Thunderbirds’ Severson Set for State Semifinal Showdown at 126 Pounds

Baraboo’s Dezemen Severson will take the mat Thursday night with a spot in the WIAA state finals on the line, as the Thunderbirds’ 126-pounder heads into a marquee semifinal matchup against Bloomer/Colfax senior Drew Ryder at the Kohl Center in Madison.

Severson enters the 7 p.m. semifinal coming off a statement opening day at the state tournament. Seeded 11th at 126 pounds, he dismantled No. 6 seed Carson Stevens in his first match, blowing the bout open early and closing with a dominant 16-0 technical fall. The performance set the tone for Severson’s run, showcasing his ability to separate quickly on the scoreboard against higher-seeded opponents.

The Thunderbirds standout then backed it up in the quarterfinals with a dramatic comeback win over Tristen Smazal, a 43-5 senior. Smazal struck first with an early takedown, but Severson stayed composed, working an escape to make it 3-1 while continuing to fire off quality shots that were initially defended. He added another escape in the second period to keep it tight, then watched Smazal choose down in the third and escape for a 4-2 lead. With about 20 seconds remaining in the 3, Severson attacked a leg, battled through the finish, and turned the momentum completely, securing the takedown and adding two near-fall points to close out a 7-4 victory.

Now, Severson turns his focus to Ryder, the 10th seed, in what shapes up as a pivotal clash of seniors looking to break through to championship Saturday. Severson’s path has already featured upsets and late-match heroics, while Ryder brings experience and bracket-busting potential of his own from the Bloomer/Colfax co-op. The key storyline at 126 pounds will be whether Severson can again combine patience with late-position scoring, using his ability to stay active and composed in tight matches to outlast another higher-seeded opponent.

For Baraboo, Severson’s semifinal appearance underscores the program’s presence on the state stage and puts a spotlight on one of the Thunderbirds’ most battle-tested wrestlers. With a state finals berth at stake, his performance Thursday night will not only determine his own championship hopes but also serve as a defining moment for Thunderbirds Wrestling’s run in Madison.