By Craig Marx, Editor

After head coach Dallas Moe left the Antigo wrestling program to accept a job at Wausau West this year, Quinn Hrdlicka took over the headman position for this upcoming season after working as an assistant for the past two years.

The program, like many of AHS’s winter sports, is on the up as far as numbers. With 27 kids out for the 2016-17 wrestling season, the numbers are the highest Coach Hrdlicka has seen in his tenure with Antigo wrestling.

“We have a full team this year with a lot of experience. Everyone is going to have to compete for a spot on the team this season,” Hrdlicka said.

The team returns two seniors this season in Will Dixon and Garret Balis. Dixon wrestled in two separate classes in conference last season, 152 and 160, where he was a collective 3-2 altogether and earned himself a spot on the Great Northern Conference’s second team all-conference. Balis, wrestling at 152, was 1-1 in the GNC.

Dixon comes back to the program as a team captain. Hrdlicka also made note of William Hull, a man that is “returning with a lot of experience” for the new season.

Other returning players of note and ones to watch out for the future include the core group of Brandon Lucht, John Schlieve, Noah Nicholson, and Noah Williams – all of whom joined Dixon for second team honors in the GNC.

In terms of overall conference standings, Antigo finished third with a record of 2-3. Rhinelander took more points out of the conference tournament scoring, allowing the Hodags to secure the GNC title last year.

The boys opened their season with a home invitational this Saturday at 10 am, a meet that the coaches and wrestlers are anxiously awaiting.

“We’re really looking forward for the season and can’t wait to get those first matches under our belts,” Hrdlicka said.

2016-17 AHS Wrestling Schedule

Saturday, December 3 – Antigo Invitational – 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, December 10 – Neenah Invitational – 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, December 17 – at Shawano – 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, December 29 and Friday, December 30 – UW-Oshkosh Invitational – 9:30 a.m. (Fri)
Thursday, January 5 – vs. Medford – 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 7 – Manawa Invitational – 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, January 14 – Clintonville Invitational – 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, January 19 – vs. Rhinelander – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 24 – at Mosinee – 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 30 – at Oconto – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 4 – GNC Meet at Antigo – 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, February 11 – WIAA Regionals at Antigo – 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, February 23 through Saturday, February 25 – WIAA State Tournament in Madison – TBD