Panthers bounce back from narrow loss to rout two RVC foes

     Monticello showed signs of continuing the goal of getting stronger as the season progresses, with a pair of meets to begin the new year.

     The Panthers traveled to West Branch Jan. 4 for a quadrangular meet against River Valley Confrence opponents, and won two out of three matches. Following a 41-40 loss to Wilton, Monticello scored a 54-24 win over Iowa City Regina, and then shut out West Branch 69-0.

     Ethan Tallman had a big night, winning all three of his matches by fall, two at 126 pounds and one at 120. Kain Luensman, Chase Luensman and Tyler Kuper each went 3-0 with two pins and a forfeit.

     Three other Panthers went 2-1 with two pins apiece: Thomas Broderick, Spencer Avery and Gavin Holub. Lake Stahlberg was 3-0 with a pin and two forfeits. Andrew Wall went 3-0 with a major decision and two forfeits.

     “I felt the boys responded well (to the Wilton loss), and we got stronger throughout the night,” Monticello coach Ryan Luensman said. “We got two wins over West Branch from Spencer Avery and Thomas Broderick that we had lost earlier in the year.

     “Getting a win over Regina was nice as well. They have beaten us the past two years.”

     Monticello hasn’t lost many matches this season – they came out of Thursday night with a 13-2 dual meet record – but narrowly missed against Wilton.

     “Wilton has a tough team,” coach Luensman said. “I thought we had a fall at 126, but we didn’t get the call and it came down to a one-point loss. That wasn’t the only factor, but one that sticks out at the end.

     “Lake Stahlberg returned to the mat and got a big win for the team. Tyler Kuper continues to improve each time he is back on the mat as well. Andrew Wall, Ethan Tallman and Gavin Holub all hit big wins throughout the Wilton meet.”

     On Saturday, Jan. 6, the Panthers made a trip to Lancaster, Wis. for a tournament. Monticello finished seventh out of 11 teams in the tournament, which included three Iowa teams.

     Kain Luenman won the championship at 113 pounds, and Chase Luensman was the champion at 132.

     “Lancaster was a fun meet with a lot of different competition,” coach Luensman said. “We had some ups and downs throughout the day, but the main thing is that we learn and improve. We have to be more aggressive and recognize different match situations better.

     “Kain and Chase had very strong tournaments. I was proud of how they stayed composed throughout their matches and took care of business.”

     Tallman was third at 120 pounds, and Alaina Sunlin finished fourth at 106.

Jan. 4

West Branch quad.

Wilton 41,

Monticello 40

(Monticello wrestlers listed first)

     120 – Ethan Tallman pinned Dalton Snider, 3:49. 126 – Andrew Wall won by major dec. over Hunter Stoll, 13-1. 132 – Chase Luensman pinned Trey Sulzberger, 4:35. 138 – Bo Kramer was pinned by Cory Anderson, 0:36. 145 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 152 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 160 – Thomas Broderick was pinned by Eli Faison, 2:22. 170 – Spencer Avery was pinned by John Rife, 3:12. 182 – Gavin Holub pinned Coy Baker, 1:59. 195 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 220 – Lake Stahlberg pinned Calib Lilly, 1:42. 285 – Tyler Kuper pinned Dylan Leinen, 4:50. 106 – Alaina Sunlin lost by tech. fall to Kael Brisker, 22-6, 4:04. 113 – Kain Luensman pinned Colton Cruse, 1:42.

Exhibition matches

     106 – Dylan Bowser pinned Colton Breggren, 3:30.

     106 – Hope Hunter was pinned by Gaige Hendress, 0:43.

     106 – Dylan Bowser def. Gaige Hendress, injury time.

     106 – Hope Hunter was pinned by Colton Berggren, 0:19.

