SVE wrestlers ready to deliver encore performance

• Team picture

Members of the 2012-13 Spring Valley/Elmwood wrestling team are in the first row (left to right): Quinton Eliott, Ryan Berg, Chris Craft, Hank Larson, Aaron Webb and Logan Newton. Second row: Zach Newton, Tyler Berg, Derek Huebel, Jed Schlegel, Colton Huebel, Mitch Thompson and Isaac Esanbock. Third row: Butch Rabitoy, Kevin Fesenmaier, Trent Miller, Ethan Hofacker, Jaron Turner, Mike Roesler and Tyler Larson. Missing: Ryan Asher, D.J. Wheeler, Devan Johnson, Chris Gerke, Jake Howe, Jacob Riley, Matt Fesenmaier and David Walker. -- Photo by Sean Scallon
• Thompson

SVE senior Mitch Thompson has the wrist of Unity’s Damon Bearhart locked in place in the 132-pound match during their Nov. 29 match.

Talk about it

You can excuse head coach Carter Turner for looking off into the distant future, however briefly, to look at the status of the Spring Valley/Elmwood wrestling program.

Not only did the Redbirds win their second straight Dunn-St. Croix Conference dual meet title, first-ever sectional title and team state tournament appearance brought out a record number of wrestlers to the team, but also has shaped it into more than just a flash-in-the-pan.

"We have a big freshman class, which is nice, with some very skilled wrestlers in it," Turner said. "We also have a team with a lot of brother combos on it, more than when my sons were wrestling for us. That's what the good programs have and how they can stay on top."

SV-Elmwood can stay on top this upcoming season but it won't be easy. The D-SC is as strong as ever from top to bottom with many good teams and wrestlers and the Redbirds will have to do so without nine seniors which help to make their rise possible. This includes state runner-up Brady Webb along with state qualifiers and place winners like Nick Berg, Andy Bune, Tyler Hunter, Conner Sieracki, Brian Fesenmaier and seniors Jon Newton, Steve Von Haden, and Cody Shafer.

Back for SVE from top to bottom are lightweight wrestlers like David Walker, Tyler Berg, Mitch Thompson and Zach Newton followed by middleweights such as Derek Huebel, Jaron Turner and upper weight wrestlers like Mike Roesler and Chris Craft.

"We are a younger team simply by the fact we lost nine seniors and have 14 freshmen coming in," Turner said. "But the freshmen coming in have good technique and mat experience and some of them have wrestled extensively in youth wrestling programs. They should be able to fill into spots in our line-up where need be."

Those would include wrestlers like Ethan Hofacker, Jed Schlegel and Ryan Berg along with Longan Newton and Colton Huebel.

Turner wants to see the team get stronger in the upper weights and hopes a season and offseason of experience and work will help returning lettermen like Craft, Roesler. SVE also picked up newcomers D.J. Wheeler to add depth to the upper weights and feel newcomers like Ethan Hofacker and Jake Howe can help the upper weights as well.

The strength of the team should reside in lower weight and upper middle weights with experienced wrestlers like Walker, Zach Newton, Tyler Berg, Thompson, Huebel and Jaron Turner. Junior Kevin Fesenmaier will also look to break into this part of the line-up as well.

Tags: spring valley, sports, wrestling, prep, wisconsin