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Hatchet Girls Cross Country Team Competes at State Meet Published on 11/04/2024 under Sports

On Saturday, the Tomahawk Hatchet varsity girls team headed south to Wisconsin Rapids to compete at the WIAA Division II State Cross Country Meet. This being the 50th year of WIAA girls cross country.

Since 1975 the Tomahawk girls have competed, as a team, at the state meet 25 times (6th most state qualifications of any Wisconsin school). This particular state meet was a cold, but sunny, day that saw a total of the 16 best Division II teams in the state compete against the Hatchets for the WIAA State Championship. The Division II race included two of the fastest runners in the entire state, including Divisions I & III, as Emmerson Drobac of Deerfield/Cambridge ran the course in 17:38 and Ciara Hartman of Bloomer covered the course in 17:43.

The Division II race kicked off at 12:40 PM. The primary objective of the girls team was to get out early in the race and push themselves while also experiencing the course for the first time. The girls did just that and in the first mile of the highly competitive race they were in 13th place. After the mile however the girls dropped placement and remained in 15th for the rest of the race. The lady Hatchets scored 315 points finishing ahead of Prescott. Leading the team with an exceptional time on the challenging course was senior Alli Palmer taking 66th in a time of 20:42 in her final high school cross country race of her career. Unfortunately for the girls there was a sizable gap between Alli and the rest of the team which led to the lower placement, but nonetheless the girls banned together and finished with a good pack running effort. The pack included sophomore Elise Gibeault with a seasonal best time of 21:39 for 103rd, sophomore Abbie Rosenmeier with a time of 21:42 for 108th, freshman Ellie Micke in a time of 21:45 for 111th, and junior Lydia Shaney in a time of 21:53 for 115th. Rounding out the girls' great effort was sophomore Norah Mann in a time of 23:04 for 137th and junior Faith Derleth with a time of 23:57 in 146th.

There were 151 runners in the girls race with finishing team results as follows: University School of Milwaukee-60, Bloomer-80, Mount Horeb-108, Lancaster-138, New Berlin Eisenhower-158, Little Chute-163, Kiel-212, Saint Croix Central-223, Shorewood-237, Watertown Luther Prep-237, West

Salem-275, Berline-290, Shawano Community-294, New Berlin West-300, Tomahawk-317, and Prescott-349.

Other Great Northern Conference performances included the Rhinelander boys taking 14th in the boys Division II race. Antigo's Lillian L'Esperance took 53rd in a time of 20:26. Medford's Lindsay Kahn took 69th in a time of 20:43. Lakeland sent two individuals with Stella Meza taking 77th (20:54) and Ashton Bremer taking 34th (16:57).

In Other News

Hatchet Baseball Team Defeats Rhinelander

Published on 05/05/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's baseball squad got their first home win of the season, shutting out the Rhinelander Hodags at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field Friday, 1-0. The lone run of the day came from an RBI Double from Cash Olsen in the third inning. In his first start on the mound in nearly two years, Senior Brody Rigney pitched a complete game shutout. Rigney gave up just four hits, struck out three, walked one, and threw 76 pitches. The win puts Tomahawk at 3-6 on the season and 2-5 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets have a non-conference game coming up Monday night in Crandon. First pitch is at 5:00.

Published on 05/05/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's track and field squads came away with top-three finishes in the Wautoma Twilight Invite Friday night. The Hatchet girls placed second overall. Tomahawk had three top finishers in the invite. Kaylynn Sandry placed first in the high jump. Alli Palmer came out on top in the 3200 meter run. The 4x200 meter relay squad of Alicia Voermans, Ellie Micke, Siennah Calkins, and Faith Derleth also placed first. The Hatchet boys placed third in the invite. Tomahawk had three second-place finishes. Hudson Seymour placed second in the discus. Beau Stromberg placed second in the 3200 meter run. Also, the 4x800 meter relay teams of Joe Zastrow, Braxton Stromberg, Dawson Jones, and Jerry Johnson placed second. Tomahawk's next outdoor invite is Tuesday in Lakeland.

Published on 05/05/2025 under Sports The Hatchet softball squad were shut out on the road Friday, losing to Great Northern Conference foe Medford, 7-0. Tomahawk notched just two hits all day off Medford starting pitcher Rylee Hraby. Camryn Kraklow gave up seven runs on nine hits in six innings of work. The Hatchets' lone two hits came from Kraklow and Aubrey Seubert. The loss drops Tomahawk to 4-7 on the season and 2-4 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets continue Great Northern Conference play Monday in Antigo. First pitch is at 5:00.

Published on 05/05/2025 under News Several partners in Lincoln County are looking to improve mental health by encouraging interactions in the community. Healthy Minds for Lincoln County Coalition is teaming up with Aspirus Health and the Lincoln County Health Department for a Social Connection Challenge. Over the next two months, they're encouraging community members to prioritize social connection by limiting screen time; reaching out to friends, family and neighbors; seeking opportunities to help others; and finding ways to get involved in the community. They said in the announcement, "When we have strong relationships and feel connected to others, our mental health improves. Even the smallest of actions can make a difference and help provide meaning and purpose in our lives." The Challenge includes 65 suggested activities. Just a few examples include: completing a random act of kindness; attend a summer concert; join a community education class; or volunteer in your community. Participants are tasked with completing 20 from the list and will be entered into a prize drawing. Kristin Bath, Public Health Educator for Lincoln County Health Department and Lead for the Healthy Minds Coalition. "We hope this challenge provides a fun way for families, friends and our community to become more connected and take part in activities that make us feel good and bring us together." The contest runs through June. More information and printable forms can be found on from the Health Department website. They are also available at the Health Department Office, and the libraries and Aspirus clinic locations in both Tomahawk and Merrill.

