With just three matches wrestled in Shawano Community High School’s home dual against New London, the final score does little to reflect the strength of the Hawks’ program.
Senior Damon Braatz pinned Travis Kuhnke in 56 seconds and Wyatt Welch won by forfeit to tally Shawano’s only points in a 60-12 loss.
Shawano’s effort pleased head coach Mike Homan, who said all three wrestlers fought hard.
Patrik Balint, a foreign-exchange student from Hungary, fell in his match to Garrett Ruckdashel by pin in 2:51, but scored on escapes and a takedown. Balint returns to Hungary at the end of this semester.
“He’s always a kid that will give you 110 percent,” Homan said. “I can’t ask any more than that. If he’s a more experienced wrestler he probably takes that to a third period, and from there, anything can happen.”
Homan has not lowered expectations for his team despite struggling to fill many of the weight classes.
“I think the plain and simple matter is we have a lot of work to do,” he said.
Homan made the decision Thursday to move junior Austin Oreskovic up a weight class to wrestle Scott Cook, who qualified for state last year. Cook pinned Oreskovic in 3 minutes, 20 seconds.
If Oreskovic had stayed in his weight class, he would have earned a forfeit and 6 points for the Hawks. Instead, Homan wanted him to get the experience against a strong wrestler.
The Hawks will see several more strong wrestlers when Shawano hosts the annual Holiday Classic on Saturday, with wrestling starting at 10 a.m. Coleman, Wittenberg-Birnamwood and Bonduel are among the teams competing.
Homan said that he will not be focused on individual records or finishes during the tournament, but hopes the wrestlers are “being hard nosed and being the best they can” against the stiff competition.
“Christmas break is going to give us a good chance to look back,” he said.
New London 60, Shawano 12
126: Garrett Ruckdashel, NL, pinned Patrik Balint, S, 2:51; 132: double forfeit; 138: Scott Cook, NL, pinned Austin Oreskovic, S, 3:20; 145: Austin Warren, NL, won by forfeit; 152: Kaine Herter, NL, won by forfeit; 160: Jacob Hoier, NL ,won by forfeit; 170: Jonah Backus, NL, won by forfeit; 182: Remington Steele, NL, won by forfeit; 195: double forfeit; 220: Kyle Hawkins, NL, won by forfeit; 285: Damon Braatz, S, pinned Travis Kuhnke, 0:56; 106: Brent Helsten, NL, won by forfeit; 113: Wyatt Welch, S, won by forfeit; 120: Maddie Ruckdashel, NL, won by forfeit.
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