Wrestling: Bobcat freshman extends season with 3rd-place effort
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SHAWANO, Wis. -- The 2021-22 season will continue on for one member of the Florence varsity wrestling team.
Bobcat freshman Breyson Kelley wrestled his way to a third-place finish in the 160-pound division at the WIAA Individual Sectionals in Shawano, qualifying him to advance to the state finals tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison on Feb. 24-26.
That follows a second-place finish at the regional tournament in Coleman on Feb. 12.
At the sectional invitational Saturday, Kelley got off to a solid start with a win in his opening match against Shiocton's Brad Demerath.
"Breyson lost to Demerath in triple OT last December," said Florence coach Ed Kelley. "This was also another close match."
Breyson Kelley found himself down 0-1 as time was running down, but quickly lit up the scoreboard with two points for a reversal and another three for near-fall to win the match 5-1.
He also won his second match by decision, outscoring Tren VanDenElzen of Suring-Gillett 5-3.
But Kelley would suffer his first setback of the day in the championship round when he was pinned by Stratford's Elijah Lucio.
"We knew Lucio was a strong wrestler and likes to use his strength," Coach Kelley said. "We were going to try to keep it close going into the third period. Down 1-4 in the second, Lucio caught Breyson."
In the wrestle-back for second place, the Bobcat grappler lost a rematch with Coleman's Will Bieber 10-1.
"Breyson wrestled well against Bieber, but he gave up big moves to him," his coach said.
The loss dropped Kelley to 2-2 on the day, but that was still good enough for third place in his weight class and to advance to the state tournament. It was also good enough for Kelley to make some school history.
"Breyson is the 12th wrestler in Florence history to make it to the state tournament," Coach Kelley said. "He is also the second freshman to accomplish this. Shamus McLain was the first freshman, doing it in 2017."
Report compiled by Dennis Mansfield, Daily News sports editor. He can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 244, or at dmansfield@ironmountaindailynews.com.