Published on 05/05/2025 under News It won't be long before Veteran's Memorial Park in Tomahawk is once again filled with the sound of music. This past week, organizers of Music on the River announced the line-up for the eighteenth season of the summer concert series. Once again a mix of fan favorites and newcomers, they'll feature a little something for everyone. Genres includes pop, rock, and country, with the bands bringing in more eclectic influences such as blues, jazz, bluegrass, and reggae. And with the popularity of the series, the board was excited to include a 7th week. It all kicks off June 11 with Copper Box. Then over the next six Wednesdays it'll be: Kyler Kuzio Band (June 18); The Jimmys (June 25); Hip Pocket (July 2); The Tamaracks (July 9); The Cougars (July 16); The series will close out on July 23 with the Jerry Schmitt Band. As always, these concerts are free. They're held in the pavilion at Veteran's Memorial Park offering not only viewing by land, but also by water. Stayed tuned to WJJQ each Wednesday as we'll preview that night's concert with music selections and occasionally a interview with the band members.

Published on 05/05/2025 under News Tomahawk Middle School students were out of the classroom this past week as part of an annual tradition to give back to the community. Each spring, TMS hosts a Community Service Day. This year's community outreach took place last Wednesday. Students are able to choose projects that they are passionate about to help both the community and the school. Community Service day also falls into the Hatchet Pride theme of generosity in the community. Just a few examples of projects completed by students during the outreach effort: they spread positivity by making cookies for staff, decorating coffee sleeves for RISE, visiting residents at Milestone Senior Living, and creating pet treats and toys for the Humane Society. The students also contributed to spring clean up efforts on the school campus, as well as Tomahawk Kinship, the Historical Society, and Tomahawk Child Care. In addition to the Middle School Community Service Day; the Tomahawk High School typically hosts a Senior Service Day ahead of their graduation.

Published on 05/05/2025 under News Law enforcement and first responders will team up for active shooter training drills in Wausau this week. The training will take place Monday through Thursday at the vacated county offices on River Drive. Despite the expected commotion, officials say there will be no threat to the public. People in the area will likely notice multiple emergency response vehicles on site. The exercises will also involve loud noises which may sound like gunshots. Officials said they will be using blank ammunition, and no live rounds will be fired. The goal of the drills is to "strengthen inter-agency coordination between law enforcement, fire, and EMS in high-stress, critical incident scenarios."

Published on 05/05/2025 under News While several projects are already underway, the Department of Transportation released their first official road construction report of the season. Stay tuned to WJJQ each Monday morning for these weekly updates. Taking a quick look at some of the projects that may affect our listeners. Up in Oneida County crews are working on Highway 51 between Front St. and 3rd Avenue in Minocqua. This week crews will be working on curb, gutter and sidewalk. Motorists will encounter the right lane closures in both directions. This project will continue through mid-June, pause during the summer tourism season, and resume in September. Project details are available on the DoT website. And in Marathon County, crews are working on Highway 51/I-39 between Wausau and Mosinee. On the schedule this week: complete milling and paving outside shoulder and driving lane; start milling and paving for left lane; and install temporary marking. Motorists will encounter some reduced speeds; reduced lanes and lane width; and some temporary ramp closures. Details are available on the DoT website. This project will run through August.

Published on 05/02/2025 under News The winter wait is finally over... Anglers will once again fill Wisconsin's waterways this weekend with the hopes of landing some fish. Saturday marks the start of the inland fishing season for a number of species; most notably walleye, northern pike and large mouth bass. Anglers should note that the northern zone muskie season doesn't open until May 24; while the small-mouth bass harvest begins June 21. Whether catching for a meal, landing a trophy mount, or just spending a relaxing day out on the water; there are plenty of reasons to fish. The state has a long tradition of fishing and the numbers bare that out. Statistics show around a million fishing licenses are sold every year. And while there are a lot of anglers, there are also a lot of waterways to fish with 15,000 lakes and 42,000 miles of streams and rivers. Earlier this year, the DNR launched their Wisconsin Fishing Finder, a comprehensive resource for anglers in Wisconsin. The natural fish population is strong, the DNR and their partners enhance the state fishery through stocking programs like the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative which added 1.2 million fingerlings of Wisconsin's most popular fish. The DNR did offer up a few reminders for anglers before heading out this season. Make sure you've got a fishing license and go over regulations for any lake-specific rules and bag limits on the waters you fish. Keep invasive species out of your favorite waterways, it's a good idea to inspect your boat, trailer and equipment for any of these aquatic hitchhikers. And stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the season for fishing news, updates, events, and of course a stable of fishing guides who offer their expertise with their weekend reports.

Published on 05/02/2025 under News A pudgy pine warbler and rotund ruby-throated hummingbird are among feathered friends competing in a statewide contest to celebrate healthy birds and migration. The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin and Save Our Songbirds are bringing back their Fat Bird Week for a second year. The Foundation notes 'a fat bird is a healthy bird' and the contest 'celebrates and spotlights the amazing journey our migratory birds make to get back to Wisconsin.' Eight fat bird photos were selected to face off in the bracket style tournament which will be decided by fan vote. The foundation was inspired by the organizers of the popular Fat Bear Week in Alaska which celebrates bears bulking up for winter hibernation. The group notes that some species of bird will actually double their weight ahead of migration. And for year-round Wisconsin birds, the extra heft can keep them warm in the chilly winter. While many people call birds "fat," they are often referring to is the fluffiness of the feathers. While the contest is all in good fun, it also serves as inspiration to create a more bird-friendly back yard by focusing on native plants to provide nutritious meals for birds. The voting will take place over the next week, and we'll include a link in the online version of the story.

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