Ellsworth wrestlers Anthony Madsen and Louie Jahnke continue to pile up individual accolades for their senior campaigns, which both ended at the state tournament in Madison earlier this year.

At the end of March, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), in conjunction with the United States Marine Corps, awarded just over 3,000 All-American honors to wrestlers around the country, including Ellsworth’s Madsen and Jahnke.

Jahnke earned the High School Scholar All-American Award while Madsen earned both the Character and Leadership and High School Scholar All-American Awards. Madsen is just the third wrestler in program history to earn the Character and Leadership Award, joining Ivan Veenendall (2022) and Charlie Stuhl (2020).

When the National Wrestling Coaches Association officially announced the recipients of their All-American Awards, the organization published a brief statement with a description of what made the now-honored student-athletes qualified for the distinction.

“The distinctions include the Scholar All-American Award, which commends wrestlers who have excelled academically,” the NWCA wrote in a press release. “The Character and Leadership All-American Award honors athletes who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and strong character.”

Ellsworth wrestling head coach Mark Matzek praised Madsen and Jahnke throughout the 2022-23 season, as they excelled in every aspect of the life of an athlete, whether it was on the mat or in the locker room as a leader. He spoke about his senior captains earning the recognition.

“It’s well-earned, and I feel so happy for those kids,” Matzek said. “They had their sophomore season taken from them because of COVID, so for them to persevere through that and then have the success they had during their senior year, that makes me really dang proud of them as their coach.”

Jahnke’s senior year ended with a 46-6 record and a fourth-place finish in the 170-pound bracket at the Division 2 state individual wrestling tournament in Madison. Madsen finished the year with a 46-7 overall record and a fifth-place podium finish in the 182-pound bracket at state.

Given their success academically, as locker room leaders and as wrestlers, Madsen and Jahnke are now distinguished alumni of one of the most storied wrestling programs in Wisconsin.

Whether it was competing in the finals of the annual Northern Badger Wrestling Classic in River Falls or finishing on the podium at the state championships in Madison, Madsen and Jahnke made an impact wherever they wrestled in that iconic Ellsworth purple singlet.

“Anthony went on quite a tear starting at the Northern Badger,” Matzek said. “He beat three state place winners on his way to winning the Northern Badger. He had quite the year. Louie will have his name in the record books for setting the program record for pins with 29.  It’s quite the feat to hold the pin record in this program.”

Because Madsen and Jahnke both placed at the state tournament in Madison this year, they will have their names on the wall of Ellsworth’s wrestling room forever. Perhaps it’s a testament to their high character that Matzek will remember them for their leadership as much as their wrestling.

“If other guys needed to know how hard to work, all they had to do was look at Louie and Anthony,” Matzek said. “If others needed to know how to act on the bus or at a meet, all they had to do was look at those two. It was great to have them lead this team.”

Madsen and Jahnke are two of the 2,081 high school wrestlers that received the Scholar All-American Award. Madsen was one of just 1,076 individuals throughout the country that earned the Character and Leadership All-American Award.

For years, the United States Marine Corps has worked with the NWCA to recognize high school wrestlers that embody outstanding traits commonly found in both wrestlers and future military personnel. Matzek spoke about the shared traits between wrestlers and those who serve.

“I know from talking to recruiters in the past that the Marine Corps loves wrestlers,” Matzek said. “They want to highlight these young men that really embody the qualities of the types of recruit that they want. The wrestlers who were nominated embody that character and leadership.”

After they graduate in May, Madsen and Jahnke will leave Ellsworth as two of the most distinguished wrestlers in recent program memory. Their 2023 All-American status from NWCA further cemented their legacy as standout Ellsworth Panthers.