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One and done for Sebranek at state tourney
The senior standout surrenders 18 pounds, loses first match at 195
max sebranek
Hillsboro's Max Sebranek was pinned by Clear Lakes Mitch Lein at the 4:28 mark of the third period of Thursday nights Division 3 preliminary matches at the Kohl Center. - photo by Nate Beier photo/Sentry-Enterprise archives

MADISON — Giving up nearly 20 pounds to most of his opponents throughout the postseason just qualifying for the WIAA Individual Wrestling State Tournament for a second straight year was quite an accomplishment for Hillsboro senior Max Sebranek.

Like a year ago, Sebranek’s final state tournament experience was a brief one.

Sebranek was pinned by Clear Lake’s Mitch Lein at the 4:28 mark of the third period of Thursday night’s Division 3 preliminary matches at the Kohl Center.

With the way the WIAA tournament is set up, a loss in the prelims knocks a wrestler out of the tournament. There are no second chances.

“We knew that at the state tournament with giving up so much weight was going to be a challenge,” said Hillsboro head coach Snapper Verbsky. “Max weighed in at 180 pounds Thursday while his opponents in his weight class were weighing in at 198. Giving up 18 pounds at the level of competition is a lot to overcome.”

Sebranek (34–10) was taken down in the first period and trailed 2–0.

After choosing a neutral start to begin the second period Sebranek was again taken to the mat by Lein, but later escaped to make it 4–1 entering the third and final period.

Lein chose to start neutral and once again took Sebranek down.

Sebranek tried using a gramby roll to get loose, but got caught on his back and Lein secured the pin.

Sebranek lost a 6–0 decision in his first state tournament match at 182 a year ago and finished his junior season 21–9.

“For Max just to get down to state a second time is quite an accomplishment,” said Verbsky. “We made the decision to go to 195 because we thought that was his best shot at getting to state, and Max did that.”

Sebranek ended his fine four-year career with a record of 104–39 (.727).

He became just the seventh Hillsboro wrestler to win 100 matches joining Verbsky (101–20, Class of 1994), his older brother Ethan Sebranek (142–37, 2010), Derek Coorough (142–20, 2002), Ethan Urban (100 wins, 2009), Cody Urban (100 wins, 2010) and 2013 graduate and state qualifier Spencer Treu (102–47).

“Max has always been a great anchor for the team and someone we have come to rely on,” added Verbsky. “Next year, we are going to miss that.”