Hornets just miss Team State, send seven on to State
By Ginna Young
Cadott narrowly missed out on their season goal of making Team State, but saw 10 wrestlers move on to Sectionals and seven headed for Individual State competition.
Feb. 15 Team Sectional
It was a lucky break that Cadott got to host the Team Sectionals, going up against Whitehall and St. Croix Falls.
Facing off with Whitehall, the Hornets dominated their matches, taking the victory, 69-9. Coming up with wins for Cadott, were freshman Kaleb Lodahl (106 pounds), senior Logan Harel (120), junior Brayden Sonnentag (132), senior Kaleb Sonnentag (138), senior Ethan Duck (145), junior Tristan Drier (152), senior David Lallamont (160), junior Cole Pfeiffer (170), junior Dawson Webster (182), junior Levi Lindsay (195) and senior Gavin Tegels (220).
“There was a lot of energy and excitement in the gym,” said coach Josh Spaeth, adding he grateful to the school district and fans for making such a great wrestling environment.
St. Coix Falls was another matter, as the Hornets just fell short of besting the visiting team, with St. Croix Falls claiming a 35-31 win, leaving the hopes for Team State out of reach for this year.
“These were not the results we were looking for,” said Spaeth. “St. Croix Falls out-wrestled us and they are moving on for their efforts. Our wrestlers gave great effort, but came up just short. If we would have won one match that we lost, we’d be going to the Team State tournament. That is how close this dual was.”
Coming up with wins, were Tegels, B. Sonnentag, junior Nick Fasbender (132), Drier, Pfeiffer and Webster.
“Wrestling has a way of humbling athletes and coaches,” said Spaeth. “This loss is painful, but we will move forward and work toward the next best thing. I know our wrestlers are hurting over this loss. They have worked very hard.”
Spaeth said even though the team was recovering from a devastating loss, each and every wrestler showed up to practice the next evening, and put forth an even greater effort in preparation for Individual Sectional competition.
“I am very proud and fortunate to be able to work with our athletes,” said Spaeth.
Feb. 19 St. Croix Individual Sectional
Determined to send as many on to Individual State competition as possible, the 11 wrestlers who qualified for the matches at the St. Croix Falls Sectional gave their all.
“I am very pleased with Saturday’s results,” said Spaeth. “We tied the school record of seven State qualifiers set in 2020. We also scored the most team points on Saturday, with St. Croix Falls in a very close second place.”
Earning Sectional champion, Tegels made his way to the finals, winning over Unity’s Ethan Feist, by fall, in 1:53, while Webster took the win over Matthew Roach, of Ladysmith, with an 8-4 decision. Drier also claimed the win over Spring Valley-Elmwood’s Max Schmitt, in a 5-2 decision and B. Sonnentag won over Breckin Burzynski (Stanley-Boyd) with a 17-0 technical foul.
Coming in second place, K. Sonnentag won over Austin Opel, St. Croix Falls, in a no-contest match. Making State with third-place finishes, were Pfeiffer, who took his match over Cumberland’s Josh Simon, in a 1:08 fall; and Lodahl, with a win over Maverick Hoogland, Phillips, by fall, in 1:09.
Spaeth said once again, Cadott was well-represented in the stands, to cheer on the grapplers.
“We have some of the greatest fans in the State,” said Spaeth.
The Hornets will now look to bring home State titles from Madison, Feb. 24-26.
“Logan Harel and Levi Lindsay both narrowly miss qualifying with fourth place finishes,” said Spaeth. “Caden Kingston and Ethan Duck went down swinging, and were eliminated from Sectionals. I am proud of all of our wrestlers and am glad that they will have the opportunity to wrestle in the Kohl Center this year.”
