Birds, Tiedt should lead deep Demons squad back to top of SLC
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
The Burlington wrestling program has been a model of success for this entire decade.
With a defending state champion, state qualifier and a conference champ all back in the fold, the Demons show no signs of falling off.
As it has the past four seasons, Burlington will look to advance to team state and send multiple boys to the individual state wrestling tournament.
The Demons opened the season last week with a 58-9 home beatdown of Delavan-Darien Dec. 3 followed by a first-place finish at the Gunslinger Invite Saturday.
Brothers Jared and Josh Bird won titles back-to-back at 132 and 138 pounds, respectively, and Nathan Crayton (182), Juanye Thornton (220) and Hegeman Tiedt 285) capped off the tournament with championships.
Burlington totaled 258.25 points, 14 better than host Slinger (244.25).
Here’s a season preview from Burlington head coach Jade Gribble, compiled by the Burlington Standard Press:
Coach, Years in Position: Jade Gribble, 12th season
Career Record: 127-36
Assistant Coaches: Jason Bousman, Jerry Barr, Tim Burd, Greg Gross, Jim Friend
Last year’s record (Overall, Conference): 12-2 (6-1)
Key returning letter-winners, year in school, position, accomplishments:
– Josh Bird (Sr) – 3X State Finalist, 2X Champion, 3X Conf Champion 132/138
– Jared Bird (So) – State Qualifier, Conf Champ 126-132
– Luke Iverson (Sr) – 3X Letterwinner 120-126
– Lance Otter (Jr) – Conf Runner-up, 2X Letterwinner 160
– Nate Crayton – (So) – Conf Runner-up 182
– Tristan Lind – (Sr) – Conf Runner-up 195
– Hegeman Tiedt – (Sr) – Conf Champ 220/285
Other letter-winners, year in school, position:
Ben Travis (Jr) – 126, Ryder Elliott (Sr) – 145, Eric Fettig (So) – 145.
Key newcomers, year, positions:
Zeke Isaacson – (Fr) – 106, Zac Weiler – (Fr) 113, Juanye Thornton, jr., 220.
Graduated Seniors, accomplishments:
Robbie Elsbury – 3X Letterwinner, Ben Hornickle – 4X Letterwinner, 4X Conference Champion, 4X State Qualifier, 3X State Placewinner, State Runner-up – Currently wrestling at the University of Wyoming, Lucas Shenkenberg – 4X Letterwinner, State Qualifer (Jr year), Wes Gavin – 4X Letterwinner, Conf Champion (Jr year), State Qualifier, Chris Marks – Conf Champ (Jr year), Nick Otter – Conf Champ
Season goals?
We want to compete for a conference, regional, and sectional title as well as have several young men on the podium at the individual state tournament.
How does conference stack up?
Badger, Burlington, Elkhorn, and Waterford will all have good teams this year. I see the conference as pretty evenly matched.
Biggest strength, weakness?
Strength – good leadership and a talented group of wrestlers
Weakness – lack of depth at some weights because of smaller numbers
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