On Friday Dec. 29, the Bulldog wrestlers made use of the holiday break, traveling early to the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire to participate in the UWEC Holiday Duals hosted jointly by the Eau Claire Memorial HS and UWEC wrestling teams. This year’s event featured 16 teams, 12 from WI and 4 from MN. In preliminary competition, teams were divided into 4 pools of 4 teams with the top 8 seeded teams divided equally into the 4 pools. Since the event was in WI, some of the rules that govern dual meets were slightly different, including the fact that the starting weight class for a dual meet is not always 106, but rather drawn at random. Then each round following, the next meet starts at the following weight class.
So in the 1st dual meet of the morning the opening weight class was 120. In the opening meet of the day, PEM faced Abbotsford-Colby. Since two regular starters for the Bulldogs were out due to illness, a combination of forfeits and younger wrestlers were used to cover the weight classes all day long. The Bulldogs got out to a hot start winning 4 of the first 5 matches and opening up a 24-5 lead. After a pin by A-C at 160, PEM rolled again winning 6 of the final 7 matches of the dual. The major highlight of the first round was 8th grader Martin Prieto in his first ever varsity match, filling in at 170, getting the first win of his varsity career by fall in 4:58. Also picking up pins for the dogs in round one were 126 Cael Marx (9), 132 Cooper Hofschulte (9), 145 Joe Stucky (10), 152 Carter Marx (11), 182 Dustin Dittrich (11), and 220 Riley Wingert (11) in what ended as a 60-17 Bulldogs victory.
In the final round of the preliminary pool, the Bulldogs were anticipating competing against Mondovi, WI, who was 7-0 entering competition, but they were upset in the opening round by GET-Melrose/Mindoro. The Bulldogs matched up well with GET-Melrose/Mindoro and recorded victories in 12 of the 13 bouts that were wrestled. All 12 Bulldog victories were either by fall or technical fall, leading to a very lopsided 70-3 PEM victory. The highlight of this dual was when PEM sophomore heavyweight Logan Wingert launched state ranked Josh Marciulionis to his back in the first period to record a fall in 2:59. After a short break in the action, new pools were created with all four teams that had went 2-0 in the morning rounds put into a new pool.
First up for the Bulldogs in the championship pool, were the Zephyrs of Mahtomedi, MN. The Bulldogs won 9 of the 14 bouts in the dual, but the final score (52-19) ended up much more lopsided since the Zephyrs were open at 3 weight classes and the Bulldogs also were able to score additional bonus points with 5 pins as opposed to only 1 for Mahtomedi. Highlight of this dual meet for the Bulldogs included freshman Carter Meyers(106) coming from behind to get a pin, and fellow freshman Cael Marx (126) scoring a 1st period pin against an opponent that had 16-2 record entering the match.
In the second round of championship competition, the Bulldogs faced Menomonee Falls, who unfortunately had been plagued by injuries in the previous round. So unfortunately, the Bulldogs received forfeits at 152, 160, 220, and 285 instead of getting to wrestle. Outside of the 24 points that PEM was spotted, the 10 matches that were wrestled were extremely exciting, with PEM winning 6 and Menomonee Falls winning 4. The top PEM highlight in this dual was senior Nick Miller recording a 3rd period takedown in the closing seconds to notch a 3-1 victory over his state ranked opponent.
