Johnnie Wrestling Splits Dells’ Duals
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – No. 6 Saint John’s split a pair against nationally-ranked opponents at the Duals at the Dells on Friday, Dec .9, in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. The Johnnies started the night with a 22-16 win over No. 15 Wisconsin-Whitewater, before falling to No. 2 Wisconsin-La Crosse, 20-15.
A trio of sophomores brought the Johnnies to within striking distance against the Warhawks before three upperclassmen gave SJU the lead for good. Sophomore Joe Hessing (Loretto, Minn./Delano) started the rally from 12-0 down with an 11-1 major decision at 149 pounds. Sophomores Ryan Arne (Orono, Minn.) and Brandon Seppelt (Foley, Minn.) tallied back-to-back decisions, with the latter determined in overtime, at 157 and 165, respectively. Junior Nick Schuler, the sixth-ranked wrestler at 165 pounds, bumped up a weight class to earned a 5-3 decision at 174. Senior Matt Pfarr (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson), ranked second at 174, did not compete.
Junior Mitch Hagen (Sunburg, Minn./Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg), ranked ninth, earned a 17-10 decision at 184. Senior Dustin Baxter (Fairbanks, Alaska/West Valley) sealed the victory for SJU with a pin at 197. Baxter is ranked second in his weight class.
SJU (3-2 dual record) found itself down big early (13-0) once again before the Johnnies rattled off three straight wins. Hessing and junior Chris Stevermer (Savage, Minn./Prior Lake) recorded wins at 149 and 157 pounds, respectively, and Seppelt posted his second overtime win of the night at 165. Top-ranked Mike Schmitz defeated Schuler at 174, but wins from Hagen and Baxter brought SJU to within one point (16-15) heading into the final match of the evening. Billy Mayer, ranked as high as third nationally, tallied a major decision over sophomore John Scepaniak (Avon, Minn./Holdingford) to give La Crosse the win.
The Johnnies return to competition after Christmas Dec. 29-30 at the Citrus Open in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
No. 6 Saint John’s (SJU) 22, No. 15 Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW) 16
125 – Mike Schloegel (UWW) dec. sophomore Matt Hickerson (SJU), 9-6 [0-3]
133 – Jake Fredrickson (No. 8, UWW) dec. senior Chad Henle (No. 3/5, SJU), 2-1 [0-6]
141 – Trevor Pruett (UWW) pinned sophomore Alex Peck (SJU), 4:35 [0-12]
149 – Sophomore Joe Hessing (SJU) major dec. Rob Fenicle (UWW), 11-1 [4-12]
157 – Sophomore Ryan Arne (SJU) dec. Corey Schmidt (UWW), 9-3 [7-12]
165 – Sophomore Brandon Seppelt (SJU) dec. Tyler Becker (UWW), 3-1 (OT) [10-12]
174 – Junior Nick Schuler (No. 6 @ 165, SJU) dec. Reid Dickerson (UWW), 5-3 [13-12]
184 – Junior Mitch Hagen (No. 9/10, SJU) dec. Mitch Elmer (UWW), 17-10 [16-12]
197 – Senior Dustin Baxter (No. 2, SJU) pinned Justin Birschbach (UWW), 3:46 [22-12]
Hwt – Corey Anderson (No. 2/3, UWW) major dec. sophomore John Scepaniak (SJU), 12-2 [22-16]
No. 2 Wisconsin-La Crosse (LAX) 20, No. 6 Saint John’s (SJU) 15
125 – Joey Nelson (LAX) major dec. sophomore Matt Hickerson (SJU), 10-0 [0-4]
133 – Adam Sheley (No. 2/5, LAX)) dec. senior Chad Henle (No. 3/5, SJU), 5-3 [0-7]
141 – Bebeto Yewah (No. 1, LAX) pinned sophomore Alex Peck (SJU), 4:15 [0-13]
149 – Sophomore Joe Hessing (SJU) dec. Scott Hogan (LAX), 13-9 [3-13]
157 – Junior Chris Stevermer (SJU) dec. James Lewis (LAX), 4-3 [6-13]
165 – Sophomore Brandon Seppelt (SJU) dec. Scott Gifford (LAX), 7-5 (OT) [9-13]
174 – Mike Schmitz (No. 1, LAX) dec. junior Nick Schuler (No. 6 @ 165, SJU), 10-3 [9-16]
184 – Junior Mitch Hagen (No. 9, SJU) dec. Grant Miller (LAX), 6-2 [12-16]
197 –Senior Dustin Baxter (No. 2, SJU) dec. Tony Piechowski (LAX), 11-5 [15-16]
Hwt – Billy Mayer (No. 3/4, LAX) major dec. sophomore John Scepaniak (SJU), 10-1 [15-20]