The Polar Bear varsity wrestling team competed at a WIAA Division 1 Regional in Neenah on Saturday, Feb. 14. By the time the final match had ended, 11 Polar Bears had earned a trip to Sectionals next weekend.
The top four finishers in each weight class advanced to Sectionals. Hortonville wrestlers who will compete at Sectionals next weekend include Noah Heimmermann (106 pounds), Jacob Barnett (113 pounds), Curtis Diedrich (126 pounds), Nathan Lichtfuss (132 pounds), Cam Luker (138 pounds), Joe Cliver (145 pounds), Elliott Luker (152 pounds), Brad Conger (160 pounds), Michael Hills (182 pounds), Jack Huebner (220 pounds), and Jacob Stein (285 pounds).
106 pounds
Noah Heimmermann earned a first round bye but lost his second match to Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln’s Bryson Einerson. Heimmerman then beat Appleton West’s Taite Baier by pin to earn a spot in the second place match. Einerson lost in the first place match, giving him second place by rule. Heimmermann took third place.
113 pounds
Jacob Barnett stared the day with a first round bye and then beat Appleton East’s Isaac Burchby by pin in 3:33 in his second round match. That win put him in the first place match, and he beat Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln’s Matrix Jisko by pin in 5:31 to capture first place in his bracket.
126 pounds
Curtis Diedrich had a first round bye and then earned an 8-1 decision over Neenah’s Isaac Bethel in the second round. Diedrich faced New London’s Grant Oswald in the match for first place, and Diedrich earned a pin in 3:22 to secure first place in his weight class.
132 pounds
Nathan Lichtfuss beat Appleton East’s Ethan Pfister by pin in 1:18 in their first round match and then earned a 4-3 decision over Appleton North’s Dellas Vandenberg in round two. In the match for first place, Lichtfuss earned a 3-0 decision over Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln’s Bergh Diebel to take first place in his bracket.
138 pounds
Cam Luker began the day with a pin of Xavier/St. Mary Central’s Yokain Engichy in a time of 1:35. In the second round, Luker earned a 3-0 decision over Cody Sawyer of Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln, earning a spot in the first place match. In the battle for first place, Luker was victorious over New London’s Skylar Moderson, earning a 13-7 decision to take first place in his bracket.
145 pounds
Joe Cliver won his first match by pin in 1:00 over Xavier/St. Mary Central’s Will Golubeff. In the second round, Cliver earned a 3-2 decision over Appleton North’s Logan Coppenger to earn a chance to wrestle for first place. In the first place match, Cliver earned a 3-1 decision to capture the top spot in his weight class.
152 pounds
Elliott Luker started the day with a 17-2 tech fall win over Seth Jozwiak of Appleton West. He then pinned New London’s Gabe Oswald in 3:48 in their second round match. In the first place match, Luker earned a 3-2 decision over Brock Benitz of Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln to secure the top finish in his bracket.
160 pounds
Brad Conger earned an 11-3 major decision win over Weston Verhoff of Appleton North in their first round match. Conger lost his second round match to New London’s Austin Wyngaard by a 4-0 decision and then lost to Forrest Yineman of Neenah by an 8-1 decision. Conger took fifth place.
182 pounds
Michael Hills won his first match by pinning New London’s Remington Steele in 1:50. Hills then lost his second round match to Jake Timm of Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln by a 2-0 decision in overtime. In his third match, Hills lost a 6-3 decision to Simon Rall of Neenah. Hills took fourth place.
195 pounds
Nate Bohman lost his first match by pin in 0:45 to Andrew Clauss of New London. Bohman bounced back to win his second match by pinning Xavier/St. Mary Central’s Beau Fletcher in 3:02. Bohman then lost his third match by pin in 4:58 to Tyler Hill of Appleton North. Bohman took sixth place in his bracket.
220 pounds
Jack Huebner started the day with a first round bye and then pinned Max Cabrera of Appleton West in 3:25 during their second round match. In the match for first place, Huebner lost to Hunter Lee of Appleton North by a 13-8 decision. Huebner captured second place in his weight class.
285 pounds
Jacob Stein had a first round bye and lost his second round match by an 8-2 decision to Steven Anderson of Appleton East. Stein bounced back to pin Connor Schmalz of Appleton North in 5:35 to earn a chance to wrestle for second place. Anderson lost in the first place match, giving him second place by rule. Stein took third place in his weight class.
No wrestlers competed for the Polar Bears at 120 pounds and 170 pounds.
Sectionals
Polar Bears who advanced will compete at Sectionals at Green Bay West High School on Saturday, Feb. 21. The meet is set to begin at 10:30 a.m.