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.
 
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:
WT 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:
WT 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 was a 30-9 win against Whitewater.
 
For all things Parkside Wrestling and links to live coverage, please visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.