By Shane Sparks

It doesn’t take long to gain a basic understanding of the storied wrestling program at Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School. When crossing in to Rapids, one can’t help but notice the sign that notes the years of the 18 Wisconsin state wrestling championships.

            The pride and passion that resonates through this blue collar town is as prevalent as the yellow cheeseheads seen inside Lambeau Field on a fall Sunday afternoon in Green Bay, which sits 100 miles east of Wisconsin Rapids.

            As the leaves change colors and the air chills, there is a different kind of energy that can be felt as the 55th chapter in Rapids history is about to be written. With all their rich history and tradition, Rapids believes that the best is yet to come.

            The program began laying its foundation to becoming a state power when Lewie Benitz took over as head coach in 1966. In 1974, Rapids tasted its first state championship and has never looked back. Lewie and his son, Scott, were co-head coaches for the five seasons previous to Scott taking over the reigns entering the 2007-08 campaign. Lewie is still heavily involved as a Rapids assistant while remaining a key ambassador and contributor for Wisconsin wrestling.

            In capturing team state titles in 13 of the past 15 seasons, the Red Raiders have clearly stamped their names in the record books of the Badger state and now have their sites set on making an impact on the national scene.

            What makes Rapids so dangerous is its experienced core of underclassman. After winning an epic 25-23 battle over defending state champion and conference-rival Wausau West in the Division I championship match, the Red Raiders lost four seniors. That foursome included a pair of state champs, a state runner-up and a sixth-place finisher who combined for over 170 wins.

            But as they say, the great programs don’t rebuild, they reload.

            Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln boasts one of the top sophomore classes in the country and that group provides the nucleus of power in its arsenal.

            Leading the way is Devin Peterson (171), a state runner-up at 160 as a freshman and a 2009 USA Wrestling triple crown winner. Zak Benitz (145) wrestled back to finish third at 140 during last year’s state tournament and added a Cadet Greco title in Fargo this past July while gaining All-American honors in freestyle.

            Their Greco performances helped anchor the Wisconsin team that went on to win the Cadet Greco team title. Scott Benitz attributes much of Rapids’ success to the opportunities created by USA Wrestling.

            “Those tournaments add 50-60 matches a year against solid competition from around the country,” said Scott Benitz. “When your leaders make that kind of commitment to their training, it provides an example to the rest of the team and sets the bar at a higher level.”

            Both Peterson and Zak Benitz will now focus on adding individual state titles to their resumes. Rylan Lubeck (140) is a huge piece of the puzzle. Lubeck just missed out on the individual state tournament last season after placing third at sectionals, but came up big by defeating state champion Sam Umlauf in perhaps the biggest match in Rapids win over Wausau West.

            Lubeck will be another favorite in this line-up to win a state title. Jake Raflik (135) finished third at sectionals at 125 behind the eventual state champion and runner up. He will not fly underneath the radar and will be a force in the middle of the line-up.

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