“A Lot of Work to Do”: Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling HC Critical About Performances Despite Heroics From Wrestlers at Midlands

The 59th Midland’s Championships have provided a thrill to the spectators due to intense competition and limited opportunity at the two-day event. This season was going well for the Wisconsin Badgers, as it not only emerged victorious in two of the individual bouts but also achieved an overall second rank at the tournament.

A recent transfer of the team turned out to be a boon for Wisconsin. However, despite having some of the remarkable wrestlers on the team, the Badgers were defeated at various bouts in the Midlands. Their coach Chris Bono recently reflected on this. 

Need improvement, says Wisconsin’s wrestling coach

To share the team’s enthralling experience, Big Ten Wrestling interviewed Coach Chris Bono and posted the video online. They penned, “How does Badger Wrestling head coach Chris Bono feel coming out of the Midlands? Shane SparksBTN spoke to him after the weekend tournament.“

Midlands was an impactful learning experience for Team Wisconsin. Coach Bono said, “we’re all very happy right now, but we have a lot of work to do. We have some guys who do some really, really great things, but on the flip side, you’ve got to get a lot of improvement with some of those guys that take place.“

While many wrestlers returned defeated, two of the individuals made waves in the tournament. Impressively, Dean Hamiti defeated Peyton Hall from the team West Virginia by a significant decision. In addition to this, he secured a win over the opponent while clinching a remarkable score of 12-0. On the other hand, Shane Leiegal clinched a shocking victory over the opponent Maximus Hale. He defeated the opponent wrestlers from Penn State by 9-6. Interestingly, Liegel showed his mettle right from the time he was recruited. 

How did Shane get on the team?

Liegel was a national finalist, three times All American and NWCA Champion. Wisconsin’s head coach Brono added, “When we recruited him, when he got in that transfer portal, we asked him straight through him, Shane, where are we getting when we get Shane legal if you decide to come? He said, I’m going to promise you. I’m going to win every match. I’m going to promise you that you’re going to see a guy that shows up every single day.“

Read More: Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling Sensation Shut Out Opponents to Concede Zero Points at Midlands Championship to Earn OW Title

Eventually, Shane was made part of his home team this year when he was in his last year of eligibility. Therefore, Shane grabbed the opportunity to shine on the wrestling mats at the Midlands this season. It remains to be seen on how many more occasions Liegel shows himself up. 

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