8 Area Wrestlers Make Semifinals
Pulaski and Hortonville Qualify 5 Together
Almost all area wrestlers who competed in the Division 1 State Wrestling competition Thursday, survived into Friday, and many will be wrestling in the Semifinals Friday Night. The area had a night to remember as 27 out of 32 wrestlers survived elimination and 17 of those won at least one match on Thursday. Hortonville brothers Eric Barnett and Jacob Barnett both won twice to advance to the Semifinals. For Senior Jacob Barnett, it is his first trip to the Semifinals, while Eric Barnett looks to make up for losing in the Semifinals last year. The Sophomore won by pin and then by a 10-1 major decision over Justin Groshek of Stevens Point, to stay unbeaten on the year. Joining the Barnett’s in the Semifinals will be four time State qualifier Elliot Luker, who will medal for the first time in four years.
Kaukauna has three in the Semifinals with Brandon Micksh, Trent Leon, and Keaton Kluever all still alive in quest of the gold. Micksh handed Madison La Follette’s Francesco Schiro his first loss of the year in the Quarterfinals.
Pulaski’s day started strong with two wins and two loses, but ended with Cole Gille qualifying for the Semifinals with two wins, both by decision.
Other highlights included Beau Yineman of Neenah and Ben Kitslaar of Bay Port both winning two matches to stay alive in the quest for gold.
Pulaski’s Jake Gille earned a pin, but lost in a close 5-3 match in the quarterfinals, leaving him in the wrestleback round Friday morning.
Friday Division 1 Semifinals Match-Ups
106- Eric Barnett-Hortonville (43-0) vs Zeke Smith- Sauk Prairie (44-3)
113- Cole Gille- Pulaski (37-3) vs Dalton Shea-Milton (42-7)
120-Brandon Micksh-Kaukauna (38-7) vs Keegan O’Toole-Arrowhead (38-4)
126-Jacob Barnett-Hortonville (42-3) vs Caleb Ziebell-Slinger (43-2)
132-Trent Leon-Kaukauna (41-6) vs Brandon Klein-Stoughton (51-3)
160-Elliot Luker-Hortonville (40-2) vs Jesse Fryda-Hamilton (37-3)
220-Ben Kitslaar-Bay Port (43-0-) vs Cole Godbout-Hudson (36-4)
285-Keaton Kluever-Kaukauna (45-3) vs Ej Mastrocola-Waterford (41-10)