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Janesville wrestling showdown

JANESVILLE — Tomorrow night’s Big Eight Conference wrestling showdown between Janesville Parker and Janesville Craig won’t likely decide the dual meet champion.

Sun Prairie defeated both city schools and is in line for the undisputed title.

But that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of drama and excitement in the Cougar gym.

The crosstown city rivals are both 5-1, and with bragging rights on the line, this truly is THE biggest meet of the season.

“I’ve always looked at it like if you don’t beat Parker, you’re season is not successful,” Craig coach Jeff Kaster said. “And I’m sure they feel the same way about us.

“It’s too bad that the dual meet title is not on the line like it has been the last few years, but you still know it’s going to be a helluva match.”

Parker, the defending Big Eight tournament champion, is coming off a 42-26 home loss to Sun Prairie that in all likelihood denied the Vikings a dual meet title. Craig is coming off a hard-fought 37-36 win at Middleton.

Both city schools are strong in the lower weights. Starting at 103 pounds, and up through 130, each wrestler will bring a winning record into their match.

Parker’s Adam Cavey and Craig’s Kyle Upmann are a combined 35-9 at 103 pounds, while the Vikings’ Brennan Casey-Schmidt and the Cougars’ Chris Pierce are 32-8 combined while wrestling at either 125 or 130.

“We match up our strength against their strength, and our weakest weights are probably Parker’s, too,” Kaster said.

“The key is going to be who is more successful at the lower weights, and who can stay off their backs at the upper weights. If we can keep it close at the upper weights, I really like our chances.”

Craig’s Siven Furseth, a state qualifier a year ago, is 20-1 on the season and will wrestle at either 119 or 125. Cougar sophomore Ben Rolen is 13-6 at 112, sophomore Jamie Kumlien is 16-4 wrestling at either 119 or 125, and junior Jesse Davila, a conference-tournament finalist a year ago, is having a solid season at 140.

Parker’s David Arndt and Alex Craker are coming off Elkhorn Invitational titles last Saturday. Arndt, a senior, improved to 21-4 after winning the 160-pound title at Elkhron.

Craker pushed his season record to 16-4 by winning the 285-pound title at Elkhorn. The senior was named the tournament’s top wrestler after winning by pin in all three of his matches.

The Vikings were without former Big Eight champion Evan Cavey at the Sun Prairie meet. The junior is battling a knee injury and is status for tomorrow night is questionable, according to Parker coach Ron Cramer.