Freshman wrestler ranked as one of state’s best
STANTON - The Quad County Northeast boys wrestling team traveled to Stanton last weekend and had a very successful day, according to head coach Mark Lech.
He had reason to say so as his grapplers secured six medals out of the nine that participated as the team finished third overall out of 19 teams.
Ajay Gubbels and Kolby Casey both won their respective weight classes at 182 and 220 pounds.
Ethan Gregory finished third at 106 pounds and went 3-2 overall on the day. Gavin Wortman placed fourth in the 152-pound class and went 3-2 while Gage Jensen also placed fourth at 160 and additionally finished 3-2.
Freshman Lance Stange wrestled in the 285-pound weight class and placed fourth in his class. Stange continues his ascension after excelling in junior high and currently is rated as the 60th best freshmen wrestler in the state.
“Lance was a very successful junior high and club wrestler,” Lech said. “He has carried this over into his young high school career and is doing well as a freshman. He has placed in both of his high school tournaments and has a good early record that he will build on going forward.”
Stange said that with the ranking comes bigger expectations and more wrestlers are now targeting him to try to prove they can beat him.
“I feel good about being ranked, but it’s a lot to handle because everyone’s coming for me,” Stange said.
“My first few tournaments went well. The first one I wrestled decent and came out on top. This tournament I wrestled OK. The biggest adjustment is changing my style of wrestling from junior high school.
“I am changing from throwing headlocks and trying different moves and shots. I have added a duck under where you go under their arm and use your arm to ride their arm off of their hip.”
Stange who only started wrestling in sixth grade has grown quickly in the sport.
“I always worked hard in practice and train my hardest,” Stange said. “I leave it all on the mat. The team has pushed me very hard and the team aspect is there. My team supports me win or lose. They have helped a lot.
“I would like to be on the podium (top eight at Class D2 state). I am the only heavyweight freshman on the (Top 60) list. A lot of seniors that are ranked are coming for my spot and other freshmen are coming for it too.”
Bryson Eledge, Brayden Worlein, and Justin Backer also wrestled at the tournament, but did not end up in the medal round.
“All of the wrestlers competed well and made improvements at a tough tournament,” Lech said.
The Blaze have a quad in Pender Thursday with the host, Stanton and Winside in a rendezvous. The boys will then travel to the Wisner tournament Saturday while the Lady Blaze head to Elgin on Friday and to Summerland on Monday.
“After the busy weekend, the wrestlers will take a break and start again after Christmas,” Lech said.
