Fourteen Appleton-area wrestlers one win away from winning state titles

The Appleton area has 14 wrestlers who will compete in WIAA state wrestling championship matches, including a couple going for their third titles.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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MADISON – Fourteen athletes from the Appleton area are on the verge of individual titles after Day 2 at the WIAA state wrestling tournament Feb. 27 at the Kohl Center. The field is paced by a pair of potential three-time state champions – Liam Crook of Kaukauna at 175 pounds in Division 1 and Lillie Banks of Menasha at 132 pounds in the girls bracket. Several other wrestlers from the Appleton area also reached the finals in their respective weight classes and divisions.

Why it matters

The strong performance by Appleton-area wrestlers at the WIAA state tournament showcases the depth and talent of the local wrestling programs. Having 14 wrestlers competing for state titles is a remarkable achievement and highlights the dedication and hard work of these athletes, as well as the quality of coaching they have received.

The details

Among the Appleton-area wrestlers who reached the finals are Liam Crook of Kaukauna (D1, 175), Lillie Banks of Menasha (girls, 132), AJ Woerpel and Cashtyn Botting of Hortonville (D1, 106 and 138), Declan Koch of Neenah (D1, 157), William Christopher of New London (D2, 138), Murphy Beyer of Freedom (D2, 157), Cael Leisgang of Seymour (D2, 285), Tucker Keberlein and Izaiah Sanchez of Shiocton (D3, 106 and 138), Colton Klug of Brillion (D3, 150), and Collin Hamm of Weyauwega-Fremont (D3, 157). Freedom's Katherine Cook (100) and Wrightstown's Chesney Bartoszek (126) also reached the girls finals.

  • The WIAA state wrestling tournament took place on February 27, 2026 at the Kohl Center in Madison.

The players

Liam Crook

A wrestler from Kaukauna High School who is on the verge of winning his third straight state title in the 175-pound Division 1 weight class.

Lillie Banks

A wrestler from Menasha High School who is on the verge of winning her third straight state title in the 132-pound girls weight class.

AJ Woerpel

A freshman wrestler from Hortonville High School who reached the finals in the 106-pound Division 1 weight class.

Cashtyn Botting

A wrestler from Hortonville High School who reached the finals in the 138-pound Division 1 weight class.

Declan Koch

A wrestler from Neenah High School who reached the finals in the 157-pound Division 1 weight class.

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What they’re saying

“I look at it as one step at a time. I'm facing a similar opponent tomorrow. Nothing's new. I'll be putting my shoes on the same way, warming up the same way, preparing my mind the same way. This is just another match.”

— Liam Crook

“I feel like my sophomore and junior year I felt a lot more pressure on myself. But now that it's my senior year, I feel like I've been through this twice now. This year I just have to live through it. There's nothing to worry about.”

— Lillie Banks

“We were talking about how if we get someone through that puts six years in a row where we have someone in the finals and nine of the last 10. So to have two in the finals is really, really special.”

— Chris Gennrich, Hortonville head coach

“He's really well-seasoned for a freshman. He's got a big pedigree and I know he's ranked 17th in the country, but he's kind of under the radar. We knew what we were getting and he's mature beyond his years.”

— Chris Gennrich, Hortonville head coach

“I was just thinking before the match, 'No matter what happens – I could wrestle my worst match – at the end, I'll come out and get it. I'm the best and that's what I'll do. That's a lot of what helped me in that third period. Like, 'This is my last time and I have to leave it all out there. If I lose, I'll never be able to forgive myself.'”

— Cael Leisgang, Seymour senior heavyweight

What’s next

The WIAA state wrestling championship matches will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

The takeaway

The strong performance by Appleton-area wrestlers at the WIAA state tournament underscores the depth and quality of the local wrestling programs in the region. With several wrestlers on the verge of winning state titles, including potential three-time champions, the Appleton area is cementing its reputation as a hotbed for high school wrestling talent in Wisconsin.