Hodag boys’ grapplers take eighth at Ithaca/Weston

The Rhinelander High School boys’ wrestling team took nine wrestlers to the southwestern part of the state Saturday, Jan. 17 to compete in the 10-team Ithaca/Weston Invite. The Hodags came home eighth on the day in a field that included a mix of Division 1, 2 and 3 schools.

“Overall, it was a good showing for us,” coach Scottie Arneson said. “When I looked at the teams that were there, you never really know if everybody’s sending their full rosters, or if everyone’s got a full team because they are the small schools. When we were able to get there and have some success early on in the day, I think the kids were left feeling pretty positive.”

Ivan Loka went 4-1 on the day and ended up third after losing out on a three-way tiebreaker for the title at 132 pounds. Loka pinned his first four opponents but was stopped in the first period by Holmen’s Maddox Waterhouse in the final match, putting Loka, Waterhouse and Holmen’s Olie Strasser all at 4-1 on the day. 

“Ended up being third and a tiebreaker. Situation where he was actually winning the match, got caught in his back, and was pinned,” Arneson said. “But, all in all, it was probably his best day of competition in his short career here. When you can put yourself in a position to be tied for first place in a tournament where you’ve got D1 schools, D2 schools, and D3 schools, and you’re able to put your first four-win day together in your high school career, that shows that there’s growth.” 

The middle weights again proved to be Rhinelander’s strongest in the tournament. Hoyt Dantoin, Anthony Boldt and Gage Anderson each won two matches as they finished fifth, sixth and sixth at 138, 150 and 157 pounds, respectively.

“Tony had a good day. Gage had a good day, putting together some tough matches. I think we lost some matches that were certainly winnable, but when, when you’re 16, 17 years old, you’re gonna make small mistakes,” Arneson noted. “Hopefully, getting closer to the end of the year here, we can minimize those mistakes, and then capitalize on positions that we know that we can score in. But overall, I think those guys are, are feeling a little bit better and more confident in their matches.”

Brock Sternitzky got a win as he took fifth in a six-man bracket at 285. Michael Tredupp was sixth at 126, Juan Diego Grage was seventh at 106 and Noah Leisure took ninth at 165. Jeffree Dupree also traveled with the team but was unable to compete due to injury.

“It was a good tournament for the boys. Most were able to get a win and or their first legitimate matches of the year,” Arneson noted. “Juandy at 106, he had a loaded bracket and wasn’t able to get an actual win, but his only other times that he stepped on the mat were to receive a forfeit. So finally getting some mat time at 106 and, with the competition that was there, we know that there’s a lot of room for growth.”

The Hodags were back in action Thursday taking on Medford in a GNC dual in Rhinelander that concluded after press time for today’s edition. Rhinelander returns to action Saturday when it takes part in the Wausau East Invite.  

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].