Milwaukee Hamilton/Audubon Wrestling: A Season of Historic Firsts and Promising Youth
In a sport that demands relentless grit, physical toughness, and mental resolve, the Milwaukee Hamilton/Audubon wrestling program carved out a remarkable 2025 winter season filled with history-making achievements and a glimpse into a bright future. Head Coach Zach Lewandowski reflected on a campaign defined by perseverance, individual milestones, and the growth of a young and determined team.
Though challenges arose—as they do in any wrestling season—this year's team, a blend of first-year grapplers and promising underclassmen, battled adversity and earned moments that will forever be etched into the program’s record books.
Historic Highlights: A Season to Remember
For Coach Lewandowski, one moment stood above the rest: Elijah Knox, a junior from Audubon, made school history by becoming the first student-athlete in Audubon history to qualify for a state-level competition in any sport. He also became the first Hamilton wrestler to qualify for the WIAA State Wrestling Tournament since 2014—a drought-breaking achievement nearly a decade in the making.
“Elijah’s success wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was symbolic,” Lewandowski said. “He gave our team and school something to rally around.”
Elijah’s season took a dramatic leap forward at the Blackshirt Invite, where he stunned the crowd by pinning the #8 ranked wrestler in Division 3, clinching first place in the tournament. It was a signature win that fueled his run to the state stage and established him as one of the top competitors in the region.
Building Leadership: Captains Lead the Way
One of the more encouraging developments this year was the emergence of strong leaders in the form of first-year captains Elijah Knox and sophomore Sam Lambert. Their influence on the mat and in the wrestling room set the tone for a young and largely inexperienced squad.
“Both guys really embraced their roles as leaders,” said Lewandowski. “They not only led by example in competition but also provided guidance and encouragement to our many first-year wrestlers.”
Sam Lambert, in particular, showed impressive maturity. As just a sophomore, he developed into a solid captain over the course of the season, exhibiting poise and consistency. He ended the season as a conference champion and sectional qualifier, placing him among the most promising young wrestlers in the program.
Another athlete who impressed was sophomore Deriannys Arroyo-Navarro, a key contributor to the growing girls' wrestling program. Her dedication, especially in the latter half of the season, showed she’s a competitor to watch in the coming years.
Navigating the Toughest Sport in High School
Coach Lewandowski was candid about the challenges of coaching wrestling, especially when working with a roster full of first-year athletes. “This is the toughest sport in high school,” he said. “It’s not for everyone. We started with a lot of promise, but as the season wore on, we had a few kids quit.”
Still, the team’s response to injuries, tough losses, and pressure situations was grounded in resilience. Despite being new to the sport, the core group embraced the struggle, gaining experience and toughness with each match. For the wrestlers who remained committed through the grind, the season became a crucible for growth.
A Senior Class with Spirit
While the team’s future lies in its youth, Coach Lewandowski recognized the role the senior class played this season. “They brought a little bit of everything—leadership, energy, and character,” he said. Whether through mentoring younger teammates or simply showing up every day with a positive attitude, the seniors left their mark and helped lay the groundwork for a culture of commitment and perseverance.
Youth Movement: The Future is Now
Perhaps the most exciting takeaway from the 2025 season is just how young and talented this Hamilton/Audubon team is. The top performers—Elijah Knox (junior), Sam Lambert (sophomore), and Jashawn Hale (junior)—were all underclassmen and all qualified for sectionals. Lambert and Knox also won their respective conference titles, while Hale finished as runner-up.
“That core group gives us something to build around,” said Lewandowski. “They’ve already shown they can compete at a high level, and now the focus is on turning that potential into consistent excellence.”
Expanding the Girls Program
Another bright spot this season was the growth of the girls' wrestling program, which saw the highest participation numbers in its history with four female athletes joining the squad. Wrestling continues to grow nationwide for girls, and Hamilton/Audubon is tapping into that wave of opportunity.
