FOUR LOCAL WRESTLERS FOUGHT IN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Senior Carter Ries wrestles in his first match of the State Tournament against a wrestler from Merrill High School.
Several wrestlers from Badger and Big Foot high schools competed in the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament from February 26 -28 at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Badger
Badger sent two girls wrestlers, sophomore Alexa Thomas who placed third in the 107 pounds division, and senior Carley Ceshker, a four-time state qualifier and two-time state champion (2023, 2024), placed second in the 138 pound division.
Ceshker will be continuing her academic and athletic career at the University of Iowa beginning in the Fall.
The Hawkeyes officially formed at women's wrestling team in 2021, currently the only Big 10 school with a varsity women's wrestling program.
Big Foot
Big Foot sent junior Chloe Pearce for the 145 pound division, but unfortunately she didn't make it past the first round, and senior Carter Ries who wrestled in the 175 pound division and placed sixth.
According to Big Foot head coach Tyler Heck, Pearce was the first-ever Girls' Wrestling State Qualifier in school history.
Pearce also finished second in the Rock Valley Conference Tournament, won her second WIAA Regional qualifier, was the program's first Girls' WIAA Sectional Champion, and finished the season with a 31-9 overall record.
"She really turned it on at the end of the season and has wrestled the best we have ever seen from her," Heck said. "Qualifying for State was one of her goals for this season, and while it didn't end how we wanted it to, she showed that she belongs with the best girls in Wisconsin. She learned a lot, and the experiences for her this past weekend were invaluable to her future."
Heck said that Ries has set the bar high after an incredible final high school season including several school records and a 41-6 record for his senior season.
"Carter is a kid that every coach wishes they had on their team," Heck said. "He does everything he is asked and then some, and built himself into the wrestler he is today. He is going to be wrestling at UW-Eau Claire, and I am excited to see what he can accomplish at the next level."
Ries is now a three-time State qualifier; he qualified at 157 pounds in 2024 and placed sixth at 165 pounds in 2025. He is a three-time Rock Valley Conference finalist, two-time WIAA Regional Champion, two-time WIAA Sectional Champion, and ended the season with a 41-6 record.
He finishes his career with a record of 147-25 and holds the record for most career wins, most wins in a season (51), and most career pins (73).
