Milton wrestler sets sights on fourth straight Lakes title

(Published Thursday, February 3, 2005 10:51:51 AM CST)

By John Barry
Gazette Staff

MILTON-Milton High’s Jake Wagner had big shoes to fill when his brother, Josh, took his wrestling talents to the University of Missouri.

Jake proved to be the perfect fit.

Heading into the Southern Lakes meet Saturday at East Troy, Jake will be heavily favored to win a fourth straight conference championship. Only brother Josh, along with Nick Conklin, have accomplished that feat in Milton wrestling history.

Jake is 21-2 this season at 140 pounds and is ranked second in the state in Division 1 by Crossface magazine. Wisconsin Rapids’ Kevin Tritz is the top-rated wrestler at 140, and he dealt Wagner one of his losses.

“I’m not thinking that far ahead, “Jake said of a possible rematch with Tritz in the state finals. “I’m just taking it one match at a time and worrying about the conference meet.

“I’d like to wrestle him again, no doubt about it, because I would take a different approach, “Jake added. “But right now, I’m more concerned with winning another team title for Milton. We don’t want that streak to end.”

Milton’s has had a stranglehold on the Lakes for more than a decade, winning the last 11 conference titles. The Red Hawks tied Delavan-Darien for first place this season in the dual standings, both 5-1, but the results of the conference meet will determine the overall champion.

“I don’t think we’ve wrestled our best yet, “Jake said. “I think Saturday, with what’s on the line, that everybody will step it up.

“Nobody wants to be on the team where the streak ends, “Jake said of the 11-year run. “I know for the seniors on this team (Wagner, Mike Bright, Alex Gibson and Andy Townsend), winning the conference title is a big thing.”

Jake, the son of Jack and Kathy, has been wrestling since he was old enough to stand. Former Milton coach Bob Johnson said the Wagner’s’ wrestling experience before reaching high school paid big dividends.

“To win a conference championship as a freshman, and then continue that success over the next three years, is quite an accomplishment in any conference, “Johnson said. “For two brothers to do it is even more amazing, but not when you consider their wrestling background.

“A lot of the credit should go to their parents, who spent countless hours at various wrestling events from the time Josh and Jake were in grade school up through high school, “Johnson added. “Let’s face it. Once those two hit the high school level, they both reaped the dividends of growing up around wrestling.”

Jake and his brother, who is a sophomore at Missouri, remain close friends. Josh has battled an injury this season, but he went into the first day of practice expecting to compete for a varsity spot. The brothers talk on the phone two or three times a week, with wrestling a hot topic.

“I called Josh after I lost to Tritz earlier this season, and he was there to listen, “Jake said. “I kind of took him through the whole match, and he was able to tell me some things I did wrong. Plus, he told me what I should do if I got the chance to wrestle him again.

“That’s another reason why winning the (team) conference title is so important to me, “Jake added. “Josh was a part of it for four years, and they won it every year.

“A great way to end my career at Milton would be to join him as a four-time champ, and win the team title all four years as well.”

Jake has qualified for the state meet the last two years, but he has failed to medal. With a No. 2 state ranking and a fourth straight Lakes title within reach, a trip to the medal stand at this year’s state meet also seems like a perfect fit.

The Wagner File
Person I admire most: Brother (Josh).

Best sports memory: Winning Ed Stech Invitational (at West Allis Central) two years in a row.

Favorite food: Steak.

Favorite movie: “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.”W

If I could have one superpower, it would be: To fly.

My favorite saying: Do you know the dog?

CD currently getting the most play: Blink 182.