Current Section
Wisconsin Wrestling Challenge Series
Wisconsin Wrestling 'Challenge Series' and 'Girls Challenge'
School Assignments at bottom of this web page. Assignments subject to change in 2024. Contracts will be sent by Region hosts. Contact Region host with contract questions.
Wrestling’s continued preservation and growth is important for the youth of our communities.
Largest In Season High School Wrestling Tournament in the World
Dates, Guidelines, Details and School Assignments
Finals Information: WWCS Finals Letter | High School Girls Challenge Letter
(additional information will be added prior to Finals event)
Presented by Elite Wrestling and Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association
Coordinator
Director: Mike Pernsteiner - Athletic Director: Eau Claire North High School
Advisors
Eric Burke - Superintendent: School District of Rhinelander
Sam Engelland - Activities/Athletic Director: Hortonville High School
Region Date: Saturday, January 6, 2024
(Note: 'One Pound' Allowance at all Region Events)
WWCS Finals and Girls Challenge Date: Saturday, January 20, 2024
(Note: 'One Pound' Allowance at all Region Events and Finals)
Extended Region and Finals dates listed below and at WIAA Extended Calendar
Wisconsin Wrestling Challenge Series (WWCS)
Region Host Schools, Sites and Contacts
Region 1
Host Site: Wilmot High School
(262) 862-2351
AD: Jerry Christiansen christiansenj@wilmoths.k12.wi.us
Coach: Ryan Gartner gartnerr@wilmoths.k12.wi.us
Wilmot Region Trackwrestling Direct Link (coming)
Region 2 (New Host)
Host Site: Oostburg High School
(920) 564-2346
AD: Jim Batzner jim.batzner@oostburg.k12.wi.us
Coach: Zachary Rogers zachary.rogers@oostburg.k12.wi.us
Athletic Assistant: Melanie Wisse
Melanie.wisse@oostburg.k12.wi.us
Oostburg Region Trackwrestling Direct Link (coming)
Region 3
Host Site: Neenah High School
920-751-6900 Ext. 16126
AD: Mike Elkin melkin@neenah.k12.wi.us
Coach: Kyle Kleuskens kyle.kleuskens@neenah.k12.wi.us
Neenah Region Trackwrestling Direct Link (coming)
Region 4
Host Site: Whitewater High School
(262) 472-8100
AD: Justin Crandall jcrandall@wwusd.org
Coach: John Schimming jSchimming@wwusd.org 608-547-8539
Whitewater Region Trackwrestling Direct Link (coming)
Region 5
Host Site: Sauk Prairie High School
(608) 643-5900
AD: Josh Boyer joshua.boyer@saukprairieschools.org
Coach: Matt Gaffney matt_gaffney123@yahoo.com
Sauk Prairie Region Trackwrestling Direct Link (coming)
Region 6
Host Site: Wausau East High School
(715) 261-0650
AD: Kurt Vandenheuvel kvandenheuvel@wausauschools.org
Coach: Matt Natzke mnatzke@wausauschools.org
Wausau East Region Trackwrestling Direct Link (coming)
Region 7
Host Site: West Salem Bangor / West Salem Middle School
(608) 786-2090
AD: Ryan Olson olson.ryan@wsalem.k12.wi.us
(608) 786-1220 (school)
Bridget Peterson - Athletics Administrative Assistant peterson.bridget@wsalem.k12.wi.us
(608) 786-1220, ext. 2350
Coach: Josh Brewer - West Salem/Bangor brewer.josh@wsalem.k12.wi.us
(608) 786-2090 (school) and (608) 575-8640 (cell)
West Salem Middle School 440 East Ave. West Salem, WI 54669 (608) 786-2090
West Salem Bangor Region Trackwrestling Direct Link (coming)
Region 8
Eau Claire North High School
AD: Mike Pernsteiner mpernsteiner@ecasd.us (715) 852-6600
Coach: Jake Rebhan jrebhan@ecasd.us (715) 852-6600
Eau Claire North Region Trackwrestling Direct Link (coming)
Challenge Series FINALS and Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge
Host Site: Wausau West High School
Tournament Director: Dallas Moe dmoe@wausauschools.org (920) 639-0233
AD: Brian Miller bmiller@wausauschools.org (715) 261-0850 ext. 34874
Coach: Troy Fabry tfabry@wausauschools.org (715) 261-0850 ext. 34343
Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge Trackwrestling Link (information on the way)
Challenge Series FINALS Trackwrestling Link (information on the way)
INFORMATION LETTERS (on the way at a later date, downloadable)
WWCS Finals Information Letter (information on the way)
Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge Letter (information on the way)
Contracts and information pertaining to the Finals will be sent by Finals host school Wausau West. Finals in Wausau will consist of top 3 individuals from 8 Regions and compete in a 24-wrestler bracket.
'Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge' option (details below).
Coaches must notify Wausau West Finals Tournament Director, Dallas Moe (dmoe@wausauschools.org (920) 639-0233), the Tuesday immediately following Region events, as soon as it is known, of wrestler(s) unable to compete at Finals, so alternate(s) may be notified promptly to participate.
(see clarification 3. h. below)
GUIDELINES
Wisconsin Wrestling Challenge Series and Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge
The Wisconsin Wrestling Challenge Series for sub-varsity level interscholastic wrestlers has been developed with these goals in mind. This event is designed to be compliant with WIAA guidelines and is available to WIAA member schools of all divisions.
This event is NOT a qualifier for the WIAA State Tournament Series
Note to clarify regarding Girls: All female wrestlers (all 9, 10, 11, 12 graders) who wish to compete in the Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge may directly enter the Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge event in Wausau.
Email Wausau West Finals Tournament Director Dallas Moe (dmoe@wausauschools.org (920) 639-0233) the Name, School, and Weight of Girls that plan to compete in the Girls Challenge event at Wausau West.
There will be a $10 entry fee for girls choosing to enter only the Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge event in Wausau.
Girls may participate in a ‘regular’ Region events as well and a fee will apply for Region entry.
Girls placing in the top three at the Region must choose to enter the ‘regular’ final or ‘girls’ Challenge event. A girl may only enter one event at the Finals, either the WWCS Final or Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge. Notice of intention should be made to the Wausau West tournament director by Tuesday following the Region competition, or as soon as it is known. Coaches must notify Wausau West WWCS Finals Tournament/Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge Director the Name, School, and Weight of Girls who qualified, but will not compete in the Challenge Finals and are choosing the Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge event at Wausau West.
Girls DO NOT have to enter a Region event to qualify for the Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge event at Wausau West.
Tournament Procedure
1. Assignment of schools will be on a geographical basis with the State of Wisconsin divided into eight ‘Regions’ (Regions listed below).
Challenge Series plan, dates, qualifying and sites.
a. Approximately 40 schools will make up each Region.
b. Schools are assigned to one of 8 Regions geographically. Teams/Competitors will only compete within their school's assigned Region as determined by the WWCS guidelines.
c. The top 3 finishers (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in each weight division from each Region qualify for the Challenge Finals.
d. All wrestlers must weigh in at the Region and Final. Finals wrestlers must make official weight in the class they qualified for the Final. Wrestlers may not change to a different weight class for Final competition.
e. Assignments of teams to Regions and host schools for those tournaments will be announced in late spring.
f. Region host site commitments will be reviewed on a two-year basis or as deemed necessary.
