By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
SUAMICO — The Bay Port wrestling team was victorious in all but two weight classifications Jan. 7 in defeating De Pere, 49-10.
The Fox River Classic Conference match was held at Bay Port High School as part of a triple dual with Coleman and Oconomowoc.
“Over the past five or six years, De Pere has come into its own with a good program,” said Bay Port head coach Brad Shefchik. “They’ve beaten us the past two years in conference duals, so it’s nice to notch a win against them to start the new year. We set the tone and wrestled hard today.”
The Pirates picked up a quick fall and then an injury victory at 120 after De Pere’s Cayden Albers couldn’t continue after the first period.
However, De Pere fought back and notched two victories at 126 and 132 to narrow the gap in the early going.
“At those weights, those are our studs,” said Zach Hendzel, De Pere head coach. “We depend on those guys every single dual. I’m proud of how they stepped up and got us the wins.”
With eight matches remaining, the Pirates put their skills into overdrive and won every match coming home.
Ayden Bruckner (145) and Jacob Ward (160) won a major decision and technical fall, respectively, by combining for 32 points during the bouts.
“The middle of the lineup we have a freshman in Bruckner,” Shefchik said. “It was a good test today to see where he’s at. Once he got into a rhythm, he felt confident he could continue to put more points on the board playing catch and release. Ward is a guy where we want to get the matchups which enable him to get pushed. He’s an exciting wrestler who gets after it.”
Down the stretch, with the dual in hand, Bay Port finished in style by getting two falls for the 39-point victory.
“I found out this week the conference isn’t going to award a true champion,” said Shefchik. “The kids know what happens in each match, and they treat it like that. We want to continue to get better and prepare for the postseason. It’s a tough year, but you have to fight and value each match.”
Bay Port 49, De Pere 10
113: Owen Noel (BP) def. Connor Schenian (DP) (fall, 1:55).
120: Nicholas Schomaker (BP) def. Cayden Albers (DP) (injury, 2:00).
126: Shane Corrigan (DP) def. Carter Kallies (BP) (fall, 1:22).
132: Collin Hansen (DP) def. Will Nast (BP) (major decision, 14-4).
138: Colton Klimek (BP) (forfeit)
145: Ayden Bruckner (BP) def. Brennan Kincade (DP) (major decision, 15-4).
152: Double forfeit
160: Jacob Ward (BP) def. Peyton Cappelle (DP) (technical fall, 17-1).
170: Double forfeit
182: Matt Grzybowski (BP) def. Daniel Fernandez (DP) (major decision, 13-4).
195: Drake Anderson (BP) def. Michael Alexander (DP) (decision, 6-1).
220: Tevyn Montgomery (BP) def. Deven Tenor (DP) (decision, 7-4).
285: Vaughn Campbell (BP) def. Brody Upton (DP) (fall, 4:53).
106: Peyton Garcia (BP) def. Malachi Oslund (DP) (fall, 3:15).