Monticello 54,

Iowa City Regina 24

     126 – Ethan Tallman pinned Henry May, 3:41. 132 – Bo Kramer was pinned by Levi Quinlan, 2:33. 138 – Chase Luensman pinned Theo Kolie, 3:00. 145 – Skyler Sharp was pinned by Will Bobst, 1:51. 152 – open. 160 – Thomas Broderick pinned Sean Nugent, 1:24. 170 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 182 – Spencer Avery pinned Drew Demory, 0:34. 195 – Gavin Holub was pinned by Nick Milder, 5:49. 220 – Lake Stahlberg won by forfeit. 285 – Tyler Kuper won by forfeit. 106 – Alaina Sunlin won by forfeit. 113 – Kain Luensman won by forfeit. 120 – Andrew Wall won by forfeit.

Exhibition

     106 – Dylan Bowser lost to Seth Lenz.

Monticello 69,

West Branch 0

     132 – Chase Luensman won by forfeit. 138 – Bo Kramer dec. Harold Blakey, 6-5. 145 – Skyler Sharp won by forfeit. 152 – Thomas Broderick pinned Jacob Graves, 1:30. 160 – open. 170 – Spencer Avery pinned Morgan Hartz, 3:32. 182 – Gavin Holub pinned Dylan Butler, 1:11. 195 – open. 220 – Lake Stahlberg won by forfeit. 285 – Tyler Kuper pinned Drake Bloem, 4:47. 106 – Alaina Sunlin won by forfeit. 113 – Kain Luensman pinned Tyler Siemen, 1:45. 120 – Andrew Wall won by forfeit. 126 – Ethan Tallman pinned Joe Seydel, 1:04.

Jan. 6

Lancaster, Inv.

(at Lancaster, Wis.)

TEAM SCORES

     1, Lancaster, Wis. 193; 2, Sparta, Wis. 167.5; 3, Iowa-Grant/Highland, Wis. 153.5; 4, Dubuque Senior 137; 5, Darlington/Black Hawk, Wis. 130; 6, Dubuque Wahlert 119.5; 7, Monticello 91; 8, Brodhead, Wis. 54; 9, Boscobel, Wis. 45; 10, Cuba City/Benton/Southwestern, Wis. 34; 11, River Ridge/Cassville, Wis. 6.

MONTICELLO RESULTS

     106 – Alaina Sunlin (fourth place) received a bye; lost to Luke Busch, DS, 8-4; won by major dec. over Braden Erb, BRO, 14-0; lost to Dylan Digmann, DW, 12-10.

     113 – Kain Luensman (champion) received a bye; won by major dec. over Russell Waeffler, BRO, 13-5; won by major dec. over Vince Polhamus, S, 10-1.

     120 – Ethan Tallman (third place) was pinned by Caleb Lucey, L, 4:14; was pinned by Paul King, D/BH, 1:37.

     126 – Andrew Wall (sixth) pinned Esteban Rodriguez, S, 3:28; was pinned by Jayson Starr, BRO, 3:46; was pinned by Andrew Winders, AG/H, 2:15; lost to Andrew McCarville, L, 9-5.

     132 – Chase Luensman (champion) won by major dec. over Thomas Treu, S, 12-3; pinned Caleb Lenzendorf, RR/C, 4:56; won by major dec. over Noah Pennekamp, IG/H, 11-3.

     132 – Bo Kramer was pinned by Wylie Ness, CC/B/S, 2:59; lost by major dec. to Caleb Lensendorf, RR/C, 8-0.

     152 – Thomas Broderick (sixth) dec. Morgan Seippel, L, 9-4; was pinned by Brett Von Ruden, S, 3:59; lost to Bryce Anstoetter, DW, 5-3; was pinned by Morgan Seippel, L, 2:51.

     182 – Gavin Holub (sixth) pinned Gavin Esser, RR/C, 0:24; was pinned by Troy Klein, L, 3:18; lost by injury default to Kelten Pfaff, S; lost by injury default to Adam Runde, DS.

     285 – Tyler Kuper (fifth) was pinned by Thomas Welborn DS, 5:30; dec. Noah Benish, S, 2-1; lost to Michael Welborn, DS, 3-1: dec. Thomas Welborn, DS, 5-4.