2. Rules governing competition
a. Athletes who are ineligible during the Challenge Series (for any reason) may not appear in uniform, participate in warm-ups, and may not participate in the awards ceremony at the Wisconsin Wrestling Challenge Series.
b. Exception: An injured athlete will be allowed to participate in the awards ceremony provided he/she is included in the roster of their team.
c. Schools must adhere to WIAA meet limits and requirements for competition. Each Challenge Series event (Region and Final) will count towards the maximum for their school. The Challenge Series events (Region and Final) will count towards the maximum number of events for the individual. The Region and Final events are not in addition to the normal WIAA allotment of events. An individual and or school may not compete in the Challenge Series program if he/she/team has participated in more than 14 meets, or in more than the allowed number of multiple school meets.
d. Schools/coaches will enter their individuals via trackwrestling for their Region with a list of the names, weights and grade in school (9, 10, 11, 12) of wrestlers scheduled to enter Region competition. (Please do not enter information by typing/using all caps.)
Note: Tentative line ups should be entered by midnight on the Tuesday prior to the Region tournament. If unable to determine tentative entries the coach should contact and explain circumstances to meet manager by that Tuesday. Attempts will be made to accommodate situations in the best interest of the kids.
e. These entry lists are tentative, and changes may be made up to the conclusion of weigh in at the Region competition.
f. There will be no ‘seeding’ at Region or Final. The runner up and third place finisher at Region events will wrestle round one of Finals and meet a Region champion the second round. Substitute situations may cause this to be altered if determined necessary by the Finals manager.
Note: Wrestlers may be moved up on the bracket depending on availability of substitutions.
g. If a vacancy occurs because there is no available or eligible substitute, the scheduled opponent receives a forfeit. Filling all spots will be attempted.
h. If a wrestler fails to make weight, the opponent receives a forfeit.
i. Substitutions: A school is expected to IMMEDIATELY notify the Finals manager, in the event one of its qualifiers is unable to continue in the tournament program so other wrestlers may be substituted from Region competitions. Substitutes may or may not be drawn from the same Region as a rotation will be in place. It is important that schools have given event managers complete information (phone numbers, names and email address of more than one responsible contact person) of the responsible party to be contacted if a substitute has the opportunity to compete in the Final. Notification should be given as early as possible so the substitute can prepare. There is, however, no deadline. Substitution can be made up to weigh-in time.
3. Region Entries:
a. Coaches should use their best discretion and judgment when considering entering individuals into the Challenge Series. This competition is intended to accommodate ‘sub-varsity’ level wrestlers as opposed to varsity level ‘competitive’ regular varsity line up wrestlers who have been contributing members of a varsity squad during any season. As a rule, the wrestlers entered should have been representing the ‘sub-varsity’ (‘JV’ or ‘freshman’ or ‘reserve’) team the majority of the season or be wrestling varsity to ‘fill’ a weight class need, despite their competitiveness at that level. Records will not be a consideration, but a varsity competitor with a winning record, who has not regularly represented the JV at their school, is probably not a fit for this competition.
b. Who should be entered in the Wisconsin Wrestling Challenge Series?
Some thoughts and questions coaches need to ask themselves and consider when deciding whether to enter an individual in the WWCS.
Coaches are asked to use discretion and common sense in choosing to enter individuals in this 'sub-varsity' event.
-A coach should be able to say his/her conscience is clear regarding every wrestler entered in the WWCS from their team.
The event is considered 'sub-varsity' level.
-Ask yourself if this wrestler is a 'sub-varsity' level wrestler.
-If the wrestler has been on the varsity or belonged on the varsity this year or prior years, should that wrestler enter this event?
-A 'varsity' wrestler should not be entered in this tournament.
-This tournament should not be used by a varsity wrestler to fill in for a 'missed' varsity tournament opportunity.
-This event is meant for high school wrestlers who are not regularly varsity wrestlers.
-This event is not to be considered as an opportunity for a ‘varsity’ wrestler to get ‘quality mat time’ or make up for missed prior varsity competitions.
Is there a set number or maximum number of matches a wrestler can have and still enter the WWCS?
-There is no set number. A sub-varsity level wrestler might have 'filled in' on varsity any number of times.
If a wrestler is on a 'JV', 'freshman' or 'reserve' team and that team has been in a Varsity tournament or tournaments, is that wrestler 'sub-varsity' level?
