WJJQ Radio

Story Details

Hatchet Wrestlers Win Bluejay Inviational Published on 01/07/2019 under Sports

On Saturday, the Tomahawk Hatchet Wrestling Team won the Merrill Bluejay Invitational. Tomahawk scored 426 points, with Wausau West second, Prairie Du Chien third and Merrill finishing fourth.

Here are individual results from Saturday's meet:

106
Blake Felser (17-6) placed 5th and scored 30.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Blake Felser (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by decision over Trevor Schenzel (Merrill) 12-14 (Dec 4-2)
• Round 2 - Blake Felser (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by fall over Julia Cox (Barron) 6-15 (Fall 3:09)
• Round 3 - Tim Fox (Rhinelander) 15-7 won by fall over Blake Felser (Tomahawk) 17-6 (Fall 2:13)
• Consolation Bracket - Blake Felser (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by fall over Hunter Feyereisen (Saint Croix Central) 8-8 (Fall 1:10)
• 5th Place Match - Blake Felser (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by fall over David Hughes (Chippewa Falls) 12-9 (Fall 3:06)
113
Gage Robinson (10-6) placed 6th and scored 26.5 team points.
• Round 1 - Gage Robinson (Tomahawk) 10-6 won by major decision over Colton Cahill (Amherst) 3-7 (MD 12-0)
• Round 2 - Gage Robinson (Tomahawk) 10-6 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 3 - Jacob Pease (Wausau West) 14-4 won by decision over Gage Robinson (Tomahawk) 10-6 (Dec 8-6)
• Consolation Bracket - Gage Robinson (Tomahawk) 10-6 won by tech fall over Zander Ginet (Three Lakes/Phelps) 9-12 (TF-1.5 6:00 (15-0))
• 5th Place Match - Harry Nemcek (Lakeland/Mercer) 19-11 won by major decision over Gage Robinson (Tomahawk) 10-6 (MD 20-7)
120
Lance Knight (21-6) placed 5th and scored 31.5 team points.
• Round 1 - Lance Knight (Tomahawk) 21-6 won by fall over Trevor Schunk (Crandon) 5-9 (Fall 1:29)
• Round 2 - Lance Knight (Tomahawk) 21-6 won by fall over Will Swanson (Rhinelander) 5-15 (Fall 0:49)
• Round 3 - David Olson (Saint Croix Central) 13-9 won by decision over Lance Knight (Tomahawk) 21-6 (Dec 7-3)
• Consolation Bracket - Lance Knight (Tomahawk) 21-6 won by fall over Max Kersten (Wittenberg-Birnamwood) 3-7 (Fall 0:25)
• 5th Place Match - Lance Knight (Tomahawk) 21-6 won by tech fall over Dejsia Yang (Wausau West) 16-11 (TF-1.5 5:01 (15-0))
126
Luke Knight (22-5) placed 5th and scored 31.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Luke Knight (Tomahawk) 22-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 3 - Luke Knight (Tomahawk) 22-5 won by fall over Sylas Schaberg (Amherst) 5-10 (Fall 0:49)
• Quarterfinal - Tim Burnett (Lakeland/Mercer) 16-10 won by fall over Luke Knight (Tomahawk) 22-5 (Fall 3:14)
• Cons. Round 2 - Luke Knight (Tomahawk) 22-5 won by major decision over Kyle Wiseman (Adams-Friendship) 13-8 (MD 16-3)
• 5th Place Match - Luke Knight (Tomahawk) 22-5 won by decision over Bryce Zoromski (Wittenberg-Birnamwood) 17-9 (Dec 7-0)
132
