Timberwolf grapplers start new season

By A.J. Gates

Fifth-year head coach Brad Lange and his River Ridge wrestling team of nine wrestlers opened up the 2025-26 season last Thursday night at the Cashton Triangular.

In their opening dual meet against the host Eagles, the Timberwolves scored 24 points on two pins and two forfeits, while giving up 41 points on four pins, two forfeits and one technical fall.

Collecting pins for the Timberwolves were 157-pound junior Cael Koenig (1:19) and 285-pound junior Braden Skaife (1:11).

Of the seven matches that featured wrestlers from both schools, the Timberwolves gave up 29 points on four pins and one technical fall, while scoring 12 points on their two pins. Each team scored 12 points on forfeits with there being double forfeits at three weights.

Coach Lange’s squad then took on Onalaska in their second dual meet of the night, falling to the Hilltoppers, 54-11.

The Timberwolves scored their points on a pin by 150-pound freshman Luke Wehrle (4:48) and a technical fall by Koenig (16-1), while giving up 54 points on seven pins and two forfeits.

On the following Saturday, coach Lange’s wrestlers competed at the Royall Invite.

Wrestling at 215 pounds, Braden Skaife went 2-2 on the day with two pins, while Emery Simerson also went 2-2 at 175 pounds with a 12-1 major decision and a 14-8 decision.

Going 1-2 at 157 pounds was Cael Koenig, who collected one pin, while Cam Wehrle went 0-2 at 132 pounds and Lane Marshall 0-2 at 165 pounds.

This Thursday evening the Timberwolves will host Belmont/Platteville and Riverdale in a triangular meet set to begin at 6 p.m. They will then compete at La Crosse Logan on Saturday.