-If the wrestler is regularly winning or advancing to the finals at any varsity events, he/she is not really to be considered 'sub-varsity' level. Wrestlers with the ability to qualify for the WIAA Sectional and or State meet and place and even win the WIAA State Individual tournament would not and should not be considered ‘sub-varsity’ for the purposes of the WWCS.
Entering these types of competitors would not be considered ethical for the purpose of the WWCS.
Does the WWCS (Region and Final) count as ONE event or TWO?
-It is TWO distinct EVENTS and counts as two events for the wrestler.
-The 'Region' is one event and the 'Final' is a second event. The wrestler must have two multiple school event competitions available to compete in both.
May teams enter multiple wrestlers in a weight class?
-Yes, teams may enter multiple wrestlers per weight class. There is no limit. The trackwrestling system attempts to separate 'same school' wrestlers, but no special separation is guaranteed.
c. At the Region and Final event school teams must possess and be prepared to present:
(1) Copies of 7% printouts containing the most recent data on each wrestler to be entered in the Region.
(2) Weigh-in sheets from all meets the team participated in during the two weeks prior to the Region.
d. Coaches are required to name their entries by weight class prior to the start of the weigh in, not ‘during’ weigh-in. Wrestlers who do not ‘make weight’ at their designated class may be able to ‘move up’ or ‘down’ a weight class depending on the number of entries in the adjoining weight classes. Tournament director shall have final say.
e. All weights recorded by the official on official weigh-in sheets remain official and cannot be changed, or deleted, whether the wrestler competes in that event or not.
f. Covering a communicable skin condition is not acceptable and does not make the wrestler eligible to participate. An onsite meet official may override the diagnosis of the physician signing the physician’s release form for a wrestler to participate with a particular skin condition.
(In accordance with WIAA rules.)
g. Region and Final tournament hosts may release their competition pairings to the public as soon as they are prepared after the weigh in.
h. By Tuesday immediately following the Region competition, or as soon as it is known, COACHES MUST NOTIFY Wausau West – Finals Tournament Director, Dallas Moe (dmoe@wausauschools.org (920) 639-0233), THE NAME, SCHOOL, AND WEIGHT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO QUALIFIED, BUT WILL NOT COMPETE IN THE FINALS at Wausau West.
4. Length of bouts
a. All Region and Final championship matches will be six minutes long (three two-minute rounds). Consolation matches will be five minutes (1-2-2)
EXCEPTION: Changes may be made to match length if it is determined by the event manager that time constraints must be considered to accommodate extenuating circumstances.
5. WWCS Region Tournaments
a. Date to be determined annually with consideration of the official WIAA calendar.
b. Times: Except for weigh-in, coaches’ meeting, and opening round, no specific time schedule need be established by tournament manager. All Regions will schedule their competition day independently taking into consideration the wide variance in such factors as number of entries, available mats, travel distance and time, urban-rural setting, etc. Time schedules for weigh-ins and first session will be announced.
c. Tournament Pairings
Rule book instructions and the following instructions apply.
Note: All weight classes* – will be bracketed as 32 or 16 or 8 or 4 wrestler brackets to efficiently accommodate number of entries at that individual weight class to determine the top three places (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Greater than 32 entries in a weight class: In the event there are greater than 32 entries in a weight class a 64 wrestler bracket will be used and wrestling will take place up to and including semi-finals. Due to daily match limits (5 per wrestler) this is the solution to be used. In the event the daily match limit (5) has been reached by any wrestler in the championship or consolation bracket no further matches will be wrestled by that individual. The two wrestlers reaching the final will qualify and a coin toss will decide the 1st and 2nd placement of the two wrestlers for Finals bracket. The wrestlers who lost the semifinal will be considered the third and fourth place finishers. A coin flip for third and fourth place will decide the third-place position qualifier to the Final. The 'fourth' place wrestler will be given consideration as an alternate to the Final if openings occur. There will be no guarantee of an opening or advancement to the Final. In 8 wrestler brackets there will be a wrestleback to third when possible. Consolation side of a 64 bracket may be used for non-qualifying matches.
