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From left: Jon Bailey, David Hayes, Jaden Winchel, Brett Von Ruden and Hayden Krein. These five Spartans made the initial division one rankings for the third-ranked Spartans.
On the backs of a strong showing at the Ellsworth Invitational and a 46-21 season-opening dual victory against division three second-ranked Fennimore, the Spartans debuted at number three in division one in Wisconsin Wrestling Online’s first team rankings of the 2016-17 season.
Ahead of the Spartans in division one are defending state champions Kaukauna followed by Stoughton. Following the Spartans in the rankings were Milton, the Joel Dutton-coached Kenosha Tremper, Pewaukee, possible sectional foe Sauk Prairie, Slinger, Kenosha Bradford and rounding out the top 10, Pulaski.
Other local teams in the rankings include two division two teams with Neillsville/Greenwood/Loyal at sixth in division two while West Salem/Bangor earned an honorable mention.
With the highest Sparta has ever been ranked in any division, there are a number of Spartans that show up on the individual rankings. They are…
- Jon Bailey, third at 120 pounds
- David Hayes, honorable mention at 138 pounds
- Jaden Winchel, third at 145 pounds
- Brett Von Ruden, 8th at 152 pounds
- Hayden Krein, 1st at 160 pounds
MVC wrestlers in the rankings include…
- Tanner Schultz, Holmen, 6th at 145 pounds
- Kaylyn Jahn, Holmen, 10th at 182 pounds
- Jaden Van Maanen, La Crosse Central, 1st at 152 pounds
- Connor Williams, La Crosse Central, 4th at 182 pounds
- Dawson Lambert, Tomah, 6th at 113 pounds
- Hunter Pierce, Tomah, honorable mention at 138 pounds
- Casey Curran, Tomah, 12th at 160 pounds
- Houston Dorn, Onalaska, 9th at 285 pounds
This is the first rankings of the season so A LOT will change. It just means that the Spartans have wrestled well in limited action this year and the people doing the rankings like what they see on paper. People will change weights, breaks will go for and against the Spartans. Don’t put too much emphasis on the initial rankings. A lot will change in the three months.
