By Autumn Peissig

TOMAHAWK – On Saturday, Jan. 30, the Tomahawk Hatchet grapplers hosted the Regional wrestling tournament at the Hatchet Fieldhouse, which included teams from Antigo, Mosinee, Nekoosa/Assumption/Port Edwards, Wautoma/Wild Rose, and Waupaca.

Wrestling at 106 lbs., Presley Gutbrod pinned his way to first place, which advanced him to Sectionals on Saturday, Feb. 6. Addison Peissig also had a very successful day of wrestling. He had a pin and lost in a tough match to Antigo’s Sam Bretle. Peissig finished in second place, also advancing to the Sectional Tournament.

Freshman Ryan Larson competed at 120 lbs. and had an exciting day of wrestling. With a win and a pin, Larson also qualified for the Sectional Tournament. At 126 lbs., Blake Felser also qualified for Sectionals as the top man in his weight class.

Hudson Mattke of Tomahawk had a very exciting match against Waupaca’s Ben Habihorst at 132 lbs. Mattke ended up getting the pin in 3:20. Mattke took third in his weight class. At 138 lbs., Micah Arnott went 1-2 on the day in a large bracket. Arnott ended the day in fourth place.

Mason Evans wrestled well on the day to earn a regional championship at 145 lbs. Evans won his finals match 11-4 over Logan Johnson of Mosinee. At 152 lbs., junior Logan Bishop secured his regional championship with a pin in the finals over Robby Hagerty of Antigo.

Competing at 160 lbs., Braydon Jones wrestled his way to a fifth-place finish in a tough bracket. Freshman Ethan Trayes wrestled at 170 lbs. The young wrestler wrestled well and ended the day in third place. Switching weight classes, senior Isaiah Scheffler wrestled at 182 lbs. and had a very competitive day of wrestling, qualifying for the Sectional Tournament with a second-place finish.

Representing Tomahawk in the 195 lbs. weight class, senior Kade Wenninger pinned his way to first-place and the Sectional Tournament. Wrestling heavyweight, Erik Decker wrestled well and placed second, also qualifying for Sectionals.

The Hatchets had a great day of wrestling individually and as a team, ending the day as Team Regional Champions for the second year in a row. The Hatchet grapplers were set to travel to Seymour High School on Saturday, Feb. 6 for the sectional tournament.