In 16 wrestler brackets there will be a wrestleback to 5th if match limits have not been reached. Semi Final qualifiers will wrestle for the top four places.
In 32 wrestler brackets there will be a wrestleback to 5th if match limits have not been reached. Semi Final qualifiers will wrestle for the top four places.
There will be no wrestleback to determine second place at Region or Final. Previous result in the Region or Final proper (that day) will stand if competitors are scheduled to meet a second time and match limit has been reached by either wrestler. If match limit is not reached by either (both) wrestler(s), there will be a ‘wrestleback’ match to determine place.
d. Region bracket placement Information and Procedures
(1) Trackwrestling (www.trackwrestling.com) shall be used for placement of entrants at all Region tournaments. This placement will be random with consideration for separation of team members when possible. The trackwrestling system will be set up by the WWCS administrator and access will be granted to Region hosts. Regions will not set up their own trackwrestling event.
(2) Materials to have on hand: Computer, projector and screen. It is not required to have special individual mat clocks and/or computers. The tournament host should provide all coaches with a list of participants by weight, not by team, and include name of school and grade of wrestler. For example, all 106-pound wrestlers should be listed alphabetically by name with their grade level.
(3) General considerations.
(a) All coaches should attend the organizational meeting. All schools should be represented.
(b) The meeting is for coaches and meet personnel and attendance should be limited to those individuals. The meeting should not be open to spectators.
(c) To begin the official tournament coaches meeting, the head official will meet with the group of coaches and verify wrestlers who did not make weight or are not eligible for other reasons (health check etc.). If a wrestler did not make weight the coach may move that wrestler to another appropriate weight class depending on the number of entries in the adjoining weight classes. Tournament director will have final say.
e. Officials;
(1) Payment will be made by the host site school. (No mileage will be paid.) Payment should be the same at all Regions. Checks and contracts will be issued by the host school.
(2) Host schools should contract officials based on the number of mats used and the number of entrants at a tournament site.
(3) One official, as determined by the host school, will act as the head official and chairman of the coaches’ meeting.
f. Awards
(1) Individual; Materials will be supplied to Region events to print Awards for individuals.
g. Finances
(1) Entry Fees: 0-5 entrants $50, 6-10 entrants $100, 11 or more entrants $150.
Teams will present a check covering entry fees at the Region event prior to the end of the coaches meeting.
(2) Host School Allowances
Host Schools will keep entry fees, concessions and spectator ticket receipts. Hosts will pay expenses for officials and workers and school fees. WWCA will supply trackwrestling access.
h. Ticket Prices Child/Student/Adult will be determined by the host school. (It is suggested the spectator fee ranges from $4 to $6 for adults, $2 for students/youth.)
6. Challenge Series Final
a. Date to be determined annually with consideration of the WIAA calendar.
b. Scheduling of Competition
The time schedule for the Challenge Series Finals Competition will be announced on the WWCA website and Wisconsin Wrestling Online (www.wiwrestling.com).
c. Scoring (team).
(1) All wrestlers are eligible to score team points.
(2) Standard scoring for a bracketed tournament will be used per trackwrestling.
7. Girls Competition
WWCS Girls Challenge will be held at the Finals event in Wausau.
There will be no specific/separate Region girls’ competition, but girls may enter the Region event as well.
Entry Fee (Girls Challenge event): $10 at Wausau. (no fee, if fee paid at Region event)
Rules regarding WWCS Finals will apply to Girls Challenge event competition.
Girls qualifying via a Region event will be required to choose to enter the Final WWCS regular division or the WWCS Girls Challenge division. A wrestler may compete in only one division (WWCS or WWCS Girls Challenge division) at the Final. This choice must be communicated to the Finals director Dallas Moe (dmoe@wausauschools.org (920) 639-0233) on the Tuesday following the Region event, or as soon as it is known, to allow alternates to be alerted for the WWCS Final. Only one fee will be collected for girls entering both the WWCS Region and Girls Challenge events.
