Coleman’s Bieber Selected as M&O’s Top Wrestler

As expected, the wrestling all-conference team was dominated by Coleman, with Cougars occupying every spot on the first team but one.

Coleman 152-pound senior Will Bieber was named the M&O Conference’s top wrestler. He finished the season 38-9 and took fifth at the Division 3 state tournament.

He made three state appearances in his career, including fourth and fifth-place finishes, and won a team state championship.

“He is a very dominant wrestler, especially from the top position. He has the ability to get on top and turn some of the best guys in the state,” Coleman coach Jason Champagne said. “His leadership and toughness are other things that really stand out when you look at the whole body of work. His presence will be missed in the room next year, but his legacy has transitioned over to guys like his practice partner Micah Kuchta. Very proud of his time and contribution as a Coleman wrestler.”

Kuchta was also a first-teamer in his sophomore season. He was 38-9 this year and took third at state, wrestling at 160.
“Micah really took his wrestling to another level this year. He made the decision to bump up from 138 where he wrestled last year,” Champagne said. “He really turned it on at the end of the season and beat some top-notch competition at the state tournament. He’s another kid that just works really hard in the room and listens to the coaching staff. He will return as one of our leaders next season.”

Besides Bieber, three other Coleman seniors made the first team: Peter Kuchta, Ray LeMieux, and John Nowak.

Kuchta wrestled at 182 this season. He made the state tournament two times in his career and went 38-6 this year.

“Peter’s style is a never-say-die attitude, which made him a very dangerous opponent,” Champagne said. “He had the ability to just pin someone from any position. Peter beat a lot of top-notch competition this year and fell just short of making the podium at state. Very proud of him and the excitement that he brought every time he touched the mat.”

LeMieux finished the season 34-12. He is one of a limited number of wrestlers that has made four individual state tournaments. He was a two-time individual place-winner and a team state champion.

“Just a guy that brings a lot of energy. He really worked hard at improving in some areas and it paid off for him,” Champagne said. “He is a guy that is going to be missed in the room, and we’re thankful for the legacy he leaves behind for the young guys.”

Nowak finished his senior season at 36-10.

“He had one of his best seasons, beating numerous state qualifiers throughout the season,” Champagne said. “I am very proud of him and his workmanlike attitude. He always gave 110 percent in whatever he did. He was also part of two team runner-up finishes and one team state championship. He was a major contributor all four years of his career, and we’re going to miss him.”

Juniors to make the M&O first team were Brady Gross, Cameron Kimmell, and Kain Otto.

Gross was 38-9 this season. He took fourth at state in his second trip to the individual state tournament.

“He really matured in his mental preparation this season,” Champagne said. “He has a ton of talent and works hard in the practice room, but his ability to block out the mental distractions is what made the difference this season. He is a dangerous wrestler that will come in next season ready to contend for a state title.”

It was Kimmell’s first season on varsity. He went 26-12.

“He is a very explosive athlete and showed that consistently throughout the season,” Champagne said. “Very proud of him and what he accomplished this year, and I am excited to see the level he can get to next season.”

Otto wrestled at 285 and finished 32-15 over the course of the season, making it to state.

“He had to make several adjustments during the season to put himself in a position to win. He is a very dangerous opponent from many positions of the mat and can pin you from anywhere,” Champagne said. “After being on JV his freshman and sophomore year, to come in and qualify for state your first year on varsity says a lot about Kain as an individual. He will return next year as one of the top heavyweights in division three.”

Sophomores Kuchta, Conner Markiewicz, and Isaiah Nowak will be back next year hungry for more.
Markiewicz was 33-10 this season and was a sectional qualifier.

“He took some huge jumps this year and beat a number of state qualifiers despite falling just short of getting to state,” Champagne said. “The tough sectional loss has motivated him more than ever and he has already begun working on areas where he knows he needs to improve. That’s what I love most about Conner, he is able to take adversity and use it as motivation. I expect him to elevate himself to another level next year.”

Nowak was 32-14 this season, qualifying for sectionals.

“I have just a hard-nosed kid who just keeps coming forward regardless of who is competing against,” Champagne said.

“He wrestles well in all positions and just holds solid position. I’m really excited to see what he can do for us the next two seasons.”

Freshmen Chase Gruber, Devin Otto, and Parker Owens were first-teamers as well.

Owens, wrestling at 106, went 23-19.

“He experienced peaks and valleys throughout the season mainly because he was undersized as a 106-pounder. He still managed to wrestle tough and had many big wins throughout the season,” Champagne said. “He was a sectional qualifier and placed at some big tournaments like Oshkosh on the Water and the Pulaski Invite. He’s already transitioned to the offseason, and will come back bigger and more experienced for his sophomore year.”

Gruber was 19-14 overall. He qualified for sectionals.

“He had a great season for a freshman at a junior and senior-dominated weight,” Champagne said. “He had some growing pains throughout the season, but just continued to improve and remain coachable. He has great intangibles that I know are going to allow him to excel in the future.”

Lastly for Coleman, Devin Otto had a great season at 220, where he went 32-17 and qualified for state.

“Devin has such a positive attitude and great gas tank which allowed him to win a lot of matches,” Champagne said. “He will return for his sophomore season with a lot of valuable experience and his practice partner, his brother, will also be returning. The future is bright for Devin.”

Sophomore West Bieber was an honorable mention after a 19-14 season. He qualified for sectionals.

“He had an excellent season and improved immensely this year,” Champagne said. “West is a very dangerous opponent from his feet. He beat some very good opponents this year with an aggressive style in upper body technique.”

Crivitz senior Kyle Guy was the only non-Coleman wrestler on the first team. He was a sectional qualifier this season, his second straight season making sectionals.

The Wolverines’ Dominic Thoreson was an honorable mention in his senior campaign. He was a sectional qualifier and won a few of regular season tournaments, including the Peshtigo Invitational, Manawa Invitational, and Willard Schmidt Invitational.

“Kyle Guy worked hard the last eight years but liked to joke around when he had a chance, too. Dominic Thoreson has been hard-working and a great technician for the last eight years,” Crivitz coach Scott Doyen said. “I’m very proud and pleased with their results this year. I’m sure that they will have a great future.”

Lena senior Dylan Comins was an honorable mention, as were Oneida Nation’s Hunter Webster and Gillett/Suring senior Keegan Rattin.

Comins took fourth in Division 3 at state and set a Lena school record with 52 wins this season.

“Dylan put together another great season,” Lena coach Chad Misco said. “Fun wrestler to watch, never out of a match due to his knowledge of so many moves. Going to miss him.”

Rattin is another senior that has been hanging around the M&O Conference wrestling ranks for the last four years. He was a sectional qualifier last season.

“He is not one to stop and give up. He is the guy that keeps wrestling even when he’s done and will find a way to win,” coach Cole Stillings said. “There have been a few times where he may be done by points but keeps battling and at any moment will flip the moment of a match and come out with a win.”