Spartans shine at Northern Badger Classic

A top three finish would probably have been good enough for the Spartans considering they were coming to the 43-team Northern Badger Classic short four wrestlers, but nobody told them that.  Bringing only 10 wrestlers, Sparta won the two-day tournament in River Falls while seeing every wrestler finish in the top seven.  Sparta finished with 330 points followed by Spring Valley/Elmwood with 316.5 and Boyceville with 298.5.  It was as dominating a performance by Spartan wrestlers in a tournament as we’ve seen in a long time and absolutely everyone had a hand in giving the Spartans the improbable championship.

Earlier this year at the Ellsworth Invitational, the Spartans finished in 5th place.  They were 19.5 points behind Boyceville and 47.5 points behind champion Spring Valley/Elmwood.  This week they beat Boyceville by 31.5 points and Spring Valley/Elmwood by 13.5 points.  That right there shows you the level the Spartans competed at this weekend.

Leading the way for the Spartans were individual champions Jaden Winchel and Brock Polhamus. David Hayes and Hayden Krein also advanced to the finals, but placed second.  Next up was a solid performance by Christian Lamon at 120 coming in third.  John Roddick placed fourth while Brett VonRuden, Ryan Wisniewski and Walker Polhamus all finished sixth.  Logan Vantassel rounded out the Spartan placewinners with a 7th place finish.

Here is how the Spartans did individually over the two days…

113  –  David Hayes, 2nd Place, 4-1 with two pins
120  –  Christian Lamon, 3rd Place, 4-1 with four pins
126  –  John Roddick, 4th Place, 4-2 with two pins and a technical fall
132  –  Jaden Winchel, 1st Place, 5-0 with three pins and a technical fall
138  –  Brett Vonruden, 6th Place, 6-2 with a pin and two major decisions
145  –  Brock Polhamus, 1st Place, 5-0 with a pin and a technical fall
152  –  Hayden Krein, 2nd Place, 4-1 with two pins
160  –  Ryan Wisniewski, 6th Place, 5-2 with three pins and a major decision
170  –  Logan Vantassel, 7th Place, 5-2 with three pins
182  –  Walker Polhamus, 6th Place, 5-2 with three pins, a major decision and a technical fall

There were impressive victories across the board for the Spartans.  Here are a few…

• David Hayes first period pin of Cadott’s Andrew Gunderson (17-4)
• Christian Lamon’s pin over Clear Lake’s Zach Elmer (12-7)
• John Roddick’s 7-2 victory over Jacob DeMeyer of Rhinelander (19-4)
• Jaden Winchel’s 45 second pin of Glenwood City’s Marcus Ullom (15-5)
• Jaden Winchel’s technical fall victory over Rhinelander’s Jon Fox (17-4)
• Jaden Winchel’s 11-4 championship victory over Mondovi Trevor Giedd (16-2)
• Brett VonRuden’s major decision victory over Shell Lake’s Dominic Hopke (15-4)
• Brett VonRuden’s 7-2 victory against Arcadia’s Jacob Erbe (17-3), Erbe is currently an HM at 145 in D3
• Brock Polhamus’ 4-2 semifinal victory over Durand’s Hunter Adler (13-3)
• Brock Polhamus’ 5-2 championship victory over Rhinelander’s Alex Reas (14-3), Reas is currently ranked 12th at 152 pounds in D1
• Hayden Krein’s first period pin against Glenwood City’s Jake O’Meara (17-3)
• Hayden Krein’s 12-9 semifinal victory over previously undefeated Isaac Weik of Chequamegon (20-1), currently ranked 10th in D3 at 152 and was undefeated coming into the match with Krein
• Ryan Wisniewski’s first period pin of Melrose-Mindoro/GET’s Hunter Shulick (12-5)
• Logan Vantassel’s 4-1 victory against Spring Valley/Elmwood’s Quinton Elliott (10-5)
• Logan Vantassel’s 5-2 victory against Clear Lake’s Andrew Johnson (15-5), currently ranked 7th in D3 at 170
• Walker Polhamus’ technical fall victory over Clear Lake’s Noah Wieczorek (14-6), currently an HM at 182 in D3

After Sparta, Spring Valley/Elmwood and Boyceville, nobody came close for team scores.  Here are the top 10 teams…

1. Sparta 330
2. Spring Valley/Elmwood 316.5
3. Boyceville 298.5
4. Clear Lake 214
5. Luck/Frederic/Grantsburg 182.5
6. Chetek-Weyerhauser/Prairie Farm 176
7. Cumber land 158
8. Spencer 157
9. Rhinelander 156.5
10. River Falls 155

And here is how the Spartans did on a match-by-match basis.

