More kids in 2022-23

The Athens wrestling team gladly welcomes an influx of young competitors this season. Athens has seven grapplers this season, which is much better than only having two last season. Of that total, six wrestlers are on the varsity squad and one is on junior varsity in this 2022-23 season.

Brooks Kraus, who was Athens’ lone WIAA Division 3 individual state qualifier last season, has since graduated but Connor Lewandowski is a senior leading a group of underclassmen grapplers this season. Senior Elle Gauerke and sophomore Gavin Glenn came out for wrestling this season to join incoming freshmen Gavin Frahm, Shaylon Blake, Swayne Stencil and Evin Passehl. Stencil is a junior varsity grappler this season.

This is Jodi Gauerke’s second season as the sole Bluejays varsity head wrestling coach. He’s certainly happy to have more wrestlers on the varsity squad this season.

“It means there is progress and that our high school wrestling program is reloading,” Gauerke said. “It shows our youth wrestling program is starting to pay off.”

Chad Ellenbecker is Athens’ varsity assistant coach and middle school head coach Dustin Dahlke also helps out the high school squad. Volunteer coaches are Dale Westfall, Justin Bloch and Casey Connor.

Lewandowski won individual Marawood Conference tournament and WIAA Division 3 regional championships in the 126-pound weight class last season. He just missed qualifying for the state tournament last season.

“Connor has got his mind on qualifying for state this season and he continues to work hard,” Gauerke said. “I am expecting Connor to lead our team by example, showing the younger wrestlers what it takes.”

Kraus may have graduated but his trip to last year’s state tournament won’t be forgotten.

“Brooks qualifying for state last season kept the spark going in our wres-tling program by proving no matter the size of the team, it comes down to how bad you want it,” coach Gauerke said. “Brooks’ goal was to be a state qualifier, and our wrestling team saw his dedication and consistent hard work that went into accomplishing his goal. We look forward to seeing Brooks at our wrestling practices this season when he can make it.”

The Athens wrestling program will honor the school’s late legendary head wrestling coach, Jerry “Buddha” Wagner, during its home quad at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2023, against Edgar, Crandon and Marathon. Wagner passed away on September 1 this year. A banner in his honor will be unveiled during the home quad and hung on a wall inside the Athens High School gym.

Gauerke wrestled for Wagner in the late 1980s and early 1990s in Athens, therefore he is passionate about honoring his late head coaches’ legacy.

“Jerry Wagner was a great coach and a humble man,” Gauerke said. “He is so deserving of this memorial banner so people can remember his legacy for the wrestling program. The one thing I did learn from Jerry is the importance of consistency and pushing hard during practices and meets.”