Prairie grapplers do well at Freestyle/Greco State Championships
Seven Prairie du Chien middle school and high school wrestlers show off their impressive hardware from the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation’s Freestyle and Greco Roman State Championships. From left: Bryce Lenzendorf, Mason Baumgartner, Porter Kossman, Luke Kramer, Rhett Koenig, Matt Rogge, and Ryder Koenig.
Rhett Koenig, a sophomore, recently won titles in both Freestyle and Greco Roman at the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation’s Freestyle and Greco Roman State Championships. Koenig did this by winning both titles at the 126# weight class. This past February, Koenig won the 113# weight class at the WIAA Division 2 State Tournament, which is folkstyle wrestling. By winning all three styles, Koenig has achieved the highly coveted “triple crown” in the state of Wisconsin.
Seven Prairie du Chien wrestlers, from both the middle school and high school teams, recently participated in the Wisconsin State Freestyle and Greco Roman Championships. The Freestyle Championships were held Saturday, May 8 and the Greco Roman Championships were held Sunday, May 9. Both events were at the Wisconsin Dells Sportsdome in Wisconsin Dells.
USA Wrestling’s regional events are contested in Freestyle and Greco-Roman, the only two styles of wrestling at the Olympic level. Freestyle wrestling is exciting, creative, and dynamic because points can be scored from almost anywhere. Greco-Roman wrestling is known for powerful lifts and big throws, because all attacks must be made above the waist.
In Freestyle competition, Rhett Koenig brought home a championship by winning the 16U 126# weight class. Also placing were: Bryce Lenzendorf, 3rd – 14U 165#, Ryder Koenig, 6th – 16U 126#.
Also representing PdC in Freestyle were: Porter Kossman, Mason Baumgartner, Luke Kramer, and Matt Rogge.
In Greco Roman competition, the Blackhawk grapplers would see five guys in the finals, with three of them winning championships.
Rhett Koenig, Matt Rogge, and Bryce Lenzendorf brought home championships by winning the 16U 126# weight class, Junior 160# weight class, and 14U 165# weight class, respectively. Porter Kossman and Ryder Koenig were also in the finals. Also placing were: Porter Kossman, 3rd – 14U 83#, Ryder Koenig, 3rd – 16U 126#, Luke Kramer, 4th – 16U 152#, Mason Baumgartner, 6th – 16U 120#.
By finishing in the top three, Rhett Koenig, Ryder Koenig, and Matt Rogge all qualified for the 2021 USA Wrestling Junior and 16U Nationals, which are held in July in Fargo, North Dakota.
The PdC wrestlers are coached by Ryan Hannah and former PdC alumni Jonathon Quamme and Tyler Hannah.
