MONROE — The Cheesemakers wrestling team graduated a strong class this past spring, and now with a limited season, coach Tom Witt and his staff will have to mold young wrestlers quickly.

Monroe has just four duals this season, which is a combination of the WIAA’s guidance on teams competing only in duals and just once a week, as well as Monroe’s month-delay to the start of the season. To make matters tougher, the roster is vastly different than the past couple of seasons.

“We have low numbers for two reasons,” Witt said, “COVID, and we graduated nine seniors from last year’s team.”

Returning for the Cheesemakers are a slew of lower weigh competitors, which Witt called a team strength, led by state qualifier Brady Schuh, a junior, and sectional qualifiers Jack Dubach (sophomore) and Garrett Voegeli (junior).

Also back for Monroe are juniors Jace Amacher and Jaden Clark, as well as senior Max Patterson. Newcomers to varsity include sophomores Anthony Wels and Isaac Bunker, and freshmen CJ Schuh and Tanner Ils.

Witt said his team’s goals are simple: Stay healthy, push hard in practice and be ready for regionals. 

“And hopefully have no COVID-related shut downs,” he said. “We will only have four duals. If we have a post season, I feel we can get three or four guys to state.”

There won’t be any conference-sponsored duals this year, but Witt sees Milton and Baraboo as solid Badger Conference teams on the mat.