SD Wrestling started the state tournament series yesterday at the Brillion Regional. Congratulations to Griffin Slezewski 126 and Grant Englebert 152 who both earned Regional Championships. Brodie Overbeck also qualified for sectionals with a second place finish at 285.
They will be competing in the Bonduel Sectional next week Saturday. Due to gym space, the tournament will be held at Shawano High School.
Griffin has been working tirelessly to regain his strength and stamina since being cleared in August. Today that work paid off as he was ready to compete. Complete control from start to finish, easily earning the early pin in the finals. For Griffin, just making this years tournament was a great achievement but his goals won’t stop there. After missing last season’s tournament, he has himself in a very good position to earn a return trip to State next week. His first opponent will be Brett Palubicki from Crandon who is currently honorable mention in the rankings with a 27-7 record.
Grant also had an early season scare with a shoulder injury. He worked hard in physical therapy to rehab and strengthen his shoulder to avoid surgery. After a slow start in his semi final match he earned a second period pin. He then dominated a much better opponent in the finals also earning an early pin. Grant will be looking to defend last years sectional title and earn his second trip to State. His first opponent next week will be Blade Niewiadomski from Rosholt who is currently ranked #9 with a record of 36-5.
For Brodie we felt his best shot was at 285. After wrestling 220 all year he worked hard to adjust to the extra weight and difference in wrestling 285. Brodie wrestled a really good semi final match. He also started the finals with a beautiful double leg takedown showing is athleticism. After almost getting a few half Nelson’s he tried an arm bar and got caught in a roll. Still happy with advancing but, knowing there is opportunity to do even better. Brodie’s first opponent will be John Farkas of Amherst who is currently ranked 11th with a record of 34-5.
For the rest of the team this was the end of their competition season. Tough ending, and certainly disappointing for some but this is a special group of wrestlers. I know they will be supporting their teammates and working together to help in practice. We’re a fairly young group with desire to be better which will propel them into next season. With great effort will come great reward.
Our lone senior this year was Ben Slezewski. After years of being asked, Ben finally decided to give wrestling a try. Bens work ethic in the weight room and wrestling room benefitted the team even before he officially joined. He’s one of those hard working kids all coaches look forward to having. I think if you asked him he would say he wishes he would have joined sooner. I know I wish he would have. He is the type of person we all want to know and the type we all want our kids to be with.
