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Here are the top 30 wrestlers to watch in Manitowoc/Sheboygan areas

Tom Dombeck, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
·5 min read

A brand-new high school wrestling season began on Friday across Wisconsin with several players from Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties worth keeping an eye on.

Here are the 30 boys and girls wrestlers to watch in the 2023-24 season, in alphabetical order.

Nash Banko, jr., Oostburg

Banko took third at the WIAA Division 2 state boys wrestling tournament last season at 152 pounds.

Oostburg's Nash Banko is among the top 30 boys and girls wrestlers to watch in Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties this season.
Oostburg's Nash Banko is among the top 30 boys and girls wrestlers to watch in Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties this season.

Jacob Benfield, sr., Mishicot

Benfield qualified at 152 in D3 at the boys state tournament but did not win a match.

Angie Bianchi, so., Two Rivers

Bianchi reached the girls state title match at 114 pounds, losing a 6-4 sudden victory.

Two Rivers High School's Angie Bianchi wrestles against Brookfield East High School's Lily Becker in a girls 114-pound semifinal match during the 2023 WIAA individual state wrestling tournament on Friday, February 24, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Two Rivers High School's Angie Bianchi wrestles against Brookfield East High School's Lily Becker in a girls 114-pound semifinal match during the 2023 WIAA individual state wrestling tournament on Friday, February 24, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Dylan Brody, jr., Random Lake

Brody qualified for the boys state tournament but did not win a match at 120 in D3.

Silas Dailey, sr., Plymouth

Dailey, who recently committed to Minnesota, won the D2 title at 170 to become the first Panthers wrestler in almost 20 years to win a state championship.

Mya Delleree, sr., Ozaukee

Delleree finished fifth at 114 at the girls state tournament as a junior.

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Eyan Dessellier, sr., Kiel

Dessellier reached the semifinals at 145 in D2 at the boys state tournament and eventually placed fourth. He’s a three-time place winner at state. Kiel coach Buddy Kienbaum has loft expectations for Dessellier.

Wausau West’s Christina Nordstrom, top, grips Sheboygan North’s Destiny Duesterbeck in a 185-pound match during the WIAA Individual State Wrestling at the Kohl Center, Thursday, February 23, 2023, in Madison, Wis.
Wausau West’s Christina Nordstrom, top, grips Sheboygan North’s Destiny Duesterbeck in a 185-pound match during the WIAA Individual State Wrestling at the Kohl Center, Thursday, February 23, 2023, in Madison, Wis.

Destiny Duesterbeck, jr., Sheboygan North

Duesterbeck lost both of her matches at 185 at the girls state tournament. “I have high expectations for her this wrestling season,” Sheboygan North wrestling coach Joseph Duesterbeck said. “Last year, she qualified for the state championship from Sectional E uncontested.  Although her experience at the state level was challenging, going 0-2, it was invaluable and a great learning experience.  This year, there's a concerted effort to add more girls-only matches throughout the season. This change is significant, especially considering that last year, Sheboygan North did not participate in any girls-only tournaments and she went to the state tournament 0-0.  Destiny has been working on enhancing both her strength and technique in the offseason, going to Askren Wrestling Academy during the offseason and wrestling Freestyle.”

Manitowoc Lincoln’s Amellia Fowler, left, wrestles Waukesha South’s Adrianna Beckley in a 132-pound match during the WIAA Individual State Wrestling at the Kohl Center, Thursday, February 23, 2023, in Madison, Wis.
Manitowoc Lincoln’s Amellia Fowler, left, wrestles Waukesha South’s Adrianna Beckley in a 132-pound match during the WIAA Individual State Wrestling at the Kohl Center, Thursday, February 23, 2023, in Madison, Wis.

Amellia Fowler, sr., Manitowoc Lincoln

Fowler qualified for the girls state tournament at 132 which Manitowoc Lincoln coach Tyler Wetenkamp thinks will help her this season. “I expect Amellia to make the podium at state this year,” Wetenkamp said. “She has wrestled at the girls state tournament twice now so the nerves should be gone and she can focus on her style of wrestling.”

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Holten Golke, jr., Random Lake

Golke did not win a match at the boys state tournament at 195 in D3 after qualifying.

Ben Kienbaum, jr., Kiel

Kienbaum reached the D2 state tournament at 195, winning a match. Much like his teammate Dessellier, Kiel coach Buddy Kienbaum has high expectations for the junior.

Two Rivers High School's Justin Klinkner, left, grips Luxemburg-Casco High School's Trace Schoenebeck in a 170-pound Division 2 match during the WIAA State Wrestling Team Tournament at the Kohl Center, Friday, February 25, 2022, in Madison, WI
Two Rivers High School's Justin Klinkner, left, grips Luxemburg-Casco High School's Trace Schoenebeck in a 170-pound Division 2 match during the WIAA State Wrestling Team Tournament at the Kohl Center, Friday, February 25, 2022, in Madison, WI

Justin Klinkner, sr., Two Rivers

Klinkner placed fourth at 160 in D2 at the boys state tournament.

Wausau West’s Christiana Nordstrom, front, wrestles New Holstein’s Mercedes Kohlman in a 185-pound match during the WIAA Individual State Wrestling tournament at the Kohl Center, Thursday, February 23, 2023, in Madison, Wis.
Wausau West’s Christiana Nordstrom, front, wrestles New Holstein’s Mercedes Kohlman in a 185-pound match during the WIAA Individual State Wrestling tournament at the Kohl Center, Thursday, February 23, 2023, in Madison, Wis.

Mercedes Kohlman, sr., New Holstein

Kohlman won two matches via pinfall at the girls state tournament at 185 but did not leave Madison with a medal.

