Local wrestlers secure six state championships

By Hub City Times staff

Pittsville’s Hunter Grimm works on Stratford’s Trevor Dennee, during the Division 3 172-pound championship at the Kohl Center. Cindy Schooley photo
MARSHFIELD – Six local high school wrestlers secured WIAA individual state championships at the 2019 tournament held Feb. 21-23 at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Marshfield’s Sam Mitchell claimed first in Division 1 competition in the 195 weight class. In Division 2, Stephen Buchanan, Neillsville/Greenwood/Loyal, claimed the championship in the 195 weight class, while Spencer/Columbus’ Logan Zschernitz took first in 285.
In Division 3, Stratford had three champions – Max Schwabe in the 132 weight class, Trevor Denee in the 170 pound weight class, and Dylan Schoenherr in 285.

Spencer/Columbus’ Logan Zschernitz takes first in the 285 weight class of WIAA Division 2 state finals. Cindy Schooley photo
Nine other area wrestlers, placed in the top six of their weight class: Division 1 – Marshfield’s Nolan Hertel took fifth in the 152 weight class and Marshfield’s Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann took third in 182; Division 2 – Abbotsford/Colby’s River Halopka took fourth in 106; Division 3 – Manny Drexler, Stratford, took second in 120; Beau Merritt, Pittsville, took sixth in 138; Mav Licciardi, Stratford, took fourth in 145; Derek Marten, Stratford, took fourth in 152; Devin Denee, Stratford, took fourth in 160; and Hunter Grimm, Pittsville, took second in 170.

Marshfield’s Sam Mitchell competes in the 195 pound championship in WIAA Division 1 state competition. Cindy Schooley photo