2022 -2023

 

WWCA Elections

and Awards

 

Nominations & Voting

 

Page!

 

District 1 COY

Chris Hansen-Hudson

Coach Chris Hansen's team exceeded all expectations. A #6 state ranking, a Big Rivers Conference title, dual wins over #4 ranked Class AAA Eden Prairie and conference foe Menomonie, and great showings at the Bi-State and Cheesehead. Hudson won 5 sectional titles (4 boys and 1 girl), had a 6th state qualifier who placed 2nd at sectionals and had two more athletes place 3rd at sectionals. Madison was equally successful with 3 on the podium, going 1st, 3rd, and 5th. All three place winners return next season. Hansen also works tirelessly in District 1 fielding questions and concerns, disseminating information, and advocating for advancements in wrestling with the WIAA.

Joe Raygor-St. Croix Falls

Joe is a program wide coach. He, along with Dan Clarke are heading one of the most consistent wrestling programs in our area. Their hard work is resulting in a program that will be competitive for many years to come.

Brad Holzer-St. Croix Central

Brad Holzer is 100% dedicated just not to SCC but to the Sport of Wrestling. The way Brad handles everything is contagious with positivity. Brad makes great wrestlers but even better humans.

 

District 2 COY

Dominic Gunderson-Shiocton

Dominic has taken a program in Shiocton and made it into a solid program with many state qualifiers. This season they finished 2nd in the state falling to powerhouse Fennimore. Dominic is a great coach, he puts in many extra hours with his athletes. He helps with homework when needed and does anything he can to ensure they are being good students. Dominic has built a program that is respectful, successful and full of great athletes with great attitudes.

District 3 COY

Justin Lancaster-Holmen

Justin was a new head coach to Holmen and kept Holmen the best team in the district and a top 10 team in the state.

Justin completed his first season as the Vikings Head Coach. This presented many changes and challenges for him, but he handled them well. The Vikings had an up and down year, compared to recent history, but I see Justin's systematic approach to the Holmen Wrestling Program as one that will help this program be successful for years to come. The team finished 2nd in the MVC Conference, Regional Champions, and Sectional Runner-Ups. In addition, his systematic approach to individuals' wrestling styles proved to help multiple individuals take their game to the next level this year. The Vikings had 3 Individual State Qualifiers, finishing the tournament with a 3rd place finish and a 6th place finish.

Ernest Peterson-Whitehall

Coach Peterson's Whitehall Norse did not have a stellar season in 2022-2023. Whitehall went 6 and 6 in duals for the season and came in 3rd in conference. They never won a tournament all season. Couldn't get a kid through individual sectionals. So why post Ernest up every season and this season in particular. He is THE small school survivor when it comes to running a consistently tough resource starved high school wrestling program. For 20 plus seasons Coach Peterson has fielded wrestling teams from the student body, many who never put feet on a wresting mat before. He is a stubborn man but that is one of his charms and the reason Whitehall keeps wrestling, keeps showing up in team sectionals every so often, keeps sending individuals to the state tournament.

My best argument for Coach Peterson is he went 6 and 6 with a roster that included 7 students in the hallway at Whitehall that never wrestled before and finished the season and were proud of themselves. He had an 88 pound wrestler that he kept alive through 25 varsity matches who went home to his mother in one piece after the season was over. He and the other Dairyland Coaches unapologetically threw support for the people at Cochrane-Fountain City who were looking for help to keep their program alive. And they did.

Coach Peterson had a hell of a season at 6 and 6. He's good for the sport of wrestling this season and every season. What we can say is Ernest is still a competitor who enjoys the dual chess matches with his coaching peers and he has compassion for the underdogs. I'd say he had a pretty good year.

Rob Bautch-Reedsburg Area

This year Rob coached his team to one of the best seasons in school history. Reedsburg's closest conference dual they won by 26 points. At Oshkosh on the Water Reedsburg had their best team finish of 6th place. They were 1st out of 15 teams at the Badger Conference tournament with only 1 champion. They finished 1st at Regionals, 1st at sectionals and 1st at team sectionals with wins over Sun Prairie 57-19 and Stoughton 48-27. This was the first time ever Reedsburg qualified for team state. Reedsburg finished the dual season at 16-4. Reedsburg also qualified 6 for individual state. Rob cares about every kid on the team not just the varsity. There were no superstars on this team just a total team effort.

