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Prairie wrestling team stays on successful path

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Senior Matt Rogge uses an “Auggie” ride against his Richland Center opponent during a recent meet. Rogge went on to deck his opponent with a first period fall. Rogge is one of several experienced upperclassmen who are helping to lead the Prairie du Chien team in attaining its high aspirations this season.

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The Prairie du Chien High School wrestling program has made great strides in recent years and is continuing that tradition this season. 

Prairie du Chien is the undefeated Southwest Wisconsin Conference Champion for the 2020-2021 season, and the team has its sights set on returning to the state team tournament for the second consecutive year, and also sending numerous wrestlers to the state individual tournament.

“I think the team is doing what it is expected to do. We have high aspirations,” said Coach Mike Rogge. “Hopefully, we will continue to build on that success. We have a lot of experience with our upperclassmen and we have multiple ranked wrestlers.”

Rogge also noted that the Blackhawks are ranked sixth in Division 2.

The Hawks are 4-1 in dual meets so far this season, with their only loss coming to a tough Mineral Point team at a time when the Hawks were not at full strength due to injuries. Prairie du Chien is undefeated in conference action, and has also gone undefeated in several quadrangulars.

In preparation for the upcoming regional to be held in the Prairie du Chien Fieldhouse on Jan. 30, the Hawk grapplers will host a very tough quadrangular on Friday, Jan. 22 beginning at 6 p.m. Three Division 1 teams will be coming to town, including a respected Sparta team, third ranked Holmen, and second ranked and always powerful Stoughton, the defending State Team Champion.

Not only should it prove to be exciting wrestling action, the Prairie du Chien boys should gain good experience as well as be able to gauge how well they stack up against top-notch competition.

Rogge said the post season will be a bit tougher this season because only two wrestlers in each weight class will advance from the regional, and only two will advance from the sectional and qualify for state.

The sectional meet will be held in Richland Center on Feb. 6. The Division 2 Individual State Meet will be held in Adams Friendship on Feb. 13 rather than in Madison. The State Team Tournament will be held in Adams Friendship on Feb. 20.

As the Prairie du Chien program continues along its highly successful path, Coach Rogge said he would like to thank his assistant coaches who have been outstanding. He also offered thanks for the support of all the team’s fans. 

“Without their support, we wouldn’t be successful,” he said.

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