Wisconsin Wrestling Association

10/29/2026

Sponsor "Shout Out"
Wisconsin Army National Guard

As we continue to show our appreciation for friends, partners and sponsors who make our annual Fall Convention so amazing, we are sharing "Shout Out" to the Wisconsin Army National Guard. In addition to all the great things this organization does to help keep our great state safe, the Wisconsin Army National Guard offers fitness program guidance, leadership development and mentorship opportunities. Thank you for all your support of Wisconsin Wrestling!

10/28/2026

50 Special Moments In WI Wrestling History
#26-Celebrating the legendary Ben Askren

As we celebrate 50 special moments in WI Wrestling's proud history, #26 is celebrating the remarkable career of the legendary Ben Askren. Ben Askren is a 2X WIAA State Champion from Arrowhead High School and was a two-time national champion and a four-time NCAA finalist for the University of Missouri. He also earned a spot on Team USA where hecompeted in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Askren became the first Missouri wrestler to be a four-time All-American and the first to compete in the Olympics.

Following runner-up finishes as a freshman and sophomore in college, Askren won 87 consecutive matches as a junior and senior while capturing back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007. The 87 wins in a row ranks in the Top 10 in NCAA history. Askren had a career record of 153-7, including 93 wins by fall and an NCAA record of pinning 18 consecutive opponents in the first period.

In 2006 and 2007, Askren received the Dan Hodge Trophy, which is presented annually to the top college wrestler and often referred to as the "Heisman Trophy" of wrestling.

Askren teamed up with his brother, Max Askren, and their high school wrestling coach, John Mesenbrink, to found Askren Wrestling Academy in 2011. It has grown into one of the biggest, and some would argue the best, clubs in America. AWA has produced more than 150 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association state champions and three NCAA Division I champions, Parker Keckeisen, Mitchell Mesenbrink and Keegan O’Toole to name a few.

Ben courageously underwent a double lung transplant in June of 2025 after being diagnosed with necrotizing pneumonia, a rare and severe version of the illness that destroys the lungs. Askren returned to the Mat for one last match in the summer of 2026 for RAF, and continues to coach today.

Ben will be joining us at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame on Friday Nov. 6th in WI Dells. You can get tickets on our website at: https://wwca.wildapricot.org/event-6822247
Photo Credit (J.Hoch)

10/28/2026

NEW-2026 Fall Convention is 10 Days Away
"Thank You"-BSN Sports for Sponsoring Clinicians

As we are now only 10 days away from the Fall Convention and an amazing line-up of coaching clinics available for attendees to see and learn from, we want share our since thank you to our friends at BSN Sports for helping make the convention possible.

BSN is One-stop shop for wrestling gear: Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, Cliff Keen, Scrap Life, BSN Victory. Singlets, warm-ups, shoes, headgear, mats, plus ship-to-home team stores that deliver in under a week.

10/27/2026

NEW-A Stacked Line-Up of Amazing Convention Clinicians
Highlight Our Upcoming Fall Convention

We are SUPER excited to announce a stacked line-up of exceptional wrestling coaches who will be providing excellent clinical instruction at our Fall Convention Nov. 6th and 7th in WI Dells. The schedule is available on our website at https://wwca.wildapricot.org/Convention-Schedule/

The WWA would not be able to offer this kind great coaching instruction without the help of our tremendous sponsors. Our first "Shout Out" goes to our friends and partners at the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation for helping us secure Ridge Lovett. "Thank you" WWF for all you do to support our organization and WI Wrestlers and Coaches throughout our great state.

Registration for this year's convention is still open on our website at: https://wwca.wildapricot.org/

10/25/2026

50 Special Moments in WI Wrestling's Proud History
#25-Celebrating the career of Jim Gruenwald (GM HOF Class of 2007)

As our 50 special moments in WI Wrestling's proud history continues, we recognize the incredible career of Jim Gruenwald. A 2007 inductee into the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame, Jim was a 3X WIAA State finalist from Greendale, WI, winning an individual State title in 1987. His collegiate career at Maranatha Baptist Bible college included three National Christian College Athletic Association titles in 1989, 1991, and 1992. Jim was runner-up in 1990 and was voted MVP in the 1989 and 1991. Jim went on to have an incredible international Greco-Roman wresting career, proudly representing our state and Team USA, Jim earned spots on two Olympic Teams (2000 and 2004), three World Championships(2001-2003), a 2002 World Cup Championship, 1998 and 2003 PanAm Championships Championship, 30 medals in various international tournaments including, two National Championships, and a 2003 Greco-Roman Athlete of the Year award.