113 – David Hayes (10-7) placed 2nd and scored 36.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – David Hayes (Sparta) 10-7 won by fall over Dylan Adair (Hayward) 10-7 (Fall 4:39)
Champ. Round 2 – David Hayes (Sparta) 10-7 won by fall over Andrew Gunderson (Cadott) 17-4 (Fall 1:59)
Quarterfinal – David Hayes (Sparta) 10-7 won by decision over Lucas Graf (Cumberland) 18-3 (Dec 9-2)
Semifinal – David Hayes (Sparta) 10-7 won by decision over Sam Burns (River Falls) 14-8 (Dec 2-0)
1st Place Match – Austin Wolfe (Boyceville) 19-1 won by decision over David Hayes (Sparta) 10-7 (Dec 8-3)

120 – Christian Lamon (11-6) placed 3rd and scored 34.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Christian Lamon (Sparta) 11-6 won by fall over Caden Schillinger (Spencer) 8-11 (Fall 2:40)
Champ. Round 2 – Christian Lamon (Sparta) 11-6 won by fall over Landon Lorentson (Baldwin-Woodville) 7-7 (Fall 2:10)
Quarterfinal – Christian Lamon (Sparta) 11-6 won by fall over Dalton Langer (St. Croix Falls) 11-8 (Fall 2:33)
Semifinal – James Palmer (Boyceville) 15-4 won by decision over Christian Lamon (Sparta) 11-6 (Dec 1-0)
3rd Place Match – Christian Lamon (Sparta) 11-6 won by fall over Zach Elmer (Clear Lake) 12-7 (Fall 3:46)

126 – John Roddick (18-4) placed 4th and scored 31.50 team points.
Prelim – John Roddick (Sparta) 18-4 won by fall over Cody Jackson (Hayward) 1-6 (Fall 0:13)
Champ. Round 1 – John Roddick (Sparta) 18-4 won by fall over Absalom David (Chequamegon) 5-11 (Fall 0:43)
Champ. Round 2 – John Roddick (Sparta) 18-4 won by tech fall over Ryan Whitacker (Mel/Min-GET) 9-5 (TF-1.5 0:00 (17-2))
Quarterfinal – John Roddick (Sparta) 18-4 won by decision over Jacob DeMeyer (Rhinelander) 19-4 (Dec 7-2)
Semifinal – Adam Becker (Johnson Creek) 13-4 won by decision over John Roddick (Sparta) 18-4 (Dec 4-0)
3rd Place Match – Austin Najbrt (Cadott) 16-3 won by decision over John Roddick (Sparta) 18-4 (Dec 8-2)

132 – Jaden Winchel (20-0) placed 1st and scored 45.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Jaden Winchel (Sparta) 20-0 won by fall over Kyler Flettre (Turtle Lake/Clayton) 4-12 (Fall 0:44)
Champ. Round 2 – Jaden Winchel (Sparta) 20-0 won by fall over Tim Bauer (Spencer) 12-8 (Fall 3:15)
Quarterfinal – Jaden Winchel (Sparta) 20-0 won by fall over Marcus Ullom (Glenwood City) 15-5 (Fall 0:45)
Semifinal – Jaden Winchel (Sparta) 20-0 won by tech fall over Jon Fox (Rhinelander) 17-4 (TF-1.5 0:00 (16-1))
1st Place Match – Jaden Winchel (Sparta) 20-0 won by decision over Trevor Giedd (Mondovi) 16-2 (Dec 11-4)

138 – Brett Vonruden (16-7) placed 6th and scored 28.00 team points.
Prelim – Brett Vonruden (Sparta) 16-7 won by fall over Logan Peterson (River Falls) 4-9 (Fall 1:57)
Champ. Round 1 – Brett Vonruden (Sparta) 16-7 won by fall over Freddie Mangine (Somerset) 7-4 (Fall 1:59)
Champ. Round 2 – Cruze Hurlburt (Spring Valley/Elmwood) 11-3 won by decision over Brett Vonruden (Sparta) 16-7 (Dec 7-0)
Cons. Round 2 – Brett Vonruden (Sparta) 16-7 won by major decision over Diego Lowney (Osceola) 11-6 (MD 16-5)
Cons. Round 3 – Brett Vonruden (Sparta) 16-7 won in overtime over Bucky Nelson (Chetek-Weyerhauser/Prairie Farm) 11-6 (OT 7-5)
Cons. Round 4 – Brett Vonruden (Sparta) 16-7 won by major decision over Dominic Hopke (Shell Lake) 15-4 (MD 8-0)
Cons. Round 5 – Brett Vonruden (Sparta) 16-7 won by decision over Jacob Erbe (Arcadia) 17-3 (Dec 7-2)
5th Place Match – Daniel Wilke (Spencer) 20-3 won by decision over Brett Vonruden (Sparta) 16-7 (Dec 6-4)

