By Matt Turkiewicz
On Saturday, the Hatchets wrestling team traveled to Oconto Falls to compete in the WIAA Individual D2 Sectionals. Out of 14 weight brackets, the Hatchets sent 9 wrestlers, including three who advanced and will compete at the WIAA D2 Individual State Championship at the Kohl Center starting Thursday, Feb. 27.
Starting at 132 pounds, Mason Evans opened with a 5-1 decision over Blake Linsmeyer of Seymour. In his semi-finals match, Evans lost to eventual champion, Lucas Joniaux of Luxemberg-Casco. In his consolation semi-finals wrestle-back, Evans lost to state-qualifier, Noah Kilgas of Little Chute, bringing his impressive freshman season to an end.
Next up at 138 pounds, Alex Bishop lost to Freedom’s Ben Bredael. Bishop did not receive a wrestle- back. The next Hatchets wrestler at 152 pounds was Logan Bishop, who started his day with a fall in the second period; in his semi-finals match, Bishop lost to Reece Piontek of Denmark. In his first wrestle- back, Bishop pinned Justin Vosters of Freedom. In his third place match, Bishop lost to Isaac Blohowiak of Luxemberg-Casco in Sudden Victory.
Wrestling at 160, Tom Rigney lost to Little Chute’s Adam Kilgas. In his wrestle-back match, Rigney fell to Oconto Falls’ Aidan Stary. Mark Matti, at 170 pounds, started the tournament off with a 12-3 major decision over Eagan Bablash of Denmark. Matti fell to Freedom’s Troy Nabbefeld in semi-finals action; in his wrestle-back, Matti defeated Gideon Sass of Antigo 5-0. In his third place match, Matti fell to Oconto Falls’ Clayton Whiting, ending his day.
At 182 pounds, Kade Wenninger pinned Caleb Moore of Clintonville/Marion in seven seconds – setting a new school record for the fastest pin in school history as the old record was eight seconds set by Jacob Matti and Josh Chelf. In his semi-finals match, Wenninger lost to returning state champion, Reece Worachek of Luxemberg-Casco. In his first wrestle-back match, Wenninger defeated Matt Crowley of Winneconne in sudden victory. In the third place match, Wenninger defeated Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s David Gauderman 6-5 to qualify for state.
In his second place match, Wrightstown’s Logan Koel forfeited to Wenninger. Wenninger (36-9) will wrestle Carter Melton (34-9) of Spooner/Webster Thursday night at the Kohl Center.
Erik Decker, wrestling at 195 pounds, defeated Mathew Janssen of Little Chute 7-4. In his semi-finals match, Decker scored a tech fall over Anderson Kopidlansky of Two Rivers with a score of 16-1. In his finals match, Decker fell to Quincy Klister of Wrightstown. Decker received second place by rule, and was the first Hatchets wrestler to qualify for state. Thursday night, Decker (35-9) will face Jacob Peacy (32-11) of Port Washington.
At 220 pounds, Austin Leinen fell to Luxemberg-Casco’s Travis LeGrave. Leinen did not receive a wrestle-back.
Heavyweight Tony Matti started the day with a first-period fall over Talik Bussey of Antigo. In his semi- finals match, Matti fell to Denmark’s Gabe Wertel. In his first wrestle-back match, Matti pinned Ethan
Welsh of Winneconne; in the third place match, Matti defeated James Schaefbauer of Nekoosa/Assumption/Port Edwards 4-0. In his second-place wrestle-back, Matti defeated Luxemberg- Casco’s Kyle Kroll 3-2. Matti (41-4) will face Tyler Krizan (32-12) of Stanley-Boyd/Own-Withee on Thursday.
This is the first time the Hatchets have sent at least three wrestlers to state since 2016. Wrestling is slated to begin at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday and continue through the weekend at the Kohl Center in Madison.