Regional Champs!
The Crandon Cardinal Wrestling team went undefeated in the 2020-21 season with a record of 13-0 going into this past Saturday's Regional Final tournament.  This year's tournament was held at Three Lakes High School and the schools competing in the tournament included Crandon, Elcho, Laona-Wabeno, Menominee Indian, Three Lakes and Wittenberg-Birnamwood.  The Crandon Cardinals kept their winning streak alive with 10 wrestlers advancing to the final round.  Of the 10 finalists the following four took first place: Elias G. (106#), Hutson K. (120#), Cole S. (138#) and Rown P. (182#).  Additionally, the following four took second place: Brayden M. (113#), Carsyn M. (132#), Silas D. (170#) and Connor L. (HW).  The hard work and determination of the team paid off with Cardinals becoming the 2021 Regional Champs.  The Cardinals are coached by Paul Cleereman, Isaiah Doane and Eric Shepherd.  The team managers are Maya N., Nadia M. and Reece M.  The eight Cardinal wrestlers that finished with 1st or 2nd place will be advancing to sectionals.  Sectionals will be held this Saturday, February 6th, at Valders High School.  Good luck to the Cardinal wrestlers and all the other area wrestlers at sectionals.

Team photo:  Back row L to R: Coach Eric Shepherd, Coach Isaiah Doane, Connor L., Mason M., Carter B., Carsyn M., Brett P., Silas D., Kolten K., Coach Paul Cleereman.
Front row L to R:  Caden P., Elias G., Hutson K., Brayden M., Rowyn P., Wyatt W. and Cole S.   (Not pictured: Eian W.)

First Place Finishers:
L to R: Freshman, Elias G. (15-1), Senior, Hutson K. (11-1), Sophomore, Cole S. (15-1) and Sophomore, Rowyn P. (11-4)

Lady Cardinal Mid-Season Report
January 10, 2021
By Erica Neilitz
After their second quarantine of the season requiring time away from the court the Lady Cardinals worked hard to regain the momentum they finished the early season with and are sitting on top of the Northern Lakes Conference (5-0) with an overall 8-3 record.
Hosting a holiday tournament December 28th and 29th was the perfect opportunity to put their work to the test; the result was dominating both Menomonie Indian (59-29) and Suring (40-35).  In the win over MIHS Holly P. led the team with 15 points & 9 steals followed by sister Macie P. who racked up another double-double with 12 points & 10 rebounds. Alexis M. rounded out the stats with 12 points & 5 boards. True to the unselfish nature of Lady Cardinal basketball, the Suring game saw a different set of stat leaders: Maddie S. led the way with 16 points & 6 boards, Mara S. matched her sister’s 16 points & chased down 4 boards and Macie P. rounded it out with 6 points & 6 boards.
Monday, January 4th Crandon hosted a quick athletic Division 2 Mosinee team that averaged 54 points per game and sat atop the Great Northern Conference. The Cardinals showed up to play and with an intense suffocating defense held the Indians to six field goals. Leading the stats in the 30 point win (45-15) were Maddie S. with 10 points, 5 assists & 6 steals, Alexis M. with 6 points & 9 rebounds and Macie P. with 8 points & 5 boards. 
Tuesday, January 5th the Lady Cardinals traveled to Elcho for the second match up of the season securing a decisive 73-28 win. The hornet defense was no match for the hot shooting Cardinals who had three players in double digits. Holly P. led all scorers with 23 points & added 5 assists, Mara S. contributed 17 points, 8 rebounds & 5 steals while Ava N. rounded out the scoring with 13 points & 2 boards. 
Thursday, January 7th Crandon hosted the D4 state ranked #6 Bonduel Bears, a team looking for revenge as the Cardinals have stopped the Bear’s playoff run each of the past four years. Although the Bears outsized the Cardinals at every position, the tenacity of the lady Cardinals gave them a run for their money. The teams traded punches like a couple of heavy weights with no one leading by more than 5 points during any one run. In the end the Bears came out on top 48-46.  Cardinal scoring was well rounded: Maddie S. put up 11 points & tracked down 5 rebounds, Macie P. also scored 11 & pulled down 4 boards, Mara S. and Holly P. rounded out the scoring with 8 each. 
The Lady Cardinals are motivated to hit the grind the remainder of the season striving for their goals. They are away three times this week with the next home game scheduled for Thursday, January 21st against the Rebels.