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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

Community Support Key to Tomahawk Lions Powwow Days Fundraising

Published on 06/08/2026 under News Tomahawk's signature Fourth of July celebration is less than a month away, and preparations for Powwow Days are entering the home stretch. As in years past, the Tomahawk Lions Club is counting on strong community support to make the event a success. Leading the fundraising charge is longtime Lion Kevin Wickstrom, who has spent the past several weeks making his annual rounds to local businesses. He recently stopped by the WJJQ studios to share an update on this year's efforts. Putting on the annual celebration is no small undertaking. Wickstrom noted that costs have climbed to approximately $25,000, driven largely by the rising price of fireworks. While the Lions Club's fundraising events and efforts offset some of these expenses, donations from local businesses and individuals remain essential. By the time Independence Day arrives, Wickstrom estimates he will have visited roughly 230 donors and logged hundreds of miles. Despite current economic challenges, he says community support has remained remarkably strong. In fact, he noted that some businesses have been even more generous this year. He joked, "A lot of people are expecting me when I walk through the door and already have a check ready." Powwow Days features a full slate of activities, including running races, a parade, a water ski show, and the traditional fireworks display. Because July 4th falls on a Saturday this year, organizers expect the holiday weekend to draw even larger crowds than usual to the Tomahawk area. As the countdown continues, Wickstrom emphasized that the community's willingness to step up remains one of Tomahawk's greatest strengths. He says, "I just appreciate all the businesses and individuals that donate to the cause. The support is tremendous." How to Donate: For those who have not yet been contacted but would like to contribute to Powwow Days, Wickstrom encourages them to reach out directly by calling or texting him at 715-437-0548.

Published on 06/08/2026 under News The shores of Lake Mohawksin were filled with kids, veterans, and plenty of smiles this past weekend. Saturday marked the revival of the Youth Fishing Contest, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Tomahawk VFW, American Legion, and Auxiliary. The event returned after a hiatus of several years with a dual mission: to spark children's interest in outdoor recreation and to build strong relationships between local youth and veterans. Organizers reported that 25 youngsters registered for the tournament, catching and releasing a total of 77 fish. Volunteers, mostly local veterans, spent the day measuring catches, untangling lines, and keeping the action moving smoothly. Top catches of the day included a 10 inch perch landed by Delaney Lampe.Winning Entries: Age 0-5: 1st Geri Glenzer 6 1/2 " perch Age 6-9 1st Delaney Lampe 10" perch Age 10-12 1st Brianna Butalla 7" perchThanks to generous community support, no one left empty-handed; every participant received a goodie bag loaded with fishing gear. Organizers called the revival a success and plan to make the Youth Fishing Classic an annual tradition, with hopes of welcoming even more young anglers to the waterfront next summer.

Published on 06/08/2026 under News Music lovers will have a new place to gather this summer as the Rhinelander Area Community Band relocates its long-standing concert series to Hodag Park. The band will kick off the first of eight Tuesday night performances tomorrow evening at the Hodag Park Pavilion. According to band representative Mary Grieco, the move from the RiverWalk band shell was made to better accommodate the band's growing membership and increasing audience attendance. The Rhinelander Area Community Band has been entertaining Northwoods audiences for more than four decades. Organizers hope the new venue will provide a comfortable, spacious setting for fans to enjoy free outdoor entertainment throughout the season. As always, this year's setlist features a variety of music for all ages, ranging from familiar pop tunes to patriotic favorites tied into the America 250 celebrations. The band is scheduled for June 9, June 23, and June 30; July 7 and 21; and August 4 and 18. On Tuesday nights when the community band is not scheduled, the Pavilion will host other live musical performances to keep the summer series going. Music begins at 6:30 p.m.

Published on 06/08/2026 under News Communication is key in a hospital setting, and those seeking medical care in the Northwoods are in some good hands. Three Aspirus facilities, at Aspirus Medford, Aspirus Rhinelander, and Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, have earned a perfect five-star rating for nurse communication. The recognition comes from the latest CMS data and lands these hospitals on Becker's Healthcare's 2025 Excellence List. The rankings are based entirely on patient feedback, measuring how well nurses listen, how clearly they explain treatments, and the respect they show every person in their care. Aspirus leadership says this honor reflects the deep trust their nursing teams build with families every day. According to the announcement, only 44 hospitals across Wisconsin earned the five-star distinction this year.

Published on 06/08/2026 under News Outdoor enthusiasts and local residents gathered in Athens to celebrate National Trails Day and Wisconsin Bike Week with the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Wisconsin Gravel trailheads. The trail celebration marked a major milestone for the Wisconsin Gravel initiative, a regional project designed to boost tourism, support rural economies, and highlight the region's premier gravel riding routes. Tim White, executive director of Visit Wausau, says, "This is exactly the kind of collaboration that helps small communities thrive." He highlighted the economic and tourism opportunities that outdoor recreation brings to the region. Following the formal ribbon cutting, riders hit the trails on one of two options, a shorter, family friendly route and a longer Athens "Gravelventure" ride. The longer route treated cyclists to scenic rural roads, a stop at the famous 45x90 Geographical Marker. Steven Brewster of Athens Area Trails says, "The trailheads, local businesses, community groups and volunteers all play a role in making this a destination people want to experience." Prior to the biking festivities, the participants were well-fed as the day kicked off with the annual Athens FFA Alumni Dairy Breakfast.

