Hatchet wrestling team previews 2024 season

TOMAHAWK – This year is off to an exciting start for that Tomahawk Hatchet wrestling team. There is a large number of student-athletes signed up and ready to go this year.

On the boys’ side, there is an amazing number of 36 signed up for the season. On the girls’ side, there was a huge jump from last year with 30 signed up this year.

With numbers like that, it looks like Tomahawk wrestling has a bright future on its horizon.

This year, the boys are led by three returning seniors. Jack Derleth, Blake Younker and Drew Tollefson will look to help bring the Hatchets back into the Great Northern Conference title contention this year. The team will be bolstered by returning regional champion Brayden Ristau. The team is filled with a roughneck crew of boys that are hungry to remind people of the tradition that Tomahawk wrestling represents.

 “We are bringing back a nice mix of experience and youth,” said coach Bob Garrou. “The kids are as determined as I’ve seen over the last several years to make an impact in the sport and represent their community with pride.”

On the girls’ side, the team is led by four returning seniors. Grace Waring, Alli Palmer, Reese Molitor and Kaylynn Sandry have done an amazing job as ambassadors of the sport, helping to recruit an incredible number of girls to the team this year. The girls will be anchored by returning state qualifier Elise Gibeault. The girls are eager to show that they are ready to make a name for themselves in the world of Wisconsin girls’ wrestling. There is a lot of excitement about their future.

“We were shocked to see the numbers this year for the girls,” Garrou stated. “That shows that the girls for last year had a great experience and want to share that with their friends. We are really excited to see their impact this year.”

This year the team will be helmed by George Martin Hall of Fame head coach Bob Garrou. The staff will be returning Dane Borchart, Ted Towle, Nate Mickelson and John Repinski.

This year's staff will have some exciting additions. Six=time national team member and two-time world medalist Alyssa Lampe will be home to help coach the team. Fargo national champion Sarah Kouba will be here to coach as well. Returning to Tomahawk wrestling this year is coach Jon Arnott. They will be getting coaching assistance from Bryce Bishop and Maddie List this year as well.

 “This feels like a dream team for coaching wrestling,” Garrou said. “I am so excited to be able to have this kind of experience come back to help, and work with these kids this year. With these kids and these coaches, it's hard not to be excited not only for this year, but the future of the program. I also want to thank everyone for all the support for the team. Our Alumni Club has been valuable in helping us get things that we need. School budgets are insanely tight these days, and the club has really stepped up. The community has been amazing supporters of the program since its start. Also, thanks to the school for the support in everything, especially Activities Director Ryan Flynn.”