Wrestling: Oconto Falls’ Whiting wins state title

MADISON — For a second straight season, Oconto Falls High School wrestler Clayton Whiting ended the state tournament atop the podium.

On Saturday, Whiting emerged victorious in the Division 2 170-pound weight class at the 77th annual WIAA Individual Wrestling Championship Tournament at the Kohl Center. A year ago, he won a Division 2 title at 152 pounds.

Whiting made things look easy in this year's title match, earning a 17-1 technical fall win in less than a period-and-a-half over Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau/Melrose-Mindoro senior Hunter Andersen.

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 in 2 minutes, 53 seconds.

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, who went 4-0 at state. "Got to work harder during the summer and during the season to earn that third one."

Oconto Falls senior Brendan Konitzer placed fifth in the 113-pound weight class after posting a 1-1 record on Saturday.

Konitzer opened his day taking on Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau/Melrose-Mindoro sophomore Tanner Andersen. Konitzer dropped a 4-1 decision.

After a scoreless first period, Andersen picked up three points on a nearfall before Konitzer escaped late in the period for his first point. Andersen escaped early in the final period for the final point of the match.

In the fifth-place match, Konitzer got a takedown and three-point nearfall to take a quick 5-0 lead over Pardeeville/Cambria-Friesland/Rio sophomore Jayden Price in the first period.

Konitzer started in the top position for the second period and eventually secured a pin at the 2:23 mark of the match. Konitzer picked up three more points on a nearfall before the pin.

Konitzer posted a 3-2 record over the three-day tournament.

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