Falls wrestlers take first step

Senior Heavyweight Ben Tenpas scored a big pin one minute and 50 seconds into the final match to rally the Sheboygan Falls Falcons to a 37-34 over the defending 2009 Eastern Wisconsin Conference champion Kewaskum Indians in the season opener for both teams Thursday, Dec. 3.

An early season showdown between the past two conference champs was all that it was built up to be, as the Falcons and Indians went toe-to-toe, with it all coming down to the last match of the night.

After Kewaskum’s Cole Roberts (189 pounds) and Bo Seibel (215 pounds) pulled off back-to-back pins to give the Indians a 34-31 lead late in the match, Tenpas stepped into the spotlight for the Falcons.

“It was all on my shoulders,” said Tenpas. “Sure I felt some pressure, but I had confidence that I could do it. It felt great.”

Not only did Tenpas step up, but so did his fellow senior teammate Eric Albrecht, who pulled out a pin with seven seconds left in the third period to give Falls a 28-22 lead, erasing a 10-point comeback by Kewaskum.

“It was just an awesome win for me,” said Albrecht. “The coaches pushed us all week to work hard.”

“Those two seniors really stepped up tonight,” said an elated Falcons coach Fred Brown. “I trusted my wrestlers and they got the job done.”

After suffering a 33-28 season-ending loss to the Indians in the 2009 team sectional, the Falcons had looked forward to this night for quite some time.

“We had some unfinished business,” stated Brown. “These guys wanted our conference title back and this was the first step.”

A very confident bunch of Falcons took to the mat, as junior Chase Schultz (103) started the 2000-10 season with a second round pin.

The Falcons also gained wins from senior Nathan Brown (125 pounds), junior Jeff Becker (130 pounds) and sophomore Lucas Lambrecht (135 pounds).

Another key pin was made by junior Jeremiah Kramasz in the 145 pound weight class.

One of the key matches of the night featured two 2009 state qualifiers, as Falls senior Ben Chappa and Kewaskum’s Cody Seibel squared off in the 171 weight class.

In the end, Chappa prevailed, coming back to take a 4-2 win, after giving up a takedown in the first round.

“This was just a great match between two great teams,” Brown remarked.

Falls went 1-3 at the Spartan Duals in Luxemburg Casco on Saturday, Dec. 5. The Falcons defeated Mosinee 41-33, but lost to Port Washington 44-30, Luxemburg-Casco 58-17 and Bay Port 45-33.

Chappa continued to wrestle well, posting a 4-0 record to lead all Falcon wrestlers. Brown, Tenpas and Lambrecht went 3-1. Albrecht was 2-0, while Schultz and Andrew Ernisse finished 2-2.

Tenpas led the Falcons with three pins. Ernisse added two first-round pins and Chappa won with two technical falls and a 3:28 pin. Brown had a technical fall and a 1:32 pin.

WRESTLING
KEWASKUM
	34
SHEBOYGAN
FALLS 37

Match results
103 - Chase Schultz (SF) pinned Nick Bier (K) 3:48.
112 - Brett Scoles (K) pinned Andrew Ernisse (SF) 3:56.
119 - Derek Muckerheide (K) pinned Tyler Jones (SF) 1:21.
125 - Nathan Brown (SF) dec. Jared Kofke (K) 11-2.
130 - Jeff Becker (SF) dec. Austin Goeden (K) 5-4.
135 - Lucas Lambrecht (SF) dec. Calob Olla (K) 5-2.
140 - Rob Maertz (K) dec. Jared Ertman (SF) 9-1.
145 - Jeremiah Kramasz (SF) pinned Steven Kudek (K) 3:28.
152 - Brad Bentz (K) pinned Ryan Fillafer (SF) 4:47.
160 - Eric Albrecht (SF) pinned Joey Wollner (K) 5:53.
171 - Ben Chappa (SF) dec. Cody Seibel (K) 4-2.
189 - Cole Roberts (K) pinned Matt St. Andre (SF) 3:29.
215 - Bo Seibel (K) pinned Kyle Marten (SF) 0:23.
285 - Ben Tenpas (SF) pinned Brad _______________________ Bottleman (K) 1:50.