Appleton Area Wrestlers Dominate at WIAA State Tournament, Setting Stage for Future Wisconsin Wrestling Success
Madison, WI – The WIAA State Wrestling Tournament at the Kohl Center witnessed a remarkable performance from Appleton-area athletes on February 27th, with fourteen wrestlers advancing to the finals. This surge in local talent signals a potentially bright future for Wisconsin wrestling, and highlights the dedication of athletes and coaches across the region.
A Legacy in the Making: Crook and Banks Pursue Three-Peats
Leading the charge are Kaukauna’s Liam Crook and Menasha’s Lillie Banks, both on the cusp of achieving a rare feat: becoming three-time state champions. Crook, competing in Division 1 at 175 pounds, demonstrated his dominance with a technical fall victory over Verona’s Brennan Ott, following a similar win in the quarterfinals. Banks, in the girls bracket at 132 pounds, secured a major decision over Waunakee’s Kit Alsaker, continuing her impressive run.
Crook’s path to the final includes a previous victory over his opponent, Bay Port sophomore Tucker Athey, adding a layer of familiarity to the championship match. He emphasized a focused approach, stating, “I gaze at it as one step at a time… Nothing’s modern. I’ll be putting my shoes on the same way.” Banks, reflecting on her experience, noted a shift in mindset, saying, “I feel like my sophomore and junior year I felt a lot more pressure… This year I just have to live through it.”
Hortonville, Neenah, and Beyond: A Region-Wide Showing
The success isn’t limited to Crook and Banks. Hortonville High School boasts two finalists in Division 1: AJ Woerpel (106) and Cashtyn Botting (138). Neenah’s Declan Koch (157) also secured his spot in the finals. Further demonstrating the depth of talent, New London’s William Christopher (D2, 138), Freedom’s Murphy Beyer (D2, 157), Seymour’s Cael Leisgang (D2, 285), Shiocton’s Tucker Keberlein (D3, 106) and Izaiah Sanchez (D3, 138), Brillion’s Colton Klug (D3, 150) and Weyauwega-Fremont’s Collin Hamm (D3, 157) will all compete for state titles.
On the girls’ side, Freedom’s Katherine Cook (100) and Wrightstown’s Chesney Bartoszek (126) join Banks in the finals, showcasing the growing strength of girls’ wrestling in the state.
Division 3 Standouts: Shiocton and Weyauwega-Fremont Shine
Shiocton had a particularly strong showing in Division 3, with Tucker Keberlein (106) and Izaiah Sanchez (138) both advancing to the championship matches. Weyauwega-Fremont’s Collin Hamm (157) also impressed with a technical fall victory in his semifinal bout.
Seymour’s Leisgang Overcomes Adversity
Seymour heavyweight Cael Leisgang faced a challenging semifinal match, falling behind early before rallying to secure a 14-8 victory. His determination and resilience highlight the mental fortitude required to succeed at the state level.
WIAA State Wrestling Semifinal Results – Appleton Area
- Division 1
- 106: AJ Woerpel, Hortonville major dec. Over Max Schroeder Sauk Prairie/Wisconsin Heights, 13-5.
- 138: Cashtyn Botting, Hortonville dec. Joseph Jeanquart, Luxemburg-Casco, 7-2.
- 157: Declan Koch, Neenah major dec. Olin Neuville, De Pere, 10-1.
- 175: Liam Crook, Kaukauna technical fall over Brennan Ott, Verona, 17-1.
- Division 2
- 138: William Christopher, New London pinned Brady Gesler, Chetek-Weyerhaeuser, 3:37.
- 157: Murphy Beyer, Freedom dec. Trig White, Chetek-Weyerhaeuser, 6-3.
- 285: Cael Leisgang, Seymour dec. Brock Swenson, Saint Croix Central, 14-8.
- Division 3
- 106: Tucker Keberlein, Shiocton dec. Trigg Riley, Mineral Point, 11-4.
- 138: Izaiah Sanchez, Shiocton dec. Tyler Paulson, Aquinas, 6-3.
- 150: Colton Klug, Brillion major dec. Ben Miller, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 11-1.
- 157: Collin Hamm, Weyauwega-Fremont technical fall over Waylon Hargrove, Aquinas, 21-6.
- GIRLS
- 100: Katherine Cook, Freedom dec. Aini Anderson, Holmen, 12-6.
- 126: Chesney Bartoszek, Wrightstown dec. Kylee Kurszewski, Neenah, 13-9.
- 132: Lillie Banks, Menasha major dec. Kit Alsaker, Waunakee, 10-2.
FAQ
Q: When and where is the WIAA State Wrestling Tournament being held?
A: The tournament is taking place from February 26-28 at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI.
Q: How many wrestlers from the Appleton area are in the finals?
A: Fourteen wrestlers from the Appleton area have advanced to the finals.
Q: Who are the potential three-time state champions?
A: Liam Crook of Kaukauna and Lillie Banks of Menasha are both one win away from their third consecutive state titles.
Pro Tip: Supporting local high school wrestling programs through attendance and donations can help foster the next generation of champions!
Stay tuned for updates on the championship matches and the crowning of Wisconsin’s wrestling elite. Explore more high school sports coverage here.
