Falls take second at Falcon Invite

by Steve Ottman Falls News Correspondent

The Sheboygan Falls wrestling team took second place with a 4-1 record at the Falcon Invitational Dual Meet at home Saturday, Dec. 10.
Escanaba, Mich. defeated Falls 42-35 to finish 5-0 and take first place overall.
The Falcons recorded match wins over South Milwaukee (38-33), Berlin (49-13), Nicolet (48-33) and Ozaukee (40-39).
Following the meet, Falls improved to 4-6 overall (1-1 in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference).
Sophomore Alex Fitzgerald (126 pounds) and Jeff Becker (152 pounds) finished undefeated in the meet to lead the Falls squad.
Becker scored three pins to go 5-0 and Fitzgerald had two technical fall victories and a major decision triumph en route to a 5-0 record.
Posting 4-1 records for the Falcons were junior Drew Setzer (three pins, 195 pounds), junior Brandon Broetzmann (two pins, 145 pounds) and sophomore Eric Klemme (one pin, 160 pounds).
Seniors Andrew Ernisse (120 pounds) and Nick Owens (170 pounds) both went 3-2 with one pin each for the Falcons.
Falls senior Ben Fairbotham and sophomore teammate Kyle Dawson each finished 3-2, collecting three forfeits apiece.
“We came out flat against Escanaba,” said Falcons' head coach Brad Knecht. “I felt we had a nice comeback against Ozaukee, but giving up three weight classes hurts.”
The Falcons suffered their first EWC loss of the season by falling to Kewaskum 36-27 Thursday, Dec. 8. Jeff Becker led Falls with a 2:29 pin, while Alex Fitzgerald and Dakota Lloyd both posted 8-7 comeback wins.
Fitzgerald was down 6-4 in his match and Lloyd rallied from a 7-0 deficit to score a hard-fought victory.
Setzer came through with a big 7-2 decision. Fairbotham won by disqualification, but was in control throughout his match.
“We came up short on our plan to make up for being short-handed,” remarked Knecht. “It could been a huge difference.”
The Falcons were without Lucas and Mitchell Lambrecht, who were not available to wrestle in either meet.

KEWASKUM	36
SHEBOYGAN FALLS	27

Match results
285 - Garrett Buth K forfeit.
106 - Double forfeit.
113 - Nick bier K pin Kyle Dawson SF 1:09.
120 - Andrew Ernisse SF forfeit.
126 - Alex Fitzgerald SF over Logan Dreher K 8-7.
132 - Dakota Lloyd SF over Andy Pryor K 8-7.
138 - Joey Seitz K pin Charles Menke SF 4:52.
145 - Brett Scoles K over Brandon Broetzmann SF 6-0.
152 - Jeff Becker SF pin Max Maertz K 2:29.
160 - Joey Wallner K over Jake Becker SF 8-1.
170 - Derek Aupperle K pin Nick Owens SF 5:49.
182 - Teddy Wollner K pin Eric Klemme SF 1:22.
195 - Drew Setzer SF over Lance Pinchard K 7-2.
220 - Ben Fairbotham SF over Garret Yahr K DQ.