Rebel Jays continue to dominate podium space

As has been the case for several weeks, the Laona-Wabeno-Three Lakes varsity wrestling team was well represented at a podium ceremony following the Cutler Classic competition last Saturday at New London High School. Ryker Schingeck and Reegan Roy occupied the top spot in their 120-pound and 126-pound weight brackets, while Max Clark (113 lbs.) placed second in a crowded field representing 17 different high schools. Jayse Demerath just missed his own podium placement as he finished fifth in the 132-pound weight bracket.

This is the fourth consecutive first-place finish for Schingeck, and he and Roy lead the team with match records of 33-1 and 34-2 this season. Clark, a regular top-three tournament winner, has a 27-4 record this year, and Demerath picked up his 20th match victory in New London against 11 losses. As a team, the Rebel Jays finished sixth in the field, but it would likely have been higher except for the absence of Brody Hoffman and Cameron Tilton, top wrestlers who were out due to illness.

According to head coach Seth Senter, the team’s wrestlers are succeeding for a reason.

“These kids continue to do the right thing,” he said, “and the results are impressive. They all worked hard before the season even started, and each of these guys regularly listens to the advice of the coaching staff to get better as the season progresses.”

He offered specific comments on the first-place finishes of Schingeck and Roy.

Other varsity results at the Cutler Classic include Worawat Thawonwan, who earned his 10th match win by pinning Gavin Merryfield of Dodgeland High School on his way to a 10th-place finish, and Somerr Ridgeway of Three Lakes High School, who pinned Pam Munoz of Dodgeland on her way to a sixth-place position in the girls competition. Idalynn Vladik and Allison Hanson also competed in the girls’ bracket and finished fourth and sixth in their respective weight classes.

On the JV front, there was notable news as Levi Newman returned to the team for the first time this year following medical-related issues, and secured a pin victory and placed second in his weight class.

“It’s nice to have Levi back with the team,” Senter said after the event. “As he will ultimately be a force for the varsity team as we go into the second half of the season. He is a good wrestler and coach Schubert (Colin) and I look forward to getting him back in top form as soon as possible.”

In a separate JV event in Wausau on Saturday, Cashton Frisch and Ryan DeMars qualified for a spot in the annual Wisconsin Wrestling Association JV State Championship tournament scheduled later this month. Frisch won three of his four matches to place second in his 126-pound bracket, while DeMars also won three of four on his way to a third-place finish at 120 pounds.

According to coach Senter, these two wrestlers would be on most varsity teams, but with Schingeck and Roy already occupying the same weight classes, their time on the mat has been limited. Before the Cutler Classic, the Rebel Jays hosted a quad event at Laona High School last Tuesday. It was Parent Night, and the mood in the gymnasium was loud and supportive as the home crowd saw the Rebel Jays rack up 12 match victories to split their competition with Lakeland Union High School and Crandon High School. Clark, Schingeck, Roy, Demerath, Thawonwan, and Tilton were all undefeated in the event.

Next up for the boys will be an invitational at Peshtigo High School this Saturday, January 17, with 14 schools participating, while the girls team will be competing in the Warrior Women’s Challenge on the same day with more than 75 schools at Wausau West High School. Both events start at 9:00 a.m.