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Craig wrestlers have experience, talent

JANESVILLE — Janesville Craig High School’s wrestling program is brimming with experience.

The Cougars are returning 12 varsity regulars to a team that went 8-1 in Big Eight Conference duals last season. Craig graduated Troy Davis (140), Travis Davis (135) and Chris Simonson (130).

Jeff Kaster, starting his sixth season as the Cougars’ boss, thinks his team can make waves this season.

“We have six or seven (wrestlers) that can make it to state,” Kaster said. “We should be fairly tough.’’

The Cougars lower weights should provide a big chunk of victories.

Ben Rolon, a junior, will carry the load at 112 pounds. Kyle Upmann and Jamie Kumlien are contenders at 119.

Upmann was Big Eight Conference runner-up at 103 pounds last season. The Cougars finished fourth at the league meet.

Sevin Furseth, a junior, moves up to 125. Furseth compiled a 45-2 record last season at 112. He won his second straight conference championship, regional and sectional titles and was runner-up at the WIAA Division 1 individual state meet, losing the 112-title bout to Torin Boernke of Marshfield, 10-3.

“Sevin has an 86-4 career record,” Kaster said. “He will have more than 100 wins and more than 100 pins before this season is over.’’

Chris Pierce, a junior, will hold down the 130-pound assignment. Pierce finished third at last season’s conference meet.

“He is able to push Sevin,” Kaster said. “He is another guy who goes to advanced wrestling camps.’’

The 135-pound assignment falls into the capable hands of senior Jesse Davila. Davila was third at conference at 130 and second at 140 as a sophomore.

Chris Kubiak, a sophomore, or Ryan Coleman, a senior will fill the 140-pound assignment.

“Both guys will battle it out,” Kaster said. “Both are pretty tough.’’

Kubiak or Coleman will take a few bouts at 145. Zach Vogt, a sophomore has the inside track at 152.

Nathan Mather, a sophomore, will wrestle at 160 and Zach Kurtz, a varsity mainstay at 160 last season, will move up to 171.

“Kurtz looks really good,” Kaster said. “He has made the most progress out of anybody this year.’’

Drillon Grajcevic will be a force at 189. A senior, Grajcevic finished third at the conference meet.

“He’s one of our studs,” Kaster said. “He is healthy after having multiple injuries last year, and it took its toll. He is in the best shape of his life.’’

Mike Spaulding, a senior, will hold the 215 post. Spaulding took third at conference last year and has the unenviable task for facing Beloit Memorial super-stud Alex Polizzi, who just accepted a wrestling scholarship to Northwestern University.

The 285 job is in the hands of Dakota Pearson.

Craig draws Big Eight Conference meet runner-up Sun Prairie to open the season on Tuesday. The Cougars will wrestle at Beloit on Dec. 4.

“We are going to find out just how good we are,” Kaster said.