Sports Thoughts

Legendary Marquette coach Al McGuire used to say the best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores.

Muskego wrestling coach Ted Price would beg to differ with that statement, especially after this season.

The Warriors boast a freshman class of Roland Dunlap, Jordan Gruettner and Justin Scherkenbach, but they are really freshmen only in name.

The three each own 40 victories this season, and all three will compete in the WIAA Division 1 Individual Tournament beginning on Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison.

Dunlap heads into state competition with a 41-1 record at 171 pounds, while Scherkenbach (103) and Gruettner (189) both carry 40-4 marks into Madison. Those are clearly records most seniors would love to have.

"They proved that it's almost foolish to call them freshmen," Price said. "We're past the point of even looking at them as freshmen anymore because their mentality is so far beyond the way normal freshmen think. That is the characteristic that gives them the best chance of placing high at state. They go into tough matches expecting to win. They don't back down from anyone, regardless of the ability of their opponent."

Gruettner and Scherkenbach both have older brothers on this year's team. Senior Kyle Scherkenbach is also competing in Madison at 112 pounds, and senior Jerred Gruettner might have been there if not for a late-season injury.

Kyle is clearly happy for his younger sibling. "It will be cool to see him wrestle there (Madison) as a freshman," he said. "All the freshmen have wrestled well; they have exceeded expectations."

Justin and the other freshmen are quick to credit other members of the Warrior team. "We have good practice partners, and we have a good mindset in practice," he said. "We've all been working so much harder this year."

Junior Derek Olson, who takes a 42-1 record at 152 pounds into state and is the practice partner for Gruettner and Dunlap, said, "We're always going after it in practice. They (the freshmen) have been waiting for their moment. They have wanted this and now they have it."

Senior center Mike Pankowski and junior goalie Matt Ranta both enjoyed tremendous seasons for the Wild United hockey team, which encompasses both Wauwatosa schools, both New Berlin schools and Whitnall.

Pankowski, a Whitnall student, led the state in goals during the regular season with 43 and added one in the Wild's 4-1 loss to Waupun in WIAA regional action on Feb. 17. He also collected 17 assists for a total of 60 points, fifth in the state for the regular season.

He was a master of positioning, knowing where to be on the ice at all times, and of vision and anticipation, often seeing a play before it even fully developed.

Ranta, also from Whitnall, was just as solid in the nets, finishing the regular season with 778 saves on 874 shots for an .890 save percentage. He made 42 saves in the regional game to finish the season with 820 saves on 919 shots for a percentage of .892. Those totals are also among the state leaders.

He showed tenacity and determination to keep coming up with big saves to keep the Wild close in most of its games this season.

Although the Wild struggled to a 7-13-1 record, it did boast two players who are sure to garner their share of postseason honors. Pankowski will graduate in the spring and is on his way to the Milwaukee School of Engineering next fall, while Ranta is just a junior and will be back for coach Joe Cocking next season.