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MADISON – Five of the seven Stratford wrestlers in the quarterfinals won their matches Friday afternoon to advance to the Division 3 semifinals at the 2015 WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament at the Kohl Center.
Stratford’s A.J. Schoenfuss improved to 44-2 with a pin of Andrew Webb of Spring Valley/Elmwood in 1:48 of their 106-pound quarterfinal match. Schoenfuss will battle Zach Anglin (32-10) of Bayfield/Washburn in a semifinal tonight.
Jeremy Schoenherr of Stratford won his 113-pound quarterfinal by a 16-1 technical fall over Andrew Gunderson of Cadott. Schoenherr (40-2) will face Riley Lully (45-2) of Fennimore in the semifinals.
Stratford sophomore Mason Kauffman continued his undefeated campaign by winning a 15-1 major decision over Max Maylor of Iowa-Grant/Highland in a 126-pound quarterfinal. Kauffman will take on Austin Najbrt (40-4) of Cadott in the semifinals.
Kamren Bornbach improved to 39-3 after pinning Austin Stebane of Brillion in a 182-pound quarterfinal in just 1:21. Bornbach will face Rowdy Kochevar (41-6) of Flambeau in the semifinals.
Hunter Kauffman also won his quarterfinal match for Stratford, pinning Derek Medearis of New Lisbon in 5:40. Kauffman (40-1) will take on Ethan Hofacker (39-5) of Spring Valley/Elmwood in a 220-pound semifinal.
Stratford’s Sam Wenzel and Tyson Kauffman were knocked into the consolation bracket, and later eliminated from the tournament, after losing their quarterfinal and consolation matches Friday afternoon.
Wenzel (31-13) was pinned by Cruze Hurlburt (38-3) of Spring Valley/Elmwood in 29 seconds in the quarterfinals, then lost to Frank Baker (42-7) of Mineral Point 6-1 in a consolation match later Friday afternoon.
Tyson Kauffman lost his 285-pound quarterfinal to Jordan Brandt (42-1) of Reedsville by pin in 3:56. Kauffman (32-14) and later lost to Andy Bork (34-7) of Weyauwega-Fremont in a consolation match as he was pinned in 2:59.
Spencer’s Bryce Shaw lost in his quarterfinal at 113 pounds to Cumberland’s Lucas Graf (36-3) 9-8. Shaw (28-19), the last Rocket still alive in the tournament after Tim Bauer and Hunter Luepke were eliminated Thursday, defeated Daniel Watry (17-6) of Ozaukee in a consolation match 8-4 and will wrestle in a consolation semifinal Saturday morning.
One of Auburndale’s two state tournament qualifiers advanced to the semifinals.
Wyatt Weiler (43-7) edged Helton Vandenbush (38-12) of Random Lake 6-5 in a 160-pound quarterfinal. Weiler will take on Jeremiah Moody (43-1) of Cambridge in a semifinal tonight.
Paul Willfahrt (43-6) lost his 152-pound quarterfinal by a 17-2 technical fall to Cole Martin (43-1) of Lancaster. Willfahrt went on to defeat Alex Colbeth (35-7) in a consolation match later Friday 4-1. Willfahrt will wrestle in a consolation semifinal on Saturday.
The semifinals in all three divisions is tonight starting at 7 p.m.