January 4, 2019 at 1:23 p.m.
Tomahawk edges Rhinelander wrestlers 39-30
Tomahawk edges Rhinelander wrestlers 39-30
Luke Knight's first-period pin of Will Swanson at 126 pounds in the last match of the night was the decider as Tomahawk edged Rhinelander 39-30 in a conference dual at the Miazga Gym.
Ultimately, however, the Hodags' loss could be traced back to an inability to fill the lineup, especially in the lower weight classes. Rhinelander won seven of the 10 contested bouts, but forfeited four weight classes, handing Tomahawk 24 of its 39 points.
"That's kind of how the season has been because we're kind of down on numbers," coach Nathan Piasecki said. "We have a couple of rookies or a couple of half-year wrestlers, but they're learning. They're coming out hard and learning what the sport is about.
"I'm just proud of the guys of how they decided to show up and give their whole heart tonight ... We're starting to win close matches. Tomahawk's a solid team up and down the lineup. We won 7 of the 10 matches tonight and that's nothing to shake a stick at."
The Hodags took their only lead of the dual with two matches remaining thanks to a couple of big wins in the lower weights. Tim Fox dominated Blake Felser at 106, earning a second-period technical fall that tied the dual at 27. Hugh Wiese followed with a big 2-1 decision over Gage Robinson at 113. The Hodag sophomore earned a third-period escape, which proved to be the deciding point in the match as the Hodags forged ahead 30-27.
"It's very hard to keep composure with 45 seconds left and you're up 2-1, but he sure did it," Piasecki said. "Hugh's a first-year wrestler but you look at some of his movements and it looks like he's been wrestling three or four years. That's super, super encouraging. He's easily one of our top hardest workers in the room and in your first year wrestling to be on varsity is a very, very difficult thing. He's taken his lumps, but now he's starting to find a way to win. To have a conference win at home, for a first-year wrestler against a good team, is an amazing accomplishment for him. "
Lance Knight received a forfeit for Tomahawk at 120 to put the Hatchets ahead 33-30. That set the stage for Luke Knight, ranked 12th in Division 2 at 126 points, and Swanson. Knight got an early takedown and finished Swanson for the pin at 1:47.
The Hodags were down 18-0 essentially before the match even began, forfeiting the first three bouts at 132, 138 and 145 pounds. Rhinelander rallied to win the next four matches to draw within 18-16. Walker Hartman started the run with a 13-0 major decision over Marcus Matti at 152. Eric Grukle knocked off Wyatt Wenninger 3-1 at 160 with a strong third period. He got an escape and a takedown in the final two minutes to stun the ranked Tomahawk senior.
"He's starting to realize that he's a really good wrestler," Piasecki said of Grulke's win, which he called the match of the night. "He's lost to this Tomahawk guy plenty of times in the past, going way back to junior high and grade school. It's a beautiful thing to find a way to win those matches."
Gavin Ostermann continued the run, pinning Ryan Skees in 1:35 at 170 and Ben Sinclair used a third-period escape to edge Kade Wenninger 6-5 at 182.
The teams traded pins in the next two bouts. Tomahawk's Erik Decker stopped Connor Lund in 3:06 at 195. Rhinelander's Trevor Knapp stuck Tomahawk's Austin Leinen 39 seconds into the 220 bout.
Tomahawk's Toni Matti used a third-period escape and takedown to beat Chase Redmond 3-1 at 285 and give the Hatchets a 27-22 lead as the card flipped around to the lightweights.
"I think if things go a little differently here or there and we possibly win this dual," Piasecki said. "Chase, a very, very close match that could have gone either way. That's a six-point swing."
Rhinelander dropped to 0-2 in the GNC. The Hodags are back in action today in the Bluejay Challenge at Merrill High School.
Freelancer Bob Mainhardt contributed to this report.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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