Alex Bishop (18-5) placed 2nd and scored 40.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Alex Bishop (Tomahawk) 18-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 2 - Alex Bishop (Tomahawk) 18-5 won by fall over Alex Martinez (Barron) 8-17 (Fall 1:36)
• Round 3 - Alex Bishop (Tomahawk) 18-5 won by fall over Alex Lorbecke (Wittenberg-Birnamwood) 9-10 (Fall 2:22)
• Championship Bracket - Alex Bishop (Tomahawk) 18-5 won by decision over Gabriel Ramos (Wausau West) 19-9 (Dec 10-7)
• 1st Place Match - Keenan Holley (Prairie du Chien) 12-7 won in sudden victory - 1 over Alex Bishop (Tomahawk) 18-5 (SV-1 6-4)
138
Logan Bishop (21-5) placed 2nd and scored 41.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Logan Bishop (Tomahawk) 21-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 2 - Logan Bishop (Tomahawk) 21-5 won by fall over Bradley Shepherd (Crandon) 7-6 (Fall 4:28)
• Round 3 - Logan Bishop (Tomahawk) 21-5 won by major decision over Tyler Dormanen (Boyceville) 10-10 (MD 12-0)
• Championship Bracket - Logan Bishop (Tomahawk) 21-5 won by fall over Lucas Wanty (Three Lakes/Phelps) 9-6 (Fall 3:02)
• 1st Place Match - Reid Koenig (Prairie du Chien) 16-3 won by fall over Logan Bishop (Tomahawk) 21-5 (Fall 0:27)
145
Isaiah Sheffler (14-10) placed 9th and scored 20.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Jakob Lipinski (Edgar) 12-9 won by fall over Isaiah Sheffler (Tomahawk) 14-10 (Fall 1:37)
• Round 2 - Isaiah Sheffler (Tomahawk) 14-10 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 3 - Traeton Saint (Prairie du Chien) 19-5 won by fall over Isaiah Sheffler (Tomahawk) 14-10 (Fall 1:23)
• Consolation Bracket - Isaiah Sheffler (Tomahawk) 14-10 received a bye () (Bye)
• 9th Place Match - Isaiah Sheffler (Tomahawk) 14-10 won by decision over Jonas Hicks (Adams-Friendship) 5-13 (Dec 2-1)
152
Marcus Matti (11-12) placed 11th and scored 12.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Will Urquhart (Wittenberg-Birnamwood) 15-11 won by decision over Marcus Matti (Tomahawk) 11-12 (Dec 7-2)
• Round 2 - Brock Schlough (Boyceville) 26-0 won by fall over Marcus Matti (Tomahawk) 11-12 (Fall 2:08)
• Round 3 - Marcus Matti (Tomahawk) 11-12 won by decision over Logan Shackelton (Saint Croix Central) 2-12 (Dec 8-5)
• Consolation Bracket - Anthony Kujawa (Adams-Friendship) 7-6 won by fall over Marcus Matti (Tomahawk) 11-12 (Fall 3:26)
• 11th Place Match - Marcus Matti (Tomahawk) 11-12 won by decision over Dillan Adams (Barron) 5-7 (Dec 9-2)
160
Wyatt Wenninger (24-5) placed 2nd and scored 42.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Wyatt Wenninger (Tomahawk) 24-5 won by fall over Cassius Ramirez (Sun Prairie) 2-6 (Fall 0:30)
• Round 2 - Wyatt Wenninger (Tomahawk) 24-5 won by fall over Trystan Sanderfoot (Three Lakes/Phelps) 7-11 (Fall 0:54)
• Round 3 - Wyatt Wenninger (Tomahawk) 24-5 won by fall over Isaac Avery (Prairie du Chien) 11-12 (Fall 1:53)
• Championship Bracket - Wyatt Wenninger (Tomahawk) 24-5 won by fall over Ross Kaz (Chippewa Falls) 19-10 (Fall 5:10)
• 1st Place Match - Ty Guden (Edgar) 15-2 won by decision over Wyatt Wenninger (Tomahawk) 24-5 (Dec 3-1)
170
