BadgerStateWrestling.com launched in November of 2007, putting the spotlight on the mat around Wisconsin. BadgerStateWrestling.com will bring you web streamed play-by-play of duals and tournament finals across the state in both the high school and college ranks. "The Wrestling Room" will air every Wednesday from November 28th to March 26th. In this segment you will hear from the best athletes, coaches and leaders of our sport from all levels. This website will also provide different features on programs throughout the Badger state. A number of individuals from within the sport will provide weekly blogs as well. This site is not designed to be everything to everybody. This is about Wisconsin wrestling!! BadgerStateWrestling.com will be the destination of the Wisconsin wrestling fan.
My background is in sports radio as I spent the last five years in Appleton as host of a three hour sports talk show. Along the way I was able to cover many sporting events and deal with many professional athletes in different capacities. It was quite the ride and that experience has proved to be vital as I venture into this new arena. Many people thought I was crazy, but I believe in this sport and its fans. During my time in Appleton, Scott Kluever and I hosted The Wrestling Room, a weekly wrestling radio show. This year will be my first as PA voice of our Wisconsin Badgers and I will continue to announce the Cheesehead in Kaukauna. I have announced some other wrestling events and done some work for TV on a few different occasions. This is my passion. One day I'd like to announce for USA Wrestling. This project has been an amazing challenge, but I have a vision and strong desire to promote wrestling in this state. This is the fans website and I would appreciate any suggestions or comments in regards to the site. Please feel free to contact me with any kind of feedback.
I began wrestling at the age of six and got pinned in 10 seconds my first time on the mat. My career ended as a senior in high school. College had always been a goal, but circumstances took higher priority. I was never a national champion or All-American at any level. My resume isn't going to knock the socks off of anybody, but I find a better appreciation for the sport because of it. You may have been a national champion, a conference champ in high school or maybe you wrestled a few tournaments as a kid and that was it. Anybody that has ever stepped foot on a wrestling mat understands the power this sport has and has a respect for anybody that has ever done the same. Respect levels will vary, but Olympian or average high school wrestler, both wrestlers share that core nucleus of what this sport represents. That has always been something that separates wrestling from the rest. I wish I could list a page of impressive accolades that stand beside my name, but just like many of you, I am just a guy that loves being in a crowded gymnasium where the floor is covered with mats. Looking forward to meeting you in my travels and thanks again for your interest and support of BadgerStateWrestling.com.
Aaron Rothwell
Sheboygan North
Aaron qualified for the state tournament as a sophmore at 171 pounds and was back at the Kohl Center as a junior at 170. This year, Aaron captured the state title in D-1 at 182 pounds after beating Ayoola Olapo of Menomonee Falls 5-2. Rothwell finished the season with a perfect 47-0 record and plans on wrestling at the University of Pittsburgh. Toughest Opponent This Season: Quinn Faust (Mt. Horeb/Barneveld). Both were undefeated heading into state semi-finals. Rothwell won 3-1 in sudden victory.
Favorite Candy Bar: Heath Bar Last Good Book I Read: The Great Gatsby
Cross Country Trip With Three Other People. Who Would You Take And Where Would You Go: Brad Pitt, Mark Wahlberg and Kyle Dake to Las Vegas. Most Prized Possession: My dog Tally. (Hungarian Vizsla)
Always Remember From State Championship Run: Pointing to my parents in the crowd after winning the title and giving them both a big hug.
Coolest Part About Winning State Title: Recognition afterwards. The press followed the journey all season. Great support from community.
Most Rewarding Matches: Ricky Robertson from Illinois in Fargo back in 2011. Really good battle with hard wrestling. Both of us left everything on the mat. He won the match in three periods and went on to win the title while I finished fourth. Another match that stands out was against Patrick Kissel of Oostburg in the finals of the Raider Invitational at Sheboygan North. He was a senior and I was a freshman. He beat me 6-2, but I was really happy with my effort.
Moment When You Knew You Were Going To Be A State Champion: When I scored that takedown to beat Faust in the semis. If You Could Drill With Anybody Who Would It Be With: Cael Sanderson. Drill ankle picks and knee picks.
First Purchase After Winning Lottery: Family vacation to either Australia or New Zealand
Tops On Bucket List: Marry the right girl.
First Job: Working for my dad at a steel fabrication company in Manitowoc following my sophomore year. I worked in the office and also did welding, grinding rust off of steel. I remember getting pretty sick on that first day, but got used to it.
Most Proud Of: Winning a state championship. Wrestling has taken me to alot of places and has been the common denominator in many of my successes. 
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