Roy, Hoffman hit new milestones as Rebel Jays prep for sectional

The Laona-Wabeno-Three Lakes Varsity wrestling team closed out the regular season last Friday by hitting two milestones while splitting duals against teams from Crandon and Elcho in a conference matchup at Laona High School. In the first round of action against the Crandon Cardinals, Reegan Roy won the 150th match of his high school career, while Brody Hoffman earned his 100th varsity win just moments later.

These milestones are the latest from a red-hot Rebel Jays team that has five wrestlers with at least 30 match wins this season. Topping the list is Ryker Schingeck, who at 120 pounds, won his only match last week and ends the season with an impressive 49-1 record; along with Roy and his 46-3 record in the 126-pound weight bracket. They are closely followed by Hoffman (190 lbs. and 37-3 record), Max Clark (113 lbs. and 33-4 record), Cameron Tilton (150 lbs. and 32-11 record) and by Jayse Demerath, coming in with a record of 33-14 in his 132-pound weight class.

While the Rebel Jays have been racking up individual wins at record levels, gaps in specific weight categories left the team with an overall second-place finish in the Northern Lakes Conference. Unlike other sports such as football, baseball and basketball, a single event in the sport of wrestling determines which team wins a conference title, and the Rebel Jays were without wrestlers in specific weight classes during the conference duals last week, leaving the door open for Crandon to take the conference title.

Even so, head coach Seth Senter is optimistic as he and co-head coach Colin Schubert prepare the team for the WIAA D3 Individual Sectional Tournament scheduled to take place this Saturday, February 14, at Peshtigo High School, with opening matches at 10:00 a.m. The top two placements in each bracket of the sectional will earn tickets to the state championship, February 26-28 at the Kohl Center in Madison.

“We are definitely peaking at a good time,” according to Senter, “and the great match records at the end of the regular season are a culmination of hard work before and during the season, combined with personal dedication and strong parental support. Our parents have been a very important element to our success, and it is appreciated by everyone associated with the program. One nice thing about this season is the fact that these kids are all pushing each other to be the best wrestlers possible. It started last year when Reegan won the state championship, something that injected energy and enthusiasm into our entire squad. Ryker also helped by qualifying for the state tournament, and now we have a team where there is confidence that hard work and dedication can get you an invitation to Madison.”

The team will spend the early part of this week in regular practice sessions. Senter says that he expects the coaching staff to be looking at minor adjustments that can make a difference in the postseason. “Most of our guys understand core wrestling strategy,” he said, “and our coaching staff will be looking at adjustments targeting expected matchups in the sectional tournament. As coaches, our expectations are very high this year, and we have a responsibility to make sure our kids are as prepared as possible.”

As the boys team prepares for their postseason action in Peshtigo, the girls squad will be competing in a regional tournament this Friday, February 13, in Merrill. Last week, they participated in a large tournament at Prairie River Middle School, where Kyra Beaber, Idalynn Vladik and Somerr Ridgeway each had podium finishes. Beaber placed second and had two pin victories in the event.

Sectional action for the girls will take place next Friday, and Senter is happy with the progress of the girls’ team.

“Building a strong lineup of girls on the wrestling team is part of the foundation for advancing the program,” Senter said. “While most of our girls are new to the sport, they have been excellent role models for younger students, and I am happy to see and be part of the growing interest in the sport.”