 

District 4 COY

Brad Shefchik-Bay Port High School

For those of you that know anything about Brad, you know that he is not only coaching for his team, but he always attempting to improve wresting across all divisions and all schools in the area and state. He is one of the least selfish and most personal people that you will ever meet face to face. If you have wondered who has been behind many of the changes that the state is taking in improving the state tournament series, or who has been a significant contributor to bringing AWA to Northeast Wisconsin, you need look no further. It is Brad who has done most of the leg work that is improving wrestling in our area from behind the scenes.

Chas Treml-Luxemburg-Casco

Chas Treml continues to solidify his name not only in Luxemburg Casco history but also one of the best in the state. Chas has excellent leadership skills and he has this team in the right frame of mind to compete regardless of the situation. After encountering a couple early season speed bumps with injuries to some key wrestlers, Chas always has his eye on the bigger picture, kept this team focused and when all the pieces came together in February/March, Chas led Luxemburg Casco to their 13th Team State Title and his second being at the helm. Chas doesn’t just have his focus on his Varsity guys either, if Luxemburg Casco is wrestling (youth, middle school, JV) Chas finds a way to make an appearance to coach up the future of Luxemburg Casco. Chas is always looking for ways to help the team improve, he is a positive role model in the wrestling room and in the classroom, he makes sure everyone is on the same page for every decision that is going to be made, and his involvement on all levels ensures that when the kids get to high school they know Chas will lead them to do GREAT things. Luxemburg Casco is very fortunate to have a guy like Chas Treml leading the charge!

He is a really good coach

Jeff Matczak-Kaukauna

Jeff led Kaukauna to their third straight Division 1 Team State Championship, and seventh in ten years. The team was undefeated in duals and tournaments against other Wisconsin teams. Kaukauna ended the year ranked as high as 25th in the country according to Amateur Wrestling News. While the stats are phenomenal, it takes an incredible amount of hard work, consistency, and relationships to make this happen. Jeff has the ability to connect with wrestlers and allow them to take the lead in their development. He truly guides members of the program to succeed because they want to and are motivated to, not because of what anyone else wants for them. This in turn creates people who continue to be passionate about the sport and being the best version of themselves.

Brad Baker-Freedom

Brad stepped into our program as a first year head coach and the transition could not have gone smoother. Immediately after receiving the position he met with coaches at every level to discuss the upcoming season and open lines of communication. He met with parents and athletes and made his mission statement clear. Brad was incredibly organized and transparent. The atmosphere in the practice room was electric. The kids were excited on a daily basis and the work ethic and energy was contagious. Brad lead the team to runner up finishes at 4 big tournaments tournaments, had the team ranked #3 most of the year, sent a school record 8 to the state tournament and did all of this while running a business, moving into a new house and helping raise and coach his 4 kids at youth levels. His dedication to the program is amazing and Freedom will benefit from this for the foreseeable future!

Chris Gennrich-Hortonville

Coach Gennrich lead Hortonville to a remarkable turnaround season after going 4-5 last year in conference duals to finish 6th in the conference. This year we finishing with a 9-2 overall dual record (8-1 in conference)2nd place finish in conference, a regional runner up finish,Team Sectional runner up only losing to the eventual D1 state champions (who also handed us our only 2 dual losses this season)
4 state qualifiers 1 state champion Wyatt Skebba (6th one in school history, he's coached all 6).

