The Bonduel High School wrestling team took time before Thursday night’s big meet against Wittenberg-Birnamwood to honor three people who have made major contributions to the wrestling program over the years.
Herb and Marlys Tauchen and former wrestler Jason Krueger were inducted into the school’s wrestling hall of fame..
Five of the six sons of Herb and Marlys Tauchen, who have 10 children and 24 grandchildren, were wrestlers at BHS. Dan Tauchen, a junior on this year’s team, is the eighth, and last, of the Tauchens’ grandchildren to go through the program.
“Their sons were very successful back in the day, their grandkids were very successful in the last few years and Danny is the last one,” Bonduel coach Chris Rank said. “We thought this would be a great night to honor them.”
“Herb and Marlys, they come down to the state tournament every year, not only following their grandkids, but our whole team,” Rank said. “It’s exciting to have the chance to honor and recognize them.”
Jason Krueger, a 1998 graduate of BHS, had 110 career wins during his wrestling career. He was a four-year letter winner, a three-time team captain, and won conference championships his sophomore and junior seasons.
“He had a very successful career wrestling for Bonduel,” Rank said. “He was a part of our state championship team in 1998 and when we placed second at state in ‘97. He was an integral part of that championship team and that group of young men.”
Krueger went on to wrestle for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and at one point in his senior season was ranked eighth in the nation before an injury cut his season short.
“I think he may be the only individual to have gone on to wrestle in college, taking it to another level,” Rank said. “We’ve obviously had other athletes go on and do other things, but I’m pretty sure Jason is the only one to do wrestling.”
The BHS wrestling program has been honoring alumni and friends of the program for the last 16 seasons.
“We have quite a list of people that have been inducted already,” Rank said. “It’s a neat thing for us. We’re proud of it. We feel we have a strong history here in Bonduel, as far as wrestling goes, and we thing it’s important to induct these people that have done a fine job of following, supporting and competing for us. It’s an honor to do that.”
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