Cadott returns from State with Sonnentag as champ

Cadott senior Brayden Sonnentag (132 pounds) wrapped up his high school career on top Feb. 25, as he became just the 23rd wrestler in Wisconsin history, to be a four-time State champion. Photo by Matt Frey

By Ginna Young

With six wrestlers competing for the Cadott boys team at State Feb. 23-25, it was a sure bet there would be multiple placings on the podium.

Although senior Tristan Drier (152 pounds) lost in the quarterfinals against Coleman’s William Bieber, he battled back to take wins in the consolation rounds over Reedsville’s Carson Taddy and Pardeeville’s William Becker, to compete for the third place spot. Going up against Iowa-Grant-Highland’s Jaxon Busse, Drier came up with a 4-3 decision, for the victory and the third place podium.

As for senior Cole Pfeiffer (160), he got an early win over Markesan’s Treston Eckstein, but fell to Calvin Hargrove, of Aquinas, in the semifinals. Pfeiffer bounced back to win over Crandon’s Cole Shepherd to take part in the third place match against Micah Kuchta, of Coleman, but had to settle for fourth place, dropping the bout in a 12-6 decision.

Senior Dawson Webster (182) was also on the mat for Cadott, winning in the quarterfinals over Fennimore’s Wyatt Ahnen, before losing in the semis to TJ Mueller, Crivitz, as well as to Bonduel’s Tyson Bogacz in the consolation round. Webster refused to go down and battled with Jaden Walker (Markesan) in the fifth place match, taking the win, with a 6-3 decision.

It was then up to senior Levi Lindsay (195) to place for the Hornets, but he dropped his first match to Bash Nielson, of Boyceville, then came back for the win over Jordan Platner (Cedar Grove-Belgium) in the consolation round, with a major decison. Lindsay got the win over Reedsville’s Adler Streen, but fell to Nielson yet again in the third place match, giving him a fourth place finish.

Junior Axel Tegels (220) also competed, but dropped his match against Michael Upson, Random Lake, in a 2-1 decision.

Bringing home yet another championship for Cadott, as well as his fourth straight title, was senior Brayden Sonnentag (132), who became just the 23rd wrestler in state history to do so.

Sonnentag first went up against Lena’s Luke Misco in the quarterfinals, taking the win in a 3:13 fall. He then got the win over Kade Rule, of Mineral Point, with a 3-2 decision. It was then time for Sonnentag’s lifelong dream to come true, of being a four-peat champion, which he did over Ian Crapp, of Fennimore.

The victory came with a 1-0 decision, putting Sonnentag among the greats at not only Cadott, but also in the state.

“This was a great weekend for Cadott wrestling,” said coach Josh Spaeth. “The coaching staff is very proud of each and every athlete.”