Davey, Gray Headed to State Wrestling Tournament

With two wrestlers headed to the state tournament Thursday, Whitefish Bay's wrestling program is making school history.

Rashadeem Gray is the only wrestler in Whitefish Bay history to qualify for state three times, and Joey Davey is the third wrestler in school history to qualify twice. Gray and Davey are also the third and fourth wrestlers in Whitefish Bay history to get to 100 wins. 

Gray, who will play football at the University of Northern Iowa next year, is a standout athlete in football, wrestling and track. He holds Whitefish Bay wrestling records for career wins (113), takedowns in a season (127), career escapes, and escapes in a season (127).

Bay wrestling coach Dale Loebel said Gray is determined, competitive and takes nothing for granted.

"He's a fierce competitor and despises losing," he said. "It's a character trait that makes him a great wrestler."

Davey, who took second in state in freestyle last year, is one of two Bay wrestlers who have competed in the Fargo national tournament in the five years Loebel has been coached at Bay.

Loebel said Davey has shown dedication and hard work in order to qualify for state – a goal he has set for himself since Jake Beckert qualified in 2010.

"Joey wrote me a long email when Jake Beckert qualified for state. He said it was a a feeling he wanted for himself," Loebel said. "Lots of kids say they want to be great, but very few put in the work or have the real desire to be one of the best. I still have that email."

Gray and Davey will compete in the first round of the WIAA Division 1 state individual tournament Thursday afternoon at the Kohl Center in Madison. The tournament runs through Saturday.