Ryan Skyees (10-13) placed 10th and scored 16.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Tyler Smock (Prairie du Chien) 18-9 won by fall over Ryan Skyees (Tomahawk) 10-13 (Fall 1:02)
• Round 2 - Harry Nawrot (Adams-Friendship) 15-5 won by fall over Ryan Skyees (Tomahawk) 10-13 (Fall 1:10)
• Round 3 - Ryan Skyees (Tomahawk) 10-13 received a bye () (Bye)
• Consolation Bracket - Ryan Skyees (Tomahawk) 10-13 won by decision over Ethan Cordova (Merrill) 7-14 (Dec 6-3)
• 9th Place Match - RJ Knetter (Edgar) 12-6 won by fall over Ryan Skyees (Tomahawk) 10-13 (Fall 1:43)
182
Kade Wenninger (17-6) placed 5th and scored 32.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Kade Wenninger (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by fall over Forfeit Forfeit (Prairie du Chien) 8-10 (Fall 1:33)
• Round 2 - Kade Wenninger (Tomahawk) 17-6 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 3 - Brock Handrick (Edgar) 20-2 won by fall over Kade Wenninger (Tomahawk) 17-6 (Fall 1:02)
• Consolation Bracket - Kade Wenninger (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by fall over Ben Sinclair (Rhinelander) 14-8 (Fall 4:55)
• 5th Place Match - Kade Wenninger (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by fall over Nathan LaRue (Wausau West) 15-12 (Fall 3:18)
195
Eric Decker (21-4) placed 1st and scored 50.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Eric Decker (Tomahawk) 21-4 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 2 - Eric Decker (Tomahawk) 21-4 won by fall over Jordan Haag (Barron) 7-19 (Fall 0:28)
• Round 3 - Eric Decker (Tomahawk) 21-4 won by fall over Joseph Nienow (Wausau West) 7-12 (Fall 2:22)
• Championship Bracket - Eric Decker (Tomahawk) 21-4 won by fall over Justyn Kniprath (Adams-Friendship) 11-7 (Fall 1:26)
• 1st Place Match - Eric Decker (Tomahawk) 21-4 won by fall over Brendan Shannon (Sun Prairie) 16-8 (Fall 4:46)
220
Tony Matti (23-5) placed 3rd and scored 38.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Tony Matti (Tomahawk) 23-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 2 - Tony Matti (Tomahawk) 23-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 3 - Tony Matti (Tomahawk) 23-5 won by fall over Lucas Edelburg (Amherst) 10-9 (Fall 1:01)
• Championship Bracket - Colten Wall (Prairie du Chien) 12-5 won by fall over Tony Matti (Tomahawk) 23-5 (Fall 3:19)
• 3rd Place Match - Tony Matti (Tomahawk) 23-5 won by forfeit over Luke Wright (Prairie du Chien) 14-4 (For.)
285
Austin Leinen (12-9) placed 11th and scored 16.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Ryan McKibben (Edgar) 15-8 won by fall over Austin Leinen (Tomahawk) 12-9 (Fall 1:47)
• Round 2 - John Farkas (Amherst) 16-6 won by fall over Austin Leinen (Tomahawk) 12-9 (Fall 0:32)
• Round 3 - Austin Leinen (Tomahawk) 12-9 won by fall over Mickie Wiza (Almond-Bancroft/Pacelli) 1-9 (Fall 2:34)
• Consolation Bracket - Vaughn Albrecht (Merrill) 10-5 won by fall over Austin Leinen (Tomahawk) 12-9 (Fall 1:47)
• 11th Place Match - Austin Leinen (Tomahawk) 12-9 won by fall over William Weise (Barron) 10-17 (Fall 0:57)

