For nearly as long as girls wrestling has existed in the WIAA, Luxemburg-Casco’s Kiley Georgel and Evelyn Lange have been a part of it.

 

The senior duo is embarking on its final run toward Madison on Friday, when Luxemburg-Casco competes in the WIAA regional tournament.

 

Just five years ago, the WIAA Girls State Wrestling Tournament was brand new and hosted at the La Crosse Center, culminating a season in which 452 girls participated.

 

This year, more than 1,800 girls are vying for a spot in the state tournament, competing under the same Kohl Center lights the boys have enjoyed since the tournament moved there in 1998.

 

During last month’s winter sports pep rally at the Rendezvous of Luxemburg, Georgel joked that Lange was the trailblazer for the Spartans’ girls wrestling program.

 

Lange is proud to have that role, and even though she wishes girls wrestling would grow faster in the region, she has enjoyed the journey leading up to what could be her final matches.

 

 

Georgel is looking to place for a third time at the state wrestling tournament after finishing just one win away from a state title a year ago. She said she has her eyes on the top of the podium this season.

 

 

Head coach Chas Treml said girls have been part of the school’s wrestling program before, but he believes Lange and Georgel are true trailblazers for younger athletes who may join the sport in the future.

 

 

Both Lange and Georgel encourage more girls to follow in their footsteps, commenting on the strong bonds they have made on the team and at various tournaments along the way.

 

The Wrightstown Regional also includes Appleton North, Ashwaubenon, De Pere, Freedom, Green Bay Preble, Notre Dame Academy, Seymour, West De Pere and Wrightstown. The first matches begin at 5 p.m.