#6 D2 Prairie Du Chien vs. #5 D3 Iowa-Grant Highland. That’s it, that’s all you should have to read to know you are tuning into this matchup taking place in the Prairie Du Chien fieldhouse tomorrow. In the off-chance that you have either A. Completely tuned out wrestling results west of I-39 and south of I-90 the last five years or B. Intentionally avoided my blogs due to the sheer amount of time it takes to get through them and you require more convincing, continue reading below.
If you like duals that come down to the wire, the consistent talent that both the SWC and SWAL conferences churn out, and generally are a fan of the top notch wrestling that Southwest Wisconsin provides us every year then look no further than the annual Prairie Du Chien vs. Iowa-Grant/Highland dual that somehow exceeds expectations year after year (sometimes twice depending on how the brackets shake out at the Dells Duals). Last year’s article was a 20+ minute read but this rivalry needs no fluff, no fancy intro, or my oft-utilized sidebars. Let’s just take a look at the numbers:
2020-2021: Prairie Du Chien 40, Iowa-Grant/Highland 33
2021-2022 Devils Duals: Iowa-Grant Highland 34, Prairie Du Chien 33
2021-2022: Iowa-Grant/Highland 43, Prairie Du Chien 30
2022-2023: Prairie Du Chien 34, Iowa-Grant/Highland 28
2023-2024: Prairie Du Chien 36, Iowa-Grant/Highland 34
2023-2024 Dells Duals: Prairie Du Chien 34, Iowa-Grant/Highland 33
Prairie Du Chien may have the 4-2 advantage over the last four years but let’s appreciate the fact that the aggregate score of the last six duals is 213-207, a mere six points in IGH’s favor. For all the great rivalries that this sport has produced over the years, none seem tighter and more even-keel than the annual battle between perpetual powerhouses in their respective areas and divisions. Add in the context that Prairie Du Chien is currently riding a five year streak of qualifying for Team State and IGH has consistently produced teams that are worthy of wrestling at the fieldhouse if not for the geographic integrity of WIAA postseason assignments and their proximity to a certain program whose success has literally propelled them into a higher division, and this is clearly not your your garden-variety rivalry.
Sure, the lineups may be different this year but when all you can point to is an IGH 3rd place finish and PDC 6th place finish at the Dells Duals last weekend as a signifier that one team has an advantage, all signs point to a dual once again coming down to the final matches. Oh yeah, we’ll also get a chance to see ten ranked wrestlers, six of whom are ranked in the top three of their weight class. Buckle your seatbelts folks, it’s time to strap in for Chapter Seven of one of the most storied rivalries of the 2020’s.
WATCH LIVE: https://rokfin.com/stream/55558/Prairie-Du-Chien-vs-Iowa-GrantHighland-LIVESTREAM
Potential Lineups
Iowa-Grant/Highland
106 Griffin Wineski (9, Youth State Qualifier)
113 Brayden Vacha (9)
120 Aiden Silbers (10)
126 Hayden Aultman (9)
132 Lucas Christiensen (12)
138 Aiden Bedward (12)
144 Colten Williams (9, Youth State Qualifier)
150 #2 Brock Hinderman (10, 4th @ State)
157 #1 Tyson Imhoff (12, 3rd @ State)
165 #1 Jaxon Busse (12, 3rd @ State)
175 Jackson McGuire (12)
190 #11 Gavin Hinderman (12)
215 Tucker Degenhardt (12)
285 #1 Bode Brokopp (12, 3rd @ State)
Prairie Du Chien
106 Keaton Achenbach (9)
113 Aspen Gelo (9)
120 #10 Hunter Reid (10)
126 Landon Thiry (9)
132 Forfeit
138 Porter Kossman (11
144 Jake Kramer (9)
150 #11@144 Mason Hird (11)
157 Jackson Perkins (12)
165 #6 Bryce Lenzendorf (12, State Qualifier)
175 Carter Simmons (10)
190 Jack MacEachern (12)
215 #2 Blake Thiry (12, 3rd @ State)
285 #3 Jack Simmons (11, 6th @ State)
Dual Analysis and Predictions
In a powerhouse match-up with some of the biggest names in D2 and D3 wrestling, this one might come down to the freshmen. There are four freshman head-to-head matchups in this one and with not a lot of varsity time under their belts, all of these matches are toss-ups.
At 106 Griffin Wineski-9 IGH and Keaton Achenbach-9 PDC both went 3-2 at the Dells against different competition. Brayden Vacha-9 IGH and Aspen Gelo-9 of PDC at 113 is the “greenest” match-up of the night as both got their first varsity action in Dells going 1-4. Early results give the nod to Hayden Aultman IGH over Landon Thiry at 126. The last battle of first year varsity wrestlers moves us all the way up to 144 with Jake Kramer PDC finding early varsity success against Colten Williams IGH who has had youth success qualifying for state last year.
After the freshmen trade blows it’s now up to big boys to step up to the mat as both line-ups are filled with state ranked wrestlers. Both PDC and IGH have five ranked wrestlers with 3 potential head-to-head ranked match-ups. Mason Hird PDC #11 has wrestled as high as 157 this year, but I expect him to settle in for this dual where he is ranked at 144 to take on #9 Max Kelley IGH who did not wrestle in the Dells last weekend. The 2nd potential ranked battle could take place at 165 with #1 ranked and 3rd place state medalist Jaxon Busse IGH against #6 ranked state qualifier Bruce Lenzendorf PDC. The last feature match of the night should be a dandy! #1 Bode Brokopp has never been afraid to let it fly going upper body, but will he be able to use that strategy against the immovable object in #3 Ranked Jackson Simmons who played football at a slim 265lbs?
For PDC to stay in this they are going to need the maximum bonus points with 120 #10 ranked Hunter Reid and 3rd place state medalist Blake Thiry who is ranked #2 at 215.We may not get to see #2 ranked Brock Hinderman at 150 on the mat tonight as I expect PDC to stay away from him as much as possible. IGH has developed their own “murderers row” as there is really nowhere to hide in the middle weights as #1 ranked and 3rd place state medalist Tyson Imhoff follows Hinderman. Sectional Qualifier Jackson Perkins of PDC will be a worthy opponent, but Hinderman is a buzzsaw and will not be denied bonus points. Gavin Hinderman Is IGH’s last ranked wrestler (11) at 190 and he will take the mat against a gritty senior in Jack MacEachern.
Ultimately the tale of the tape will come down to the freshman swing matches and bonus points earned from each team’s hammers. My nod for the battle of the “newbies” goes to IGH and the Panthers ranked wrestlers are going to score more points in head-to-head match-ups. IGH will avenge last year’s losses and win on the road.
Predictions
Steve: Iowa-Grant Highland 45, Prairie Du Chien 30
Teague: Iowa-Grant Highland 41, Prairie Du Chien 25
WATCH LIVE: https://rokfin.com/stream/55558/Prairie-Du-Chien-vs-Iowa-GrantHighland-LIVESTREAM
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