By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield High School wrestling team has had one goal it has been shooting toward this season – to beat Wausau West at the WIAA Division 1 regional and advance to the team sectional tournament.
On Saturday, the Tigers will finally get their chance to see if they are up to the task.
Marshfield will take part in the Division 1 individual regional at Wausau East, with the winner in team points moving on to the team sectional next Tuesday at Eau Claire Memorial.
The Tigers lost a dual meet to West earlier this season and came in third behind Wisconsin Rapids and the Warriors at last week’s Wisconsin Valley Conference Tournament. But the regional is a different animal – Wisconsin Rapids will be at the regional in Menasha, opening up a whole another world of possibility without the state’s No. 1-ranked powerhouse to compete with on Saturday.
“Everything’s different, Merrill comes in, Rapids is out, Lakeland and Antigo come in,” Marshfield coach Don Lang. “I still feel like we have a chance at winning a regional. We need all of our guys to score pins, and we need to get pins and all of that adds up.”
Brad Dolezal (37-0) leads the way at 152 pounds for the Tigers, along with fellow WVC champions Jordan Koranda (37-1 at 189) and Trenton Larson (28-5 at 160).
Dolezal, a junior, cruised through the regular season and was 3-0 at the Valley tournament to claim his second conference title.
“We have a really strong team this year and I think if everyone competes at their best ability, we have a very good chance (to beat Wausau West),” Dolezal said.
The regional also has the individual aspect, with the top four finishers in each weight class moving on to the individual sectional tournament at Merrill on Feb. 20.
Based on the Tigers’ 11 top-four finishes at the Valley meet, there could be a big contingent of Marshfield wrestlers moving on to the individual sectional with a chance at advancing on to the state meet in Madison on Feb. 25-27.
“We think we have a good shot at knocking off Wausau West and Merrill for the team title, win team sectionals and our ultimate goal is team state,” Koranda said. “(Individually) I just need to wrestle how I have the whole year, don’t look at people and be afraid of them, it’s just another kid, it’s got to be another win to place on the podium.”
Wausau East regional
Antigo, D.C. Everest, Lakeland, Marshfield, Merrill, Rhinelander, Wausau East, Wausau West.
Paul Lecker can be reached by e-mail at paul@marshfieldareasports.com.