In Other News

45th Edition of Tomahawk Fall Ride Comes to a Close

Published on 09/21/2026 under News A quiet calm has returned to Tomahawk after the community wrapped up another successful Fall Ride weekend. Just as quickly as they arrived last week, thousands of motorcyclists rolled out of town Sunday afternoon. An estimated 30-40,000 visitors travel to the greater Tomahawk area each year for the annual event, proving that more than four decades in, the tradition remains as popular as ever. As festivities wound down on Sunday, local organizers reflected on the weekend. The general consensus was that attendance was down slightly compared to the past few years. Weather likely played a key role, as cool temperatures and periodic rain kept some riders from making the trip or venturing out to explore. Despite the damp weather, organizers noted that those who did attend were as enthusiastic as ever. Marking the event's 45th anniversary, the community rolled out a stacked lineup of entertainment options for guests. While overall headcounts are hard to measure, one event provides an exact metric: the Friday night Thunder Parade. Parade organizer Roxanne Consolver shared that approximately 250 motorcycles participated this year. That's about a third of the turnout seen in recent years. With another milestone year in the books, organizers are taking a brief breather before shifting their focus to year 46. In the coming days, local leaders and committee members will meet to review this year's event and begin planning for next year.

Published on 09/21/2026 under News A motorcyclist was arrested for an eighth-offense OWI in Lincoln County over Fall Ride weekend. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, a trooper pulled over a motorcycle shortly after 1:00 p.m. Sunday for speeding on Highway 86, near County Highway T west of Tomahawk. During the traffic stop, the trooper noticed signs of impairment. Following an investigation, authorities determined the driver, 51-year-old Ryan Plisch of Wausau, was operating the motorcycle while under the influence. Plisch was arrested for eighth-offense OWI, along with operating with a revoked driver's license and misdemeanor bail jumping.

Published on 09/21/2026 under News Two people were injured in Oneida County following a crash involving two motorcycles and a pickup truck during Fall Ride weekend. The collision occurred shortly after 4:00 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Highway 51 and County Highway L, just north of Tomahawk. According to a preliminary investigation, the motorcycles were attempting to turn left onto Highway 51 when they collided with an oncoming pickup truck. Both motorcyclists were transported to the hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries; their current conditions have not been released. Traffic on Highway 51 was temporarily detoured while crews cleared the scene.

Published on 09/21/2026 under News Another group of Northwoods veterans are traveling to the nation's capital on Monday to visit the monuments built in their honor. The Never Forgotten Honor Flight is taking the third of four planned missions to Washington, D.C., this year. Organizers welcomed 93 veterans for the trip, including eight from the Korean War and 85 from the Vietnam era. Today's mission marks the 57th flight for the local hub since its founding in 2010, bringing the total number of local veterans served to nearly 5,400. The public is invited to give the veterans a warm welcome home at the end of their journey tonight. Honor Flight officials recommend arriving at Central Wisconsin Airport no later than 8:30 p.m. Organizers continue to encourage any veteran who served in any capacity prior to June 7, 1975, to sign up if they have not yet taken part. This includes a renewed campaign dispelling some of the reasons veterans give as to why they haven't participated.

Published on 09/21/2026 under News A new local initiative is stepping up to support teachers in the Unified School District of Antigo. Educator Elevator, a non-profit launched earlier this year, has officially begun its work to honor, empower, and retain district staff. Co-Chair Charlie Zanayed highlighted the group's central mission, noting that supporting educators is essential to a thriving community and that staff deserve to feel valued both inside and outside the classroom. The organization is building out several key programs including educator recognition, classroom innovation grants, staff welcome initiatives, and community connection opportunities. These efforts helped kick off the new school year with a Community Welcome Picnic for approximately 210 educators and staff, along with providing welcome baskets generously donated by local businesses and volunteers for new hires. Members of the public, local businesses, and organizations interested in supporting the initiative or donating can learn more at educatorelevator.org

Published on 09/21/2026 under News Educators and staff at Northcentral Technical College took a break from the classroom earlier this month, stepping out into the community to lend a helping hand. As part of NTC's annual Timberwolf Day of Service, employees chose their own ways to give back across the region. Projects ranged from environmental cleanups, like picking up litter along local trails to washing fire trucks at volunteer stations, and sewing quilts for families in need. Specialized departments put their skills directly to work. Veterinary Technician team members performed spay and neuter procedures for the Humane Society of Marathon County, while Culinary Arts students turned tomatoes grown at NTC's Agriculture Center into sauce for lasagna meal kits distributed to local pantries. Other staff members assembled care packages, created personal hygiene kits for area students, and spent time playing bingo and serving ice cream to nursing home residents. NTC employees logged hundreds of hours across dozens of projects, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting the communities they serve. Photo provided by Northcentral Technical College: Employees at NTC's Center for Health Sciences create oral care packages for Wisconsin disaster relief programs.

