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By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MADISON – Spencer/Marshfield Columbus Catholic wrestlers Nick Vaughan and Kyle Andreae both were eliminated from the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament after each lost a pair of matches Friday afternoon at the Kohl Center.
Vaughan, a junior, wraps up his season with a 33-14 record after dropping a Division 3 quarterfinal match to Ben Tauchen (45-1) of Bonduel, the defending Division 3 state champion at 189 pounds, and a consolation bracket match to Zach Brill (33-3) of Oostburg 5-3.
Andreae, a sophomore, lost his quarterfinal match at 285 pounds to Cole Johnson (35-7) of De Soto by technical fall 15-0, then was pinned by Jacob Deskings (33-4) of Montello in 2:01 in a consolation match to end his season with a 22-11 record.
Both wrestlers reached the quarterfinals with opening-round wins on Thursday night and needed just one win Friday to guarantee a top-six finish and a state tournament medal. However, they couldn’t get it done and Spencer/Columbus coach Adam Vaughan hopes it leaves them with a passion to continue to work hard and get back to the state meet next season.
“I think it’s motivating, hopefully,” said Adam Vaughan, a cousin of Nick. “They can use it to work and get back here, or they can be satisfied. We’re happy, we’ve got good kids, and hopefully they want to get back down here and keep working hard.”
Spencer/Columbus’ third wrestler who qualified for the state meet, 119-pound freshman Trevor Ackman, was eliminated in the first round on Thursday.
“It’s frustrating to get this close,” Adam Vaughan said. “They (Nick and Kyle) came into today thinking they would be in the medal round. Nick lost a close one and Kyle got caught. Talking to them afterwards I think they are going to satisfied, but hungry as well.”