For the Tomahawk Leader
TOMAHAWK – The Tomahawk Hatchet wrestling team had a big week last week, moving to 3-0 in Great Northern Conference duals and 14-6 overall on the year.
Rhinelander
On Thursday, Jan. 20, Tomahawk travelled to Rhinelander for their third GNC dual of the season.
Tomahawk got off to a fast start with first period falls from Ryan Larson and Hudson Mattke at 138 and 145 pounds, respectively, to put the Hatchets up 12-0. Rhinelander cut the lead in half with a fall at 152 pounds. Mason Evans, at 160 pounds, earned a fall to put the Hatchets back up by 12 and bring the score to 18-6 after four matches. Logan Bishop received a forfeit at 170 pounds to put the Hatchets up 24-6. Rhinelander responded with a fall at 182 pounds before Tomahawk put up back-to-back falls at 195 and 220 pounds by Micah Arnott and Marcus Matti. Rhinelander received a forfeit at heavyweight to bring the score of the dual to 36-18.
Starting back down at 106 pounds, Rhinelander scored a fall. Presley Gutbrod received a forfeit at 113 pounds. Tomahawk was up 42-24 with three matches to go. Rhinelander put up a fall at 120 pounds to cut the lead down to 12 with two matches left. Addison Peissig and Blake Felser responded with falls at 126 and 132 pounds to close out the dual, with final score Tomahawk 54 and Rhinelander 30.
With the victory, Tomahawk improved to 3-0 and in conference duals.
Amherst
On Friday, Jan. 21, Tomahawk travelled to Amherst to compete in the Amherst duals. Teams competing along with Tomahawk were the host school Amherst, Almond/Bancroft-Pacelli, Manawa, Bonduel, and Menominee Indians.
Tomahawk started the day with a dominant win over Almond/Bancroft-Pacelli, with the Hatchets winning every match wrestled.
Tomahawk was almost as dominant in their second dual, winning 12 of 14 matches alongside a 70-12 score over Manawa. In the featured match of the dual, Logan Bishop won a 12-2 major decision over Manawa’s 7th-ranked 170-pounder. Bishop showed great offense on his feet, as well as putting his opponent to his back twice.
For Tomahawk’s third dual of the night, they faced off against Amherst. Tomahawk won 11 of 14 matches and won with a score of 60-18. In what would be their toughest test of the night, Tomahawk faced off against Bonduel in their fourth dual. Tomahawk won 8 of 14 matches and put up 19 bonus points in those eight victories. The final score of the dual being 43-29.
In a few highlights of the dual, Mason Evans knocked off Bonduel’s returning State place winner at 160 pounds in a 4-3 decision. Evans showed off his exceptional athleticism and scrambling ability. In another big match for Logan Bishop at 170 pounds, Bishop scored a second period fall over Bonduel’s 10th-ranked 170-pounder. With only two matches to go and Tomahawk up 14, Ethan Trayes scored a first period fall to put the dual out of reach and give Tomahawk the win, 43-29.
In their last dual of the night, the Hatchets faced off against the Menominee Indians. Tomahawk won 12 of 14 matches to cap off their night with a 69-9 victory. The win put Tomahawk at 5-0 on the night, and gave Tomahawk 14 dual meet wins on the season.
Going 5-0 on the night for Tomahawk were Presley Gutbrod, Addison Peissig, Blake Felser, Mason Evans, Logan Bishop, Ethan Trayes, and Marcus Matti. Going 4-1 for the Hatchets were Blake Younker, Drew Tollefson, and Jack Derleth.
Tomahawk was back on the mat on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Edgar High School, where they competed in the Edgar Quad against Edgar, Marathon, and Athens.
Tomahawk will host Mosinee on Thursday, Jan. 27, in the Fieldhouse. Wrestling starts at 7 p.m. A win over Mosinee would set the stage for another dual with Medford, with the GNC dual meet championship being on the line on Tuesday, Feb. 1, in Medford. Wrestling will start at 7 p.m.
Wrestlers of the Week
Co-Wrestlers of the Week are Logan Bishop and Ethan Trayes.
Logan Bishop had a big week last week, beating two top-10-ranked wrestlers and going 6-0 on the week. Bishop is one of Tomahawk’s seniors this year, and he has showed dominant offense on his feet and on top. Bishop is currently ranked at 170 pounds by WI Wrestling and has all the tools and ability to become another State finalist in Tomahawk’s storied history.
Ethan Trayes, a sophomore, also had a big week. Trayes went 5-1 overall, highlighted with the first period fall against Bonduel to secure the dual win. With the improvements Trayes continues to make in the practice room, he is setting himself up to secure All-Conference honors at the end of the year.