Gusewelle battles but falls short in title quest

Guswelle tangles with Joel Bauman of K-M-S

John Guswelle gave it everything he had Friday night, but in the end it just wasn't enough.
Gusewelle, facing the top-ranked 189-pound wrestler in the state in K-M-S senior Joel Bauman, lost 10-7 in a close battle with the University of Minnesota recruit.


Gusewelle scored an early takedown for a 2-0 lead, but Bauman responded with a takedown of his own for a 3-2 lead. Gusewelle tied it 3-3- with an escape, But Bauman led the rest of the way. Down 8-6 Gusewelle almost had Bauman tossed to the floor, but the agile Bauman was able to stay up, and in turn spun Gusewelle down for a 10-6 lead. The lead stood in what many dubbed the championship match even though it was the semifinals.

Gusewelle will now wrestle for third place. He finished third last year at 160 pounds.

"John did everything he possibly could," said Streeter head coach Ken Vogt. "You have to give Joel credit. He's tough."

As you can see, Bauman is a big kid - 6'2" 190 to be exact.

He is headed to the University of Minnesota on a wrestling ride. 

He also is one of the top tailbacks in Minnesota high school football history.

Gusewelle was trying to become Sauk's 10th state champion. Now he'll have to settle for third or fourth.
To Vogt, there isn't a difference between second or third or fourth.

"You come down here to win it," he said. "Everyone was looking forward to this match. But John wrestled well. He is a tough, tough competitor."

Stay tuned for third place results.......

Gusewelle needs to win his next match for 

his 40th on the season,

 and what a season it has been.