Wrestling: Oconto Falls’ Whiting wins second state title

MADISON — For the second consecutive year, Oconto Falls High School wrestler Clayton Whiting finished atop the state podium.

The sophomore won the Division 2 170-pound weight class at the 77th annual WIAA Individual Wrestling Championship Tournament, which ran Thursday through Saturday at the Kohl Center.

Whiting, who won a D2 state title at 152 pounds as a freshman, was dominant on his way to winning state.

He opened up the state tournament with a second-period pin Thursday before decision wins in the quarterfinal and semifinal Friday. Whiting was especially impressive in the first-place match Saturday, winning by technical fall in less than 1½ periods.

“This mentality — basically just going out there, thinking positive,” said Whiting, on how he jumped up two weight classes and claimed another state title.

Of the 14 points scored against Whiting across the four matches, 10 of them were one-point free escapes allowed by the sophomore. He was taken down once in each of his decision wins.

Whiting faced Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau/Melrose-Mindoro senior Hunter Andersen in the first-place match.

Whiting grabbed the lead with an early takedown before allowing a free escape. Whiting then got another takedown, a three-point nearfall and two-point nearfall to end the first period up 9-1.

Starting in the neutral position in the second period, Whiting got a takedown before a pair of 3-point nearfalls to seal up the match by a 17-1 technical fall in 2 minutes, 53 seconds.

After having his arm raised, Whiting climbed into the Kohl Center crowd to hug his mom, Sarah, before running back down on the mat for a big embrace with his dad, Shane.

Minutes after winning his second title, Whiting was already thinking about a potential third.

“It means a lot. I got to protect my two titles now,” said Whiting. “Got to work harder during the summer and during the season to earn that third one.”

Whiting became the fourth Oconto Falls wrestler to win multiple state titles.

Jacob Morrissey has the most state titles in school history, claiming three titles from 2011-13.

Dewey Krueger won titles in 2013 and 2015, while Riley Delzer was a state champ in 2011 and 2012.

Oconto Falls now has won 16 individual state titles since 1940.

In his semifinal match, Whiting wrestled Prairie du Chien junior Bradyn Saint, claiming a 4-3 decision.

Whiting allowed a free escape to start the second period, but he took Saint down late in the period to grab the lead.

Starting in the bottom position in the final period, Whiting escaped to go up 3-1. Whiting was taken down with less than 10 seconds remaining, but the sophomore escaped in the waning seconds to win the match.

Whiting controlled his quarterfinal match against Rice Lake senior Carter Paulson. The Panther sophomore earned a 15-8 decision win.

Whiting surrendered six points with free escapes. He took down Paulson seven times and earned his final point on an escape.

Whiting dominated his first state match against Cuba City/Benton senior Brad Goffinet, winning by pin in 3:17.

Whiting got the first takedown before letting Goffinet escape. Whiting then got another takedown to lead 4-1 after one period.

Starting from the neutral position, Whiting got another takedown less than 20 seconds into the second period before allowing another free escape.

Ten seconds later, Whiting took down Goffinet again, and this time Whiting finished him off with a pin.

After his 4-0 run at state, Whiting ended his sophomore season with a 48-1 record, with his lone loss coming at sectionals. He is now 96-4 for his high school career.

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