I have personally seen the preparation Coach Gennrich puts into his practices as well as tournament preparation. He is constantly watching video and learning new techniques to not just do the moves but also how he can most effectively teach the moves. The sport of wrestling is evolving at a faster pace with the popularity of MMA and Coach Gennrich has an inside track on the morphing of these sports with his son not only competing but teaching MMA. The weeks of competition, whether it be a dual or a weekend tournament, Coach Gennrich is working on best techniques for each match giving our wrestlers and our team the best advantage. This also includes some nonstop pep talk practices getting into our wrestlers heads to put them in the best head space for the matches forthcoming. Call it a gift of gab or something learned in his teaching career but he can talk, coach, train, and motivate for 2 hours straight without missing a beat!! Lastly, Coach G prepares our wrestlers to be the most conditioned on the mat as we are victorious in many matches we are not the most technically superior – our wrestlers grind it out and wear them down with grit and heart.

 

District 5 COY

Chad Steldt-Fennimore

Fennimore won the Division 3 Team State title.

 

Jim Nelson-Sun Prairie United

Coach Nelson led the Sun Prairie Cardinals to an undefeated 10-0 Big Eight Conference season and a Big Eight Conference tournament championship.  His team also qualified for the Division 1 Team Sectional and qualified four individuals, three boys and one girl, to the Individual State Tournament.

 

District 6 COY

Jade Gribble-Burlington

SLC Conference Champ

Kevin Wallace-Clinton

Kevin just finished his 2nd year at Clinton. He took over a program with little life to it and has made a huge turn around. He has raised the number of wrestlers in the program from 17-28, in a school of less than 400 students. In the first year Clinton finished last (9th) in Conference with 1 Sectional Qualifier. This year, Clinton had their first winning season in almost 10 years, finished 2nd out of 23 teams at Waunakee, 2nd out of 13 teams at Bradford, went 10-7 in duals, 5-3 in conference duals, 3rd in Conference, 2 Conference Champs, 5 Sectional Qualifiers, and 1 State Qualifier, the first in 12 years! Clinton has made a tremendous turn around because of what he brings to the program. He has breathed life back into a program that has had success in the past. Not only at the HS level, but the youth level as well. The impact he has had on the program and the community is undeniable. Clinton may not have won their Conference or Sectional, but this fast turn around from being at the bottom for 10+ years is tremendous! Kevin is very deserving of DCOY because of the very quick impact he has made and the great success Clinton had this year.

John Schimming-Whitewater High School

John Schimming has put together a program that emphasizes the total young person. Both young male and female wrestlers join the program because they want to give it a try. I truly believe they stay with the program because Whitewater High School wrestling is all about developing not just the wrestler in youth but the whole person. Many times over the years, I've heard youth talk about how John has been the person in their lives who really went to bat for them and who is the closest thing to a father they've ever had. This year we had nearly 50 wrestlers in our program and that is amazing for a District with about 600 students in the high school. As someone who has volunteered in our program for nearly 20 years, I see first hand some of the vast time and effort he puts into this program to serve youth. And I only see the part which occurs at school. I know for sure there are countless other hours he dedicates towards helping these youth succeed. His wife and kids even help with the program as well. For these reasons and more, I nominate John Schimming, Whitewater High School.

Jon Wierzbicki-Mukwonago

Despite graduating 6 starters from the previous year, and incurring season ending injuries by best wrestler Eliszewski and starter Schlist. Team won a very tough sectional with Milton, Burlington and Wilmont. Jon is more concerned with building future community leaders then state champions. Was conference runner up in a conference that has 3 teams in WIAA team state. They do it with Mukwonago community wrestlers, no recruiting needed.

Ryan Gartner-Wilmot Union

In his second year as head coach Ryan led his team from the bottom of the SLC to placing 2nd this year with a 6-1 conference dual meet record. He also led the team to their first Team Sectional appearance in over 20 years. Wilmot had 2 State Qualifiers this year and an overall dual meet record of 19-8.

Aaron Spaeth-West Bend West

North Shore Conference Champions, 2 state champions, 3 state finalists, 4 state place winners.

 

District 7 COY

Devoll Sino-Franklin

Team accomplished a lot and overcame key injuries. Peaked at the right time

John Quinlan-Whitnall/Greendale

John just completed is 39th year of being a head coach with the Whitnall and Whitnall/Greendale programs. This year, with a 28-6 dual record, John became Wisconsin's all-time winningest coach with a total of 678 dual wins in his career. John has been exceptional "behind the scenes" to put his wrestlers in the best situations to win. His relationships with the athletes is one of the many characteristics that stand out. Current wrestlers and alumni have been guided by his vast knowledge of the sport.

