Oconto Falls’ Whiting isn’t your average freshman
The Oconto Falls wrestling team has sent at least one individual to the WIAA state finals for nine straight years.
Clayton Whiting doesn’t plan on having that streak end while he’s around.
The 152-pound freshman is focused on not only advancing to Madison later this month, but competing in a match on Championship Saturday at the Kohl Center.
“It would mean a lot to me for the next four years to keep that tradition going,” Whiting said.
On the heels of winning a tournament title at the Pulaski Invite last week, Whiting is ranked No. 2 in Division 2 at the 152-pound weight class, according to Wisconsin Wrestling Online.
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Being ranked that high heading into the WIAA postseason is a rare pedigree to have for a freshman competing in one of the seven heaviest weight classes.
There are only five freshmen among all divisions in the seven heaviest weight classes that are ranked. None are ranked as high as Whiting, who is 39-3.
When you include the lighter weight classes, which commonly includes freshmen in the rankings, Whiting is one four freshmen in the state ranked No. 1 or 2.
Whiting entered high school as an accomplished wrestler, having won WWF Folkstyle and Cadet Freestyle state titles.
His yearning to get better led him to practicing with the Oconto Falls varsity team last year.
“I wanted to go out there and wrestle with the better guys,” Whiting said. “You have to work harder than the older kids because the older kids have a lot more experience. So, you have to work hard in practice and keep pushing the pace.”
Two of Whiting’s biggest victories this season have come against Luxemburg-Casco senior Nathan Ronsman, who is a three-time state WIAA state qualifier and two-time place-winner.
Whiting recorded a 5-2 decision victory in the finals of the Battle on the Bay on Dec. 8 and picked up a 3-1 sudden victory in the finals over Ronsman at the Pulaski Invite.
“I think the biggest thing with him is he’s mentally tough,” Oconto Falls tri-head coach Marc Kinziger said. “He works harder than anybody else he wrestles. He wins those matches in the third period because he doesn’t have a stop button. It’s in that third period where the other guy just wants to be done and they’ll let up for a second and he’ll score.”
Whiting is just one of a talented group of underclassmen that Oconto Falls has in its wrestling room. Sophomores Jager Eisch (No. 3 at 113 pounds) and Aidan Stary (No. 9 at 170) are both aiming at making state appearances as well.
Whiting has an opportunity, though, to join rare company with a strong finish this season.
Out of the nine different Oconto Falls wrestlers that have competed in a D2 state championship match over the previous nine years, only one did so as a freshman. That was Jacob Morrissey, who finished as the 160-pound runner-up in 2010 before going on to win three straight state titles and competing at Purdue University.
“He’s right up there with those guys,” Kinziger said. “Yeah, he has to prove it yet, but he comes with that kind of record at that national level.
“It has been a lot of years in the finals so we certainly want to get back in that position again.”
OCONTO FALLS WRESTLERS IN STATE FINALS SINCE 2010
(* Indicates state champion)
2010
Cullan Morrissey, 130
Jacob Morrissey, 160
2011
Cody Nielsen, 152*
Jacob Morrissey, 171*
Riley Delzer, 215*
2012
Mitchell Friedman, 132
Jacob Morrissey, 170*
Riley Delzer, 220*
2013
Dewey Krueger, 132*
Mitchell Friedman, 138*
Jacob Morrissey, 170*
2014
Dewey Krueger, 145
2015
Dewey Krueger, 152*
2016
Nate Trepanier, 145*
2017
Bryce Ash, 145*
Nate Trepanier, 160
2018
Dan Ausloos, 285