Only Stockwell gets through for Ellsworth on day one of state

• Brent Stockwell

Brent Stockwell has a front headlock of East Troy's Zack Lamb.
• Logan Kemmerer

Logan Kemmerer tries to push back against Kewaskum's Brett Scoles.
• Ryan Dickhausen

Ryan Dickhausen has a standing hold of Freedom's Austin Vosters.
• Gabe Frandsen

Gabe Frandsen tries to get up from the mat against Port Washington's Josh Meins.

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MADISON - Brent Stockwell was the only Ellsworth wrestler to make it through to the quarterfinals of the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament Thursday at the Kohl Center.

Stockwell pinned Zack Lamb of East Troy 3-2 at 126 pounds. Stockwell only led 3-2 going into the second period, needing an escape after a reversal to get the lead back. But in the second period he put together the pinning combination.

"He got off to a slow start but once he got going he was in good shape." EHS head coach Chad Steldt said.

Unfortunately that wasn't true for three other Panther wrestlers. Logan Kemmerer fell behind early 4-0 after a missed takedown attempt led to a takedown and two-point nearfall to Kewaskum's Brett Scoles at 145. He lost 10-2. Ryan Dickhausen lost control of his 152-pound match to Freedom's Austin Vosters from the second period on and fell 9-2. And Gabe Frandsen gave up two takedown in the third period and lost 11-8 to Port Washington's Josh Meins. Frandsen needed a takedown and three-point nearfall just to tie the match at 7-7 after the second period when he fell behind 7-1.

Steldt says state experience played a key role in Ellsworth's outcomes for of the group of EHS wrestlers who grappled Thursday, only Stockwell has competed at state.

"Sure experience helps but we've been in enough big tournaments where we can't be shell-shocked," Steldt said. "You get that way and you fall behind and have to spend all your time and energy just trying to catch up. But that's not something you can teach though."

Thursday's results leaves just four EHS wrestlers competing in the Division 2 quarterfinals starting at 11 a.m. Defending champ Jenz Lantz takes on Lodi's John Joutras (Jr. 45-4) at 113; Stockwell faces Wrightstowns Brent Beuchler (Sr. 37-9); defending champ Raorke Langer has Sparta' Derek Von Ruden (45-8, Sr). as his 132-pound opponent and Parker Hines faces Luxemburg-Casco's Ethan Peters (Jr. 39-11).

Winners head on to the semifinals tonight starting at 7 p.m. Those not winner wrestle in the consolation round this afternoon.

Tags: sports, prep, wrestling, ellsworth