Wrestling: Shawano’s Tourtillott takes fifth at state

Senior ends year with 38-7 record
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

MADISON — Shawano Community High School senior Keith Tourtillott ended his wrestling career on the state podium after placing fifth in the Division 1 220-pound weight class at the 77th annual WIAA Individual Wrestling Championship Tournament, which ran Thursday through Saturday at the Kohl Center.

“I fought really hard for that podium spot and it really shows me how far I’ve come,” said Tourtillott.

Tourtillott had a busy three days, wrestling in six matches.

The wrestler went 1-1 on Thursday, starting with a pin in 3 minutes, 10 seconds over Rhinelander junior Ben Sinclair.

Tourtillott got a late first-period takedown to grab a 2-0 lead. The senior then started the second period in the top position, allowing an early escape before taking down Sinclair at the 1:01 mark of the period. A few seconds later, Tourtillott secured the pin.

Tourtillott then dropped a hard-fought 3-2 decision to Oak Creek junior Ben Kawczynski in his second match of the day.

The Shawano wrestler kept his season alive with a pair of consolation victories Friday.

Tourtillott earned a 7-2 decision win over Sparta junior Madden Connelly before a 7-4 decision win against Brookfield Central junior Frederick Kyles.

In his win over Connelly, Tourtillott fell behind after allowing an early second-period escape. The Shawano wrestler took the lead with a takedown later in the period.

Tourtillott then escaped from the bottom position in the third period before a takedown made it 5-1. Connelly escaped, but Tourtillott took him down once more to finish up the match.

Tourtillott also rallied in his win over Kyles, this time erasing a 3-0 deficit. He escaped about halfway through the second period for his first point.

Tourtillott scored the first six points in the final period, starting with a penalty and escape before a takedown and two-point nearfall. Kyles escaped late, but Tourtillott was able to hang on for the win.

The Shawano senior went 1-1 on the final day of the state tournament.

Tourtillott started the day facing Ashwaubenon junior Nathan Moynihan. The senior lost a 3-1 decision in overtime.

Tourtillott bounced back in his fifth-place match against Oak Creek’s Kawczynski.

Tourtillott took down Kawczynski late in the opening period to go up 2-0. Kawczynski was unable to continue wrestling after sustaining a knee injury, so Tourtillott was awarded the win and fifth place.

“It was definitely better than last year,” said Tourtillott of his state experience. “I got to feel the hype of advancing from my first match. I took my first loss pretty hard, but I bounced back in the consolations and I was able to secure my spot.

“That’s basically the epitome of wrestling. You win sometimes, and then you lose, and you’re going to have to deal with that loss in some way. I did deal with that loss. It took me a whole night — I cried and thought about it a lot, but then I forgot about the loss, and I just bounced back.”

The Shawano senior finished the season with a 38-7 record.

“He has had a great career here at Shawano,” said coach Mike Homan of Tourtillott. “This is a great accomplishment considering it is only his fourth year wrestling. It was a great finish to his high school career.”

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