By Jed Buelow
Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor, Sports and Nature Editor
The Great Northern Conference released its All Conference teams last week that included nearly two dozen Hatchet athletes.
No surprise considering the huge success the season was, the bulk of athletes named were from the Tomahawk boys’ swim team and Hatchet wrestling. The swim team was recognized for nine events and 12 Hatchet grapplers were selected to the 1st, 2nd and Honorable Mention teams.
The Tomahawk boys’ basketball team was also represented as Drew Bolder and Connor Dichsen were named to the GNC All Conference Honorable Mention team.
Earning 1st Team honors for Tomahawk were Tony Matti, who qualified for the WIAA D2 Individual State Championship for a second straight year, and Hatchet speed swimmer Travis Phillips, who became Tomahawk’s first ever State Champion at the WIAA D2 State Swim Meet after winning the 50-yard free.
Phillips also qualified for and competed in the 100 butterfly at state and finished in 3rd place. Along with being named 1st Team in that event, he also earned the honor in the 200 IM. Several of his teammates also were named All Conference including Brady Tjugum in the 200 free and Zach Hanse in the 100 breaststroke.
The Hatchets qualified and had two relays compete at state. The two named to the 2nd Team All Conference included Z. Hanse, Ethan Liebnitz, B.Tjugum and Adam Hall in the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay of B. Tjugum, Trey Miller, Keaton Jed and T. Phillips were named 2nd team.
The Hatchets other relay team, the 200 medley relay, was named Honorable Mention. They include T. Miller, Z. Hanse, T. Phillips and K. Jed. Two others making Honorable Mention for Tomahawk were K. Jed in the 500 free and B. Tjugum got the nod in the 100 free.
Tomahawk wrestling was also well represented on the GNC All Conference teams. Along with Tony “The Legend” Matti taking top honors, the Hatchets had five wrestlers named 2nd Team All Conference including state qualifiers 182 pounder Kade Wenninger and 195 pounder Eric Decker.
Additional Hatchets included Alex Bishop, 138 pounds, Logan Bishop, 160 pounds and Marcus Matti at 170 pounds.
Hatchet grapplers made up much of the Honorable Mention team as well. They included Addison Peissig, 106 pounds, Lance Knight, 120 pounds, Luke Knight, 126 pounds, Mason Evans, 132 pounds, Micah Arnott, 145 pounds and Austin Leinen got the honor wrestling at 220 pounds.
Tomahawk wrestling also wrapped up an exceptional season with three individual Hatchet grapplers qualifying for state after advancing nine to the Oconto Falls Sectional. They also qualified as a team and came up just a bit short as they fell to a tough Wrightstown team that eventually moved on and will be competing in the WIAA D2 Team State Championship March 6-7.