Brian Wojciechowski-New Berlin West/Eisenhower

Brian (Wojo) Wojciechowski is the heart and soul of the New Berlin wrestling program. He has been instrumental in taking the program from 19 kids a few years ago and growing it to the team that it is. Brian sacrifices countless hours to make the hectic schedule work. As a firefighter Brian is not in the building, and works double shifts, overtime, and constantly trades with his fellow firefighters so he can be at every event. It is not uncommon for Brian to roll into practice straight from a call and immediately begin coaching. He has overseen the program now win back to back Woodland Conference dual and tournament championships. This season New Berlin finished 12-0 in regular season dual meets, finished as a top team in several tough tournaments, won the woodland conference championship, and coached New Berlin to a regional runner up finish and a team sectional appearance. Brian coached the boys through regionals and sectionals and brought 6 boys to the state tournament this season. Brian has worked tirelessly to bring Girls wrestling to New Berlin and helped to recruit the first 5 female wrestlers in New Berlin History. Culminating with three state qualifiers, and 1 fifth place finish for the girls. This season caps of Brian’s 30th year of coaching in the state of Wisconsin.

Sean Fortmann-Muskego

10 state qualifiers and team state

Derrick Amrhein-Waukesha West High School

Derrick has continued to build the brand of Waukesha West Wrestling across the state. Seven years ago there were 7-10 wrestlers out for the sport. This year we had over 40! Derrick is ethical, does not recruit athletes and continues to work with our youth and middle school programs to align our wrestling fundamentals and philosophies. This year we qualified for the WIAA State Team Championships for the first time in 27 years! The outpouring of community support was incredible. Derrick Amrhein is a quality leader and someone who would represent this award with class and dignity.

 

District 8 COY

Kevin Koch-Concordia University Wisconsin

In his 6th season, Head Coach Kevin Koch guided Concordia to their best finish in school history in the tough CCIW Conference (4th/10 teams) while being only 10 points out of 2nd place. The Falcons went a solid 7-3 in duals, defeating some CCIW Conference teams for the first time in a decade.

 

District 1 ACOY

RJ Dilcher-St. Croix Central

Amazing that's all I can say!

Dan Clark-Saint Croix Falls

Dan Clark is retiring from the coaching ranks after a 30-year career. In his time, he’s been a part of over 10 conference and regional titles. He’s worked with 3 teams making it to the team state tournament and coached over 85 state qualifiers. Just this year, he assisted a team that started the year unranked, and by the end of the year won the Heart of the North Conference and Osceola regional where SCF defeated the highly ranked team Amery. Then at team sectionals, SCF beat state ranked team St. Croix Central and fell to Baldwin/Woodville in the final. Moving up a division, SCF scored the third most points at sectionals and qualified four boys and four girls to the WIAA state tournament. One of the three state place winners, was his senior son Kaden, who placed 5th at the state tournament. Dan is deserving not just for the stellar year this year, but also his body of work for his entire 30-year career.

 

District 2 ACOY

Steve Blaskowski-Marshfield

Steve is stepping down as a Marshfield assistant coach after 25 years of coaching. He was an instrumental part in our team state runner-up finish this season, 9 individual state qualifiers, and program record 6 state medalists. Steve has coached 6 state champions, 46 state place winners and 92 state qualifiers during his tenure as a Marshfield coach. He has been a youth coach, high school coach, and has served on the wrestling club board in several roles including club president. Steve was an instrumental part in the renovation of our updated wrestling room. This was a 4 year project that Steve heavily aided in raising donations for. In total the wrestling club raised and put forth over a quarter of a million dollars to completely renovate the old room. The amount of time and effort he has given this program is immeasurable. The Marshfield wrestling community is forever grateful for all he has done.

 

Austin Riehl and Jimmy Peters-Shiocton 

Austin and Jimmy helped Shiocton win a third straight conference championship, qualify 8 wrestlers to the state tournament and finish as team state runner-up in Division 3. They work hard to develop their wrestlers and are a big reason why Shiocton has had success over the last several years.

