Oconto Falls’ Whiting named NEC’s Wrestler of the Year

Oconto Falls High School junior Clayton Whiting was unanimously selected as the Wrestler of the Year in the North Eastern Conference.

Whiting continued his dominant high school career with another perfect run through conference matches. He finished 6-0 against NEC opponents this season and is now 24-0 in his career in conference matches.

“It feels great, to be honest, that all these years and hard days on the mat are paying off and that there is more room to get better for next year,” said Whiting.

“It means a lot to get that honor, as well as knowing now that I have to keep getting better on the mat and making big jumps to get further ahead of my opponents.”

During his conference wins this season, three came by pin, while another was by technical fall. Whiting was one of four conference wrestlers unanimously voted to the first team.

Whiting finished the year with a 17-0 record on his way to a Division 2 state title at the 182-pound weight class, the third title of his career.

“Just trying to wrestle the best kids I can get my hands on to get me better and more prepared for next year, as well as constantly making improvements and adjustments to get better and more ready for my final season,” said Whiting, on what he plans to do to position himself for a fourth state title.

Whiting was joined on all-conference list by four teammates.

Junior Graeson Pankratz made the first team. Sophomore Landon Budz landed on the second team, while junior Jaden Ganter and sophomore Luke Trepanier were honorable mention recipients.

In conference action, Pankratz went 5-1. He tallied a team-leading four pins.

“It is very rewarding to be named first team all-conference. All the work that was put in during the season paid off,” said Pankratz.

“Every match that I went into, I knew I had to wrestle hard and wrestle the entire match.”

Pankratz also ended his season at state, placing sixth in the 113 weight class.

Budz finished 4-0 in his conference matches to earn his all-conference honor. One win was by pin, while another came by technical fall.

“Being second team all-conference means a lot to me. Working hard at every practice really pays off,” said Budz.

“I would stay after practice and get an extra workout in the weight room to really gain my confidence for the upcoming duals. Before every dual, I would get a nice sweat going and be ready for my next match.”

Ganter and Trepanier each went 3-3 in their conference matches.

“Getting named to the North Eastern Conference honorable mention team means a lot to me,” said Trepanier. “It gives me confidence and determination for the next two years to keep getting better and keep succeeding in my goals. All the hard work I have been putting in is finally starting to pay off, and earning this just proves that even more.”

“I approached my conference matches by never taking any opponent lightly, but knowing that I can beat anyone who comes out to wrestle me,” said Ganter, who added he has bigger goals for next season.

Budz, Ganter and Trepanier qualified for sectionals to cap their seasons and will help round out a strong returning core for Oconto Falls next school year.

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