Chase Koepp, jr., Random Lake

Koepp qualified for the boys state tournament at 113 in D3 but did not win a match.

Two Rivers High School's Chase Matthias takes a shot against Kewaskum High School's Dylan Soyk in a 195-pound Division 2 preliminary match during the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Two Rivers High School's Chase Matthias takes a shot against Kewaskum High School's Dylan Soyk in a 195-pound Division 2 preliminary match during the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Chase Matthias, sr., Two Rivers

Matthias dropped a narrow 3-2 decision in the D2 championship at 195 to finish in second place.

Max Matthias, so., Two Rivers

Max Matthias placed third at 182 in D2 at the boys state tournament.

Colin Meiselwitz, jr., Elkhart Lake/Howards Grove

Meiselwitz qualified for the boys state tournament at 132 in D2 but did not win a match.

Oostburg’s Carson Dekker, left, is gripped by Ozaukee’s Skyler Mills in a 195-pound match at the Big East Wrestling tournament, Saturday, February 4, 2023, in Cedar Grove, Wis.
Oostburg’s Carson Dekker, left, is gripped by Ozaukee’s Skyler Mills in a 195-pound match at the Big East Wrestling tournament, Saturday, February 4, 2023, in Cedar Grove, Wis.

Skyler Mills, sr., Ozaukee

Mills qualified for the boys state tournament but did not win a match at 195 in D3. Ozaukee coach Cole Large says Mills will likely miss half the season due to a broken ankle.

Emjay Neumann, so., Manitowoc Lincoln

Neumann lost the girls state championship match at 120 via a pinfall in 1:25. Wetenkamp thinks Neumann can finish the job this season. “I expect Emjay to dominate this year and ultimately win a state title,” Wetenkamp said.

Shiocton High School’s Dion Helser works Cedar Grove-Belgium High School’s Jordan Platner to his back during the WIAA Division 3 team state tournament on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the University of Wisconsin Field House in Madison, Wis. Helser won the match by fall.Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Shiocton High School’s Dion Helser works Cedar Grove-Belgium High School’s Jordan Platner to his back during the WIAA Division 3 team state tournament on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the University of Wisconsin Field House in Madison, Wis. Helser won the match by fall.Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Jordan Platner, sr., Cedar Grove-Belgium

Platner qualified for the boys state tournament at 193 in D3, winning his first match before losing.

Random Lake High School's Stone Pomeroy against Pardeeville High School's William Becker in a Division 3 boys 152-pound quarterfinal match during the 2023 WIAA individual state wrestling tournament on Friday, February 24, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Random Lake High School's Stone Pomeroy against Pardeeville High School's William Becker in a Division 3 boys 152-pound quarterfinal match during the 2023 WIAA individual state wrestling tournament on Friday, February 24, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Stone Pomeroy, sr., Random Lake

Pomeroy won his first match at 152 in D3 at the boys state tournament but then dropped the next two.

Owen Race, sr., Cedar Grove-Belgium

Race qualified for the boys state tournament but did not win a match at 132 in D3.

Ellianna Robinson, so., Sheboygan South

Robinson won a pair of matches at the girls state tournament at 138 but did not place.

Joe Schoeder, sr., Cedar Grove-Belgium

Schoeder qualified for the boys state tournament at 182 in D3 but failed to win a match.

Reedsville High School's Adler Strenn, left, grimaces as he wrestles Aquinas High School's Tyson Martin in a 195-pound, Div. 3 match during the WIAA Individual State Wrestling at the Kohl Center, Friday, February 24, 2023, in Madison, Wis.
Reedsville High School's Adler Strenn, left, grimaces as he wrestles Aquinas High School's Tyson Martin in a 195-pound, Div. 3 match during the WIAA Individual State Wrestling at the Kohl Center, Friday, February 24, 2023, in Madison, Wis.

Adler Strenn, sr., Reedsville

Strenn reached the semifinals in D3 at 195 before eventually taking fifth at the boys state tournament.

Reedsville’s Carson Taddy, top, pressures Mishicot’s Jacob Benfield in a 152-pound match at the Big East Wrestling tournament, Saturday, February 4, 2023, in Cedar Grove, Wis.
Reedsville’s Carson Taddy, top, pressures Mishicot’s Jacob Benfield in a 152-pound match at the Big East Wrestling tournament, Saturday, February 4, 2023, in Cedar Grove, Wis.

Carson Taddy, sr., Reedsville

Taddy won his first match at 152 in D3 at the boys state tournament but then dropped the next two.

Michael Upson, sr., Random Lake

Upson qualified for the boys state tournament at 220 in D3, winning his first match before losing following pair.

Toren Vandenbush, sr., Random Lake

Vandenbush dropped his 170 semifinal in D3 but rebounded to finish third in the weight class with a pair of consolation victories.

Valders High School's Maddux Wendling against Pardeeville High School's Jackson Preston in a Division 3 boys 113-pound quarterfinal match during the 2023 WIAA individual state wrestling tournament on Friday, February 24, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Valders High School's Maddux Wendling against Pardeeville High School's Jackson Preston in a Division 3 boys 113-pound quarterfinal match during the 2023 WIAA individual state wrestling tournament on Friday, February 24, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Maddux Wendling, sr., Valders

Wendling placed fourth at 113 in D3 at the boys state tournament. “We are looking to get him back on the state podium this year and wrestling in the finals on Saturday night,” Valders coach Caynen Klessig said.

Ariya Yang, jr., Sheboygan South

Yang qualified for the girls state tournament but lost both matches at 107.

Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: The top 30 wrestlers to watch in Manitowoc and Sheboygan areas