FOR THE ANTIGO TIMES
Alexandra Hofrichter of the Antigo Wrestling Club had an amazing performance at the Junior National Duals in Tulsa, Ok. Facing off against a pair of nationally ranked wrestlers, as well as 4 state champions, Hofrichter did not allow a single opponent to survive an entire match, ending the event with 8 victories and not a single defeat.
In the first round, Team Wisconsin faced off against Missouri, and Hofrichter matched up with Lexi Adams, a freestyle state champion. Adams was able to score first using an outside single leg attack to earn a takedown 16 seconds into the match. Hofrichter would counter using an inside control of Adam’s leg to score a reversal at the 33 second mark, tightening the match score to 2-1.
Hofrichter would then use an armbar to score a 2-point exposure, and then used a high gut wrench and double leg ride to increase her lead to 5-2. Adams was able to reposition her hips and score a reversal straight to exposure for 2 points.
Back on the feet, Adams used another outside single, this time going feet to back with exposure for 4 points. Hofrichter remained calm, and again was able to secure a leg from the bottom, and scored a reversal to a step through. From here, Hofrichter was able to use a half nelson, and proceeded to advance to full mount with her hooks in for the pinfall victory at 1:56 of the first round.
In the next dual, Hofrichter faced Kaitlyn Pegarella of Pennsylvania, a Folkstyle state champion in 2020 and a Folkstyle state runner-up in 2021 at 164 pounds. Team Wisconsin didn’t have a 164 pound wrestler, so Hofrichter would bounce back and forth between 152 and 164 trying to help her team as much as possible. This match would show 31 points on the board in less than a four-and-a-half-minute match. Hofrichter was able to score first earning a pushout point off of an overhook hip toss 28 seconds into the match. Hofrichter would then attempt a double leg attempt, which Pegarella was able to counter with a body lock roll through for 4 points. Hofrichter would counter with a feet to back snap down for 4 of her own, and then scored another 2 with a power half with her hooks in from rear mount position. Pegarella was then able to scramble to a front headlock position, and scored a pair of exposures. Hofrichter then tied the match at 8 with a reversal. The rest of the first round didn’t see any scoring, despite continual attacks by Hofrichter.
The second period started with Hofrichter snapping Pegarella down, but Pegarella being able to counter for the takedown off a single leg attempt. Hofrichter would reverse the position straight to exposure using good hip positioning. Hofrichter would again attempt a double leg, but Pegarella went to the body lock and score 4 with a roll through. Hofrichter didn’t let that faze her, as she reversed position, hooked Pegarella’s left hand with her foot, and used that to set up a fall from north south at 4:26. Despite giving up a decent amount of size, Hofrichter refused to stay down in what was one of the most exciting matches of the day.
For the third match, Hofrichter would return to 152 pounds and face Abigail Ervasti of Minnesota. Hofrichter would start the scoring, securing a double leg takedown 30 seconds into the match. Hofrichter would then toss the legs in and score on a power half, increasing her lead to 4-0. Ervasti would secure a reversal with exposure to cut the lead to 4-2. Back on the feet, Hofrichter secured the victory using a crucifix from a Ervasti single leg attempt for the pinfall at 2:01.
On paper, Hofrichter’s fourth match should have been the toughest. She faced Aspen Barber of Colorado; the 10th ranked wrestler in the nation. Barber was a Folkstyle runner-up at state, and also is an all-American, finishing 8th at the National Showcase just a couple months ago.
Hofrichter scored first 20 seconds into the match, using an underhook to a single leg attack and finishing with a body lock for a feet to back 4 point maneuver. Barber would score next, using a snap down for a 2-point takedown. Back on the feet, Hofrichter powered through a double leg attempt by Barber for a 2-point takedown and a 6-2 lead. Barber would tighten the match using a front headlock to secure a takedown with a minute remaining in the period. With 22 seconds remaining, Hofrichter would use a collar crusher throw to score 4 points and earn the fall at the 2:42 mark of the first period
Due to the structure of the event, Wisconsin would match up again with Minnesota in the first match of the second day, so Hofrichter saw a rematch with Abigail Ervasti. This time, Ervasti was able to score first, shooting an inside single leg for a takedown 21 seconds into the match. From here, it was all Hofrichter. Hofrichter would use a Russian tie to secure a takedown, and then scored exposure with a high power half with her legs in. From here, Hofrichter would slowly settle in, and earned the pinfall at the 1:30 mark.
Hofrichter would receive a forfeit in the second round of the day, and then face Avery Beckman of Texas at 164 pounds. Beckman is the #11 wrestler in the nation, and was a Texas triple crown champion, winning Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco this year.
Beckman would score first, using a head throw for 4 points at the beginning of the match. Hofrichter would counter with trapped arm body lock from the feet, throwing Beckman straight to her back for 4 points. Unfortunately, the throw injured Beckman, and she injury defaulted as a result of the slam at the 39 second mark.
In her final match of the day, Hofrichter faced Kaylee Davis of Oklahoma at 164 pounds. Davis won the Oklahoma state tournament this year. The match started with a lot of positional battling before Hofrichter scored the first point with a push out off of a double leg attack 80 seconds into the round. Hofrichter would then use an overhook to inside trip for a takedown and a 3-0 lead. From here, Hofrichter would use a power half with her legs in for another 2 points and a 5-0 lead. Davis would get on the board with an outside single takedown with 33 seconds remaining, ending the round at 5-2.
In the second round, Hofrichter shot in on a double, and then hit a head throw from her knees off of the ensuing scramble. Hofrichter transitioned to full mount, and Davis was unable to get off her back, and Hofrichter won by pinfall at 3:38.
An amazing couple of days of wrestling for the young Antigo Wrestling Club member. Alexandra Hofrichter is only a sophomore, and is looking forward to continuing her success at the national scene. Up next for her are Fargo Nationals in July.
Up next for the Antigo Wrestling Club is youth nationals, where Nolan Kielcheski will be competing in both Greco and Freestyle next week in Wisconsin Dells.
Robby Hagerty and Hunter Cordova will be joining Hofrichter out at nationals in July, where they plan on competing in Greco. It is exciting seeing 4 of our young wrestler’s competing at the national stage, and is a great sign of the future potential this team holds.
152 Results
Alexandra Hofrichter of Team Wisconsin went 8-0
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