Area wrestlers come up short in state tournament bids

Superior High School’s Nick Kirchoff (145 pounds) and Ben Regner (220) narrowly missed advancing to state by each placing third in their respective weight classes at the Division 1 sectional at Eau Claire North High School. Only the top two finishers qualify for state in Division 1, while the top three make it in Divisions 2 and 3.

Kirchoff, who finished the season with a record of 32-8, is now third on the all-time Spartan win list with 95 careers varsity wins, while Regner, who was 33-6 this season, finished his career with 88 wins.

“Both Nick and Ben had outstanding high school wrestling careers and will leave a big void in our line-up,” SHS coach Bill Gedde said.

The Northwestern Tigers also had three wrestlers in action Saturday, but Travis Brannan (145), Jay Karich (182) and Jacob Miniot (285) all failed to advance out of the Division 2 sectional tournament in Osceola.

Ashland seniors Jack Pearce and Tyler Hudack advanced to the Wisconsin state wrestling tournament with strong finishes at Saturday’s Division 2 sectional in Osceola.

Pearce (46-1) won an 11-6 decision over Bobby Leroy of Somerset to capture the 120-pound weight division championship. Hudack (34-9) edged Brent Johnson of Luck/Frederic/Grantsburg 6-5 in overtime to claim third place at 132.

The Wisconsin state tourney is Thursday through Saturday at the University of Wisconsin Fieldhouse in Madison.

Superior’s Results

Nick Kirchoff (145), third place with 12 team points. Pinned Nick Gore (D.C. Everest) in 5:58; pinned by Travis Hettinga (Wausau West) in 1:05; pinned Josh Roza (Lakeland) in 4:45; pinned by Mason Reinhardt (Merrill) in 3:21.

Ben Regner (220) third place with 10 team points. Won 1-0 decision over Jace Klemm (D.C. Everest); lost 7-1 decision to Tyler Schmidt (Merrill); pinned Eliot Motu (Hudson) in 7:48; lost 4-3 decision to Grant Schindler (Chippewa Falls).

Northwestern’s Results

Travis Brannan (145) pinned by Aaric Spencer (Medford Area) in 2:42; pinned by Logan Kemmerer (Ellsworth) in 4:42.

Jay Karich (182), pinned by Joe Christensen (Luck/Frederic/Grantsburg) in 1:51.

Jacob Miniot (285) pinned by Alex Lennartson (Unity) in 3:20; lost 8-1 decision to Lauden Wood (St. Croix Central).

Tags: sports, spartans, tigers, wrestling, preps, ashland, updates