Titans Crown Two at WIAC Championships
STEVENS POINT, Wis.—Beau Yineman and Luc Valdez claimed top honors at the 2023 WIAC Wrestling Championships. In total, the Titans placed six on the podium and finished in fifth place at the championships.
Yineman, who won the 197 crown in 2021 and 2022, claimed it for a third-straight year. Yineman defeated Tyler Hannah of Platteville in sudden victory for the first place finish. Yineman won by a tech fall in the quarterfinals of Blake Flach (Stevens Point) (TF-1.5, 3:14, 16-0). In the semifinal match, Yineman posted a 4-1 decision over Marcus Orlandoni. Yineman was the 2019 runner-up at 197.
Valdez, who was the runner-up at 125 a year ago, defeated Brandon Murphy of La Crosse to claim the 125 crown. Valdez posted a 7-5 decision over Remington Bontreger (La Crosse) in the quarterfinals before defeating Whitewater's Tyler Klein in a 2-1 decision. Valdez posted a 3-0 decision over Murphy in the championship match.
Valdez was also named the Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Eli Mondrella was named to the All-Sportsmanship team.
Dennis Murphy finished in fifth place for the Titans, wrestling at 133. Murphy posted a 5-1 decision over Cael Weinzweig (La Crosse) in the quarterfinals before falling to Dominik Mallinder (Whitewater) in the semifinals on a 6-1 decision. Zachary Weiler (La Crosse) won by fall over Murphy in the consolation semifinals (Fall 1:38). Murphy posted a 12-6 decision over Blaze Thurber (Stevens Point) in the fifth place match.
Guyon Cyprian Jr. finished in fifth place for the Titans, competing at 285. Cyprian posted a 6-2 decision over Wyatt Ripp of Platteville in the opening round before dropping a 2-0 decision in the quarterfinals. Cyprian posted a 9-4 decision over Karson Richardson (Stevens Point) and a 3-1 decision over Spencer Brewton (La Crosse) to reach the consolation semifinals. Cyprian fell in sudden victory to Brett Schoenherr of Platteville (SV-1, 3-1). In the fifth place match, Cyprian posted a 3-2 decision over Ben Gunderson to claim fifth place.
At 141, Elijah Sanchez finished in sixth place for the Titans. Dakarai Clay (Whitewater) posted a 9-1 major decision over Sanchez in the quarterfinals. After receiving a bye, Sanchez won by fall over Graeson Pankratz (Stevens Point) (Fall 6:45). Sanchez dropped the consolation semifinals to Andrew Kested (Eau Claire) in a major decision (12-0) before falling in the fifth place match to Ethan Pogorzelski in an 8-4 decision.
Nate Stokhaug took to the mat for the Titans at 165, finishing in sixth place. Stokhaug fell in the quarterfinals to Tristan Massie (Eau Claire) by a major decision (14-2) before receiving a bye in the second round. Stokhaug advanced to the consolation semifinals by a medical forfeit over Stevens Point's Brandon Peckham. Ryan Vedner (Whitewater) posted an 8-0 major decision over Stokhaug. In the fifth place match, Stokhaug fell to Jonathon Harvey (Eau Claire) by a 10-3 decision.
National Rankings
In the NWCA rankings released on February 2, the Titans are tied for 21st in the team tournament rankings. Yineman is ranked No. 2 at 197-lbs. in the national rankings and holds the top spot in the Upper Midwest rankings. Valdez is ranked No. 2 in the Upper Midwest while Denis Murphy makes an appearance at No. 5 in the region.
In the Open Mat team rankings, the Titans sit at No. 25. Individually, Yineman holds the top spot at 197.
In the D3wrestle rankings, released on January 25, the Titans have two wrestlers in the rankings. Yineman leads all wrestlers at 197 while Valdez is an honorable mention at 125.