Published on 09/19/2026 under Sports The 2026 Smiley Invite at 9-Mile Park Saturday saw Tomahawk's Cross Country squads each finish in the top 15. The Hatchet girls placed 14th out of 28 Division 2 and 3 squads. Tomahawk's Top runners finished in the Top 20 individually. Elise Gibeault placed 16th with a time of 20:46. Charlee Lund placed 19th with a time of 20:50. As for the Hatchet boys, they would place 13th overall among Division 2 and 3 schools. Connor Zorn finished as the Hatchets' top runner, placing 50th with a time of 18:30. Jordyn Carew placed 70th with a time of 18:51. The next invite for Tomahawk will be at Big Stone Golf Course, hosted by Three Lakes. Events begin at 4:00. Girls Team Finishers: Prentice/Rib Lake - 4th Tomahawk 14th Three Lakes/Phelps - 18th Chequamegon - 20th Northland Pines - 22nd Boys Team Finishers: Prentice/Rib Lake - 3rd Chequamegon - 12th Tomahawk - 13th Laona-Wabeno - 17th Northland Pines - 18th

Published on 09/18/2026 under News Action revs up for the 45th annual Tomahawk Fall Ride, highlighted by one of the weekend's most iconic traditions: the Friday night Thunder Parade. The Thunder Parade began in 1991. Like many Fall Ride traditions, the Thunder Parade started small in 1991 and has grown over the years. Now around 1,000 riders depart from the Tomahawk School Campus to take part in a scenic, 18-mile cruise through rural Tomahawk. The final stretch runs down business corridor along North Fourth Street, across Veterans Memorial Bridge, and right down Main Street which is closed off to regular traffic. Much like a traditional parade, spectators line the route to cheer on riders and feel the rumble of thunder as hundreds of engines passing by. Riders planning to participate can begin lining up at the school complex around 5:00 p.m, they leave at 6:00pm. The procession typically reaches the city around 6:30 p.m. While the Thunder Parade serves as Friday's main attraction, visitors can find live music, vendor displays, and events running all weekend at SARA Park, downtown Tomahawk, and area businesses throughout the region.

Published on 09/18/2026 under News An enhanced wake ban is coming to Lake Mohawksin and nearby stretches of the Wisconsin and Tomahawk Rivers. Following a vote by the Tomahawk City Council earlier this month, the Town of Bradley has approved a matching ordinance. Because both municipalities share shoreline jurisdiction, DNR rules required both to approve an identical ordinance. Under the joint rules, boaters cannot use ballast tanks, ballast bags, or wake-enhancing fins to create artificially large waves. Traditional watersports like skiing, tubing, and standard wakeboarding is allowed, as long as wake-enhancing gear is not used. The Kwahamot Water Ski Club also keeps its limited exemption. The main goals are protecting local shorelines from erosion, preventing lake bed disturbance, and keeping water recreationists safe. Groups like the Friends of Lake Mohawksin, made up largely of riparian landowners, heavily supported the effort. With both votes locked in, Tomahawk and Bradley join nearly 100 other Wisconsin communities with similar wake protections. The final steps include filing paperwork with the DNR and posting signs at public boat landings.

Published on 09/18/2026 under News While the Rhinelander community typically embraces Hodag green, the Hodag Dome will turn purple this weekend as residents gather to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's disease. Organizers are putting the finishing touches on the local Walk to End Alzheimer's, scheduled for Saturday morning. The event is already off to a strong start, with nearly 350 people registered. More than 60 teams have raised $148,000, or 72% of the event's $206,000 fundraising goal. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer's Association, supporting families affected by the disease while funding research toward treatments and prevention. Julie St. Pierre with the Alzheimer's Association called this a pivotal moment in the fight against Alzheimer's. "With new treatments and proven lifestyle habits that support brain health, there is real hope," St. Pierre said. "Together, we can build a brain-healthy future and help end this disease." One of the morning's key highlights is the Promise Garden Ceremony, where participants carry distinctively colored flowers to represent their personal connection to the cause—whether they are living with the disease, caring for a loved one, or honoring someone they lost. In addition to the Rhinelander event, another walk is taking place Saturday in Antigo, with Wausau hosting its walk next weekend.

+ Read More