Jim is currently entering his 18th year as Head Wrestling Coach and Strength and Conditioning coach at Wheaton College. (Photo Credit-George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame)

10/23/2026

An incredibly powerful message from Coach Tom Ryan. The WWA is extremely grateful for all the incredible coaches we have positively shaping the lives of young men and women all across our great state!

10/22/2026

50 Special Moments in WI Wrestling
#24-Celebrating Jack Reinwand and Lodi's First Team State Title

Next up in our series of 50 special moments in WI's proud wrestling history is the remarkable career of George Martin HOF inductee Jack Reinwand (Class of 1985) In 1971, Jack placed third in the WIAA state tournament for Wisconsin Rapids High School. He attended the UW-Madison in 1973-74 Jack and was the recipient of the George Martin Wrestling Scholarship. In 1975, Jack began to show what he could accomplish. He placed fourth in the NCAA, accumulated the most team points, most takedowns and earned the most valuable award for the team.
In 1976 Jack became a Division I NCAA national champion at 126 pounds. Again, he accumulated the most team points, most takedowns, co-captain, most valuable and selected most dedicated for the team. His career record was 91-21-1 and a career takedown record of 380 before colleges expanded their schedules.
Jack also competed in the 1972, 1976 and 1980 Olympic trials at 125.5. While competing as a freestyle wrestler for USA he earned 3 national championships, placed 3 times in the World Cup and earned a Bronze medal at his first World Games in 1977.
Jack also served as full time teacher and head coach for Lodi High School. He coached 528 individual tournament champions, 153 individual conference champions, 21 conference team titles, 14 regional championships, 8 sectional titles, 11 individual WIAA state champions, three WIAA Team State runner-up finishes and two WIAA State Team Championships. He compiled a career dual meet record of 371-57-2 during his tenure. The photo below encapsulates Jack's legacy as he celebrates Lodi's first WIAA Team State Championship with his two sons Jacob and Caleb. (Photo Credit-Cody Endres)

10/22/2026

Super tough line-up of grapplers proudly representing our state.
Good luck to all at Super 32!

Super 32 starts this weekend. Good luck to all the Wisconsin wrestlers competing!

10/22/2026

50 Special Moments in WI Wrestling
#23-Celebrating The Legendary Dennis Hall

As we continue our series of celebrating 50 special moments in WI Wrestling in honor of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame, #23 recognizes the remarkable career of Dennis Hall. A 3x WIAA State Individual Champion at Hartford, Hall wrestled for 1 year at the University of Wisconsin, prior to focusing on international competition. There, he excelled, proudly representing our country. Hall was a 10-time US National Champion, a World Champion, and 3-time USA Olympian and won a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Dennis is a 1997 inductee in the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame and is a distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Photo Credit-National Wrestling Hall of Fame

10/21/2026

50 Special Moments in WI Wrestling History
#22-2 Olympic Medals for WI Wrestling Legend Ben Peterson

As we continue our series of 50 special moments in WI Wrestling's proud history, #22 comes in as the 2 gold medals earned by WI wrestling legend Ben Peterson. Ben won Olympic Gold in 1972 in Munich, Germany and Silver in 1976 in Montreal, Canada. Ben was also a 3x All-American at Iowa State, winning back to back NCAA titles in 1971 and 1972. Ben also served as Head Coach of Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, WI, Co-Director of he and his brother John Peterson's "Camp of Champs" in Wisconsin and has served as an Assistant Wrestling Coach at the University of WI Whitewater.

Ben is a charter member of the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame (1977) and a distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Photo Credit-National Wrestling Hall of Fame