For the Tomahawk Leader
ANTIGO – Last week, the Tomahawk Hatchet wrestling team improved to 2-0 in conference duals and placed second at the Bark Memorial Invite in Markesan.
Antigo
On Thursday, Jan. 13, Tomahawk improved to 2-0 in conference duals and 8-6 on the season overall with a win over Antigo.
Tomahawk started the dual in Antigo by receiving forfeits at 113, 120, 126, and 132 pounds. Receiving the forfeits were Presley Gutbrod, Drew Tollefson, Addison Peissig, and Ryan Larson. The forfeits gave Tomahawk a 24-0 lead to start off. At 138 pounds, Blake Felser won a 7-2 decision to put the Hatchets up 27-0. Antigo would win by decision at 145 pounds and score a fall at 152 pounds to bring the dual score to 27-9 after seven matches.
At 160 pounds and 170 pounds, Mason Evans and Logan Bishop both earned first period falls to put the Hatchets up 39-9. Ethan Trayes received a forfeit at 182 pounds. Micah Arnott secured a first period fall in his match at 195 pounds, followed by Blake Younker receiving a forfeit at 220 pounds. Marcus Matti scored a second period fall to put the Hatchets up 63-9 before Antigo closed the meet with a forfeit at 106 pounds to bring the final score of the dual meet to 63-15.
Bark Memorial Invite
On Saturday, Jan. 15, The Hatchets travelled to Markesan to compete in the Bark Memorial Invite.
Starting at 106 pounds, Jack Derleth won a 15-11 decision victory in his semifinals match before falling in the championship match, placing 2nd for Tomahawk. At 113 pounds, Gutbrod fell in his first match, then battled back for a 3rd-place finish while earning two pins along the way. At 120 pounds, Tollefson placed 6th and earned a fall. At 126 pounds, Peissig scored three first period falls and finished 3rd. At 132 pounds, Felser placed 5th. Larson, at 138 pounds, scored a fall and took 4th for Tomahawk.
At 145 pounds, Hudson Mattke won a decision and a scored a fall en route to a 4th-place finish. Brayden Jones scored a fall at 152 pounds and placed 5th. Evans placed 4th at 160 pounds. At 170 pounds, Bishop scored two first period falls and placed 2nd. Trayes at 182 pounds placed 8th. Arnott scored three first period falls and placed 3rd at 195 pounds. Younker placed third at 220 pounds. At heavyweight, Matti scored three falls and placed 1st.
Wrestlers of the Week
Co-Wrestlers of the Week are Hudson Mattke and Marcus Matti.
Hudson Mattke had a late start to the season and has been coming on strong in his first couple weeks back. Mattke is a fiery competitor who battles hard on the mat, and Tomahawk wrestling is excited to have him back for the second half of the season.
Matti has been competing at heavyweight for Tomahawk much of the season. The heavyweight limit is 285 pounds; Matti walks around at about 190 pounds. On days of meets, Matti has to drink water just to gain enough weight to make the legal lower limit for the weight class. Even with giving up anywhere from 20 to 90 pounds, Matti continues to pin and dominate larger opponents.
This week, Tomahawk wrestling will head to Rhinelander on Thursday, Jan. 20, to compete in its third conference dual. Varsity wrestling starts at 7 p.m. at Rhinelander High School. On Friday, Jan. 21, Tomahawk will travel to to Amherst to compete in the Amherst Duals. Wrestling starts at 5 p.m. Tomahawk will also visit Edgar Tuesday, Jan. 25, to compete in duals against Edgar, Athens, and Marathon. Wrestling starts at 6 p.m.