If there was any doubt that Antigo has transformed into a premier wrestling powerhouse in the state of Wisconsin, the results from the past three weeks have silenced them. From the high-pressure atmosphere of the Kohl Center in Madison to the collegiate national qualifiers in Iowa, and down to a record-breaking performance by the youth program in Merrill, the "Red Robin" singlet has become a symbol of grit, technical precision, and an uncompromising will to win.
The story of Antigo wrestling cannot be told without the Hofrichter family, whose impact now spans from the local high school to the national collegiate level. Senior Olivia Hofrichter closed her legendary high school career this weekend at the WIAA State Tournament with the poise of a champion. After a dominant regional run where she spent only 84 seconds on the mat, Olivia battled through a stacked state bracket to secure a third-place finish. Her final match—a signature fireman’s carry into a pinfall over Milwaukee King’s Terryn McBride—was a fitting end to a career that includes three state podium finishes and a state title. She finishes the season with a staggering 49-3 record.
Meanwhile, former Red Robin standout Alexandra Hofrichter, now a junior at the University of Dubuque, has taken the family name to the national stage. Competing at the NCAA Regionals, the two-time All-American secured a silver medal, falling only to Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blades. By finishing second, Alexandra has qualified for the inaugural NCAA-sponsored National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in Coralville, Iowa, proving that the foundation built in Antigo translates to the highest levels of the sport.
While one era ends, another is clearly beginning. Sophomore Joseph Stimac gave the Antigo faithful plenty to cheer for in Madison. After qualifying for state as a Super Sectional runner-up, Stimac proved he belonged among the elite. His weekend was defined by a miraculous comeback in the consolation quarterfinals; trailing 7-0, Stimac engineered a late-match surge to win 11-7, showing the kind of resilience that defines Antigo wrestling. Though he finished just shy of the podium, his 40-12 season record and 74 career wins in just two years set the stage for a massive junior campaign.
Perhaps the most exciting news for the future of the program comes from the Antigo Wrestling Club (AWC). This past weekend in Merrill, the youth program set a new club record by qualifying 18 wrestlers for the State Tournament in Madison. Out of 30 athletes who competed at Districts, a staggering 60% punched their tickets to the Alliant Energy Center.
The youth qualifiers were led by dominant champions Elia Peterson, Reagan Stolzman, Reagan Springsteen, and Wyatt Radtke. Peterson, in particular, continues to look untouchable, securing two pins in Merrill, including one in just 27 seconds. The depth of the club was further highlighted by Dylan Gallenberg, who survived a grueling six-match marathon to qualify, and Tucker Medo, who avenged two previous season losses in the most important tournament of the year.
As the high school folkstyle season draws to a close, the momentum is far from stalling. The community is invited to support the 18 youth qualifiers who went to Madison this past weekend.
Whether it is a sophomore fighting back from a seven-point deficit, a senior ending her career with a pin on the state's biggest stage, or a third-grader winning six straight matches to keep a dream alive, the message is clear: Antigo wrestling is a family, a legacy, and a force to be reckoned with. The torch has been passed, the records have been broken, and the future has never looked brighter.
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