FENNIMORE — Friday was a special night in multiple ways for the Fennimore wrestling team.

     The Golden Eagles celebrated Senior Night by clinching a fifth straight Southwest Wisconsin Activities League duals title with a 40–22 victory over rival Mineral Point.

     Fennimore improved to 7–0 overall and finished a perfect 6–0 in SWAL duals. The Pointers fell to 11–3, 4–1.

     Prior to the match, the capacity crowd honored former Fennimore head coach Greg Jentz, who will be inducted into the Wisconsin chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame later this year.

     Fennimore’s seniors Kohl Wardell, Trevor Wanek, Maguire Fitzgerald, Brayden Leffler and Dylan Kehoe were also honored prior to the match.

     “It was great to have a packed house, especially since it was a special night for Greg Jentz that was just inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his 30-plus years of service to the sport of wrestling. This is a very significant recognition and Mr. Bob Miller (also a Hall of Feme member) did a great job introducing Jentz. 

     “It was great to see several Hall of Fame coaches in the gym that night. The competition was great as well. Coach Schmitz had his guys ready to go and we had a nice dual that showcased sound skill and good sportsmanship.”

      The dual opened with Mineral Point collecting a forfeit at 106 and Ross Lindsey pulling out a 2–0 overtime victory over Fennimore varsity reserve Macoy Fitzgerald at 113.

     Sophomore Brody Lee recorded a third-period pin at 120 to get the Golden Eagles on the scoreboard, but Danny Pittz’s 9–1 major decision at 126 and Caden Carey’s 4–2 overtime victory over Alex Birchman at 132 gave the Pointers a 16–6 advantage.

     Junior Aiden Nutter made quick work of Bo Hansen at 138 for a six-point pin in 1:17, but Point’s Logan Schmiz and Nolan Springer collected back-to-back victories at 145 and 152 as Point upped its lead to 22–12.

     Junior Trent Helms began Fennimore’s turnaround with a 6–0 victory over Chandler Workman at 160 pounds.

     Senior Maguire Fitzgerald was a 7–3 winner at 170, and junior Will Ahnen’s overtime pin of Kyle Vondra gave the Eagles’ a 24–22 lead.

     Junior Logan Klaas scored an 18–6 major decision at 195, then senior Brayden Leffler pinned Mason Horn at 220. Junior Devin Kohrs closed out the match dual with a second-period pin of Garrett Ward in the 285-pound bout.

     “The team is wrestling well,” said Fennimore head coach Chad Steldt. “We are still recovering from some injuries so some of our backups had a chance to wrestling in front of the home crowd and they performed well. Macoy Fitzgerald almost pulled off the win against Mineral Point’s starter at 113. Then, we had Trent Helms stepping in and getting a big win at 160. Trent is a hammer in the practice room. We might be starting to see that in matches if Friday night is any sign of things to come.” 

     Fennimore defeated Darlington/Black Hawk 52–30 in a SWAL dual last Thursday night to set up Friday’s first-place showdown.

     “Against Darlington, I think our guys did  a great job attacking their ties like they have been and our bottom work has improved,” said Steldt. “We still have work to do on riding, flowing from one move to the next while keeping good skills. I am confident this will improve in the next month. There was some disappointment in the night, but those starters know what they need to do to fix the individual mistakes.”

     NEXT: The Golden Eagles (7–0, 6–0 SWAL) will travel to Richland Center Saturday for the 13-team SWC/SWAL Clash combined conference tournament. Fennimore has won four straight Clash titles.

Fennimore 40, Mineral Point 22

(from Friday, Jan. 25 @ Iowa–Grant)

106: Colbi Carey (MP) won by forfeit. 113: Ross Lindsey (MP) def. Macoy Fitzgerald (F) (2–0 OT). 120: Brody Lee (F) def. Trapper Nafzger (MP) (Fall 4:42). 126: Danny Pittz (MP) major dec. Mason Lull (F) (9–1). 132: Caden Carey (MP) def. Alex Birchman (F) (4–2 OT). 138: Aiden Nutter (F) def. Bo Hanson (MP) (Fall 1:17). 145: Logan Schmitz (MP) def. Trevor Wanek (F) (9–2). 152: Nolan Springer (MP) def. Nick Blaschke (F) (4–0). 160: Trent Helms (F) def. Chandler Workman (MP) (6–0). 170: Maguire Fitzgerald (F) def. Mason Hughes (MP) (7–3). 182: Will Ahnen (F) def. Kyle Vondra (MP) (Fall 6:36). 195: Logan Klaas (F) maj. dec. Daniel Nordstorm (MP) (18–6). 220: Brayden Leffler (F) def. Mason Horn (MP) (Fall 1:38). 285: Devon Kohrs (F) def. Garrett Ward (MP) (Fall 3:36).

Fennimore 52, Darlington/Black Hawk 30

(from Thursday, Jan. 24 @ Iowa–Grant)

Individual match results not available