Brookfield East Wrestler Has Big Showing In Madison

Brookfield East senior Larry Watson was an intimidating force at the WIAA State Wrestling Tournament this weekend in pursuit of the title in the 171-pound weight class.

Watson’s  bid for the championship was stopped short as he lost a 15-7 decision against Milton’s Ian Johnson on Saturday in Madison.

On Friday, Watson beat Ryan Cone of Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln in a 4-3 decision to advance to the finals. 

“It’s nice Larry could go to state competition in his last year,” said Brookfield East head wrestling coach John Veal.

Watson finishes the season with an impressive 41-8 record. 

Last week Watson beat Mukwonago’s Ryan Aprahamian, the No. 2 wrestler in the state, 17-5, in overtime to move on to the state championship.

“We had a chance to open up in the third period tonight, but it was just too late,” Veal said. “Larry deserves a lot of congratulations."

“I did try to turn things around in the third,” Watson said. “But, as the coach said, it was just too late. He (Johnson) is a good wrestler and you’ve got to give him credit.”

Watson said not making it to the state tournament last year was a bitter pill to swallow, but it helped make him a stronger wrestler this year.

“I think it says a lot about our school to send someone to the finals for two years in a road," he said. "We’re really making some strides as a program.”

171 Pound Weight Class Results

First place - Ian Johnson of Milton

Second place - Larry Watson of Brookfield East

Third place - Ryan Cone of Wis. Rapids Lincoln

Fourth place - Quinn Faust of Mount Horeb/Barn.

Fifth place - Ryan Aprahamian of Mukwonago

Sixth place - Ben Fiers of Holmen

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