Congratulations to Sectional Champions Nora LeFevre and Hailey Veeser. Both girls won their brackets and qualified for next week's Individual State Wrestling Tournament. So exciting to be part of the first State Tournament to have a separate girls' division. Traditionally the state tournament ran on six mats inside the Kohl Center in Madison. This year they will be using eight mats, with two for each of the three boys' divisions and two for the girl's division. The Tournament is always exciting, and adding the girls should make it even better.
Nora dropped to the 100lb weight class for the first time after wrestling the regular season at 114 and 107. Nora was ranked #7 at 107, earning the top seed and a first-round bye. In her semi-final match, Nora faced #7-ranked Megan Schuenemann from Plymouth. Nora scored a first-period takedown, but Schuenemann earned an escape to keep it close at 2-1 going into the second. In the second period, Nora scored a reversal and a near fall in the third to widen the gap. In the finals, Nora faced #11 ranked Grace Holguin from Marinette. In the finals, Nora hit her offense early, leading 5-0 before earning a pin in the second period.
Hailey came into the Tournament unranked after joining the team late in the season. Hailey's only experience before sectionals this season was winning her bracket at Green Bay Preble, where she faced Sydney Turner, who is also from Southern Door, in the finals. Hailey wrestled through middle school but took the next two years off to play basketball. Fortunately, she didn't forget her basics and is an excellent athlete. In her final match, Hailey also built an early lead and dominated before getting the fall in the second period.
Sydney Turner made the finals with a third-period pin in the quarterfinals. In the finals, she faced #1 ranked Brooke Schuenemann from Plymouth. Sydney did her best but couldn't keep pace with Schuenemann. Lilly Wrenn also wrestled well, winning her first match with a pin, but she lost her second match, which was close until the third period.
For the boy's side of the Tournament, Mason Motquin started us out by avenging a loss a few weeks ago to Conner Stephens from Seymour, winning by a major decision 12-4. Unfortunately, after that, the quarterfinals did go well. Wyatt Wilke 132 got caught fighting a takedown, Hayden Jeanquart lost a tough match 3-0, and Cody Nellis slipped, trying to pull his opponent back in bounds at the edge of the mat. In the semi-final, Mason lost to eventual champion Huntley from Brillion and then lost a heartbreaker 9-8 on the consolation side.
After the sting of defeat numbs, the experience will be good for those not advancing. For Cody, it was his last match in high school. Not the ending he had hoped for, but he tried his best. Cody plans to pursue a career as a firefighter next year, where his leadership skills should serve him well. We'll miss his positive attitude in the practice room. For the others, I know this experience will make them better. Hopefully, this will give them the hunger to work hard and get to the state level next season.
Nora and Hailey will be leaving for Madison Thursday morning along with a great support network of coaches, teammates, family, and friends. Weigh-ins start at 1:30, and the first round of wrestling at 3:00 Thursday afternoon. Both girls are happy to have qualified but not satisfied with just making it. Both are very good technical wrestlers and will show what they can do.
Picture courtesy of Southern Door Wrestling Club
