Antigo Wrestlers Shine at Shawano Holiday Classic

NATASHA WINKLER

The Antigo wrestling teams showcased their skills and determination during the Shawano High School Holiday Classic, with both varsity and junior varsity athletes bringing home podium finishes and memorable performances. The event highlighted the depth of talent in the Antigo wrestling program and the athletes' ability to excel under pressure.

Varsity Highlights

Olivia Hofrichter Dominates at 145 Pounds
Junior Olivia Hofrichter led the varsity team with an exceptional performance, claiming the gold medal in the 145-pound bracket. Competing at this weight for the first time this season, Hofrichter demonstrated her dominance with swift pinfall victories. She pinned Jessalin Grigg of Green Bay West in just 32 seconds during the semifinals and defeated Adalyn Barkley of Shawano, a state-ranked opponent, with a pin at 1:25 in the finals. Her stellar showing secured her second consecutive Shawano Holiday Classic title.

Nolan Kielcheski and Joseph Stimac Excel at 165 Pounds
At 165 pounds, senior Nolan Kielcheski claimed second place, while freshman Joseph Stimac earned third. Kielcheski advanced to the finals with pinfall victories over Logan Hansen of Two Rivers and Jamond Thompson-Schreck of Oshkosh North before falling to undefeated Colin Fischer of Bonduel in a major decision. Stimac had an impressive run, including a technical fall victory in the quarterfinals and a strong 16-9 decision in the third-place match against Thompson-Schreck.

Additional Varsity Standouts

• Johanan Taylor placed fourth in the heavyweight division, securing three pinfall victories during the tournament.
• Jack Sundermeyer finished sixth at 132 pounds, with three pinfall wins.
• Caleb Vandenlangenberg earned a win by pinfall at 175 pounds, contributing to the team’s strong showing.

Junior Varsity Success

The junior varsity wrestlers also delivered strong performances, with multiple athletes making their mark on the podium.

Zander Zilles Takes Second Place
Zander Zilles had an outstanding day at 120-126 pounds, advancing to the finals with two dominant pinfall victories. He ultimately finished second after a hard-fought match against Cameron Tilton of Wabeno/Laona/Three Lakes.

Michael Hofrichter Claims Third
Michael Hofrichter rebounded from an opening loss to secure third place at 157-165 pounds. He achieved two pinfall victories, including a decisive 45-second win in the third-place match against Weston Spiegel of Freedom.

Fourth-Place Finishes for Lucht and Cornelius

• Nolan Lucht earned fourth place at 213-215 pounds, notching two pinfall victories in the consolation bracket.
• Eli Cornelius also finished fourth at 165-175 pounds, highlighted by a pinfall win over Diego Bentura of Two Rivers.

Additional JV Highlights

• Mason Walrath secured a pinfall victory in the consolation bracket at 120-127 pounds.
• Tanner Lee, Nate Malone, and Levi Peterson competed and gained valuable experience, contributing to the team’s efforts.

A Celebration of Team Effort

The Shawano Holiday Classic underscored the commitment and talent of Antigo’s wrestling program. With standout performances from varsity athletes like Hofrichter, Kielcheski, and Stimac, alongside the promising efforts of junior varsity competitors like Zilles and Hofrichter, the team continues to build on its tradition of excellence.

As the season progresses, these athletes remain focused on their goals, with high hopes for continued success at upcoming competitions. The dedication and teamwork displayed at Shawano set the stage for an exciting season ahead for Antigo wrestling.

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