 

District 3 ACOY

Kelsie Speltz-Holmen

Holmen is the best Women's Team in the state and has the most numbers. Neither of those would be possible without Kelsie's dedication. Even with two kids and a third on the way, she is dedicated to the program and more importantly, to the wrestlers. The girls love her and she would do anything for them.

Jared Bagniewski-Holmen

Jared is a vital part of Holmen's long-lasting success. He contributes to the program in multi-facets. He can be trusted with planning and running a practice, trackwrestling bookwork, stats, game plans, grade checks, mental mindset lessons, working with managers, equipment distribution, weight room workouts, and everything else that a head coach is required to do or be a part of. He is a swiss-army knife wrestling coach with the attention to detail any head coach would want. Lastly, he is passionate about wrestling and cares deeply about kids. His skill set, paired with his approach to coaching kids, is deserving of this recognition. Please consider Jared for Assistant Coach of the Year!

Chad Ristler-Mondovi / Eleva-Strum

Coach Risler deserves a nod for his work in Mondovi / E-S under Coach Pongratz this season. The big reason is his start up of a girls K-8 youth tournament. That tournament is one of the few girls' opens on the west side of the state. There are many girls that wish to wrestle but have very few opportunities to do so. Chad's actions gave many female wrestlers on this half of the state a great experience that day. That will translate in to more wrestler participation in the future.

Coach Risler also is instrumental in helping Coach Pongratz bring long defunct Eleva-Strum back into the wrestling fold. E-S lost their program in the late 1970's; early 1980's. They now have several high school and youth wrestlers that are competing on this co-op team.

Again, Coach Risler is doing many things to make the wrestling family bigger. He is a good candidate for the Assistant Coach award.

District 4 ACOY

Mark Cowling-Neenah

Mark Cowling has been involved in the Neenah Wrestling program for 50 Years and over 40 as a coach throughout various levels Youth, Middle School, and High School. Mark's #1 contribution to our program in recent years has been his ability to build incredibly strong relationships with the student athletes in our program. His personality and ability to make strong connections with kids is admirable. By doing this he has helped create an environment in our program that kids enjoy coming in to practice and for them to understand the importance of wrestling goes beyond the wins and loses but instead creating impactful relationship, memories, and building characteristics along the way. Mark works with each and every wrestler in our room. Mark Cowling is incredibly deserving of this nomination and this award for all that he has done in his career for the thousand plus wrestlers that have come through Neenah Wrestling over his time. He has left a positive legacy not only in our program but also in the Neenah Community.

Dick Vosters-Freedom

Dick just completed his 40th year of coaching, all in the Freedom Wrestling program. As he has done to coaches before him, this year he served as a great mentor to a first year head coach. He, along with many other assistants, were instrumental to a Freedom team that had a set a school record with 8 state qualifiers. Of the eight, four of those placed in the top four at state. Accomplishments aside, Dick has been a great role model for not only coaches in the program but also the athletes.

Dan Laurent-Kimberly

Coach Laurent has been instrumental in helping develop Kimberly High School wrestling over the past 9 years and was a key asset in helping grow the youth and intermediate levels prior to that.

Coach Laurent’s desire to help ALL wrestlers is truly admirable. This year Kimberly started out with 57 wrestlers and due to space limitations in our room, he often has great ideas to help create smaller groups so he can work them all. Dan worked tirelessly with these wrestlers who were new, or who had not wrestled the previous season to help get them up to speed. His interest in all the members of our team, and not just the top athletes is special. Even to the point of driving a group of our first year wrestlers down to the State Tournament to experience the March of Champions.

Coach Laurent has a unique way of connecting with kids, while also pushing them outside of their comfort zone. I have witnessed numerous occasions where his stern questions and encouragement have created belief in wrestlers to strive for bigger goals. He is continually looking for new angles and examples to help motivate our athletes. We often have former wrestlers come back to the program and share that they were not the biggest fans of Coach Laurent in school, however once they leave they really appreciate all he did for them and how he helped them grow not only in wrestling but also life. This is a true sign on of what a great coach looks like.