The final round of championship competition featured the Bulldogs against traditional WI Division 1 power Wisconsin Rapids. Going into the meet, both teams were 4-0 on the day and the winner would bring home the title. Wisconsin Rapids got off to a great start in the meet with 3 consecutive wrestlers all ranked in the top 10 in WI. At 145, PEM sophomore Joe Stucky battled to the end but dropped 4-3 decision. At 152, PEM junior Carter Marx took his ranked opponent to double overtime but gave up the takedown that cost him and the Bulldogs a decision and 3 more points on the scoreboard. After a Wisconsin Rapids pin at 160, PEM found themselves in a quick 12-0 deficit. At 170, PEM freshman Alex Rahman, bumped up a weight class, delivered a critical 8-5 victory getting the Bulldogs on the scoreboard and closing the gap to 12-3. At 182, PEM 8th grader Martin Prieto, also bumped up a weight class, competed courageously against a much older and larger opponent and was able to save points for the Bulldogs only surrendering a 4-1 decision keeping the Wisconsin Rapids lead reachable at 15-3. Finally, at 195 the Bulldogs were able to score their first bonus points of the meet with junior Dustin Dittrich dominating his opponent on the feet and the mat picking up a 2nd period pin and closing the Rapids lead to 15-9. Receiving consecutive forfeits at 220 and 285 PEM sophomores Riley and Logan Wingert put 12 more points in the PEM column, giving the Bulldogs a 21-15 lead. At 106, Wisconsin Rapids was able to get a pin and again tie the meet at 21. At 113, PEM freshman Garrett Olson gave up a major decision to a state ranked opponent, but was able to save 2 critical team points by not giving up the fall and keeping the Bulldogs in reach, down only 4 points with 4 matches left in the dual. At 120 and 126 the PEM tandem of Nick Miller and Cael Marx collected two 1st period pins and just like that the Bulldogs were in front 33-25 with only 2 matches to go. At 132, Cooper Hofschulte was unable to get the victory, but only gave up a decision preserving the shrinking PEM lead at 33-28. Wisconsin Rapids went into the final match of the evening needing a fall or technical fall at 138 to win the tournament championship. PEM junior Lafe Aarsvold, was the Bulldogs last hope. Through the first two periods of the match, Aarsvold gave up two takedowns, but was never in danger of giving up the critical bonus points that would have sealed the championship for Wisconsin Rapids. At the end of the 2nd period, Aarsvold then countered a shot landing his opponent on his back, nearly getting the pin that would have clinched the title for the Bulldogs. Going into the 3rd period, the match was tied and both wrestlers were again on their feet. After a few exchanges, Aarsvold was thrown to his back in a tight pinning combination. With over a minute and a half remaining in the match and no chance of time running out or anyone going out of bound, it appeared the Bulldogs’ title hopes were evaporating. Then in one final burst of resistance, Aarsvold was able to not only fight off his back but also reverse his opponent. As time expired, Aarsvold lost the match 11-8 but was able to preserve the PEM lead and capture the tournament championship 33-31.
In addition to winning the team championship, 5 Bulldog wrestlers (Nick Miller, Cael Marx, Dustin Dittrich, Riley Wingert, and Logan Wingert) were named to the all tournament team going 5-0 on the day.
Coach’s Comments: “Today taught us a lot about how to deal with adversity, having to compete without two regular starters due to illness. I was very proud of how our upperclassmen led by example and the way our younger wrestlers stepped up against more experienced opponents. Every wrestler on our team faced challenging matches that will continue to help us improve as we progress through the season.”
Pictures of the Event can be located here!
Eau Claire Holiday Duals
Championship 1st thru 4th Results
1st Place – Plainview/Elgin/Millville
2nd Place – Mahtomedi
3rd Place – Menomonee Falls
4th Place – Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln
5th thru 8th Place Results
1st Place – Pine Island
2nd Place – Park High
3rd Place – Ladysmith
4th Place – GET/Melrose-Mindoro
Consolation 9th thru 12th Results
1st Place – Superior
2nd Place – Lacrosse Logan/Central
3rd Place – AbbotsfordColby
4th Place – WhitehallConsolation
13th thru 16th Results
1st Place – Eau Claire Memorial
2nd Place – Mondovi
3rd Place – Independence
4th Place – Osseo-Fairchild/Augusta/Fall Creek
Preliminary Pool Semifinals
PEM 60 Abbotsford-Colby 17
120 - Nick Miller (PEM) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
126 - Cael Marx (PEM) over Juan Tzintzun (Abbotsford-Colby) Fall 0:50
132 - Cooper Hofschulte (PEM) over Ross Elmhorst (Abbotsford-Colby) Fall 1:19
138 - Logan Ruesch (Abbotsford-Colby) over Lafe Aarsvold (PEM) TF 17-2
145 - Joe Stucky (PEM) over Chance Clement (Abbotsford-Colby) Fall 3:29
152 - Carter Marx (PEM) over Brandon Vicente (Abbotsford-Colby) Fall 0:54
160 - Joseph Aguilera (Abbotsford-Colby) over Alex Rahman (PEM) Fall 1:15
170 - Martin Prieto (PEM) over Christian Raasch (Abbotsford-Colby) Fall 4:58
182 - Dustin Dittrich (PEM) over Alonso Torres (Abbotsford-Colby) Fall 0:32
195 - Double Forfeit
220 - Riley Wingert (PEM) over Angelo Hutman (Abbotsford-Colby) Fall 4:19
