By Morgan Rode sports@newmedia-wi.com
Leader Photo by Morgan Rode Shawano’s Keith Tourtillott, top, wrestles Sparta’s Garet Pfaff at the 76th Annual WIAA Individual Wrestling Championship Tournament in Madison on Feb. 22. Tourtillott earned a spot on the all-conference first team after not losing a Bay Conference dual.
Five Shawano Hawks wrestlers — Keith Tourtillott, Wyatt Brandt, Crede Timm, Ben Carroll and Alex Sumnicht — posted perfect records in conference action and have landed on the first all-conference team.
Two other wrestlers — Gage Timm and Sam Tourtillott — made the second team after having just one conference loss.
While some wrestling conferences have tournaments to determine all-conference honors, the Bay Conference uses wrestlers records in conference duals to determine which athletes are honored.
Under the direction of coach Mike Homan, it was a memorable season for Shawano as a team. The Hawks went 6-0 in conference duals to claim its first-ever title.
Keith Tourtillott had a junior season to remember on the mat, eventually representing the Hawks at the 76th Annual WIAA Individual Wrestling Championship Tournament in Madison.
He finished the year with a 34-8 overall record and has big goals set for his senior season next winter.
Brandt ended his year competing at sectionals, where he came in fourth. The sophomore capped the year with a 33-8 record overall.
Crede Timm never shied away from the big moment, scoring several crucial wins throughout the year for the Hawks. The senior finished with an 18-9 overall record, coming in fifth at regionals.
Like Crede Timm, Sumnicht also enjoyed a solid senior season on the mat. He posted a 13-8 record on the season before having an injury derail his regional.
Carroll earned praise from coach Homan throughout the year, not only posting a perfect mark in conference, but also turning in several top finishes at tournaments. He ended the year at sectionals and had a 33-8 overall record.
Carroll and Keith Tourtillott will be the duo the Hawks build around next winter.
Gage Timm enjoyed a strong sophomore season, finishing with a 29-11 record. He was one of seven Shawano wrestlers at sectionals.
Sam Tourtillott was a reliable wrestler at the 195 weight class for the Hawks. He too ended the year at sectionals, posting a 17-7 record on the year.