Pulaski wrestlers aim for strong finish
The old adage is iron sharpens iron.
Pulaski has plenty of metal in its wrestling room this year.
The Red Raiders will be aiming for their fourth straight WIAA Division 1 regional title on Saturday at Antigo.
The Fox River Classic Conference champion’s lineup features five individuals in Wisconsin Wrestling Online’s state rankings, including a pair of sharp wrestlers leading the way in the lower weight classes in seniors Cole Gille and Owen Heinz.
Gille, who is ranked No. 6 at 120 pounds, is looking to put the final stamp on an impressive high school career. He’ll be trying to win his fourth regional and sectional championships en route to placing at state for a third straight year.
Heinz is ranked No. 2 at 113 pounds and fueled by falling just short of a second straight state appearance last year when he finished third at sectionals.
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“Those two have been practice partners going back to sixth grade,” Pulaski coach Ryan Deprey said. “They’ve always been around the same weight. They’re both real competitive in our room, but good about it. They want each other to get better, but they don’t give an inch. That creates an environment where they are both getting better, but are still buddies in the end.”
Gille has experienced wins in his final match at state the last two years, winning placement bouts for fifth in 2017 and third in 2018.
Gille would like nothing more than to advance to the finals, like his uncle, Jason Holewinski, did in 1995 when he finished as the 130-pound runner-up for Pulaski.
“I feel like I improved my gas tank and my footwork,” said Gille, who lost in sudden victory in the semifinals last year. “I’m just taking it one match at a time. I’m not looking ahead for myself. I’m focusing on what I can control and not what I can’t control.”
Heinz will be looking to wipe away the bad taste left from missing out on a second straight appearance last year after falling to Hortonville’s Eric Barnett and then Ashwaubenon’s Noah Leisgang in a wrestlback for second.
“That sticks right in there,” Heinz said. “That’s what I go to when I’m tired and stuff. I don’t want to feel that again.”
Heinz was sick and sat out during the Pulaski Invite on Jan. 26, but feels he’ll be ready to make a run at state.
After all, catching up is kind of in his name.
“For sure it’s got to be Heinz,” Heinz said about his favorite ketchup. “It’s not Hunt’s, ever. I go to a restaurant, and I see Hunt’s, I don’t put it on my burger or anything.”
Deprey can’t help but smile when he looks back at the careers of Heinz and Gille, recalling seeing them in freestyle practice when they were in third grade.
“They are day and night different as far as personalities go,” Deprey said. “Cole is very introverted. He keeps to himself. He’s very nice, very humble. Owen is more of an extrovert and likes a little bit of the spotlight and people around him. They are cut from different cloths, but it just goes to show why our sport is so cool that two drastically different personalities can both be successful.”
Lucas Gracyalny
After winning its second FRCC title in three years, Pulaski is aiming to advance to team sectionals for a fourth straight year.
The Red Raiders, ranked No. 9 in D1, would likely face No. 5 Kaukauna for a trip to team state.
Besides having a couple of blue-chippers at the lower weights with Heinz and Gille, Pulaski’s success in recent years has been aided in the heavier weights by individuals who have enjoyed successful playoff runs with the football team.
Seniors Lucas Gracyalny (No. 11 at 170) and Liam Fahey (No. 3 at 285) were key cogs to the football team’s run to the D2 state quarterfinals. Both were both first-team all-FRCC linemen.
“What I really like about those guys is they’ve experienced a lot of success in football and brought that attitude and mentality over to our season,” Deprey said. “They expect to work hard and they expect to be successful.”
Senior Derek Gibbons (No. 8 at 220) is another ranked wrestler for the Red Raiders, who will be looking to send a contingent of wrestlers to the Kohl Center to extend its individual state tournament streak to eight years.
This season is particularly special since the seniors were freshmen when Deprey took over as head coach during the 2015-16 season.
“My kids go over to Cole’s farm and feed the cows and swim in their pool,” Deprey said. “This goes way beyond wrestling. This is a relationship I’ll have until the day they put me in the ground.
“They’re in great spots. They’re going to be competitive with the best in our area to try and make that trip down to Madison.”
