The wrestling team began the Division III national championships just as it did the entire season: With a deep hole to dig out of.

The team began the season 0-7, and each of the five wrestlers’ start in the championships mirrored the team’s start to the season as they all lost their first matches.

Fortunately the tournament is double-elimination, so each wrestler was given the opportunity to redeem themselves. However, only one of them took advantage of the second chance and attained All-American status.

Junior 197-pound Adam Latella struggled in his first match, losing 12-3, but won four of his next five matches to finish in fifth place.

“It’s a really good feeling getting that All-American status,” Latella said. “To stand on the podium was great and it’s what I worked for all year,”

Although satisfied with his placing, Latella will be happier if he gets the opportunity to go back next year. He said his goal isn’t to take fifth; he wants to win it all in 2012.

“This motivates me greatly because I didn’t want to go there and take fifth,” Latella said. “My goal is to bring a bracket sheet home and I only have one shot left to do that.

“It’s a really good feeling getting that All-American status. To stand on the podium was great and it’s what I worked for all year.”

Latella finished the NCAA tournament with a 4-2 record, making his total record on the season 36-7.
The rest of the tournament didn’t go so well for the other wrestlers.

Sophomore 133-pound Jake Frederickson bounced back in his second match with a 4-2 victory over Dan Herr of The College of New Jersey. This would be his only victory of the tournament, after falling in his third match. Frederickson finished the tournament 1-2 and the season 22-5.

Sophomore Cade Sarbacker, who won the WIAC title at 157 pounds, lost both of his matches for an early exit from the tournament. Sarbacker still managed a 26-10 record on the season.

Junior 174-pound Reid Dickerson fought hard in both matches Friday, but came short in both. Dickerson finished 0-2 in the tournament and 25-19 on the season.

For senior James Zarate, the NCAA tournament matches were the last of his career.

Despite winning one of them, Zarate dropped two matches, knocking him out of the tournament.
He ended his season with a 24-16 record.

“My career at UW-Whitewater has been fantastic with lots of great memories and friendships that will last a long time,” Zarate said. “I’m proud to have been a member of the team.”