Bio: Birkett, Duane – Conference Wrestling Champion (1977)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Birkett, Wenzel, Peissig

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 09 Feb 1977

The Colby High School wrestling team, after winner two straight Cloverbelt conference titles, moved into the Lumberjack conference and found the competition tough, keen, and to their liking. As Lakeland won the conference title, Colby finished in a tie for seventh. Colby managed to place only three wrestlers.

Duane Birkett, wrestling at 155, combined three excellent matches to walk off with the title. Duane continued a tradition at Colby, whereby a Colby wrestler at 155 has sone the title for the past seven to eight years straight. This reign started with Tom Peissig winning the title two years straight, then Gus Wenzel winning it three years straight, then Jeff Peissig two years straight, and now Birkett.