Antigo Wrestling: 11-1-2025, UWSP Pointer Open

The Antigo Wrestling Club was represented by three athletes at the UWSP Pointer Open on Saturday, November 1st, at the Skyward Fieldhouse in Stevens Point. The tournament is primarily for current collegiate wrestlers, but also hosts high-level high school athletes and occasional older competitors.

Antigo was represented by current high school standout Olivia Hofrichter, who aims to repeat as a WIAA state champion in her senior season; former multiple-time WIAA state champion and current University of Dubuque Junior Alexandra Hofrichter, who is already a two-time Collegiate All-American; and Antigo Wrestling Club board member Jason Hohensee, who was competing at the event for the second time with a 24-year gap between appearances.

Alexandra Hofrichter's Run to 5th Place in Gold 160

Alexandra Hofrichter competed in the 160-pound gold division, a bracket described as "absolutely loaded with talent," featuring four returning All-Americans and five individuals ranked in the top 10 nationally. Alexandra, a two-time Collegiate All-American, entered the event ranked 9th in the nation and finished 7th at nationals the previous year.

Championship Matches

• First Round: Alexandra started strong, securing the initial takedown against Caitlyn Flaherty of North Central College and earning a pinfall victory in just 39 seconds.
• Quarterfinals: She faced Maryam Ndiaye of Augustana (ranked 20th by The Open Mat). Alexandra scored first with a feet-to-back takedown for 4 points. She later earned another takedown and a pushout point, eventually securing a pinfall victory with 31 seconds remaining in the first period.
• Semifinals: Alexandra met Taylor Graveman of North Central, the eventual runner-up (ranked 6th). Alexandra earned the first takedown, but Graveman tied it at 2. Alexandra momentarily regained the lead with a reversal with exposure, but Graveman took a 6-4 lead into the second period and eventually won by a 16-8 decision.

Consolation Matches and 5th Place

• Consolation Semifinals: She lost to Sydney Perry of North Central (eventual bronze medalist) by technical fall at the 51-second mark of the second period.
• 5th Place Match: Alexandra had a rematch against Maryam Ndiaye. Ndiaye started with a 6-0 lead with three takedowns in the first two minutes. Hofrichter then took over, scoring the next 15 points. She ended the first period with a big feet-to-back takedown to narrow the score to 6-4. In the second period, she scored three pushout points and two takedowns, increasing her lead to 11-6. She sealed the victory with another large feet-to-back takedown and a pinfall at 5:50, securing 5th Place.

Olivia Hofrichter's Impressive Showing

High school standout Olivia Hofrichter also competed in the Gold 160 bracket. She was able to defeat a pair of college athletes, dropping matches only to a pair of returning All-Americans.

• First Round: Olivia defeated May Prado of Wartburg by pinfall at 1:41. Prado took an early 6-0 lead, but Olivia secured a 4-point feet-to-back takedown and earned the pin.
• Quarterfinals: She faced the eventual champion, Elleni Johnson of Grand Valley State (ranked 3rd). Johnson built an 8-0 lead with four takedowns. With 1:10 left in the first period, Olivia landed an impressive feet-to-back takedown for 4 points, but Johnson fought off her back, reversed the position, and secured the pinfall victory.
• Consolation Round 2: Olivia won by pinfall over Taylor Schulz of UW-Stevens Point, taking a 4-2 lead on a toss with 50 seconds remaining in the first period.
• Consolation Round 3: She lost to Sydney Perry of North Central by a 12-0 technical fall victory.

The write-up noted that it was "a very impressive showing for a high school athlete" as she dropped matches only to returning All-Americans.

Jason Hohensee in Gold 197

Jason Hohensee competed in the 197 Gold Bracket, marking his first collegiate tournament since his college career ended in 2001.

• First Round: Hohensee lost a close match to Seth Gomez of UW-Stevens Point by a 5-2 decision. After a scoreless first period, Gomez took the lead with an escape. Hohensee earned a reversal in the third, but Gomez tied it with an escape and secured the winning takedown near the end of the period.
• Consolation Round 1: Hohensee lost to Derrick Steinke of Minnesota State Mankato by a 15-0 technical fall. Steinke took a 7-0 lead into the second period with a takedown and nearfall, then added an escape, takedown, and another nearfall for the victory.

Upcoming Events for Antigo Wrestling

The Antigo Wrestling high school team has a busy schedule planned:

• December 2nd: Quad in New London against the host school, Mosinee, and Little Chute.
• December 4th: Conference dual meet at Merrill.
• December 5th (Friday): The Sheldon Fieldhouse will host the Red Robin Girls Invite.
• December 6th (Saturday): The Sheldon Fieldhouse will host the John Roberts Invite.

Youth sign-ups for the Antigo Wrestling Club are currently underway, with practice scheduled to start the first week of December.