145 – Brock Polhamus (20-1) placed 1st and scored 41.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Brock Polhamus (Sparta) 20-1 won by fall over Harrison Kern (Somerset) 10-13 (Fall 1:49)
Champ. Round 2 – Brock Polhamus (Sparta) 20-1 won by tech fall over Ryan Shutt (Spooner) 6-5 (TF-1.5 0:00 (16-0))
Quarterfinal – Brock Polhamus (Sparta) 20-1 won by decision over Lee Becker (Mondovi) 9-5 (Dec 4-2)
Semifinal – Brock Polhamus (Sparta) 20-1 won by decision over Hunter Adler (Durand) 13-3 (Dec 4-2)
1st Place Match – Brock Polhamus (Sparta) 20-1 won by decision over Alex Reas (Rhinelander) 14-3 (Dec 5-2)

152 – Hayden Krein (17-3) placed 2nd and scored 36.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Hayden Krein (Sparta) 17-3 won by fall over Dillon Larson (Mondovi) 3-8 (Fall 0:41)
Champ. Round 2 – Hayden Krein (Sparta) 17-3 won by decision over Michigan Trunkel (Baldwin-Woodville) 11-7 (Dec 5-0)
Quarterfinal – Hayden Krein (Sparta) 17-3 won by fall over Jake O`meara (Glenwood City) 17-3 (Fall 1:45)
Semifinal – Hayden Krein (Sparta) 17-3 won by decision over Isaac Weik (Chequamegon) 20-1 (Dec 12-9)
1st Place Match – Jonny Chamberlain (Chetek-Weyerhauser/Prairie Farm) 13-0 won by decision over Hayden Krein (Sparta) 17-3 (Dec 7-3)

160 – Ryan Wisnieski (15-9) placed 6th and scored 26.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Wyatt Juneau (Chequamegon) 8-7 won by decision over Ryan Wisnieski (Sparta) 15-9 (Dec 8-5)
Cons. Round 1 – Ryan Wisnieski (Sparta) 15-9 won by fall over Bryen Bushman (Phillips) 5-12 (Fall 0:28)
Cons. Round 2 – Ryan Wisnieski (Sparta) 15-9 won by major decision over Mathew Mcnurlin (Prescott) 7-8 (MD 11-3)
Cons. Round 3 – Ryan Wisnieski (Sparta) 15-9 won by fall over Logan Emholtz (River Falls) 8-10 (Fall 1:18)
Cons. Round 4 – Ryan Wisnieski (Sparta) 15-9 won by decision over Noah Skluzacek (Shell Lake) 9-5 (Dec 2-0)
Cons. Round 5 – Ryan Wisnieski (Sparta) 15-9 won by fall over Hunter Shulick (Mel/Min-GET) 12-5 (Fall 1:43)
5th Place Match – Logan Peterson (Somerset) 14-4 won by fall over Ryan Wisnieski (Sparta) 15-9 (Fall 1:24)

170 – Logan Vantassel (15-7) placed 7th and scored 23.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Logan Vantassel (Sparta) 15-7 won by fall over Nick Pinzl (Chequamegon) 7-9 (Fall 2:55)
Champ. Round 2 – Garrett Joles (Boyceville) 10-1 won by decision over Logan Vantassel (Sparta) 15-7 (Dec 4-3)
Cons. Round 2 – Logan Vantassel (Sparta) 15-7 won by fall over Brett Carlson (Osceola) 8-9 (Fall 2:39)
Cons. Round 3 – Logan Vantassel (Sparta) 15-7 won by decision over Quinton Elliott (Spring Valley/Elmwood) 10-5 (Dec 4-1)
Cons. Round 4 – Logan Vantassel (Sparta) 15-7 won by decision over Andrew Johnson (Clear Lake) 15-5 (Dec 5-2)
Cons. Round 5 – Garrett Joles (Boyceville) 10-1 won by decision over Logan Vantassel (Sparta) 15-7 (Dec 8-3)
7th Place Match – Logan Vantassel (Sparta) 15-7 won by fall over Cole Anderson-olson (Bloomer/Colfax) 11-6 (Fall 1:14)

182 – Walker Polhamus (9-6) placed 6th and scored 28.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Walker Polhamus (Sparta) 9-6 won by fall over Justin Ertz (Three Lakes) 4-4 (Fall 3:50)
Champ. Round 2 – Kyle Heinsohn (Cameron) 19-0 won by fall over Walker Polhamus (Sparta) 9-6 (Fall 1:23)
Cons. Round 2 – Walker Polhamus (Sparta) 9-6 won by major decision over Joseph Mlejnek (Cumberland) 9-10 (MD 9-0)
Cons. Round 3 – Walker Polhamus (Sparta) 9-6 won by fall over Michael Doll (Osceola) 6-10 (Fall 0:39)
Cons. Round 4 – Walker Polhamus (Sparta) 9-6 won by tech fall over Noah Wieczorek (Clear Lake) 14-6 (TF-1.5 0:00 (17-0))
Cons. Round 5 – Walker Polhamus (Sparta) 9-6 won by fall over Kolton Schnieder (Durand) 9-7 (Fall 4:41)
5th Place Match – Hunter Luepke (Spencer) 20-2 won by fall over Walker Polhamus (Sparta) 9-6 (Fall 3:46)