Panthers make history with trio of medalists
There have been other years in which the Monticello High School wrestling team has had more than one medalist, but never before had there been three in a single season.
Until this year. With Kain Luensman, Chase Luensman and Lake Stahlberg reaching the podium, history was made for Monticello at this year’s State Wrestling Tournament (granted, the state used to award medals only to the top six in each weight class, whereas now the top eight are honored).
Here is a look at the history of Monticello’s state qualifiers and their weight classes. For those who medaled, their places are in parentheses.
1966
Chuck Hubbard, 180 pounds (state runner-up); Dick White, 127 (third); Rusty Orcutt, 95; Don Behrends, 138; Bernie Barker, heavyweight.
1967
Doug Jacobs, 120; Bernie Barker, heavyweight.
1969
Martin Wade, 103 (fourth); Doug Guilford, 112; Steve Zirkelbach, 120; Dale Andrews, 175.
1970
Dale Andrews, 175 (third); Steve Zirkelbach, 123.
1971
Greg Snitker, 115.
1981
Eric Eversman, superheavyweight.
1983
Scott Kiburz, 112 (sixth).
1986
Keith Chapman, 138.
1992
Chad Stiffler, 189.
1993
Jason Haag, 160.
1994
Ryan Stogdill, 103; Bart Stiffler, 152.
1996
Pat Kennedy, 140; Luke Luensman, 145.
1997
Cory Fisher, 125; Mike Kennedy, 140; Evan Davis, 160.
1998
Mike Kennedy, 145 (third); Cory Fisher, 130.
1999
Mike Kennedy, 160 (state runner-up).
2000
Andy Kennedy, 160 (sixth).
2004
Brian Kramer, 160 (seventh).
2007
Jamie Cooper, 112.
2008
Logan Felton, 135.
2009
Landon Felton, 103; Derick Smith, 125; Russell Rook, 135.
2010
Logan Felton, 152 (sixth); Landon Felton, 112 (eighth); Brock Wenndt, 103; Jacob Hartwig, 189.
2012
Landon Felton, 113 (fourth).
2013
Logan McQuillen, 160 (state champion).
2014
Daniel Pike, 285 (third).
2016
Chase Luensman, 106.
2017
Chase Luensman, 113 (fifth).
2018
Kain Luensman, 113 (fourth); Chase Luensman, 132 (fourth); Lake Stahlberg, 220 (eighth).