Shawano wrestlers successful at Shiocton

Shawano’s boys enjoyed a successful tournament at Shiocton on Jan. 5, going up against teams from Shiocton, Medford, Stevens Point and Reedsville.

The team wrestled Stevens Point in the opening match and defeated them 46-22, lost to Medford on the last match of the dual 37-32 and defeated Reedsville 78-6.

Shawano won the pool due to a three-way tie in pool wrestling and won on criteria of most points scored.

“We advanced to the championship match vs. Shiocton,” coach Mike Homan said. “In that match, we had some big matches to move us into first place.”

It all started with a big win at 106 pounds by Dylan Gartner, 7-2, and Dane Hodkiewicz pinned his opponent in 30 seconds.

“We lost the next two matches but got back on track at 132 with a major decision by Owen Montour 18-6, Kody Popelka secured a fall at 138 over Zach Reif of Shiocton in 3:54,” Homan said.

Drake Herm was in a tight match when he secured a pin over Jordan Jahnke in 4:29. Carsen Herm secured a win at 157 over Blake Carton 6-2. Drew Chelberg at 165 continued the winning with a major decision 13-2 over Logan Leeman. Mason Theis also secured a win at 175 with a fall in 3:54, and Kia Waukau finished out the dual meet with a sudden victory 3-1 over Owen Carlson.

With these matches, the team won the championship dual 41-30.

“It was a great team win as everyone fought hard in their matches,” Homan said. “I was really proud of the team as they came together tonight and continued to fight hard when in mattered.”

This was the first tournament win that the Hawks have had in the last 10 years.

Shawano’s girls also wrestled in Shiocton.

Finsihing in first were Caitlyn Moede and Ali Lemerond. Coming in second were Onna Hermann, Adalyn Barkley and Courtney Schenk. Taking third were Jenna Moede, Madelyn Moesch, Breleigh Thornock, Vivian Waldburger and Lily Tomas.

Lauren Harkey placed fourth.

“We continue to have our leaders on this team step up and lead by example,” Homan said. “It is very exciting to see all of these girls continue to stack up wins.”

Wittenberg-Birnamwood places first at Merrill

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood wrestlers took first place at the Blue Jay Wrestling Invite on Jan. 6.

Brooke Hoffman finished first for the girls at 185, and Nathan Waupekenay was first for the boys at 190.

Placing second were Andres Sanchez-Decorah at 150 and Owen Schultz at 215. Finishing in third were Dalton Fletcher at 106 and Bryson Schmid at 175.

Fourth-place finishes went to Brenna Marsh (girls) at 114, Easton Davis at 132, Ben Miller at 138, Megan Bresnahan (girls) at 138 and George Seegmiller at 215.

Other finishers were Bo Davis, 113, sixth place; Braxton Olson, 120, 12th place; Gideon Hayek, 126, 14th place; Grayson Niswanderm 150, 16th place; Joey Seegmiller, 157, eighth place; Braeden Groshek, 165, 15th place; Carter Waldvogel, 190, eighth place; and Dominic Weso, 285, sixth place.

Hawks win by a point

A hard-fought battle at West De Pere on Jan. 4 came down to the Shawano wrestlers winning by a single point, 34-33.

There were a few girls matches mixed in before and after the varsity dual meet. Caitlyn Moede got the night started off with a quick pin of her opponent.

After that, the boys teams started the varsity dual. At 132, Owen Montour won 10-3, Drake Herm won by fall at 138, Cody Popelka had a huge major decision against one of the best West De Pere wrestlers at 144, winning 9-1.

Shawano lost the 150-pound match but secured a fall at 157 by Carsen Herm.

“We lost the two matches at 165, and 175, giving up decisions,” coach Mike Homan said. “These were important matches, and they mattered a great deal, especially because they were decisions, and we kept West De Pere out of bonus points.”

At 190, Kaydin Campbell secured a fall in 1:09, and Connor Chelberg followed it up with fall in 2:29.

“We lost the heavyweight match but got on track at 106 with a big win by Dylan Gartner 6-0,” Homan said. “As we headed into the last three matches of the night, we knew we were going to have to give up less than three pins. Holding at least one match to a decision would secure a victory for the team.”

Dane Hodkiewicz was up at 113; he ended up on the losing side but only gave up a decision 6-1.

“I was proud of how hard he fought tonight and kept that match close the whole way,” Homan said. “It was a great effort by Dane with the meet on the line.”

Kody Popelka was up next.

“We knew it was going to be a close match, but Cody really wrestled a tough gritty match and came away with a late takedown that secured a major decision” Homan said. “This was the difference in the dual that went back and forth between each team. Kody has been doing well lately and really opened up his offense tonight. We look forward to more of that from him as we move through the season.”

The team’s record improved to 7-3 heading into the next day’s dual tournament at Shiocton.