Posted: Dec. 28, 2009 |(0) Comments

Menomonee Falls — With one of its leaders likely out for the season with knee surgery, the short-handed Menomonee Falls wrestling team struggled to a 14th-place finish in the Badger State Invitational on Dec. 23.

State meet 189-pound qualifier Tony Nelessen had surgery just before Christmas. He was an All-Suburban selection at linebacker for the state finalist football team this fall.

"It was hard to go in there without one of our leaders," Indians coach Jim McMahon said, "but we're going to try and keep it together. We're not going to throw in the towel. We're going to come to work during the (holiday) break and it's not going to be a vacation for any of us."

Falls had only seven wrestlers at the 18-school tourney and scored 61 points for its spot. Stoughton won with 208.

The Indians were led by 285-pounder Tyler Bross (15-5 overall), who was third, going 3-1 on the day. He lost a tough 7-4 semifinal to an Iowa Grant foe but then beat a Franklin opponent, 4-2, for his spot.

Another 2009 state qualifier, Tony Guagliardo (17-5) at 215, didn't have as good a day. He won his first two bouts, but then suffered two pins in a row to take fourth. One of his losses was to eventual champion Matt Tourdot of Sparta, who is currently 20-0 and ranked second in the state.

Korey Kleinhans at 171 (16-6), also took fourth, losing two tough decisions to Sauk Prairie and Campbellsport opponents in his final two bouts.

Both Dan Stark at 103 (17-6) and Andrew Warden at 152 (15-5) went 3-2 on the day to take seventh.

 

- Steven L. Tietz