Coach Laurent has coached for over 30 years in Colorado and Wisconsin and Kimberly is lucky to have him on our staff. He has helped us become a consistent contender in the FVA and created an atmosphere on the team that students are proud to be part of. Coach Laurent is fully deserving of this award as he finishes what is likely his last year, full time at least!

Jason Berna-Bay Port

Team State qualifier

Lance Fabry-Luxemburg Casco

If you are looking for a true definition of assistant coach of the year, Lance Fabry sums it up. Lance almost never misses a practice, and he has total command of how things go in our wrestling room every day. Through conversations with other coaches, Lance plans the practice plan accordingly and executes at a high level. With his ability to lead in the wrestling room, there is never a time that our guys aren’t prepared come dual or tournament time. His positive demeanor and always striving to get the most out of our athletes, our team has made huge strides the last two years, capping this year off with Team State Championship. On match day, Lance takes charge and makes sure our guys are warmed up and ready to compete from the first whistle. Our program wouldn’t be where we are today without guys like Lance in our room. Outside of these reasons, Lance uses his past successes and setbacks as teaching tools to get guys through certain points of the season. He is relatable, energetic, great role model, loyal, and does everything he can to make sure our guys have success from winning state championships, down to the guy trying to get his first career win.

District 5 ACOY

Pete Eckhart-Oregon High School

Pete has in two years doubled the number of girls on our team. Has taken pride in developing girls wrestling in the state. He was able to help 4 girls advance to the state tournament. In year one of the girls he has 6 girls and in year 2 has 10 girls with only 3 being returners. He has already confirmed another 3 new girls coming out next year. The girls have created a great bond with coach. The trust level is to the point of having a different coach in the corner there is a bit of unsure on the athletes part.

Dale Spies-Riverdale

Dale has been a wrestling coach for 45 years with most of them at Riverdale. He has served in the program as a youth, junior high, high school assistant and head coach. Dale goes above and beyond for each wrestler on the team helping kids at all levels. He does a number of things behind he scenes that has helped the program increase numbers. This year he helped lead the team to a 14-3 dual record with three state qualifiers and two place winners. Dale has dedicated his life to the sport of wrestling, especially Riverdale Wrestling.

 

Byron and Gavon Brown-Parkview/Albany

Head Coach Joel Steinman would like to nominate Byron and Gavon Brown for the district assistant coaches of the year. These two coaches have helped build our program to reach goals that haven’t been accomplished in many years. Planning and running the daily practice which has the wrestlers working at the highest level every day - both physically and mentally. Doing this helped us win a conference title which hasn’t been done in 41 years!  We lost our first two duels then went undefeated the rest of the season. 6-0 In conference and 18-2 overall. Also having the wrestlers working hard for the weekend tournaments. Winning the Ithaca-Weston Invite and the Holidays tournament was a great achievement for our team.

We had 7 qualifiers for sectionals with 3 state qualifiers and 1 on the podium. Plus, having Wes Egan being named Trailways south male wrestler of the year. Without Byron Brown and Gavon Brown, this would not have been possible.

 

District 6 ACOY

Jason Neuberger-Beaver Dam/Wayland Academy

Jason has been integral in the success of BD/WA. His tireless work with our youth program to bring quality athletes into our high school room as well as working with parents to help our wrestlers find quality practices and competition outside of Beaver Dam. His effort, knowledge, and expertise has helped our wrestlers continue to improve throughout each season and enabled us to find the team success that we have had.

Justin Lor-West Bend West

Coach Lor has been an critical part of West Bend wrestling the last 8 years. Most recently, Coach Lor helped coach the West Bend West wrestling team to it's first North Shore Conference Tournament championship. In addition, Coach Lor coached two state champions, three state finalists, and four state placers. To put it simple, anyone that has ever watched Coach Lor in the corner of a mat knows just how enthusiastic he is for his athletes and the sport of wrestling! His energy and confidence in the athletes he coaches is contagious. Coach Lor assisted in the planning of each and every practice. He was instrumental in the technique development with the team as well. He worked individually with athletes on certain positions. Perhaps most important, Coach Lor establishes such strong connections with the athletes he coaches. He makes kids believe in themselves as a result of this. He led by example by coaching his wrestlers hard, but always respecting referees and opposing coaches as well.

