Bluejays are ready to rumble
By Casey Krautkramer
Last year’s Athens varsity wrestling team photo consisted of only four boys and no girls competing in the sport. This season there are six boys and three girls participating in the sport.
Jodi Gauerke is in his third season as Athens varsity head wrestling coach. Chad Ellenbecker returns as his assistant wrestling coach. Gauerke believes the future is bright for Bluejays varsity wrestling based on the large number of student athletes competing in the youth and middle school programs.
“Our youth and middle school numbers remain strong,” Gauerke said. “I believe having fun while learning the sport will provide these numbers to carry over to the high school team.”
The top Athens varsity wrestlers returning this season are junior Evin Passehl competing in the estimated 144-pound weight class and sophomore Garrett Frahm in the estimated 113-pound weight class.
Frahm took fourth place in the 106pound weight class at the WIAA Division 3 individual regional in Auburndale last season to quality for the Edgar sectional as a freshman. He didn’t place high enough at sectionals to advance to state.
“Garrett is off to a great start this season by putting in the hard work,” Gauerke said.
Passehl took fourth place in the 132pound weight class at regionals during his freshman season but he didn’t advance out of sectionals. Last season, Passehl didn’t even make it out of regionals so he has his work cut out for him this year.
“Evin has not forgotten how his season went last year and he has set some high goals for himself this season,” Gauerke said.
The following boys are newcomers to this season’s Athens varsity wrestling squad: sophomore Kian Ellenbecker at an estimated weight class of 132 pounds, junior Shaylon Blake at an estimated weight class of 150 pounds, sophomore Dale Felix at an estimated weight class of 138 pounds and sophomore Jeffery Draper at an estimated weight class of 165 pounds.
Athens welcomes three new girl varsity wrestlers this season including senior Malaina Telschow at an estimated weight class of 120 pounds, freshman Jendry Cruz-Perez at an estimated weight class of 100 pounds and junior Taylor Hein at an See ATHENS WRESTLING/ page 16
ATHENS VARSITY WRESTLING TEAM - Introducing the 2024-25 Bluejays varsity boys and girls wrestling squad. Team members pictured, from left to right, front row are manager Autumn Diethelm, wrestlers Taylor Hein, Jendry Cruz-Perez and Malaina Telschow and manager Abby Diethelm; back row: wrestlers Shaylon Blake, Kian Ellenbecker, Jeffery Draper, Evin Passehl, Garrett Frahm and Dale Felix.
PHOTO BY ELLE GAUERKE Athens wrestling
Continued from page 8
estimated weight class of 126 pounds.
Gauerke’s daughter, Elle Gauerke, is a volunteer girls wrestling coach this season. She competed in the WIAA single division girls state tournament during her senior season two years ago when it was held in conjunction with the boys individual state tournament for the first time at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Former Athens varsity head wrestling coach Dale Westfall is a volunteer high school assistant coach this season.
Dustin Dahlke, Justin Bloch and Casey Connor are volunteer Athens Middle School wrestling coaches this season.
The Athens Wrestling Club has announced that 1979 graduate and wrestling alum Barry Schmitt is the 2024 Athens Wrestling Hall of Fame recipient. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Landmark Bar in Athens following the Athens youth wrestling tournament in the middle/high school gym.