Published on 06/08/2026 under News Wisconsin utility customers could soon see higher energy bills under a new rate request filed by Wisconsin Public Service. The proposal announced last month, is now before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, would raise the typical residential electric bill by about 11 dollars per month in 2027, followed by another 5 dollar increase in 2028. Natural gas customers would see an estimated 7 dollar monthly increase in 2027, with no additional base rate hike the following year. Even with the proposed increases, WPS says customer bills would remain below the national average. WPS officials say the increases are tied to ongoing investments in the state's energy grid, including new solar, wind, and battery storage projects, as well as efforts to improve reliability. That includes trimming thousands of miles of power lines, removing hazardous trees, and installing underground cables to reduce outages. The company says the plan also includes more than 132 million dollars in savings for customers through federal tax credits and shared earnings. Regulators will review the proposal in the coming months before making a final decision.

Published on 06/06/2026 under Sports In the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this weekend. Elise Gibeault and Ellie Micke competed in three separate events. Gibeault's top finish came in the 400 meter dash, placing third with a time of 56.7 seconds. Gibeault would finish 2.26 seconds behind state champion Harper Sheehan of Hayward. In her final event, the Hatchet Junior would set a brand new school record in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.38 seconds, a full second behind Sheehan. As for Micke, her season would end in the High Jump Preliminaries. Micke would finish tied for 12th with Martin Luther's Dynasty Fancher. This concludes the Tomahawk Track & Field Season.

Published on 06/05/2026 under News A long-standing youth fishing event is set to return to Tomahawk this weekend with a meaningful new twist. For decades, the Kids Fishing Contest was a summer staple at Veterans Memorial Park, giving local youngsters the chance to cast a line into Lake Mohawksin for some friendly competition. The event came to an end a few years ago when the Tomahawk Fishing Unlimited group disbanded. Now, as part of their growing community outreach, local veterans' groups, including the VFW, American Legion, and Auxiliary have decided to dust off the fishing rods and bring the tradition back. Organizers hope the return of the Youth Fishing Classic will spark an interest in outdoor recreation like fishing, while also building strong relationships between local youth and veterans. Moving forward, the event also plans to honor a local veteran each year. The inaugural honoree perfectly embodies both fishing and service to the country: this weekend's contest will be held in memory of Chuck Grigg, a veteran and the long-time owner of Chuck's Sport Shop, who passed away earlier this year. The Youth Fishing event takes place this Saturday and will feature multiple age groups and fish categories. Free registration begins at 9:00 AM, and fishing kicks off at 10:00 AM near the fishing pier at Veterans Memorial Park. Participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing poles; organizers will supply the worms, as well as some goodie bags for the first 100 kids to register.

Published on 06/05/2026 under News People will be able to fish, hike, and explore Wisconsin this weekend without pulling out their wallets. The DNR is officially kicking off the unofficial start of summer by bringing back its popular "Free Fun Weekend" this Saturday and Sunday. The annual event waives most state park fees, trail passes, and fishing licenses encouraging residents and visitors alike to check out the state's natural, outdoor playground. Steve Schmelzer, DNR Bureau Director of Parks and Recreation says, "If you've never checked out a Wisconsin state park before, Free Fun Weekend is the perfect opportunity to come visit for the first time." Finding a spot to explore won't be difficult. Wisconsin boasts 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, thousands of miles of rushing rivers, and roughly 15,000 lakes. For those looking to cast a line, fishing licenses are completely waived for the weekend. However, the DNR reminds anglers that all other traditional regulations apply. This includes bag limits, species seasons, and size restrictions. To help newcomers get started, several state properties will host hands-on fishing clinics throughout the weekend. No matter how you choose to spend the weekend, officials urge everyone to prioritize safety, respect fellow outdoor enthusiasts, and help keep the state's public lands clean.

Published on 06/05/2026 under News Governor Evers has never been shy about his love for ice cream, and on Thursday afternoon, he enjoyed a sweet treat at an iconic local spot. As part of his tour celebrating June Dairy Month, Governor Evers visited the Windmill Ice Cream Shop in Nokomis. This was his second stop of the day, following an earlier visit to a dairy farm in Osseo. During the visit, the Governor touted the strong partnerships between the state and local dairy producers. The Berg family, who owns the shop, also shared on social media that their matriarch, Pat Berg, shared connected with the Governor over their shared past careers as educators. According to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Wisconsin is home to approximately 1.3 million dairy cows and more than 5,000 dairy farms. Beyond milk, Wisconsin is a national leader in dairy products like cheese, butter, yogurt, and, of course, ice cream, including the many selections featured at the Windmill. As for his flavor pick, the Governor opted for a double scoop of New York Cherry and Sea Salt Caramel Nut, which he enjoyed on the Bearskin State Trail trestle overlooking Lake Nokomis.

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