Wrestlers strive to stay on stop

At the beginning of every season, members of the Sheboygan Falls Falcons wrestling team are asked to set their goals at a high standard.

Each wrestler strives to accomplish their goals and find ways to consistently get better.

The 2009-2010 Falcons team took on many challenges. Some wrestlers succeeded, some fell short and some have the chance to continue to find ways to get better.

Falls returned to the top of the Eastern Wisconsin Conference, as tri-champions with Kewaskum and Campbellsport, which each compiled 6-1 marks.

The Falcons (12-4 overall) won the Falls Invite for a record fifth time, took fourth at the Cutler Invite and second at the Raider Invite. In the EWC tournament, the Falcons finished third and crowned four individual conference champions.

Falls fell short of a school record sixth regional championship by taking second place. However, the squad succeeded in sending seven wrestlers to sectional competition.

For the first time in program history, Falls claimed three sectional titles, with each wrestler earning a first-round bye at the WIAA Division 2 State Individual Wrestling Championships at the Kohl Center in Madison.

Seniors Nathan Brown and Ben Chappa qualified for their fourth straight trip to state and sophomore Lucas Lambrecht gained his second consecutive trip by taking first place at sectionals in their respective weight classes.

Chappa capped a stellar season in the 152-pound weight class, by becoming the first Falls wrestler to earn a state championship, since Jerry Michael in 1986.

“We always set our goals high,” said Falcons coach Fred Brown. “This was a very experienced group. They worked hard to achieve their goals.”

Brown, who is in his eighth year of coaching, is happy with where the Falcons wrestling program is heading.

“We encourage each wrestler to find ways to get better,” remarked Brown. “It’s a true test to their willingness to succeed and not to fall short of their goals.

“This group has worked very hard,” he said. “We’ve been ranked or honorable mention in state for the last four years. That says a lot for our program.”

Four years ago in 2006, two freshmen were a part of a special group of eight Falcons that went to state. Since then, Nathan Brown and Ben Chappa have made annual visits to Madison.

This year Brown (149-31 overall) and Chappa (130-18 overall) became the first Falcon wrestlers in program history to make four consecutive state appearances—one of many records the two standouts shattered during their careers.

Altogether they wrestled 328 matches for the Falcons, combining for 279 wins.

“I can’t say enough on what Nathan and Ben have meant to our program,” Brown expressed. “We will miss them. They have left a mark that others will strive to reach.”

Chappa overcame a few setbacks in his four-year career, but never wavered in his goal to become a state champion. Coach Brown felt that Chappa accomplishments speak for themselves.

Seniors Jared Ertman, Eric Albrecht, Matt St. Andre, Ben Tenpas, Ian Fouts and Jordan Zastrow also made their mark on the Falls program.

“These wrestlers brought a lot of experience to this team,” commented Brown. “They played an important part of this team’s success over the years.

Brown is excited for the future, with two-time state qualifier Lucas Lambrecht set to return, along with veterans Chase Schultz, Jeff Becker, Jeremiah Kramasz and Ryan Fillafer, who finished the season with over 20 wins each.

Brown said the incoming eighth-grade class is loaded with talent and feels the program will continue to improve.

Falls opened the season with a goal to take back the EWC plaque. The Falcons started their quest on a strong note by posting a 37-34 comeback win over defending 2009 EWC champion Kewaskum.

The following weekend, the Falcons went 1-3 at the Spartan Duals. Falls came back to go 5-0 at the Falcon Invite and take the title for the fifth straight season.

The Falcons then took down Two Rivers 40-28 to move to 2-0 in the EWC.

Campbellsport gave Falls a crucial blow to their EWC hopes by topping the tough Falcons 43-21.

The resilient Falls squad rebounded with a 40-31 victory over New Holstein and a fourth-place showing at the Cutler Invite.

Lopsided wins over Plymouth, Kiel and Waupun coupled with a Kewaskum victory over Campbellsport gave Falls a three-way share of its third conference title in four years.

The Falcons also finished second at the Sheboygan North Raider Invite.

Falls crowned four champions at the EWC Tournament in New Holstein, but came in third behind Campbellsport and Kewaskum.

In regional action, the host Falcons came up short in its bid for a sixth straight regional title, losing to Valders. However, Falls sent seven wrestlers to the sectional meet.

At the sectional competition, another program record was set when Brown, Lambrecht and Chappa won titles and received first-round byes at state.

Brown and Lambrecht lost their first two matches at state, without advancing to the medal rounds. Chappa went 3-0 to become the first Falls state champion since 1986.