285 - Logan Wingert (PEM) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
106 - River Halopka (Abbotsford-Colby) over Carter Meyers (PEM) Fall 1:39
113 - Garrett Olson (PEM) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
Preliminary Pool Finals
PEM 70 GET/Melrose-Mindoro 3
126 - Cael Marx (PEM) over Daniel Slattery (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) Fall 4:34
132 - Cooper Hofschulte (PEM) over Max Marley (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) Fall 1:20
138 - Lafe Aarsvold (PEM) over Bradley Bishop (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) Fall 1:00
145 - Joe Stucky (PEM) over Payton Wood (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) Fall 3:16
152 - Carter Marx (PEM) over Elijah Miller (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) Fall 3:07
160 - Alex Rahman (PEM) over River Rommel (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) TF 15-0
170 - Martin Prieto (PEM) over Devin McCoy (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) TF 16-1
182 - Double Forfeit
195 - Dustin Dittrich (PEM) over Trevor Daffinson (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) Fall 3:58
220 - Riley Wingert (PEM) over Hunter Kastenschmidt (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) Fall 3:54
285 - Logan Wingert (PEM) over Josh Marciulionis (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) Fall 1:16
106 - Kohl Linberg (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) over Carter Meyers (PEM) Dec 4-2
113 - Garrett Olson (PEM) over Ryder Lefler (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) Fall 0:37
120 - Nick Miller (PEM) over Bailey Fitzl (GET/Melrose-Mindoro) Fall 2:59
Championship Pool Round 1
PEM 52 Mahtomedi 19
132 - Bryce Fitzpatrick (Mahtomedi) over Cooper Hofschulte (PEM) Dec 4-2
138 - Reid Lawrence (Mahtomedi) over Lafe Aarsvold (PEM) Maj 11-2
145 - Joe Stucky (PEM) over Zach Kelsey (Mahtomedi) Maj 10-2
152 - Carter Marx (PEM) over Nate Kujawa (Mahtomedi) Fall 0:33
160 - Collin Grandstand (Mahtomedi) over Conner Ramthun (PEM) Fall 1:12
170 - Hunter Hall (Mahtomedi) over Alex Rahman (PEM) Dec 3-0
182 - Martin Prieto (PEM) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
195 - Dustin Dittrich (PEM) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
220 - Riley Wingert (PEM) over Alec Zell (Mahtomedi) Fall 5:38
285 - Logan Wingert (PEM) over Elijah Heatherston (Mahtomedi) Fall 4:35
106 - Carter Meyers (PEM) over William Holst (Mahtomedi) Fall 5:35
113 - Hunter Wilsey (Mahtomedi) over Garrett Olson (PEM) Dec 9-6
120 - Nick Miller (PEM) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
126 - Cael Marx (PEM) over Jake Fitzpatrick (Mahtomedi) Fall 2:54
Championship Pool Round 2
PEM 51 Menomonee Falls 19
138 - Lafe Aarsvold (PEM) over Patrick Lynch (Menomonee Falls) Dec 4-0
145 - Joe Stucky (PEM) over Noah Dakouras (Menomonee Falls) Fall 1:32
152 - Carter Marx (PEM) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
160 - Connor Ramthun (PEM) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
170 - Henry Hansen (Menomonee Falls) over Alex Rahman (PEM) Dec 4-1
182 - Tyler Wynn (Menomonee Falls) over Martin Prieto (PEM) Fall 3:45
195 - Dustin Dittrich (PEM) over Ryan Spalding (Menomonee Falls) Fall 1:16
220 - Riley Wingert (PEM) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
285 - Logan Wingert (PEM) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
106 - Casey Reigstad (Menomonee Falls) over Carter Meyers (PEM) Fall 0:31
113 - Garrett Olson (PEM) over Bryce Staus (Menomonee Falls) Fall 1:33
120 - Nick Miller (PEM) over Ethan Pogorzelski (Menomonee Falls) Dec 3-1
126 - Cael Marx (PEM) over Alec Lind (Menomonee Falls) Dec 12-11
132 - Tyler Gill (Menomonee Falls) over Cooper Hofschulte (PEM) Maj 9-0
Championship Pool Round 3
PEM 33 Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln 31
145 - Wyler Lubeck (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) over Joe Stucky (PEM) Dec 4-3
152 - Bergh Diebel (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) over Carter Marx (PEM) Dec 10-8
160 - Cody Sawyer (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) over Connor Ramthun (PEM) Fall 0:47
170 - Alex Rahman (PEM) over Andrew Schuetz (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) Dec 8-5
182 - Roger Fuller (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) over Martin Prieto (PEM) Dec 4-1
195 - Dustin Dittrich (PEM) over Layne Kalata (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) Fall 3:13
220 - Riley Wingert (PEM) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
285 - Logan Wingert (PEM) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
106 - Damien Bennet (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) over Carter Meyers (PEM) Fall 3:30
113 - Cale Benitz (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) over Garrett Olson (PEM) Maj 10-0
120 - Nick Miller (PEM) over Allister Greening (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) Fall 1:38
126 - Cael Marx (PEM) over Ryan Sering (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) Fall 0:42
132 - Ryan Sering (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) over Cooper Hofschulte (PEM) Dec 9-7
138 - Zac Hamel (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) over Lafe Aarsvold (PEM) Dec 11-8
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