KENOSHA, Wis. — No. 3 Parkside wrestling will take on No. 19 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the 51st annual Battle of the Sake Bottle. The Warhawks compete at the NCAA Division III level.
The Sake Bottle Trophy originated in 1975 when UW-Parkside head coach Jim Koch and UW-Whitewater head coach Willie Myers toured Japan and Korea with an NAIA All-State Team. During the trip, Mr. Hatta, the former president of Japanese wrestling and considered the father of the sport in Japan, presented the two coaches with a sake bottle. Since then, the two southeastern Wisconsin schools have battled for possession of the traveling trophy.
The Rangers
The third-ranked Parkside Rangers enter the matchup with a 1-0 overall record on this season. The Rangers are coming off a 29-12 win against No. 9 Grand Valley State. The victory was highlighted by two wins by fall, as Emmett Nelson (149 pounds) and No. 2 Sullivan Ramos (184 pounds) earned falls at 0:50 and 4:23, respectively. No. 2 Easton Worachek also added a dominant performance at 157 pounds, defeating No. 7 Maclain Morency by a 15-2 major decision.
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Four Rangers earned spots in the latest NWCA individual rankings. Easton Worachek leads the way at No. 2 nationally at 157 pounds, followed by Brody Hemauer at No. 3 in the 165-pound weight class. Sullivan Ramos is ranked No. 2 at 184 pounds, while Cooper Caraway rounds out the group at No. 3 nationally at 285 pounds.
Probable lineup: Parkside Rangers
- 125: Wyatt Skebba
- 133: Dylan Duvernay
- 141: Landen Fick
- 149: Emmett Nelson
- 157: Easton Worachek
- 165: Brody Hemauer
- 174: Spencer Madsen
- 184: Sullivan Ramos
- 197: Kaden Hooker
- 285: Cooper Caraway
The Warhawks
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will open its 2026-27 season against Parkside after finishing last season with a 4-11 overall record and a 3-2 mark in WIAC competition. The Warhawks claimed first place at the 2026 NCAA Regional V Championships with 163 team points before going on to finish 16th at the 2026 NCAA Division III Championships.
Whitewater wrestling has five wrestlers ranked in the latest NWCA Division III individual rankings. Brady Phelps leads the way at No. 14 at 125 pounds, followed by Luke Swan, who ranks No. 8 at 157 pounds. At 174 pounds, Brayden Peet ranks No. 3. Peet finished fourth at the NCAA Division III Championships last season at 165 pounds, earning his second All-American honor. Gavin Kohel ranks No. 11 at 184 pounds, while Tyler Haydon rounds out the Warhawks at No. 14 at 197 pounds.
Probable lineup: Whitewater Warhawks
- 125: Jalen Dunson
- 133: Jordan Rasof
- 141: Cale Stonitsch
- 149: Max Haskins
- 157: Luke Swan
- 165: Jermaine Butler
- 174: Brayden Peet
- 184: Gavin Kohel
- 197: RJ Samuels/Caden Kirchner
- 285: TBD
Since 2013, the Rangers are 9-3 all time against the Warhawks. Parkside claimed the Battle of the Sake Bottle last year with a 30-9 win against Whitewater.
For all things Parkside wrestling and links to live coverage, please visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.
