The Ups and Downs of Beaver wrestling

Another wrestler, Mason Shirk (113), came up short of his own goal but impressed many by coming in second and finishing as a finalist for the second year in a row. 

Brody Brisker (132), the only senior on the varsity lineup, also came up short of his goal of becoming a state champion. He ended his high school career coming in third in a tough weight bracket, but showed true leadership and what it means to be a Wilton Beaver Wrestler in his final high school season. 

Owen Adlfinger (126), the brother of Liam, also had a tough bracket but had an impressive fourth-place finish in the state tournament. 

Gabe Brisker (138), the brother of Brody, put his head down, got to work, and secured a fifth-place finish. 

Jordan Dusenberry (144) applied the same mindset and copied Gabe Brisker's success with another fifth-place finish for Wilton. 

Gatlin Rogers (175) finished sixth in a stacked weight bracket. 

Three other wrestlers, Owen Milder (157), Austin Etzel (120), and Jenson Boorn (165), qualified for the state tournament, but unfortunately did not place. 

All of this success and some personal disappointments are not why it was a sad ending to the season. The reason is because of the retirement of Gabe Boorn, the head coach of the Wilton Beavers. 

Gabe Boorn has been coaching for 20 years and has been the Wilton Beaver’s Head Wrestling Coach for 10 of those years. During those 20 years, Coach Boorn accomplished many things, “There are many moments that I am proud of during my 10 years as the Wilton Wrestling Head Coach and over my 20-year coaching career, but most of all simply trying my best to help all of the wrestlers strive to reach their goals and full potential.” 

Now, Coach Boorn has moved on from being a wrestling coach and has taken on a new role at Wilton High School. “I am now looking forward to simply watching and supporting our wrestling program throughout the winter months while we prepare for Wilton FFA/Agriculture events and the summer livestock shows and fairs.” 

When I next talked to Shirk, a two-time state finalist for the Beavers, about how Coach Boorn will be missed and what the future might look like, Shirk stated, “We will miss his long speeches before each practice and making fun of the things he said. This upcoming season, I hope our team can finally make it to the top and finally win state, both traditional and dual titles. It will also be exciting to have Mike Coss as our new head coach. Last year, he helped out our team a lot as the assistant coach, so it will be exciting to see what he brings to the table as a head coach.” 

As the Beavers move from Coach Boorn to their new head coach, Mike Coss, the team is hopeful and ready to work just as hard, if not harder to achieve their goals this upcoming season.