Current and former Witt-Birn wrestlers enjoy big seasons

Editor’s note: The following is a list of the top five sports stories for 2019, as voted on by the editorial staff of NEW Media.

1. Witt-Birn wrestlers achieve high honors

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School wrestling experienced a mixed bag of results during the 2018-19 season, but ended the season on a high note. Freshman Pierson Potrykus made it to state, while junior Will Urquhart won a Central Wisconsin Conference title.

After a strong regular season, Potrykus came in second at regionals and third at sectionals in the 106-pound weight class to qualify for the 76th annual WIAA Individual Wrestling Championship Tournament in Madison.

At state, Potrykus picked up a decision win to avoid elimination and advance to the second day of competition. Potrykus didn’t earn another win at state, but ended his first season with a 40-11 record.

“To me, my freshman year was a success,” Potrykus said. “It might not have went my way at the end, but I’ve made a lot of good memories with my teammates throughout the year, and not getting injured was also very good.”

Urquhart turned in one of the highlights of the Chargers’ season when he won a conference title at 145 pounds.

The then-junior pulled off a reversal in the final seconds of the third period to finish off a comeback in the title match. Urquhart trailed 4-2 with about 25 seconds left before getting a point when the opponent stalled and then won it with a reversal.

2. Vosters ends college career on high note

Witt-Birn graduate Ben Vosters capped a memorable college career with a strong senior season at UW-Stevens Point in 2018-19.

Vosters qualified for the Division III NCAA Championships to end the season, taking second in the 133-pound weight class.

“Overall I’m happy how I went out,” Vosters said. “I put my heart on the line and I wrestled my match. I don’t regret my performance because I left everything I had out there.”

It marked the second time Vosters made it to nationals after doing so as a sophomore, when an injury led to an 0-2 finish. Vosters eventually had to sit out a season with the injury, making the nationals appearance as a senior all the more special.

After finishing his senior season with a 29-4 record that capped a 117-41 college career, Vosters was named the UW-Stevens Point male individual Subway Athlete of the Year.

“Looking back at what I did to receive this award, part of me is surprised at how far I’ve come, knowing that one instance could’ve changed the outcome of it all,” said Vosters. “But at the same time, I know how hard I’ve worked and the things I’ve sacrificed throughout my college career to deserve this award and be recognized by the school.”

3. Chargers volleyball wins CWC-East title

The Witt-Birn volleyball entered the fall season with high expectations, and after lots of hard work, dominated its way to a CWC-East title.

The Chargers swept Weyauwega-Fremont on Oct. 8 to finish off a perfect 6-0 run through the conference.

“It means a lot to me because this is a major goal we wanted to accomplish this season and I’m glad we did,” said Marissa Groshek. “We worked hard everyday and bettered ourselves at practice to get to this point. We worked on certain skills and always stayed focused.”

Groshek and junior Abi Fraaza each were named unanimous first-team conference selections after the season. Seniors Elizabeth Muscha and Kaitlyn Clark made the second team, while junior McKenna Metropulos and freshman Reese Rogowski were honorable mentions.

The Chargers went on to earn a No. 5 seed for the postseason, winning a playoff game before having their season ended.

4. Marion/Tigerton turns in successful season

Marion/Tigerton made the switch from 11-man to 8-man football for the fall season. After a winless 2018 season, the co-op posted a 6-3 record in the regular season to tie for the CWC 8-man title and earn a postseason berth this fall.

Sophomore quarterback Ethan Scheef led the team on offense, eventually being tabbed the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year. Marion/Tigerton coach Lance Litchfield was tabbed the Co-Coach of the Year.

Seniors Allen Jobe (offensive lineman), Cayden Schoen (defensive line, running back), Jared Krueger (linebacker) and Austin Hoffmann (wide receiver) and junior Charles Schweitzer (defensive lineman) also made the first team all-conference for the co-op.

The co-op earned a No. 4 seed for the postseason, dropping its first game to top-seeded Newman Catholic.

Witt-Birn also made the playoffs at the 11-man level after a 6-3 regular season. The Chargers were a No. 6 seed for the playoffs, falling to third-seeded Chilton in the first round.

5. Witt-Birn represented at 2 state competitions

Along with strong fall seasons from the Witt-Birn volleyball and football teams, the team also had individuals make it to state from the cross-country and girls swim teams.

Junior Wyatt Dickman found a groove on cross-country courses in the final weeks of the season, taking third at the CWC Meet before placing fifth at the Tomahawk Sectional to qualify for state, where he took 99th.

Metropulos, a dual-sport athlete, qualified for two individual state girls swim events, while a Witt-Birn relay team also qualified.

Metropulos came in 16th in the 50-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly. The 200 freestyle relay team of Metropulos, seniors Christina Thrun and Lauren Bahr and freshman Annika Resch also came in 16th.