Halopka picks up 100th win in Stanley

By Nathaniel Underwood

Abbotsford-Colby senior wrestler Tanner Halopka reached an individual milestone after collecting the 100th win of his high school career last Thursday. The victory helped push the co-op over the top against Stanley-Boyd in their final dual match of the season, where they defeated the Orioles 30-27.

For Halopka, the achievement did not come without its challenges.ACOVID shortened freshman campaign in 2020 coupled with an injury that kept him from competing as a junior, the two-time state participant had an uphill battle trying to reach triple digits.

“It was pretty important to me that I got there just because of how many matches I’ve missed,” Halopka said of capturing his 100th victory.

Despite having missed all of the 202223 high school season, Halopka seemingly hasn’t missed a beat this year. The senior is 36-4 in matches so far according to trackwrestling. com and has taken first in three tournaments so far while placing second in three more. While there were some hurdles to clear early, Halopka believes he is right where he wants to be at this point in the season.

“In the beginning of the year, it was a big mental game,” he said. “The first few tournaments, I didn’t think I wrestled that great, and

See HALOPKA’S 100TH WIN/ Page 16

MEMORABLE MILESTONE - Tanner Halopka, center front, poses with his coaches and teammates after recording his 100th victory last Thursday against Stanley-Boyd.

ROSS PATTERMANN/THE THORP COURIER Halopka’s 100th win

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I think I just got a little in my head. But now I feel good.”

While the Abby-Colby coaching staff is happy that Halopka was able to reach this milestone, especially given the challenges, they are not particularly surprised either.

“Tanner’s a great leader, works hard in practice, sets the tone in the room,” head coach Steven Wozniak said. “Considering he’s had almost two seasons with very low matches, to hit 100 at this point in the season is pretty impressive. But he’s been wrestling his entire life, so I think he hit the season in stride and has kept going with zero hesitations about it. Having that off year did not seem to set him back at all.”

Halopka’s milestone came in a victory by fall over Brodric Westrom in last Thursday’s dual meet with Stanley-Boyd. With the coop battling injuries, the dual with the Orioles was still close despite the co-op winning five of the seven wrestled bouts. Tristen Smazal, Alix Colby, Jacob Hoppe and Aiden Burt also picked up wins to help their team pull out the win.

With the regular season duals behind them and the conference tournament next on the schedule, the focus is now turning to the postseason tournaments for the Abby-Colby squad. Halopka is no different.

For someone who made the state tournament both his freshman and sophomore year, placing fifth and fourth respectively, and has continued that success in 2023-24, the end season goal for Halopka is perhaps an obvious one.

“Don’t lose,” the senior put simply when asked about the WIAA state tournament held in Madison. “I should win it.”

“He’s a competitor. He’s one of the top in the state and that’s where his expectations are at,” Wozniak added.

Queen of the Mat Tourney

In addition to the victory over Stanley-Boyd, Abby-Colby also competed in a girls tournament over the weekend. Makenna Herrmann represented the squad on Saturday and took third place in the 120-pound weight class, going 3-1 in her matches.

Her first victory came over Elise Gibeault of Tomahawk, who she defeated by fall in the second period. Her win set her up against Shae-Ella Clark of the Nekoosa/Assumption/ Port Edwards combined squad. Hermann took a 5-2 lead into the final round of the match and with a takedown and a three-point nearfall in the third, Herrmann was able to grab a 10-2 major decision. She then ran into eventual champ Cianna Vendrell of Edgerton in semifinals. Herrmann took an early lead with a takedown, but two penalties plus an escape put Vendrell on top. A two-point nearfall for Vendrell in the second was the difference maker, and she moved on with the 5-3 decision. Hermmann bounced back with a dominating victory in the third place match, pinning Katrina Murray of Princeton/Green Lake in the first round.

VICTORIOUS MOMENT - Tanner Halopka receives his 100th win after pinning Stanley-Boyd’s Brodric Westrom. ROSS PATTERMANN/THE THORP COURIER