DES MOINES — The stellar prep wrestling career for Perry senior Kaleb Olejniczak did not end in the way he wanted, but Bluejay all-time victory leader went out in strong fashion, winning twice Saturday to finish third at 138 pounds in Class 2A.
Olejniczak (47-2) was bounced from title contention with a heartbreaking sudden victory I loss (3-1) to eventual champion and top-ranked junior Jack Thomsen (47-0) of LaPorte City Union in Friday’s semifinals.
Ranked second most of the season, the Bluejay standout scored a 12-4 major decision over Vinton-Shellsburg senior Luke Radeke (45-5) in the consolation semifinals. Radeke, ranked sixth, finished in seventh place.
The win sent Olejniczak into his third match of the season against West Delaware freshman Jadyn Peyton (40-9), ranked seventh. Olejniczak had defeated Peyton in sudden victory for the title at the Bluejay Invitational last month, then scored a 7-3 decision Friday afternoon in the quarterfinals. He rolled to a 12-1 major decision in the consolation finals Saturday to place third.
Olejniczak finishes his career with a Perry-best 180 victories against only 21 defeats, a winning percentage of .895. He reached the state tourney all four of his seasons, but was kept from the podium as a freshman. A fourth-place medal at 113 pounds followed in his sophomore season, with a four-time state champion and now Penn State grappler stopping Olejniczak in the 126 finals in Class 3A last season.
The multi-sport standout will continue his mat career at the University of Northern Iowa.
Perry is coached by Mark Weber.