“We’re really excited about where our girls' program is going,” said Lewandowski. “The goal is to keep growing those numbers and provide more opportunities for female athletes to compete and succeed.”
What’s Next: Offseason Goals and Culture Building
As the program looks ahead to next season, Coach Lewandowski’s top priority is continuing to develop leadership and build mental toughness in his returning athletes. With much of the varsity roster returning, the offseason will focus on strength and conditioning, technique refinement, and cultivating the kind of mindset required to compete deep into postseason play.
“We’ve got the right pieces,” he said. “Now it’s about improving consistency, maintaining commitment, and growing the culture.”
Lewandowski emphasized that wrestling success isn’t built overnight—it takes time, discipline, and a willingness to endure discomfort. But with the progress seen this year, especially from his underclassmen and the growing support around the program, he believes something special is beginning to take root.
Final Thoughts: A Season of Foundation
The 2025 Milwaukee Hamilton/Audubon wrestling season will be remembered for its historic accomplishments, standout individuals, and a team that pushed forward in one of the most demanding high school sports.
From Elijah Knox’s record-setting run to state to the development of first-year captains and the emergence of a promising girls' team, this winter marked a new chapter in the program’s evolution.
“There’s still a lot of work to do,” Coach Lewandowski admitted. “But if we keep building on what we’ve started this year, I believe we’ll be a team to watch for years to come.”
Stats for the team can be found on Trackwrestling.com, and fans are encouraged to follow the program as it enters an exciting offseason of growth and preparation.
One thing’s clear: wrestling may not be for everyone, but for those who stick with it at Milwaukee Hamilton/Audubon, the journey is just beginning.
, Sam Lambert (sophomore), and Jashawn Hale (junior)—were all underclassmen and all qualified for sectionals. Lambert and Knox also won their respective conference titles, while Hale finished as runner-up.
“That core group gives us something to build around,” said Lewandowski. “They’ve already shown they can compete at a high level, and now the focus is on turning that potential into consistent excellence.”
Expanding the Girls Program
Another bright spot this season was the growth of the girls' wrestling program, which saw the highest participation numbers in its history with four female athletes joining the squad. Wrestling continues to grow nationwide for girls, and Hamilton/Audubon is tapping into that wave of opportunity.
“We’re really excited about where our girls' program is going,” said Lewandowski. “The goal is to keep growing those numbers and provide more opportunities for female athletes to compete and succeed.”
What’s Next: Offseason Goals and Culture Building
As the program looks ahead to next season, Coach Lewandowski’s top priority is continuing to develop leadership and build mental toughness in his returning athletes. With much of the varsity roster returning, the offseason will focus on strength and conditioning, technique refinement, and cultivating the kind of mindset required to compete deep into postseason play.
“We’ve got the right pieces,” he said. “Now it’s about improving consistency, maintaining commitment, and growing the culture.”
Lewandowski emphasized that wrestling success isn’t built overnight—it takes time, discipline, and a willingness to endure discomfort. But with the progress seen this year, especially from his underclassmen and the growing support around the program, he believes something special is beginning to take root.
Final Thoughts: A Season of Foundation
The 2025 Milwaukee Hamilton/Audubon wrestling season will be remembered for its historic accomplishments, standout individuals, and a team that pushed forward in one of the most demanding high school sports.
From Elijah Knox’s record-setting run to state to the development of first-year captains and the emergence of a promising girls' team, this winter marked a new chapter in the program’s evolution.
“There’s still a lot of work to do,” Coach Lewandowski admitted. “But if we keep building on what we’ve started this year, I believe we’ll be a team to watch for years to come.”
Stats for the team can be found on Trackwrestling.com, and fans are encouraged to follow the program as it enters an exciting offseason of growth and preparation.
One thing’s clear: wrestling may not be for everyone, but for those who stick with it at Milwaukee Hamilton/Audubon, the journey is just beginning.)
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