This story is sponsored by Dental Clinic of Marshfield
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MADISON – Marshfield wrestlers Brad Dolezal and Torin Boernke wouldn’t have it any other way.
For the second year in a row and for the third time during their four-year high school careers, the Marshfield teammates will be wrestling for Division 1 state championships.
Boernke beat Jake Raflik of Wisconsin Rapids 6-2 at 135 pounds and Dolezal took care of Weston Klink of Hartford 12-2 in the semifinals at 160 Friday to advance to Saturday night’s championship round at the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison.
“This is the greatest feeling, knowing that I’m going to be in the top two, wrestling the other top kid in the state in my weight,” Boernke said. “With it being my last year, I know I would have looked back had I not had that match go my way and wondering what if I had done this or didn’t do that. I’m happy I didn’t make any foolish mistakes and finished it off.”
Dolezal (46-0) won his 94th straight match using an early flurry in the first period. The Tigers senior had two takedowns and a pair of nearfalls to build a 9-1 lead. Dolezal made it 12-1 with an escape and another takedown in the first 25 seconds of the second period.
“I really didn’t know much about him so I just needed to stay in good position and stay on him,” Dolezal said. “I did that early on, got that quick lead and was able to hold on at the end.”
Boernke (44-2) had a takedown and a three-point nearfall in the first period and held on from there to beat Raflik, whom Boernke used to be in a wrestling club with when they were younger but had never wrestled before in high school.
“Right away, that two (takedown) was key,” Boernke said. “I really like to get the first two points. When I got that nearfall at the end (of the period), I saw an opportunity and really went for it.”
Boernke, who won a title as a sophomore, and Dolezal, who won championships as a freshman and last season, have always dreamed of winning state titles in the same season. The first two times it didn’t work out. Saturday will be their final shot.
“That was our goal this year – I wanted to be the first Marshfield four-time finalist – and me and Torin have always wanted to win one together and hopefully we can make that happen,” Dolezal said.
Both will be taking on wrestlers from the Fox Valley Association. Boernke will face Thomas Allen (43-1) of Menasha, while Dolezel will go against Ryan Bonikowske (38-6) of Neenah.
Marshfield coach Don Lang said each match will be tough, but he likes his guys’ chances if they keep their poise.
“I think, for both of them, as long as they stay focused and do the things that have brought them to this level, they are going to be in good shape,” Lang said. “Sometimes it comes down to – especially in the finals – who capitalizes on mistakes. But both Brad and Torin are disciplined in that way and don’t make many mistakes.”
Consolation bracket matches begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, with semifinals, fifth-place and third-place matches scheduled. The championship matches in all three divisions begin at 6 p.m.
Earlier Friday, Marshfield’s Justin Sternweis was eliminated from the consolation bracket. He was his first match by pinning Josh Regazzi of Oak Creek in 4:07 before losing 4-3 decision to Ryan Aprahamian (46-4), a senior from Mukwonago to finish the season 39-9. Click here for the story.
MarshfieldAreaSports.com will have full coverage from the championship matches at the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament on Saturday night.