Three Amherst wrestlers qualified for this year’s WIAA Individual Sectional Wrestling Tournament held in Seymour, Wis., on Sat., Feb. 22. Junior Otto Anglemyer (144 pounds), senior Gideon Cole (150) and freshman Andrew Helbach (113) qualified for this year’s tournament with each registering 25 or more wins on the season.
Anglemyer entered the sectional meet with 37 wins on the season and 98 career wins, and although he didn’t reach the coveted milestone of 100, he’s sure to get it early next season.
“Otto is our most experienced and polished wrestler,” said Amherst head wrestling coach Max Villnow. “He is a very committed wrestler who puts in plenty of work in season, but also out of season. I think Otto is currently wrestling the best he has all season, so I was very excited to see what he could do at sectionals.
“Things didn’t go as planned at sectionals but that happens. Wrestling is a tough sport. We can control our effort, but we can’t control the outcome. Although we didn’t get the results we wanted, I’m still proud of the effort these guys put in this season. They have nothing to hang their heads about,” Villnow added.
Cole’s leadership and work ethic was praised by Villnow who noted that Cole has come a long way despite just picking up this very difficult sport well into his high school career.
“Another very hard worker, Gideon is a great leader. He does a lot to set the tone in the practice room and to build our team’s culture. He started wrestling for the first time as a sophomore, so the progress he has made in just three years really says a lot about his work ethic and practice habits. Down the stretch, his determination is winning him matches,” Villnow said.
Helbach enjoyed a promising freshmen season and entered the sectional with high expectations. “He has racked up 31 wins so far this year and looked to improve on that at sectionals. He is one of the hardest workers on the team and I think that is really paying off at the end of the season,” Villnow said.
Three advance through regionals: Led by Anglemyer, Amherst placed 11th overall as a team at this year’s regional meet. Anglemyer was 4-1 on the day and placed second while Cole was third with a record of 3-2. Helbach was also 3-2 overall, placing third as well. Everet Elizalde (132) was 2-2 on the day while Tyler Johnson (120) went 1-2. Landon Wenzel (138) finished fifth. Finn Schoepke (190), Benjamin Blanco (175), and Aiden Winn (157) also wrestled but did not place.
5th at conference meet: The Falcons placed fifth at the conference meet with Anglemyer placing second at 144 pounds to lead the Falcons. Anglemyer was 2-1 at the meet. Helbach and Johnson, who was also 2-1 at the meet, each placed third. Wenzel was fourth at 138. Placing fifth at the meet were Cooper Kubisiak (126), Elizalde, Cole, and Schoepke. Kubisiak, Elizalde, and Schoepke notched two pins apiece at the meet.
