The Jefferson High School Panther wrestling team opened its season at the Badger Invitational Tournament in Cascade on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2. The Panthers had 21 wrestlers participate in the tournament, which had 22 teams entered.
In Friday’s first round Spencer Abbott advanced at 103 pounds, as did Emma Jurkovac at 107, Maysa LaFromboise at 114, Leighton LaFromboise at 126, Dayton Brown at 132, Blake Nordlinder at 138, Megan Anderson at 138, Cooper Mikesell at 146, Mike Richard and Drake Butala at 152, Andrew Rodriguez at 182, Brady Armstrong at 205, and Klobe Michaud and Dylan Stevens at 285.
Next up was the quarterfinal round. Jurkovac, Leighton LaFromboise, Brown, Cooper Mikesell, Mike Richard, Armstrong and Michaud all won to put them into the semifinals and guarantee them a spot on the awards podium. In the semifinals, Mike Richard and Armstrong won to put them into the finals.
