Edgar girls wrestling grows
By Casey Krautkramer
Former Stratford wrestler Maeie Kilty achieved the remarkable feat of finishing as WIAA Division 3 individual state runners- up in 2016 while competing against all boys in the 106-pound weight class. High school girl wrestlers today are fortunate to have their own single division 12weight class individual state tournament in conjunction with the boys state tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison.
The WIAA Board of Control approved the establishment of the high school girls individual state wrestling tournament at its meeting on June 24, 2020, to be implemented in 2022. The first ever state girls individual wrestling tournament was held on Jan. 29, 2022 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse. The number of high school girls competing in wrestling has boomed since the girls individual state tournament was moved from La Crosse to the Kohl Center in conjunction with the individual boys state tournament.
Edgar’s High School wrestling team has its most girl wrestlers ever with nine this season who will compete with the boys in dual meets on weeknights and compete in girls-only tournaments on the weekends. Edgar varsity head wrestling coach Andrew Lukasko, now in his eighth season, is excited to see so many girls wrestling this season. His wrestling assistant coaches are Connor Handrick and Aaron Riemann, also in their eighth seasons and Mitch Mueller who is in his first season.
“We are thrilled to offer girls wrestling at our school, and to say we’re excited for what this season can be would be an understatement,” Lukasko said. “We have nine girls and three of them have wrestling experience including junior Samantha Schmidt, 120 pounds; sophomore Blaynne Crawford, 126, and freshman McKenzie Mueller, 132, and six girls starting brand new in freshman Adeline Peterson, 100; freshman Ashley Krause, 120; sophomore Abigail Christiansen, 132; sophomore Alyssa Kolano, 145; senior Alyson Kolano, 165 and freshman Vanessa Czech, 235 already on the roster and six middle school girls projected for the upcoming season. We are proud to see this growth of girls wrestling within our program.”
“Our wrestling schedule includes several prestigious tournaments that feature separate girls events running alongside the boys tournaments. These include the Wisconsin Dells tournament that occurred in early December, the Northern Badger tournament in late December and the Bluejay Challenge tournament in Merrill in early January of 2025. These events See WILDCATS WRESTLING/ page 12
WILDCATS VARSITY BOYS AND GIRLS WRESTLING - Introducing the 2024-25 Edgar boys and girls wrestling team. Wrestlers pictured, from left to right, front row are Alyson Kolano, Alyssa Kolano, Blaynne Crawford, Parker Albrecht, Paxton Mueller and Jeremy Malouf; second row: manager Laura Mucha and wrestlers Adeline Peterson, Abigail Christiansen, Brandan Imhoff, Ethan Myszka, Alex Woller and Ashley Krause; third row: manager Kendra Mucha, wrestlers McKenzie Mueller, Wyatt Klockziem, Dominic Contreras, Mason Strampe, Lucas Bricker, Landon Lukasko and Vanessa Czech and manager Mia Stencil; back row: wrestlers Isaiah Kraft, Alex Schneider, Preston Erickson, Corey Koeppl, Lucas Stahnke, William Hackel, Austin Schreiber and Tyler Schmidt. submitted photo Wildcats wrestling
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provide fantastic opportunities for both our boys and girls to compete side by side in front of an energized fan base. In addition to these tournaments, we have also entered into some excellent girls-only competitions, which we are exploring strategies to incorporate more opportunities for our girls to compete during dual meets.”
“At a minimum, our girls will be part of the varsity lineup for both conference and non-conference duals on weeknights, where they will have the chance to wrestle within the framework of those events. Our goal is to work collaboratively as a wrestling community with conference teams as well as teams in the central Wisconsin area to continue growing the sport and create more wrestling opportunities for girls across the state. We are excited to be a part of this important movement!”
Lukasko provides his thoughts on how the WIAA incorporating the girls individual state wrestling tournament into the individual boys state tournament has helped the growth of girls wanting to wrestle.
“I think that by integrating the girls divisions into the same event as the three boys divisions, the WIAA not only provides more visibility for female athletes but also fosters an inclusive environment where girls can compete on the same stage as their male counterparts,” he said. “I think that sends a powerful message to both young athletes and the broader community that girls are not just participants in the sport but integral members of the wrestling community, thus encouraging more girls to join the sport knowing there is a clear pathway to compete at the highest level with the same recognition and excitement surrounding their achievements.”
“The opportunity to compete at the individual state tournament alongside the boys helps normalize the presence of female wrestlers, breaking down barriers and stereotypes and showing young girls that wrestling is a sport for everyone, regardless of gender. By providing a platform where girls wrestling is recognized and celebrated in the same venue as boys wrestling, the WIAA is helping to inspire the next generation of female athletes and ensuring that girls have access to the same competitive opportunities!”
State drought ends
Last season, Edgar senior Harrison Graveen and sophomore Lucas Stahnke became the first Wildcats to wrestle in the WIAA Division 3 individual state wrestling tournament since 2020. Lukasko is happy the drought ended last season.
“The saying, ‘You don’t realize how good you have it until it’s gone,’ truly resonates with me after our program had a representative at the state tournament for 25 consecutive years leading up to the 2021 season. To then experience a threeyear hiatus from such an exciting event was both a humbling and reflective period. However, when Lucas secured his state qualification by winning his sectional consolation finals match last year, it was a moment of immense pride, not only for him and his family but also for our wrestling program and the entire community as a whole.”
“Harrison’s subsequent qualification for state further added to the excitement, as we were able to watch two of our wrestlers compete on the state stage once again. The energy in our high school gym during the sectional, with packed stands filled with Edgar fans, was electric. That moment sparked something within our program, a fire that continues to fuel our athletes as we head into this season.”
“Missing from that sectional competition last season was freshman Isaiah Kraft who qualified for the sectional tournament but unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury leading up to the event. I know he personally is chomping at the bit to get back to wrestling action and he has his goals set on a trip to Madison this year!”
Edgar’s top returning varsity boys wrestlers this season are seniors Austin Schreiber, 150 pounds; William Hackel, 157 and Corey Koeppl, 285; juniors Dominic Contreras, 144; Alex Schneider, 175; Preston Erickson, 190 and Lucas Stahnke, 190 and sophomores Jeremy Malouf, 106; Isaiah Kraft, 120 and Tyler Schmidt, 144.
Lukasko describes the newcomers to this season’s varsity squad.
“We bring in a large freshmen class consisting of Parker Albrecht, 106 pounds; Paxton Mueller, 106; Brendan Imhoff, 120; Landon Lukasko, 138;; Ethan Myszka, 165; Alex Woller, 190 and Lucas Bricker, 285,” he said. “We are excited to get a couple brand new wrestlers in sophomore Wyatt Klockziem, 175 pounds and junior Mason Strampe, 160.”
Lukasko outlines what it will take for Stahnke to make a return trip to the individual state wrestling tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison this season.
“Lucas has put in tremendous effort during the offseason, dedicating himself both in the weight room and on the field as a key contributor to our state championship football team once again this year,” he said. “With his sights set on returning to Madison, his ultimate goal is to earn a medal at the state tournament. As a wrestler with just two years of experience, Lucas is acutely aware of the areas in which he can improve and he is fully committed to working hard toward refining his skills as he pursues his goals.”
“What impresses me most about Lucas is his eagerness to learn and his ability to quickly absorb new techniques. It’s been a true privilege to coach him and we’re excited to watch him continue to develop as a wrestler this season.”
