The Hatchet wrestling team romped over Ashland on Thursday and appeared to take Saturday’s 17-team Rebel Invite in Wabeno until Monday when THS self-reported an ineligible athlete. Tomahawk ended up a close second.
“We have a new (THS) rule that you have to have passing grades each week,” THS coach Bob Garrou said. “It’s an odd situation and little embarrassing, but it’s the right thing to do. It’s a very good rule in the big picture of things.”
A freshman filled out his own form for a class he wasn’t passing. “We’re always going to find out,” Garrou said. “It’s a valuable lesson.”
The team still racked up 179 points with titles at 182 (Slade Erdman), 195 (Kaleb Kaminski) and 220 (Dane Borchardt), and thirds at 132 (Cullen Wegener), 152 (Nate Flohr) and 285 (Jake Borchardt). Chase Erdman (138) and Quinton Wallenfang (170) ranked fourth and Brady Anderson (120) and Matt Turkiewicz (145) finished sixth.
“All my kids are doing well, but my upper weights are excelling,” Garrou said. “Dane has pinned nine out of 10 kids and Kaleb has beaten a couple of state place-winners.”
Team standings– Reedsville 185, Tomahawk 179, Norway 145.5, Crandon 140, Athens 134.5, Kewaunee 114, Wabeno/Laona 97.5, Crivitz 94, Cedar Grove/Belgium 92, Wausau East 78, Kingsford 65.5, Florence 53, Elcho 43, Three Lakes 42, Coleman 37, Menominee 35, West Iron County 17.0
Beaching the Oredockers
Tomahawk fell behind 27-0 in Thursday’s road match, the opener for their GNC season. But the Hatchets came roaring back with max points in eight straight to secure the 48-30 win.
“We looked really flat,” Garrou said. “We’ve been fighting the flu a little bit, but a win is a win and I’ll take it.”
Chase Erdman (:29), Keajan Jach (145, 5:45) and Dakota Tomek (152, 1:29) pulled pins before consecutive forfeits to Blake Mueller (160), Wallenfang, Slade Erdman and Kaminski. Dane Borchardt flattened his foe in 1:15 to push it to 48.