Athens ‘Fab four’ ready to battle
By Casey Krautkramer
Although small in numbers, the Athens varsity wrestling team has student athletes who have a great desire to succeed in the 2023-24 winter sports season. Tabbed as the “Fab Four,” this year’s Bluejays squad consists of freshman Garrett Frahm and sophomores Shaylon Blake, Evan Passehl and Marshall Venice. Athens wrestling alum Jodi Gauerke is in his second season as the school’s varsity head wrestling coach. His wrestling assistant
See ‘JAYS WRESTLING/ page 16
BLUEJAYS VARSITY WRESTLING- Introducing the 2023-24 Athens varsity wrestling team. Pictured, from left to right, front row are: Manager Autumn Diethelm and wrestlers Shaylon Blake, Marshall Venzke, Garrett Frahm and Evin Passehl and manager Abby Diethelm; back row: Assistant coach Dustin Dahlke, head coach Jodi Gauerke and assistant coaches Chad Ellenbecker and Justin Bloch. STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER ‘Jays wrestling
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coach is Chad Ellenbecker along with volunteer assistant coaches Justin Bloch, Dustin Dahlke and Dale Westfall.
Gauerke is pleased that at least three of his four varsity wrestlers this season have one year of high school experience under their belts.
“Shaylon and Marshall have gained a lot of high school experience and they are enjoyable to have on the team,” Gauerke said. “Evan took third place in the Marawood Conference tournament last season and he continues to work on his technique and is showing great improvement in controlling his body movements. Gavin Frahm at the moment has chosen not to wrestle this year but his younger brother, Garrett, is transitioning very well into his first varsity season,” Athens hosted a triangular on Thursday with Chequamegon and Stanley-Boyd. Athens lost to Chequamegon, 3015. Garrett Frahm received a forfeit win at 113 pounds. Venzke won a 5-1 decision against Ethan Humphrey at 120 pounds, Blake was was pinned by Tyree Mullins in 48 seconds at 126 pounds and Passehl pinned Skyler Ottosen in one minute, 39 seconds at 132 pounds.
The Bluejays lost to the Stanley-Boyd Orioles, 45-12. Garrett Frahm pinned Anna Krizan in 3:55 at 113 pounds, Venice pinned Stephen Lin in 41 seconds, Passehl lost a 17-1 technical fall to Breckin Burzynski at 138 pounds and Blake lost a 15-7 major decision to Darrin Dorn at 144 pounds.
Athens competed in Saturday’s John Roberts Scramble in Antigo. Passehl took second place at 138 pounds, Garrett Frahm placed fourth at 106 pounds and Venice was sixth at 120 pounds.
The Athens Wrestling Club will induct Bluejays wrestling alum and coach Dale Westfall into the Athens Wrestling Hall of Fame at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at Landmark Bar. The Hall of Fame induction and raffle will occur after the Athens youth wrestling tournament that day.
“Dale and I have coached together for six years and I feel his wrestling and coaching career, along with his continued work behind the scenes, make him very deserving to be honored as an inductee into the Athens Wrestling Hall of Fame. It is a long time coming,” said Gauerke.
