Six Sugar River youth wrestlers took to the mats at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison this past Friday and Saturday, for a chance to place on the podium!  Two came home placing 6th, while the other four ALL WON at least ONE MATCH!  This is the first time in quite a long time Sugar River youth wrestlers have done this.  They wrestled 26 total matches, winning 12 and losing 14, and scored a record 34 TEAM points! So proud of ALL the boys and congratulations to their families.  

Here are more individual results: Zecheriah Bair, returning for the 2nd year, wrestled at 54#. He won both of his first two matches automatically, allowing him to place in the top six!  Unfortunately, a tough road back in the consolations losing the next three; placing 6th in his 16-man bracket. Nice job Zech.  

Eli Leonard, at 75#, took the hard road in his bracket. He lost his first match but did not give up.  Came back winning his next three to go into placement matches! Had a returning state champ next match losing a close one, 5-6, and then had a three-time qualifier for his 5th place match losing 5-8...Eli finished 6th place.  So proud of how he finished and ended his season!

Trei Udelhoven, at 69#, returned for his second year and wrestled very tough!  He won his first match then got beat, 0-2.  Came back next match, winning in SV OT, and then unfortunately got beat in a close one and was done.  Another tough bracket of kids!

Aiden Hatleberg qualified for state for the first time, wrestling at 81#.  Aiden wrestled very aggressively in his first match, pinning his opponent and then got beat next match.  Aiden came back in his third match pinning another opponent and then unfortunately lost again, ending his day. Congrats to Aiden on a great season.  

Alex Zielinski, at 87#, wrestled for his third time at state. Alex pinned his first opponent then lost his next match. He came back like others winning his next one but lost his final match and ended his day also.  Nice going Alex.

Photo courtesy of Matt Leonard

Zecheriah Bair holding his trophy after placing 6th in his 16-man bracket at Youth State Wrestling in Madison. 

Finally, Joe Quaglia, our LONE 8th grader, wrestled at 90#. Joe had been to state two other times as well! Joe got beat in his first match but then fought hard, beating his second kid! Next match, unfortunately, ended with Joe getting beat...been such a joy to have Joe as part of the Sugar River youth program for 6+ years and pretty much been the ONLY ONE of his age!!  What a great example and leader he has been on AND off the mat. Congrats Joe and best wishes to him and his family as he moves on to the High School program next year!  Thank you!

Well, that's all for this EXCITING season of Sugar River youth wrestling! Way to go boys. Enjoy your time OFF season!