Three wrestlers take individual championships

For the Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD – The Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln wrestling team claimed the conference championship during the 2019 Wisconsin Valley Conference Wrestling Tournament held at Wausau West on Feb. 2.

Lincoln bested the Marshfield Tigers to claim the team win by 5.5 points, with Rapids scoring 198.5 and Marshfield totaling 193.

The Red Raiders also fared well in individual competition, with five wrestlers taking first.

In the 106 weight class, Justin Groshek (Stevens Point) defeated Preston Spray by major decision 13-2 in the championship round to give Spray second. Allister Greening took fifth in the 113-pound weight class, while Damien Bennett took fourth in 120-pound. In the 126 weight class, Cameron Schmeiser (Wausau West) defeated Cale Benitz in the championship round to give Benitz second. Ryan Sering took fourth in the 132-pound class. Zac Hamel defeated Tanner Kanable (Marshfield) 4-2 in the 138-pound weight class to secure the championship. Wyler Lubeck defeated Payton Vaughn (DC Everest) by major decision 11-2 in the 145-pound weight class to secure another championship. Damion Stirk took seventh in the 152-pound weight class, and Roger Fuller took third in 160. Isaac Diaz defeated Brendan Braund (Marshfield) by technical fall 3:44 in the 170 weight class, to take the championship. In the 180-pound class, Andrew Schutz took third, and Peter Rucker took third in 195. In the 220-pound weight class, Layne Kalata took third, and in 285, Mike Iverson took third.