LA CROSSE, WI- Championship dreams, dramatic comebacks, and hard-fought battles defined the WIAA State Team Wrestling Tournament Saturday at the La Crosse Center.
From Kaukauna continuing its dynasty in Division 1 to Coleman battling to another runner-up finish in Division 2 and Weyauwega-Fremont coming within a few points of the Division 3 finals, it was an emotional day on the mats.
Division 1
Kaukauna once again proved why it has become the gold standard in Wisconsin wrestling.
The Ghosts rallied from a large early deficit to defeat Holmen 31-26 in the Division 1 championship match, capturing their sixth consecutive state team title and the 10th championship in program history.
Holmen jumped out to a commanding 23-3 lead after dominating the lower weights with two major decisions, three decisions and a pin, putting the pressure squarely on the defending champions.
The Ghosts began their comeback at 157 pounds when Ryan Schmidt picked up six team points with an injury default victory. Kolin DeGroot followed with a 7-1 decision at 165 pounds to keep the rally going.
Then Kaukauna’s upper weights took over.
Liam Crook dominated with a 17-2 technical fall at 175 pounds, and Brady Sprangers followed with a 19-1 technical fall at 190 to rapidly close the gap.
At 215 pounds, Zach Winnekens delivered the turning point of the dual, pinning Connor Degner in 1 minute, 3 seconds to give the Ghosts their first lead of the night at 28-23 with two matches remaining.
That set up the decisive moment at heavyweight.
Nehemiah Lendobeja controlled his match against Holmen’s Jagger Jepson, earning a 4-0 decision with an escape and a late takedown to clinch the championship.
Kaukauna advanced to the championship by rolling past Brown Deer 68-12 in the semifinals.
Division 2
Coleman once again found itself wrestling under the bright lights of the state championship.
But for the second straight season, the Cougars came up just short.
Evansville jumped out to an early lead and went on to defeat Coleman 39-29 to win the Division 2 team state title, the first in program history.
Evansville surged ahead 29-5 early in the dual behind a pair of pins from Kolten Bollig at 120 pounds and Liam Crandall at 138, along with a technical fall by Lincoln Keller at 150.
Coleman picked up points along the way with a technical fall from Michael Ciancio at 132 pounds and a quick pin from Cole Berth at 165.
However, Evansville sealed the victory with a major decision by Corbin Hoffman at 175 and a pin from Thomas Heiser at 190.
Coleman also received forfeits at 215 pounds from Bryce Seefeldt, at heavyweight from Devin Otto, and at 106 from Hunter Seefeldt.
Despite the loss, Coleman coach Jason Champagne said he is proud of what his team accomplished.
The Cougars finished the season 21-1 and were making their 19th appearance at the state team tournament and sixth trip in the last seven seasons.
Coleman advanced to the championship with a 33-23 semifinal victory over Gale-Ettrick Trempealeau.
Coleman could face an even bigger challenge in the future. With an enrollment of just 212 students, the Cougars have wrestled up a division the past two seasons and could potentially be moved up to Division 1 because of the WIAA performance factor.
Division 3
Weyauwega-Fremont came within a few points of reaching the Division 3 state championship match.
The Warhawks dropped a heartbreaking 36-33 semifinal to La Crosse Aquinas in one of the most competitive duals of the tournament.
Weyauwega-Fremont fell behind 31-18 late in the match but mounted a furious comeback.
Decisions by Collin Hamm and Cooper Leschke, along with a pin from Conner Mannel and a decision by Wyatt Wetzel, pulled the Warhawks within 31-30 heading into the final bout.
Aquinas heavyweight Tyson Martin sealed the victory for the Blugolds with a technical fall.
Aquinas went on to win the Division 3 championship later in the day, defeating Cedar Grove-Belgium 38-32.
Despite the tough semifinal loss, Weyauwega-Fremont returns much of its lineup next season, including several state qualifiers, as the program continues its pursuit of a first state team title.
STATE TOURNAMENT SCORES
Quarterfinals
Division 1
Kaukauna 53, Milton 22
Brown Deer Co-op 37, Waunakee 32
Bay Port 41, Slinger 36
Holmen 53, Muskego 12
Division 2
Evansville 56, East Troy 19
St. Croix Falls 34, Osceola 31
Coleman 50, Port Washington 23
Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau/Melrose-Mindoro 51, Denmark 22
Division 3
Weyauwega-Fremont 37, Glenwood City 35
Aquinas (15-3) 45, Marathon 30
Auburndale 42, Shiocton 36
Cedar Grove-Belgium 42, Mineral Point 31
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Semifinals
Division 1
Kaukauna 68, Brown Deer Co-op 12
Holmen 37, Bay Port 34
Division 2
Evansville 38, St. Croix Falls 32
Coleman 33, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau/Melrose-Mindoro 23
Division 3
Aquinas 36, Weyauwega-Fremont 33
Cedar Grove/Belgium 35, Auburndale 30
FINALS
D1- Kaukauna (26-2) 31, Holmen (16-1) 26
D2- Evansville (32-1) 39, Coleman (21-1) 29
D3- Aquinas (17-3) 38, Cedar Grove/Belgium (15-2) 32
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