2002-03 Prep Wrestling Preview

Wisconsin State Journal

Saturday, December 21, 2002 Jesse Osborne

Big Eight Conference
* Looking back:
2001-02 dual standings -- Janesville Craig 8-0, Sun Prairie 6-2, Janesville Parker 5-2-1, Madison Memorial 5-2-1, Middleton 5-3, Beloit Memorial 3-5, Madison East 2-6, Madison La Follette 1-7, Madison West 0-8.
2001-02 conference meet champion -- Janesville Craig.
* Looking ahead: 2003-03 favorites -- Janesville Craig, Middleton, Sun Prairie. Key dates -- Dec. 17: Janesville Craig 42, Middleton 24. Jan 28: Janesville Craig at Madison Memorial.
* Wrestlers to watch:
Beloit Memorial -- Travis Dahl, sr., 152, (15-14, 2nd in conference); Stephen Jacobson, sr., 189, (16-14, 3rd in conference); Rick Shumaker, sr., hwt. (17-13, 3rd in conference).
Janesville Craig -- Braden Radunzel, jr., 135, (32-3, conference champion, state qualifier); Justin Gutoski, sr., 145, (32-10, conference champion, 6th in state); Kevin Vogt, sr., 160, (13-11, 2nd in conference).
Janesville Parker -- Dan Jackson, sr., 103, (conference champion); Justin Busfield, sr., 189-215, (5th in conference).
Madison East -- Sergio Mireles, fr., 112; Andy Kelley, sr., 125; Aaron Whalen, sr. 160.
Madison La Follette -- Rodney Clendening, jr., 140, (16-16, 3rd in conference); Tanner Meier, jr., 160, (24-12, 2nd in conference); Tyler Knutson, sr., 189, (22-8).
Madison Memorial -- R.J. Brachman, sr., 119, (2nd in conference); Tony Ayala, sr., 125, (28-2, conference champion).
Madison West -- Eric Wullschleger, jr., 119. Ekachai Steinhorst, sr., 125.
Middleton -- Cory Acker, jr., 112, (24-9, 3rd in conference); Ryan Williamson, sr., 171, (29-8, conference champion); Mike Jackowski, sr., 189, (32-6, conference champion, 4th at state).
Sun Prairie --Jon Clark, sr., 103, (26-6; 2nd in conference, state qualifier); Kody Feiner, sr., 112, (26-7, conference champion); Steve Butcher, sr., hwt. (30-2; conference champion).
* What to watch:
There have been five different conference champions over the past seven seasons, but Janesville Craig is looking to make its mark with a third straight title.
Middleton, led by conference champions Ryan Williamson (171) and Mike Jackowski (189), looks to have its strongest team since 1996 when it last won the Big Eight.
Madison Memorial's Tony Ayala, a conference champion last season at 130, is looking to make his first state tournament appearance.
The Sun Prairie duo of Kodey Feiner (125) and Steve Butcher (heavyweight), both conference champions last year, make the Cardinals a threat.