Coleman falls to Evansville in WIAA D2 state wrestling championship

Evansville's fast start proves too much for Coleman to overcome in Division 2 team final

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Coleman wrestling team fell to Evansville 39-29 in the WIAA Division 2 state team wrestling championship match. Evansville jumped out to a 29-5 lead early, and despite a late rally from Coleman, they were unable to overcome the deficit. This was Coleman's second consecutive loss in the D2 final, but coach Jason Champagne said the team has a lot to be proud of, having gone 21-1 on the season and making it to the championship match.

Why it matters

Coleman's loss in the state championship match highlights the competitiveness of high school wrestling in Wisconsin, where only two teams in each division get the opportunity to compete for a state title. While Coleman came up short, the team's consistent success in reaching the final shows their program's strength, even as they may have to move up to a higher division in the future.

The details

Evansville (30-1) got off to a blistering start, winning the first five matches to take a 29-5 lead. Kolten Bollig (120 pounds) and Liam Crandall (138) earned pins for Evansville, while Lincoln Keller (150) won by technical fall. Coleman's Michael Ciancio (132) and Cole Berth (165) earned wins for the Cougars, but Corbin Hoffman (175) and Thomas Heiser (190) sealed the victory for Evansville with a major decision and a pin, respectively. Coleman forfeited the 215, 285, and 106 pound matches.

  • The WIAA Division 2 state team wrestling championship match took place on March 7, 2026 at the La Crosse Center.

The players

Jason Champagne

The head coach of the Coleman wrestling team, who has led the program to consistent success, including reaching the state championship match in consecutive seasons.

Evansville

The Evansville wrestling team, which won its first-ever WIAA state team title with a 39-29 victory over Coleman in the Division 2 championship match.

Cole Berth

A Coleman wrestler who earned a quick pin in his match to score points for the Cougars.

Chase Gruber

A senior wrestler for Coleman who competed in his final high school match at the state tournament.

Kolten Bollig

An Evansville wrestler who earned a pin in the 120-pound weight class to help his team build an early lead.

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What they’re saying

“Our goal is to win a state championship every single year. That's our goal. And we put ourselves in that position to have that opportunity. Unfortunately, we just fell a little short. But you have to understand that out of all the schools in Division 2, only two get this opportunity.”

— Jason Champagne, Head Coach, Coleman Wrestling (Yahoo Sports)

“It means a lot, man. I've been growing up with this team for a long time, and it's kind of hard. But I feel like it is over with – so yeah, it's tough.”

— Chase Gruber, Senior Wrestler, Coleman (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The WIAA will determine if Coleman's enrollment numbers require them to move up to Division 1 for wrestling, which would present a new challenge for the program.

The takeaway

Despite the disappointment of falling short in the state championship match, Coleman's wrestling program has established itself as a consistent power in Division 2, reaching the final in consecutive seasons. The team's success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the coaches and wrestlers, and they will look to build on this experience as they potentially face a move up to a higher division in the future.