By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
BROWN COUNTY – Several area wrestlers won WIAA Division 1 regional championships Feb. 15.
The top four in each weight class advanced to sectionals Feb. 22 at Ashwaubenon High School.
The individual state tournament is Feb. 27-29 at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Green Bay Preble Regional
By virtue of its team championship at the regional, Bay Port will square off against Kaukauna Feb. 18 at Green Bay West High School.
The winner of the team sectional will advance to the WIAA team state tournament March 6-7 at the UW Fieldhouse in Madison.
The Pirates’ 220 points narrowly beat De Pere by 2.5 points.
Locally, Ashwaubenon (158.5 – third), Pulaski (150 – fourth), Green Bay Preble (125.5 – fifth) and Green Bay United (21 – eighth) were also among the eight teams to compete at the regional.
“The regional was extremely strong this year, and we knew it would be a battle from the first match to the last,” said Bay Port head coach Brad Shefchik. “Ultimately, it took the final match of the day – a fall by Trevor Nys – to secure the title. De Pere had an outstanding season and put together a great regional tournament, but our kids came ready to wrestle and fought hard to give us the win. We will enjoy this victory and then move forward with the challenge that lies ahead. It doesn’t get any easier as our kids get one step closer to their ultimate goals.”
Champions
Shane Corrigan (DP – 106), Collin Hansen (DP – 113), Tristan Warzynski (BP – 120), Cody Minor (ASH – 132), Jacob Ward (BP – 138), Noah Leisgang (ASH – 145), Chandler Stordeur (BP – 152), Michael Alexander (DP – 160), Connor Ramage (ASH – 170), Jordan Vandehei (ASH – 182), Drake Anderson (BP – 195), Nathan Moynihan (ASH – 220) and Max Meeuwsen (BP – 285).
Runner-up
Trenton Phillips (PRE – 106), Mitchell Kopish (PRE – 126), Andrew Lopez (DP – 138), Sam Bruss (DP – 145), Jadin Lemke (PUL – 160), Daniel Fernandez (DP – 170), Matt Grzybowski (BP – 182) and Mason Wells (PUL – 195).
Third place
Owen Noel (BP – 106), Ashton Kapla (PUL – 113), Shayn Quick (DP – 120), Alex Stoychoff (PUL – 126), Joseph O’Leary (PUL – 132), Collin Derenne (PRE – 138), Mitchell Kitzman (PUL – 145), Hunter Mashl (DP – 152), Trenton Gibbons (PUL – 170), Zane Selner (DP – 182), Tyler Hopp (PRE – 195) and Kyjuan Vengrowsky (DP – 220).
Fourth place
Owen Bowers (ASH – 113), Nicholas Huckins (PRE – 120), Jared Fietz (DP – 126), Austin Heim (BP – 145), Marty Kiernan (ASH – 152), Colton Berna (BP – 160), Trevor Nys (BP – 170), Josh Deblaey (PRE – 182), Curtis Downey (GBU – 195), Aaron Hawpetoss (PUL – 220) and Sam Hafner (DP – 285).
Kimberly Regional
West De Pere finished fourth among eight teams with 124 points.
Wrestlers who advanced to sectionals were Trent Francois (second, 120), Jake Hendricks (second, 126), Alec Ukkola (third, 132), Malaki Hill (second, 145), Lucas Milheiser (third, 160), Quinton Schuyler Jr. (fourth, 182) and Bryce Graef (third, 220).