Wrestling coach Ed Vatch had one major impression about his squad members following the weekend’s Tombstone Open at Stevens Point, Wis. His impression was that they were out of shape.

“I was surprised,” Vatch said. “A lot of guys are just coming to practice and doing nothing else. They should be running and other stuff on their own.”

The Huskies produced four champions—three in the open tournament and one in the freshmen tourney.

Lonnie Morris, a 158-pound walk-on, defeated all three of his competitors to capture first place. He defeated Tim Prarie (UWSP) 14-1, Armando Sanders (North Central) 5-1 and Mark Gruen (Wisconsin-LaCrosse) 10-9.

In the open, 118-pounder John Willems defeated T. Brooks (Dubuque) 19-4 and John Barbey (Wisconsin-Eau Claire) 20-12. Willems then defeated Bob Koehler (UWSP) by default and took first-place honors. At 190 pounds, Bill Jepsen defeated Bob Wozniak (UWEC) 8-6, his NIU counterpart Doug Cokinis 3-0 and Chad Johnson (Mankato) 4-0 for the championship. At heavyweight, Mark Kuehl pinned Andy Oemig (MATC) at 1:26, beat Jason Math (Mankato) 8-2 and Kevin Tremelling (Wisconsin-Platville) 2-1.

Kuehl will be redshirted for the rest of the season because of the return of Eric Wenckowski, who was red-shirted last year.

Joe Madonia took second in the 177 pound division, losing to Mark Hemauer (UWP) 8-2 in the championship match. Brett Messerli took third in the 158 pound division, defeating teammate Jim Kossakowski 6-2. Jim and his brother, Anton, both settled for fourths. Anton was defeated in the third-place round by Chad Johnson (Mankato) 10-7. Also taking a fourth place was 134 pounder Tino Gonzalez, who lost to Bob Berceau (UWSP) 9-1.

“Last year we would have been ecstatic about four champs,” Vatch said. “This year I feel we should have had twice as many. Our big guns just didn’t come through.

“Willems was fantastic. Some guys are good in practice, as Willems is, but can’t do it in the match. Willems whipped everybody who was there. He is a gift.”

The team will practice this week for the St. Louis Open this weekend. “This will be a lot tougher,” Vatch said. “Teams like Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin will be there.”