'He blew that bracket up': Luxemburg-Casco's Delebreau goes from No. 5 seed to WIAA state wrestling champion

MADISON – Luxemburg-Casco wrestling coach Chas Treml did his best not to shed a tear after watching senior Caleb Delebreau win the WIAA Division 2 138-pound state title Saturday at the Kohl Center.

Unlike his star, he lost his fight.

“I think that says a lot about him as a kid, his character, his upbringing, his family,” Treml said. “We always have to stay positive, because we determine our outcome. He knows that and believes in it.”

Treml wasn’t just talking about Delebreau capturing his first championship in his final opportunity, which happened after a 3-2 decision over Oconto Falls junior Cole Bozile in a battle between two of the best local wrestlers in the state.

It also was how he did it after receiving a No. 5 seed for the tournament despite a sectional championship win over Bozile and entering the big stage with a 49-6 record.

It didn’t faze him.

Delebreau went to work once he arrived here. While the top four seeds received a bye into the quarterfinal round Friday, Delebreau was forced to start his journey with a win over No. 12 seed Connor Friend of Whitewater on Thursday night.

That’s when the fun really started.

He took out No. 4 seed Bryston Scholes of Kewaskum with a 6-5 decision in the quarterfinals, beat No. 1 seed William Penn of Ellsworth in a 3-1 decision in the semifinals and then beat No. 2 Bozile for the third time this season to win the 45th individual state title in L-C history.

“I mean, the fifth seed, wasn’t expecting that,” Delebreau said. “Looking for something a little higher. Saw that when it came out, and I’m like, ‘OK, I gotta prove it.’

“Beat the (4), the 1, and then the 2. I couldn’t thank anybody more than my coaches and teammates and family.”

The 42 boys championship matches over three divisions resulted in 40 No. 1 or No. 2 seeds winning titles.

Only Delebreau and Random Lake senior Stone Pomeroy, who also was a No. 5 seed in D3 at 150 pounds, pulled off significant upsets.

It was the perfect ending for Delebreau in his third trip to state after not placing at 132 pounds in 2022 and finishing sixth at 138 in 2023.

If he needed any extra motivation, the lower seed gave it to him.

“Oh, yeah,” Delebreau said. “We matched up a few times this year (with Bozile), and it was always close. I was lucky enough to get it done again tonight.

“It always came down to that third period. … It was always a dream. I’m at a loss for words. I’m so happy.”

Still, how the heck did he end up as a No. 5 seed?

Treml figured Delebreau at worst would get a No. 4, which would have earned him a bye in the opening round.

“I don’t think it was just me as a coach, but a community of wrestling across the state, they saw that and were wondering how this could happen?” Treml said. “Caleb took it and ran with it, and I’m sure used it as motivation. I know we all did. He was going to blow up that bracket, and he blew that bracket up.

“When you are wrestling these guys head-to-head, that’s the issue. You win sectionals and you don’t get rewarded. They took all the wind out of the sail of the sectional. What’s the purpose of wrestling the sectional? Why are we wrestling the sectional final when those guys aren’t even getting rewarded at this point?”

Bozile also proved worthy of a high seed after missing the opening part of the season because of a broken ankle sustained during football.

He might just be in line to win a state title as a senior next season, considering he keeps improving his finishes each time he qualifies for state.

Bozile placed sixth at 126 pounds in 2022 and fourth at 132 last season.

“I just keep working hard,” Bozile said. “I worked extra hard in the practice room and the weight room and just got better. My goal was to be top 3.”

Bozile had only good things to say about the grappler who beat him three times this season. He pointed out how effective Delebreau is on his feet. How strong he is and how difficult it is to get to his legs.

He also believed Delebreau was overlooked when it came time for a computer system to determine seeds.

“Yeah, I was definitely surprised,” Bozile said. “The seeding is the seeding. People say it’s wack, people say it’s not. But he definitely deserved a higher seed than a fifth seed.”

Ronsman finishes runner-up for third time

Delebreau wasn’t the only Spartans wrestler to compete for a championship Saturday.

Fellow senior Max Ronsman advanced to a title match for the fourth time in his career and was hoping to win his second championship after capturing the 138-pound title as a sophomore.

But he ran into top-ranked Danny Heiser of Evansville at 150 pounds, and the University of Missouri recruit proved too difficult.

Heiser beat Ronsman with a 6-1 decision, which was the closest match of the three he wrestled after winning in 58 seconds with a pin in the quarterfinals and a 15-0 technical fall in the semifinals.

“Getting here all four years is great,” said Ronsman, who is 42-6. “Definitely wanted to win and fell short again. Third time taking second. It’s hard being the runner-up.”

Ronsman has been a football and wrestling star during his career at L-C, but he’s not planning to compete in either after high school.

He still has an opportunity to end his career with a championship after the Spartans earned a trip to the D2 team state meet.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Ronsman said. “Knowing that your team is going to wrestle next week at the (UW Field House), it’s a great feeling. We have a great team this year. A lot of seniors. Really close to the whole team.

“Just got to go down there, wrestle and hopefully end with a win for our career.”

Coleman's Kuchta is runner-up

Coleman junior Micah Kuchta (45-5) was one of four local boys wrestlers to qualify for the title round, joining Delebreau, Bozile and Ronsman.

He found himself in a close match early in the D3 157-pound championship against Fennimore junior Tristan Steldt, but Steldt eventually took control and never let up.

He beat Kuchta in a 16-4 majority decision for his second straight state title after winning at 160 points his sophomore season.

Kuchta has kept improving on his state finishes in each of his first three trips. He did not place as a freshman at 138 pounds and was third at 160 as a sophomore.

Local wrestlers have successful weekend

Several local wrestlers earned podium finishes.

In Division 1, Bay Port junior Owen Wathke placed third at 113 pounds while De Pere junior Mycah Beckett was fourth. Wathke (37-9) beat Beckett (37-6) with a 6-2 decision in the third-place match. … Bay Port sophomore Alois Schlumpf (35-6) placed fourth at 120 pounds. … Pulaski senior Chase Woosencraft (40-7) finished fourth at 190 pounds.

Luxemburg-Casco had a big showing in D2. Spartans senior Jake Jandrin (29-9) was sixth at 106 pounds, junior Carson Blohowiak (44-10) fourth at 113, freshman Carson Neubert (53-6) third at 120, senior Michael Bostwick (46-12) sixth at 126, junior Blakelee Bastien (45-13) fifth at 132, senior Isaac Jerabek (36-11) sixth at 144 pounds and senior Trace Schoenebeck (46-7) sixth at 190.

Wrightstown senior Jacob Durocher (44-11) won the 150-pound third-place match, Denmark sophomore Steven Kielpikowski (43-10) placed fourth at 157, Peshtigo senior Connor Thomas (42-5) was fourth at 215 while Seymour sophomore Cael Leisgang (43-6) was fifth.

In D3, Coleman sophomore Parker Owens (41-12) was fifth at 106 and senior teammate Kain Otto (42-6) was fourth at 285.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Luxemburg-Casco's Caleb Delebreau wins WIAA state wrestling title