When you step into the UW-La Crosse wrestling room you will be hard pressed to find an area on the wall that is not adorned with the banners and posters of past victories and championships.  

The UW-L wrestling team is one of the most competitive and successful varsity athletic programs UW-L has to offer, and Head Coach Dave Malecek and his army of wrestlers are ready to once again begin their season chasing that elusive Division III National Championship.

For the past five seasons the wrestling program has been under the watchful eye of Malecek.  Following a system that he and his assistant coaches have devised, the UW-L wrestlers are a constant powerhouse in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and in the Division III wrestling nation.  Since 2007, the Eagles have added four WIAC championships to the string of 14 straight conference championships and four straight top three finishes at the national championships that are held at the beginning of every March.  

For senior All-American and former national champion Michael Schmitz, the toil and sacrifice that comes with being a UW-L wrestler is a familiar and welcoming feeling.  "We put so much hard work into our training and preparation that when it comes time to compete, we are relaxed and ready to go."  This season, Schmitz  is ready to step up and become one of the leaders for the team, which graduated five seniors off of the varsity lineup from last season.  

But don't let those graduations fool you.  The UW-L team is still rich with talent and great depth.   "There is a mix of returning wrestlers and new faces that will be wrestling for us," said Schmitz.  

Returning starters include defending WIAC champion and All-American Adam Sheley at 133 pounds,  two-time defending national champion and former winner of the Division III outstanding wrestler award Bebeto Yewah (affectionately known as "B"), three-time All-American and 2010 national champion Michael Schmitz at 174 pounds, and All-American heavyweight Billy Mayer.  

This strong core of returning wrestlers would be enough for any team to be happy with, but that is not all the team has to offer.  Inside the wrestling room vying for one of the 10 starting positions are a constant flow of high school state champions, All-Americans and  state placers, each capable of making a strong campaign for the Eagles this season.

The confidence that filters down from Malecek to his team is unmatched, and it is that "swagger" Schmitz said, that allows his team  to perform year in and year out at such a high level. "We know what it takes to win, because we have been there before."  

For a few more weeks, the UW-L wrestlers will continue to grow as a team both on and off the mat.  While wrestling is in some aspects an individual sport, the team aspect and bonds that are forged through the tough training that comes with being an NCAA athlete is what Schmitz said he looks most forward to. "Well that and winning a national championship," said Schmitz

With preseason training underway, Malacek's team awaits their chance to make their mark in UW-L wrestling history.