Kelly O’Day
Sports Editor
The Tomahawk wrestling team took care of GNC business on Thursday to set up a title showdown with Rhinelander for this week, then grabbed a runner-up finish in Saturday’s eight-team Belmont/Platteville Scramble.
The Hatchets crushed Antigo 53-18 on Thursday to improve to 3-0 in conference, the same as the Hodags.
“We wrestled really well,” THS coach Bob Garrou said. “Antigo’s been doing pretty well, but we came out really aggressive and dominated them from start to finish. Even in the matches we were out-gunned, we kept it close.”
The Hatchets won four of the first five matches and ran six straight after that before giving up forfeits in the final two matches. Coming out on top were Brady Anderson (126, 16-0 TF), Wyatt Wenninger (138, 11-5), Matt Turkiewicz (145, 5-2), Bryce Bishop (152, 2:56), Quinton Wallenfang (170, 4:34), Zach Stefanich (182, 5:05), Ches Olson (195, 3:52), Kaleb Kaminski (220, :29) and Dane Borchardt (285, 2:52). Losing were Blake Carstensen (132, 11-4) and Jacob Matti (160, 7-4).
Ramble and scramble
THS traveled all the way to Platteville, but it was worth it after coming within 22 points of the championship.
Tomahawk grabbed four 1sts, two 2nds and five 3rds, meaning all 11 were in the top 3.
“Our young guys are really stepping up and becoming high school wrestlers,” Garrou said. “It was a very good learning weekend. Our 220-pound state champion got caught and pinned by a kid in his division, but we’ll fix some things so it never happens again. If it’s going to happen, you want it to happen early, not down at state.”
Kaminski (29-1) dropped to 182 and pinned all five of his foes. Others working championships were Anderson (24-4, 3 pins), Turkiewicz (22-7, 3 p) and Wallenfang (27-4, 3 p).
Runners-up were Bishop (17-13) and Borchardt (220, 28-2, 2 p). Thirds were turned in by Carstensen (11-14), Wenninger (25-5, 3 p), Matti (20-11, 3 p), Stefanich (16-8, 2 p) and Olson (285, 17-5).
Team scores- Dodgeville 219.5, Tomahawk 198, Janesville Parker 130, Sun Prairie 123, Evansville/Albany JV 118, Rio/Fall Riv/Cambria-Fries/Pardeeville 74, Belmont/Platteville 65, Lake Mills 34.5.