Highlights: Wisconsin Rapids advances to team state wrestling, seven area teams battle at sectionals

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – Wisconsin Rapids wrestling is heading back to state as a team for the first time since 2015 after beating Middleton and Holmen at sectionals in West Salem. Stratford made the finals but fell to Cumberland, while six other area teams lost in the semifinals.

The Red Raiders were dominant in their sectional, beating Middleton 64-18 before knocking off Holmen ___. The Red Raiders will make their first appearance in nine seasons, but they are the most decorated wrestling program in WIAA wrestling history. Between 1995 and 2001, Wisconsin Rapids won seven straight state titles. They also won nine titles from 2003-2012, with 21 total team titles in program history. This will be the their 19 state team tournament appearance since the inception of the dual format.

Stratford aimed to make their second straight state tournament appearance after bowing out in the state semifinals last season. They started the night well, beating Shell Lake 53-27 in the semifinal. However, Cumberland knocked them off in the sectional final, 42-27.

Elsewhere for central Wisconsin teams, Marshfield and D.C. Everest each fell in their respective semifinal matches in Menomonie. Marshfield lost by one point to Hudson after a pin by Hudson’s Ethan Winkelman over James Clements gave the Raiders six points. In Division 2, Medford and Neillsville/Greenwood/Loyal each lost in the semifinals to Somerset. Wittenberg-Birnamwood dropped their semifinal match to Luxemburg-Casco.

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