Wittenberg-Birnamwood Girls Wrestling 2025 Winter Recap: A Season of Growth, Grit, and Championship Glory
In a sport that demands both physical resilience and mental toughness, the Wittenberg-Birnamwood girls wrestling team showed they have both in abundance. Under the leadership of Head Coach Duane Potrykus, the 2025 winter wrestling season was marked by the continued dominance of a reigning champion, the emergence of new talent, and a growing sense of optimism for the future.
Although small in number, with just five female wrestlers on the roster this season, the Chargers proved that quality can outweigh quantity. Their efforts on the mat didn’t just earn them wins—they laid a strong foundation for what promises to be a rising force in Wisconsin girls wrestling.
Brooke Huffman: Unstoppable on the Mat
When talking about key contributors this season, Brooke Huffman’s name towers above the rest, not just for Wittenberg-Birnamwood, but for the entire state. The junior phenom delivered an undefeated 34-0 season, capped off by her second consecutive state championship. Even more impressive, every one of Brooke’s victories came by pin, showcasing her overwhelming dominance and technical skill.
Brooke’s incredible run not only set a high bar for excellence in the program, but it also provided a source of inspiration and motivation for her teammates. “Brooke winning her second state championship was the highlight of the girls' season,” Coach Potrykus said. Her performance is proof that hard work, discipline, and relentless drive can lead to historic success.
As she prepares for her senior season next year, the expectations for Brooke will be sky-high—but if this year was any indication, she’s more than ready to meet them.
Senior Leadership and Newfound Passion
While Brooke commanded the spotlight on the scoreboard, Andrea Powell, the team’s lone senior, made her mark in a different way. As a first-year wrestler, Andrea didn’t have the advantage of years of experience, but what she brought to the team was just as valuable: heart, dedication, and leadership.
She finished the season with a .500 record, an impressive feat for someone new to the sport. But more importantly, she became a vocal and emotional leader for the Chargers. “She fell in love with the sport and was a great leader,” Coach Potrykus said. Her impact will be felt well beyond this season, especially in the culture and support she helped cultivate among her teammates.
Developing Depth: The Rise of Young Talent
With such a small team, every athlete played an important role—and that’s especially true for the younger wrestlers, who made major strides over the course of the season.
Brenna Marsh, a junior, quietly had a strong campaign, racking up 23 wins and setting herself up as a serious contender for next season. With another year of training and growth, Brenna could very well be the next Charger to make a deep run at the state tournament.
Freshmen Addison Schmid and Faith Weso also caught the attention of the coaching staff with their steady improvement throughout the year. Still new to the competitive wrestling environment, both girls showed flashes of potential that Coach Potrykus believes will pay off as they return next year with more experience and confidence. “They made a lot of improvements throughout the year and look to come back strong as sophomores,” he noted.
The young team faced the normal growing pains that come with inexperience—especially in high-pressure situations—but Coach Potrykus emphasized that the wrestlers handled challenges well and are learning to thrive under pressure. “They are learning to deal with those moments, and that’s how growth begins,” he said.
A Season of Progress and Promise
Looking back at the season as a whole, Coach Potrykus saw far more positives than negatives. While the team didn’t have the depth of larger programs, what they did have was commitment, a willingness to improve, and standout individual performances.
“The team is young and showed a lot of improvement throughout the season,” Coach Potrykus said, underscoring just how bright the future looks for the Chargers.
Perhaps most exciting is what’s on the horizon. With four returning wrestlers and an incoming class of 4-6 freshmen girls expected to join the team, the program is poised for growth in both talent and depth. This infusion of youth will bring more opportunities for competition, internal development, and the potential to field a more complete and competitive lineup at tournaments and dual meets.
Looking Ahead: Building on Momentum
With the season in the rearview mirror, the focus now shifts to offseason training and development. Coach Potrykus emphasized that the key areas of focus will be technique and match management—two crucial components that can separate good wrestlers from great ones.
As his athletes continue to learn and refine their skills, the hope is that their confidence will grow just as much as their physical strength. More mat time, camps, and offseason workouts will help these young wrestlers take the next step and prepare for the increased competition they’ll face as the program expands.
The Blueprint for the Future
The 2025 season at Wittenberg-Birnamwood wasn’t just about what happened on the mat—it was about laying the groundwork for long-term success in the girls wrestling program. Brooke Huffman’s back-to-back state titles provide a powerful example of excellence, while the emergence of Brenna Marsh, Addison Schmid, and Faith Weso gives the team a strong core to build around.
Add in the leadership and legacy of Andrea Powell, and it’s clear that the Chargers are not only growing—they’re headed in the right direction.
“We’re very excited for the future,” said Coach Potrykus. And with good reason. The mix of returning talent, incoming freshmen, and a culture centered around hard work and improvement gives this team all the tools it needs to take the next step.
Final Thoughts
Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s 2025 girls wrestling season was a testament to what a dedicated, tight-knit group can achieve. From a perfect season and a second state championship for Brooke Huffman to a culture of growth and grit from the rest of the squad, it was a year filled with proud moments and exciting potential.
As the team continues to grow, both in size and skill, the Chargers are quickly becoming a program to watch, not just in their region, but across the state.
For full match stats and results, visit https://www.trackwrestling.com
and search Wittenberg-Birnamwood.
Share With