Coach Lor has done so much to create a positive culture as part of the West Bend West Wrestling team and is very deserving of this award.

Brad Waite-Clinton

Brad has been involved with Clinton wrestling for 29 years. He has been there for the high and lows of the program. Brad does everything he is asked of, and does it well. He runs practices when needed, coaches all levels (Varsity, JV, Girls), and can still work 1 on 1 and drill with kids when needed. Brad is there for fundraising events all year round and is always asking what more he can do. His knowledge of the sport is insurmountable. And he is greatly respected by his peers throughout the wrestling community, not just Clinton but the State. Brad is very deserving of ACOY.

Chad Leviner-Mukwonago

Chad is a 07' graduate of MHS and a former 2X high school state champion. He has five total seasons on the coaching staff at Mukwonago. He has coached for 14 total seasons. In between he served as the head coach at Adams-Friendship High School from 2018-21. Leviner has been a critical piece to sustained success at Mukwonago. Chad has a heart for kids, a terrific wrestling IQ, a passion for wrestling, and bleeds blue/gold. His loyalty to Mukwonago wrestling is admirable and overall as well to the young people in our community as a middle school teacher. Chad Leviner goes way above and beyond as a member of our coaching staff, dedicating many additional hours both in and out of season for the betterment of our MHS program. We had a rebuilding type season that did not include from late January forward a single returning state qualifier from last season, yet we made it back to Team State going 25-6 in duals overall. Finally, Chad played a vital role in our 4 girls WIAA state qualifiers and 6 total female wrestlers in our program, putting a priority from day one on their development as athletes. He was constantly re-teaching for their benefit and helping them understand as four of the girls were brand new to the sport of wrestling. Chad Leviner is well deserving of this honor.

District 7 ACOY

Jeremie Ott-Nicolet

Does a great job and helps to get most from his kids

Tom Maloney-Whitnall/Greendale

Tom Maloney has been around the sport of wrestling for many years. This year he has stepped up and filled some major shoes in the Whitnall/Greendale program after longtime co-head coach Craig Austin stepped back. This season Tom has taken ownership and helped support the Whitnall/Greendale program in all aspects of operations. Tom has coached tirelessly, organized fundraisers, and worked to keep the Whitnall/Greendale the successful storied program it has been.

Mark Strakbein-Waukesha West

Mark Strakbein has been an integral part of the Wisconsin wrestling community since he made his way to the state 5 seasons ago. Previously one of the top coaches in Colorado and Tennessee, he brought his outstanding abilities to the Waukesha community as he followed his family to the area. Over his time with Waukesha West High School, the program has developed into one of the best in southeastern Wisconsin breaking many program's expectations year after year. As the Waukesha West program continues to develop within one of the best wrestling conferences in the state, he has been such a pivotal piece in the development of all elements of the program.
Under Mark Strakbein's leadership, Waukesha West qualified for WIAA Team State for the first time in 26 years and only the 2nd time in school history! The program brought 6 student-athletes to the WIAA Individual State Tournament and returned 6 academic all-state members as well. Not only is Mark Strakbein an elite teacher of wrestling, but his ability to lead and develop future leaders of the community is unmatched. The program finished the season with 19 dual wins (most in school history), WIAA Regional Championship, WIAA Sectional Championship, 13 Individual WIAA Sectional Qualifiers, Nicolet Tournament Champs, and Ripon Scramble Champs, amongst others. Best of all, Marks's ability to contribute to a program that does things the right way will no doubt continue to set itself apart from others in the state.

