with her opponent and was unable to finish with the victory but still secured her position on Friday night with a 4th place finish.
Friday night Whitewater High School hosts the Girls’ Sectional starting at 5:00. The top 2 girls from each weight class will advance to the state tournament held at the Kohl Center. If you want to see some really good girls’ wrestling it is recommended you come to Whitewater on Friday night as many will argue this will be the toughest sectional in the state with many highly ranked girls participating.
