By Murray Gleffe, Correspondent
ASHWAUBENON- The Ashwaubenon Jaguar wrestling team knew their dual with the Pulaski Red Raiders would be a tough one.
The Red Raiders were one of the top 16 teams in Division 1 in 2016-17.
The Jaguars, however, fought and scrapped until the final match was contested.
Ultimately, the Red Raiders survived by a final of 36-28 on Dec. 7.
“Before the match, I told the kids we can go toe-to-toe with Pulaski,” said Jody VanLaanen, Jaguar wrestling coach. “I knew it would come down to technical falls and a forfeit we had to take at 220 lbs. I’m proud of the way we fought till the very end.”
The dual started with the 160-pound classification, and after the heavyweight match was finished the Jaguars found themselves in a 24-3 hole.
The lone bright spot was Jordan VandeHei’s victory at 195 lbs.
VandeHei came out aggressive and ended with a four-point fury in the final period to capture the match by decision (8-4).
The Jaguars then mounted their comeback starting with Mick Kiernan at 106 lbs., and ending with Dawson Dembroski at 145 lbs.
“Mick wrestled really well for us today at 106,” added VanLaanen. “In my opinion, he is going to have a big year.”
When all was said and done, the Jaguars had captured six of seven matches to pull within 30-28 with the 152-pound classification left to decide the meet.
“Connor (Ramage) is just what the doctor ordered,” said VanLaanen. “He is a strong kid, that has a great work-ethic, and wants to get better.”
A win by the Jaguars and they would upset the mighty Red Raiders.
Unfortunately, it was not meant to be as Red Raider senior standout Logan Bellow got a pin (Fall) at the 1:15 mark of the 2nd period to propel his team onto the eight-point win.
FRCC Dual Score:
Pulaski 36
Ashwaubenon 28
Individual Results:
160 lbs.
Brock Gracyalny (Pul) over Marty Kiernan (Ash) Dec 2-0
170 lbs.
Jadin Lemke (Pul) over Peyton Voss (Ash) Fall 0:26
182 lbs.
Lucas Gracyalny (Pul) over Nathan Moynihan (Ash) Dec 4-3
195 lbs.
Jordan VandeHei (Ash) over Grant Parr (Pul) Dec 8-4
220 lbs.
Pulaski Winner by Forfeit
285 lbs.
Derek Gibbons (Pul) over Katayen Gardner (Ash) Fall 4:59
106 lbs.
Mick Kiernan (Ash) over Alex Stoychoff (Pul) Dec 5-1
113 lbs.
Cody Minor (Ash) over Mitchell Kitzman (Pul) MD 15-4
120 lbs.
Noah Leisgang (Ash) over Owen Heinz (Pul) Dec 6-2
126 lbs.
Ashwaubenon Winner by Forfeit
132 lbs.
Cole Gille (Pul) over Dominic Stichmann (Ash) Fall 1:29
138 lbs.
Connor Ramage (Ash) over Bradey Sorenson (Pul) Dec 6-2
145 lbs.
Dawson Dembroski (Ash) over Ben Kleppek (Pul) Fall 1:37
152 lbs.
Logan Bellow (Pul) over Zach Olbrantz (Ash) Fall 2:45
