After finishing fourth at Junior National Duals a year ago, Team Wisconsin enters the 2026 tournament with one of its most accomplished rosters in recent memory. From June 16-20 in Milwaukee, the Badger State will once again challenge the nation's elite behind a lineup loaded with Fargo All-Americans, U.S. Open placers, state champions, and Division I college commits.
Junior Duals has long been one of the premier events on the national wrestling calendar, bringing together the top wrestlers from every corner of the country in a dual-meet format that emphasizes both individual talent and team depth. Wisconsin's Red Team possesses both.
With nationally ranked wrestlers spread throughout the lineup and proven performers at nearly every weight class, Wisconsin appears well-positioned to contend for another top finish while wrestling in front of a home-state crowd.
Elite Talent Anchors the Middle and Upper Weights
Few states can match Wisconsin's firepower from 144 pounds through heavyweight.
The lineup is headlined by University of Michigan commit Kellen Wolbert at 144 pounds. A four-time state champion, Wolbert has established himself as one of the nation's premier freestyle wrestlers. His résumé includes a Fargo 16U national title, a Fargo Junior runner-up finish, a U20 U.S. Open runner-up finish, and a third-place finish at the U20 World Team Trials. Few wrestlers in the tournament possess a stronger collection of national accomplishments.
Alongside Wolbert at 144 is University of Minnesota commit Carson Neubert, another Fargo All-American who finished seventh in Greco-Roman and compiled a 4-2 record in freestyle at Fargo in 2025. Having two wrestlers of that caliber at one weight provides Wisconsin with tremendous flexibility.
At 165 pounds, Wisconsin boasts another national star in Haakon Peterson. The four-time state champion has spent years building one of the most impressive freestyle résumés in the country. Peterson owns Fargo championships in both freestyle and Greco-Roman, a Junior national title, a U20 U.S. Open runner-up finish, and victories against elite competition at every age level. The future Michigan Wolverine enters Milwaukee as one of the tournament's most accomplished wrestlers regardless of weight class.
The upper weights continue to impress.
At 175 pounds, University of Virginia commit Liam Crook brings multiple Fargo placements, including a fourth-place finish in the 16U division and a strong Junior national performance. Crook's ability to score points in bunches makes him a dangerous matchup for any opponent.
Wisconsin also features one of the nation's top young wrestlers in Thomas Heiser. The Evansville standout won a Wisconsin state title this season and has rapidly climbed the national ladder, placing fourth at Fargo and eighth at the U17 U.S. Open.
At 190 pounds, University of Wisconsin commit Eli Leonard enters after earning fourth place at Fargo in the Junior division and fifth place at the U20 U.S. Open. Leonard's steady progression over the last several years has transformed him into one of Wisconsin's most reliable national performers.
The final two weights are equally impressive. Army West Point commit Garrett Kawczynski brings Fargo All-American finishes in both freestyle and Greco-Roman, a U20 U.S. Open fourth-place finish, and a runner-up performance at the World Team Trials. Heavyweight Tyson Martin has consistently delivered on the national stage, earning Fargo All-American honors and multiple deep runs at both state and national events.
Battle-Tested Veterans in the Middle Weights
The middle portion of Wisconsin's lineup is filled with wrestlers who have repeatedly proven themselves against national competition.
At 157 pounds, University of Northern Iowa commit Declan Koch brings one of the deepest national résumés on the team. Koch has earned Fargo All-American honors in both freestyle and Greco-Roman, finished runner-up at Fargo in Greco-Roman, won a U15 U.S. Open title, and accumulated national-level success throughout his high school career. Few wrestlers in the field can match his breadth of experience.
At 150 pounds, University of Minnesota commit Max Gonzalez returns after earning Fargo All-American honors in the 16U division. Gonzalez has captured multiple freestyle state titles and recently placed third at the Northern Plains Regional, continuing a steady progression toward national prominence.
The 138-pound slot belongs to McAllister Ramage, who enters after winning a Wisconsin freestyle state title and posting strong performances at both Fargo and the U.S. Open. Ramage has consistently elevated his wrestling against top competition and could be poised for a breakout tournament.
At 132 pounds, Missouri commit Brady Collins may be one of Wisconsin's most underrated national threats. Collins placed sixth at Fargo in the Junior division last summer and has steadily improved at every level of competition. His blend of positional discipline and offensive scoring ability makes him a valuable asset in dual-meet competition.
Strength and Depth in the Lower Weights
Wisconsin's lower weights combine youth, experience, and proven national success.
At 126 pounds, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville commit Maximus Hay leads the way. A Fargo All-American and multiple-time U.S. Open placer, Hay enters the tournament after several years of success against national competition. His ability to navigate deep brackets and win difficult matches should translate well to the dual-meet format.
Sharing time at 126 is Bryson Busler, a state runner-up and experienced freestyle competitor who has qualified for Fargo multiple times and earned regional placements throughout his career.
At 120 pounds, Wisconsin has two exceptional young talents in Lincoln Swick and Mason Moody. Both wrestlers have already posted impressive national results despite being underclassmen. Swick placed fourth at the U15 U.S. Open and compiled a 4-2 record at Fargo, while Moody finished runner-up at the U15 U.S. Open and went 5-2 at Fargo. Together, they represent the future of Wisconsin wrestling while already contributing at the national level.
The 113-pound spot belongs to Camden Rugg, one of Wisconsin's most accomplished underclassmen. Rugg is a Fargo All-American, multiple-time freestyle state champion, and Northern Plains champion whose consistent success at every level makes him a key contributor for Wisconsin.
At 106 pounds, Wisconsin features impressive depth with state champion Brodey Lewis and freestyle state champion Riley Longdin. Lewis has already reached the consolation round of 16 at Fargo and advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open, while Longdin has demonstrated his ability to compete nationally through strong Fargo and Northern Plains performances.
At 100 pounds, Wisconsin will rely on the experience of Eldon Roth. The Manitowoc Lincoln senior enters as the reigning Junior freestyle state champion and provides stability at one of the tournament's most unpredictable weight classes.
What to Watch For...
Several factors could determine Wisconsin's success in Milwaukee:
Can the stars deliver bonus points? Wrestlers like Wolbert, Peterson, Koch, Kawczynski, Leonard, and Crook have the ability to separate dual meets with dominant performances.
Will Wisconsin's young talent rise to the occasion? Lewis, Swick, Moody, Heiser, and Rugg represent the next generation of Wisconsin wrestling and will face some of the nation's toughest competition.
Can the depth match last year's success? Wisconsin's fourth-place finish in 2025 was built on contributions throughout the lineup. This year's team appears even deeper and more experienced.
Final Outlook
When evaluating national contenders, three factors matter most: star power, depth, and experience. Wisconsin possesses all three.
The Red Team features Fargo finalists, Fargo champions, U.S. Open placers, World Team Trials placers, and a collection of wrestlers committed to programs such as Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Northern Iowa, Virginia, Army West Point, Wisconsin, and SIUE. More importantly, it features wrestlers who have consistently performed on wrestling's biggest stages.
Competing in Milwaukee gives Wisconsin the opportunity to chase another memorable finish in front of family, friends, and wrestling fans from across the state. If the lineup performs to its potential, the Badger State could once again find itself among the final teams standing when Junior National Duals concludes.
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