Anthony Senner-Pewaukee

This year, Coach Senner put together efficient practice schedules to better utilize each minute of practice for our young team. Along with planning the demonstration transitions from one key concept to another, he also included weekly video reviews that he created after spending his Sundays analyzing film as well as scouting reports of upcoming teams and individuals. He loves coaching every level of wrestler in the room and is willing to travel wherever he is needed on weekends. After helping out in the early 2000s, Coach Senner has been on the staff full-time ever since 2013 and has been a vital part of numerous championship teams, including this year's Regional champs. In recent years, Coach Senner has found a way to put in all this time despite being a new parent to twins with his wife, Kasey . We greatly appreciate his sacrifices. This award would be shared with the other extremely dedicated coaches on the staff: P.J. Dowling, Luke Marks, Mike Cady and Mike LaPlante, who spends his time coaching at all three levels.

 

District 8 ACOY

 

 

Wrestler (Male) of the Year

Greyson Clark-Kaukauna

4 x D1 State champ. Great role model and kid.

51-0 4x WIAA D1 State Champion. All four State Finals were bonus point victories, two were by fall. This season he scored two bonus point wins over State Champions and beat two other State Champions and Nationally-ranked opponents enroute to his Minnesota Christmas and Cheesehead Titles. He pinned a State Champion in the first period of the finals at Eau Claire North. His first period pins in the finals at the Badger and Pulaski tournaments were over top-4 State Medalists. 94% of his scheduled opponents were defeated via bonus victory, 31 of those pins, and 9 tech falls. In addition to his 4 individual titles, he was the Captain of 3 State Championship Teams.

Braeden Scoles-Kewaskum

Won 4th state title, defeated 3 eventual state champs during the season, 49-0 record, TF every opponent at sectionals and state.

Zane Licht-Lodi

Undefeated State Champion at 57-0, which was the highest undefeated record in the state. Zane scored 378 takedowns and gave up 0 takedowns all season long. His closest match all year was 6-1 in the state finals. Secured bonus points in 90% of his matches this season. Scored a program record 374.5 team points.

Caden Young-Shawano, Shawano Community High School

Caden is a great student, respectful, hard working and a positive image for all wrestlers and other students in the school. His 3.8 GPA, dedication to off season wrestling and his commitment to Greco and Freestyle show his work ethic. He is a tremendous student, and wrestler. His 2nd place finish at state this season was a product of all the dedication and hard work that was done in the off season. His character, and the way he carries himself is a great example for everyone to follow.

Brayden Sonnentag-Cadott

Brayden is a 4X State Champion. He compiled a high school record of 152-2. Brayden is one of the hardest worker I have ever coached. He is a tremendous athlete who excels in the classroom. Brayden spends many hours helping others learn the sport of wrestling. He will be an outstanding coach someday.

 

 

Wrestler (Female) of the Year

Kylie Rule-Mineral Point

Won second state title, undefeated season, pinned every opponent at state

Kylie has had an amazing career in High School, with two state championships and a dominating performance at the state wrestling tournament with the girls first year at the Kohl Center. Add this to the other accomplishments she has earned such as a Wisconsin Team State title, Fargo All-American and 4th place Super 32 honors, she has truly been a leader for girls wrestling in Wisconsin, as she looks to continue her career at Wartburg College. At the same time while doing this on the mat, she has achieved so much off the mat, as she will son become Salutatorian and in previous years earning All-Academic honors, she has been someone that you look forward to watch and easy to cheer for.

Bopa Quintona-Sun Prairie

Won her 2nd straight state title.

Hailie Krueger-New London

2 time State Champ

 

 

President Elect Nominations

 

 

District 7 Representative Nominations

Craig Austin-Muskego

Has done a great job in the past and will continue to do so. Very dedicated

Craig has represented District 7 in the past and communicates information effectively and will answer or find the answer to any question you may have.

 

District 8 Representative Nominations

Mike DeRoehn-Lakeland University

After a brief absence from coaching, Mike returned to Lakeland University as head men’s wrestling coach and director of strength and conditioning for LU athletics.  He brings a wealth of experience, highlighted by nearly 20 years of coaching including successful head coach roles at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and UW-Oshkosh in addition to his previous four-year tenure at Lakeland.  He also served as state coach for the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation in River Falls, Wis., from 2006-10.