Hornets are mentally and physically ready to compete

By Ginna Young

It been a long couple weeks for the Cadott boys wrestling squad, but they don't show any signs of slowing down and continue to dominate in dual action.

Jan. 11 vs. McDonnel-Elk Mound (W 78-0)

Cadott began a home quad against McDonnel-Elk-Mound, taking a commanding 78-0 victory.

Senior Nick Goettl (138 pounds) got the win over Ford Hay, in a 1:36 fall, while freshman Jon Phelps (157) took a win over Isabella Giza, also in 1:36. Senior Caden Kings - ton (175) won over Jesse Baxter, in just 31 seconds, with sophomore Mitchell Reineke (190) winning over Jonah Christopherson, in only 27 seconds.

Axel Tegels, senior (215), won over Brody Mathison, by fall, in 1:43, while junior Tucker Salzgeber (285) got the win against Wyatt Pelkey, in a 1:15 fall. Also winning, were sophomore Monte Lodahl (132), over Luca Burcaw, in just 21 seconds, and sophomore Iszy Sonnentag (106), against McKenzie Simonson, by fall, in 3:30.

Receiving forfeit victories, were freshman Tessa York (113), junior Kaleb Lodahl (120), freshman Garrett En - gel (126), freshman Owen Fasbender (144) and freshman Brenton Faber (150).

"Our young wrestlers are starting to really compete well and our upperclassmen are working hard," said assistant coach Greg Sonnentag.

Jan. 11 vs. Stanley-Boyd (W 38-36)

The Hornets then faced o with rival Stanley-Boyd and while it was close, Cadott claimed the win, 38-36.

I. Sonnentag again won, with a match over Anna Krizan, in a 1:55 fall, as did K. Lodahl, over Darrin Dorn, by fall, in 3:43. Also winning, was Fasbender, over Caiden Paul, with a 10-4 decision, and Faber got the win against Brodric Westrom, in a 3:41 fall.

Tegels also won over Carter Weltzin, in just 47 seconds, while Kingston and York received forfeit wins.

“We have a few female wrestlers, who have come in clutch to help us get victories in boys duals this year, as well," said G. Sonnentag. "That was the case again." Jan. 11 vs. Regis-Altoona (L 37-36)

Finally, the Hornets were on the mat against Regis-Al toona, a Division 1 team and who some consider the best team in the conference this year. The match was close, but Regis pulled out a 37-36 victory.

"We had a swing match and an opportunity at some ex - tra points we just missed out on to win that dual," said G. Sonnetag. I. Sonnetag got the win over Blake Schultz, in a 4:45 fall, followed by K. Lodahl, who won over Landon Miller, in 42 seconds, while M. Lodahl got the win against Eath - an Eager, by fall, in 4:44. Also winning, was Phelps, over Mark Mauer, with a 10-5 decision, as well as Kingston, who picked up the win over Collin Lofgren, in a 1:18 fall.

Also winning, was Tegels, over Gavin Lofgren, in a 6-3 decision, with York getting a win by forfeit.

“Overall, we were very proud of how the team showed up to wrestle," said G. Sonnentag.

Jan. 18 vs. Bloomer-Colfax (W 58-6)

The next week, Cadott headed to Thorp, for duals with conference foes. First on the schedule, was Bloomer-Col fax.

"The team came prepared and took care of business," said G. Sonnentag.

Making short work of the competition, the Hornets took the match, 58-6.

"We've consistently bumped up our freshmen to fill weight classes," said G. Sonnentag. "Oftentimes, this year, they have responded well, by getting victories, even when they are giving up size and experience."

Jan. 18 vs. Thorp-Owen-Withee (W 57-6)

Next up was Thorp-Owen-Withee, where the Hornets again dominated, winning 57-6.

Getting the victory, was M. Lodahl, over Steven Williams, with a 9-0 major decision. The rest of the wins came from forfeits.

“I believe our wrestlers are physically and mentally prepared for the most important part of the year here, com- ing up," said G. Sonnentag, "with the conference tournament and Regionals just around the corner."

Jan. 20 Arcadia Invitational

To end the week, Cadott traveled to Arcadia, placing eighth out of 17 teams at the invitational tournament. "I am proud of our young team," said head coach Josh Spaeth. "They are getting better each and every week. Oftentimes, they continue to place higher than they are seeded." Placing second for the Hornets, was K. Lodahl, who saw his championship match go to Menomonie's Aidan Aure, in an 11-3 major decision, as well as Kingston, who dropped his title match to Medford Area's Logan Kawa, in a 3:06 fall. Tegels also took second, watching his match go to Braydon Lockington, of Gale-Ettrick-Trempeleau-Melrose-Mindoro, in a 4-3 decision.

Taking third for the Hornets, was freshman Payton Presswood (215), with a win over Minnetonka's Zion Brolsma, by fall, in 3:27.

M. Lodahl came home with fourth place, while Phelps was fifth, and Engel, Fasbender and Faber were seventh, and freshman Evan Lallemont (120) and Reineke placed eighth. "We are looking to have our athletes in peak condition in the coming weeks," said Spaeth.