Pecatonica/Argyle senior Lukas Orloff was denied a state championship in his 132 1b. final 7-4.
He was state runner up last year at 113.
Pec/Argyle coach Grant Sutter had this to say about the tourney:
“Hard to believe that the season has come and gone just like that. It has been a heck of a ride with this team of the boys and girls that make up Pec/Argyle wrestling. We have come a long ways since this time last year, and plan to keep on the positive trajectory we’re headed on.
“Regarding the state tournament and how our individuals faired through the weekend, I’ve got a lot of mixed emotions. With Charlie Krebs and Layton Gruenenfelder both being freshmen making their first appearances at the Kohl Center, it was a great learning experience for them. What they learned over the weekend will be very vital in future preparations as they continue through high school wrestling. I felt both boys wrestled well on Thursday night, but just did t have enough to keep them on the championship side of the bracket. They needed a good start Friday morning to keep their hopes for a medal alive. Unfortunately, they both came out a little flat that morning and saw their tournament and season come to an end in the consolation bracket.
“As for Lukas Orloff, I want to start out by stating, what an incredible career from that young man. Surely one of the best to ever come through this program. As good of a wrestler he has been, he’s been an even better person through it all.
“What happened to him Saturday night felt like a grave injustice to wrestling. The better wrestler of that match was not declared the winner. In my opinion, the referee of that match interjected himself in such a drastic way that it affected the final outcome. Lukas did everything right to come out as the winner of the match, however the referee’s calls saw otherwise. It’s been a tough pill to swallow as I know how hard this kid has worked to achieve that goal. We talk a lot about controlling the controllables and that’s exactly what he did through the entire tournament. It was the uncontrollables that took the state title out of his hands. I’m not trying to be bitter over this situation, but I also feel the need to stand up for what I think is right for that young man, that has meant so much to this program and everybody around it.
“This sport builds character, and unfortunately that match will be a big character builder in a way we didn’t want it to be. I believe Lukas will grow from this in the future on the mat as well as off the mat. I bet he makes a great coach one day, as it’s been similar character building matches I’ve endured, that have helped me as a coach.
“Until next year, we’ll stay ready!”
Pecatonica/Argyle Results
113 Champ. Rd of 16 Layton Gruenenfelder (42-7) Fr., PEAR over Sawyer Kundinger (33-12) So., AUBU (F 2:40), Quarters Jaydon LeNoble (25-4) Jr., WEFR over Layton Gruenenfelder (42-7) Fr., PEAR (Dec 4-2), Cons. Quarters Will Kratochvill (31-11) Jr., LANC over Layton Gruenenfelder (42-7) Fr., PEAR (TF 16-0 (3:42))
120 Cons. Sub-Quarters Charlie Krebs (41-14) Fr., PEAR received a bye, Champ. Rd of 16 Caleb Schreiber (37-14) Jr., RALA over
Charlie Krebs (41-14) Fr., PEAR (MD 15-6), Cons. Quarters Wyatt “Trapper” Hoffman (35-13) Fr., IGH over Charlie Krebs (41-14) Fr., PEAR (MD 13-1)
132 Champ. Rd of 16 Lukas Orloff (51-1) Sr., PEARreceived a bye, Quarters Lukas Orloff (51-1) Sr.,
PEAR over Mason Demerath (41- 11) Sr., SHIO (TF 18-3 (2:19)), Semis Lukas Orloff (53-1) Sr., PEAR over Jordan Lisiecki (39-5) Jr., LOMI (TF 24-9 (4:43), 1st Place Match McAllister Ramage (45-2) Sr., LCL over Lukas Orloff (53-2) Sr., PEAR (SV 7-4)