Youth Sports Roundup

State-bound wrestlers

    (Bob Mainhardt for the River News)
  

Rhinelander Wrestling Club members, from left to right Forrest Schmelling, Tucker Kreitlow and Ryker Melton pose for a photograph in the James Williams Middle School balcony Monday, March 23 as they prepared to take part in the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation’s kids folkstyle state wrestling tournament this weekend in Madison. 

The trio advanced through a regional tournament held in Merrill Sunday, March 22. Kreitlow and Melton were regional champions. Kreitlow won both of his matches at took first in the 57-pound weight class. Melton went 3-0 to claim the title in the 69-pound class. Schmelling battled through the wrestleback, going 4-1 on the day to take the runner-up spot in the 80-pound class. 

The WWF state tournament takes place March 27-29 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. 

Short-handed middle school bowlers edge Wisconsin Rapids

The Rhinelander Area Youth Bowling Club’s middle school bowling team came into its first match in more than a month down one bowler, but the remaining four did well and improved nearly every game to walk away with the 4-3 win over Wisconsin Rapids No. 1 Sunday, March 22 at Dale’s Weston Lanes in Weston.

Rhinelander jumped out to a 3-0 lead (71-62, 99-90 and 113-55) before Rapids came back with the next two (98-96, 89-66). 

The Hodags held off Wisconsin Rapids 110-101 in the sixth game to earn the match victory. Wisconsin Rapids won the final game 110-103. 

“It was tough missing one bowler and losing points on spare and strikes that our No. 1-and 6-frame bowler would put up, but the kids didn’t give up, they battled and got some nice game wins to take it,” coach Cory Dellenbach said. 

Charlotte Preuss led the Hodags, filling 10 of her 14 frames with four strikes.

“Charlotte did very well today. She’s been working hard at improving form this year and it’s nice to see it pay off,” coach Dellenbach said.

Natalie Dellenbach had was 8 of 14 with four strikes. Xane Kallio went 6 of 14 with two strikes and Maggie Campbell was 3 for 14 on the day. 

The Hodags will host the final middle school meet on Sunday, April 12 at 10 a.m. at Nick’s Hodag Lanes.