Registration will take place via trackwrestling and should be done prior to the Tuesday preceding the Finals event. Same day entry will be allowed. Entry will be ‘first come, first served’. If a bracket is 'full' (reaching 24 entrants) the wrestler may choose another weight class or may not be able to enter the day of the event. Alternative bracketing may be enlisted depending on entry numbers.
Note to clarify: All female wrestlers who wish to compete in the Challenge Series Girls Challenge automatically may enter the FINAL girl’s event in Wausau.
Email Wausau West Finals Tournament Director the Name, School, and Weight of Girls that plan to compete in the Girls Challenge event at Wausau West.
There will be a $10 entry fee for girls choosing to enter only the Girls Challenge event in Wausau.
Girls may participate in ‘regular’ Region events as well, but a fee will apply for Region entry.
Girls placing in the top three at the Region must choose to enter the ‘regular’ final or ‘girls’ Championship event. A girl may only enter one event at the WWCS Final/Girls Challenge. Notice of intention should be made to the Wausau West Finals Tournament Director by Tuesday following the Region competition, or as soon as it is known. Coaches must notify Wausau West Finals Tournament/Girls Challenge Director) the Name, School, and Weight of Girls who qualified, but will not compete in the Challenge Finals and are choosing the Girls Challenge event at Wausau West.
Girls DO NOT have to enter a Region event to qualify for the Girls Challenge event at Wausau West.
NOTE: Participation by any female has no bearing on her eligibility to enter or wrestle in the WIAA Girls State Tournament series.
REGION ASSIGNMENT APPEAL PROCEDURE
Region assignment appeals will be considered on an individual school basis. Based on geography, a school may appeal their Region assignment and request to compete in an alternate Region if the travel distance to the current Region assignment is 50 miles or greater and the change reduces travel mileage distance by 50% or more.
There may be circumstances where an appeal is denied maintaining balance between Region numbers and/or other factors.
Appeals must be made in writing via email or US Postal Service prior to the start of the Wisconsin high school wrestling season first practice date. A team must also appeal to move back (return) to their original Region.
Appeals must be submitted to WWCS Co-Coordinator/Director Mike Pernsteiner, Athletic Director Eau Claire North High School.
The appeal communication should indicate the current Region and the alternate Region accurately describing the distances in miles to each Region from the requesting high school.
Co-Coordinators will consider the merits of each appeal individually.
Appeals must be submitted via email and/or ground mail (USPS) to:
Mike Pernsteiner: mpernsteiner@ecasd.us
Athletic Director - Eau Claire North High School
1801 Piedmont Road, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703
Asterisk (*) next to the school’s name in Region Assignment Indicates appeal granted.
'Tentative' future EXTENDED DATES of Wisconsin Wrestling Challenge Series and Wisconsin High School Girls Challenge. These dates correspond to the WIAA Calendar as available.
Region ----> Championship and Girls Challenge
1/11/25 ----1/25/25
1/10/26 ----1/24/26
1/9/27 ----1/23/27
1/8/28---- 1/22/28
Region assignments
To keep Region Assignments up to date, please inform the Challenge Series Coordinators if your school:
1) Becomes part of a Co-Op.
2) Leaves a Co-Op and continues to offer wrestling.
3) Adds a wrestling program or drops a wrestling program.
Wisconsin Wrestling Challenge Series Region Assignments
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Region 1- Wilmot Badger Region 2 - Oostburg (New Host) Arrowhead Region 3 - Neenah Appleton East Region 4 - Whitewater Belleville/Monticello/New Glarus
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Region 5 - Sauk Prairie Adams-Friendship Region 6 - Wausau East Abbottsford/Colby Region 7 - West Salem/Bangor Aquinas Region 8 - Eau Claire North Amery
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