MADISON — This is the goal that everyone who steps on a wrestling mat is chasing. Winning a coveted state championship.
The goal will become a reality this weekend for only a few select athletes when the state’s best boys and girls wrestlers gather at the University of Wisconsin’s Kohl Center.
Competition is scheduled to begin Thursday afternoon with the finals set for Saturday.
This area features a number of elite wrestlers with legitimate shots at reaching the top of the medal podium.
Eau Claire North junior Maddie Sorensen returns to the state tournament for a third time. She will wrestle at 185 pounds.
Sorensen placed third at state in 2025. She went 3-0 with three pins last weekend to qualify for the girls state meet.
“Maddie is as good at wrestling as she is because she allows herself to get uncomfortable because that is where true learning comes from,” North coach Kaleigh Herrick said. “She is never complacent and always looking for opportunities to get better.”
Fellow North junior Rainie Yang also qualified for her third state tournament. She competes at 235 pounds.
Yang recorded two pins to qualify for state. She was only on the mat for just over a minute at the Sectional meet.
“We are so proud of Maddie and Rainie for all of their hard work they have put in this season,” Herrick said. “Being practice partners, they always know what to do to help push each other and get each other better. We are excited and look forward to watching them put all of their practice into action down at the Kohl Center.”
Herrick said she is optimistic that both North wrestlers can make their mark in Madison.
“Their chances of winning state are high and can happen as long as they believe in themselves, continue to trust the process, trust in their training, and not allow mental blocks to get in the way,” Herrick said.
Also in the girls field, Cadott senior Iszy Sonnentag is looking to cap her career with a state championship at 114 pounds.
Sonnentag, also a track star who has committed to North Dakota State in that sport, has placed second, third and fourth in three previous trips to the state wrestling meet.
Mondovi/Eleva-Strum sophomore Layla Risler is expected to contend for a gold medal at 145 pounds. She was a state runner-up as a freshman.
Regis/Altoona sophomore Cassidy O’Connell has high hopes at 100 pounds. She was fourth during her first trip to state last year and has been ranked No. 1 this season.
On the boys side, Menomonie junior Aiden Aure returns to state with strong credentials. He qualified at 138 pounds.
Aure finished fourth at state in Division 1 in 2025. He is seeded third in his weight class at the state meet this season.