3. Baraboo's John Gunderson, Royall's Nolan McKittrick cap careers with state wrestling gold
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Baraboo’s John Gunderson, center, wins against Ashwaubenon’s Connor Ramage in a Division 1 182-pound championship match during the WIAA Individual Wrestling State Tournament at Kaukauna High School on Feb. 13.
AMBER ARNOLD/Capital Newspapers
Royall senior Nolan McKittrick is announced as the victor in the championship match at 113-pounds during Saturday's WIAA Division 3 state tournament at Wausau East High School.
DAN LARSON, Capital Newspapers
Baraboo's John Gunderson (blue) pins Kaukauna's Trevor Stuyvenberg in the 182-pound semifinals of Saturday's WIAA Division 1 individual state meet in Kaukauna.
BROCK FRITZ/News Republic
Royall 113-pounder Nolan McCittrick (right) and Mineral Point's Lucas Sullivan compete in the championship match during Saturday's WIAA Divison 3 state tournament at Wausau East High School.
Baraboo’s John Gunderson and Royall’s Nolan McKittrick didn’t let the bitter taste of defeat in 2020 derail their purse of gold in 2021. The pair of seniors capped their high school wrestling careers in style, capturing gold at the WIAA Division 1 and Division 3 individual state tournaments. Gunderson, the Div. 1 182-pound runner-up last year, closed out an unbeaten campaign in style, cruising to the 182-pound championship behind a decision and two pins, including in 2 minutes, 47 seconds over Ashwaubenon’s Connor Ramage in the title match, to become the Thunderbirds’ first individual champion since Taenor Spencer’s 130-pound title in 2001. Meanwhile, McKittrick turned 106-pound bronze into 113-pound gold last season. Contrary to Gunderson, McKittrick grinded out his first career championship, earning a 4-3 decision over Mineral Point’s Lucas Sullivan, becoming the Panthers’ first state champion since Christian Moore earned gold at 220 pounds in 2013.
Baraboo’s John Gunderson, center, wins against Ashwaubenon’s Connor Ramage in a Division 1 182-pound championship match during the WIAA Individual Wrestling State Tournament at Kaukauna High School on Feb. 13.
Royall senior Nolan McKittrick is announced as the victor in the championship match at 113-pounds during Saturday's WIAA Division 3 state tournament at Wausau East High School.
Baraboo's John Gunderson (blue) pins Kaukauna's Trevor Stuyvenberg in the 182-pound semifinals of Saturday's WIAA Division 1 individual state meet in Kaukauna.
Royall 113-pounder Nolan McCittrick (right) and Mineral Point's Lucas Sullivan compete in the championship match during Saturday's WIAA Divison 3 state tournament at Wausau East High School.
