Cashton's Flock begins defense of state title

Cashton Senior Dominic Flock is no stranger to the WIAA individual state wrestling tournament.

As a freshman he took 2nd at 145 pounds. "When he made it to state as a freshman it was really exciting, and then he kind of upset his way to the state finals and lost by a point," says his coach and father Philip Flock.

"That match, I've played it over a million times in my head and I still think I had him pinned," says Dominic Flock.

As a sophomore he was humbled with a 6th place finish. "I got my but kicked sophomore year, stuff didn't go my way and I didn't wrestle good enough."

But last season as a junior, Flock won the 160-pound state title in overtime. "Smart match is what I was told, as long as you wrestle smart you win. I wrestled a smart one I guess," Dominic said shortly after that victory on February 25, 2012.

"I was very proud as a coach and even prouder as a father," says Philip.

This season, Flock is trying to become only the third wrestler in Cashton history to win two state titles. "That was my goal growing up, to be a two time state champion."

But the defending 160-pound state champ will be wrestling at 152-pounds this postseason. The reason is to allow practice partner Brandon Schmitz to also drop down a weight class.

"He would have had a harder time at 170, so I dropped down."

With regionals this Saturday, Flock begins a two-week journey in which he hopes to add onto his legacy.

"I think I have to work harder now that I have won a previous state title. They all remember you from your senior year so hopefully it will be another state title this year."