‘Cats boast an experienced squad

Edgar has 10 top wrestlers back in ‘20-21

By Casey Krautkramer

Edgar’s varsity wrestling team got off to a great start this season on Dec. 14 with Marawood South Conference match wins against Phillips and Chequamegon at the Phillips Duals.

Andrew Lukasko, who is in the midst of his fifth season as Edgar’s head coach, has 10 wrestlers back this season who have varsity experience on the mat.

Those 10 Wildcats are senior Stetson Lemmer at 132 pounds, seniors Kalvin Kingsley and Blake Tartar at 138, senior Jesse Jisko at 152, senior Collin Gajewski at 182, senior Waylon Wirkus at 285, junior Christopher Kohl at 145, junior Keghan Hartway at 170, sophomore Braden Finck at 120 and sophomore Zach Krause at 145.

Lukasko also has a group of skilled underclassmen this season including sophomore Harrison Graveen at 195 pounds, freshman Austin Schreiber at 126, freshman Jase Apfelbeck at 160, freshman Dakota Ellenbecker at 195 and freshman Corey Koeppl at 220.

“We are excited to bring in a group of hardworking underclassmen, many of whom have a lot of mat experience through their middle school years,” Lukasko said.

Edgar’s varsity wrestling squad upended Phillips, 48-36, on Dec. 14. Wildcats who gained pins are Jesse Jisko at 152 pounds, Jase Apfelbeck at 160 and Waylon Wirkus at 285.

Edgar easily beat Chequamegon, 6010. Wildcats securing pins are Stetson Lemmer at 132 pounds, Blake Tarter at 138, Jesse Jisko at 152, Jase Apfelbeck at 160 and Waylon Wirkus at 285.

Edgar is fortunate to have 15 high school wrestlers competing at a small school, which gives it a chance at unseating arch-rival Stratford as the Marawood Conference champion this season. The Wildcats will wrestle against the Tigers in a Marawood Conference quad at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20, at Marathon High School.

For now, Edgar’s varsity wrestling team will compete in the Northern Badger holiday tournament on Wednesday, Dec. 29, and Thursday, Dec. 30, at River Falls High School.