The River Falls High School wrestling program honored its seniors during the intermission between dual matches at the home Big Rivers Conference triangular against Menomonie and New Richmond on Thursday, Feb. 2.

The Wildcats honored five seniors including Richie Ceja, Gavin Kohel, Caleb Mielke, Travis Moelter and Zack Peterson. Perhaps no wrestler currently with River Falls has a more illustrious career on the mat than Kohel, who has been a force in both the regular and postseason wrestling scene since joining the program as a freshman.

Although his senior season was ultimately cut short due to injury, he will graduate as one of the best wrestlers in recent program history. Kohel’s crowning achievement remains his junior campaign in 2021-22, which included a 40-win season and a sixth-place finish at the state tournament in Madison.

“An athlete like Gavin Kohel doesn’t come around too often,” River Falls head coach Kevin Black said. “We lost him at the beginning of the season to a knee injury, but he hasn’t missed a practice and has almost been an additional coach for us. He’s a great leader and everyone in our community admires and looks up to him. He’s really special and has a bright future in wrestling and all of the other challenges he’s going to pursue.”

Travis Moelter has also had an impactful career for the River Falls wrestling program. Moelter had a successful 2021-22 season that culminated in a state tournament berth in Madison. He’s also crossed the 30-win threshold for the 2022-23 season and still has the postseason remaining. Coach Black spoke about what has made Moelter a special athlete at River Falls.

“We’ve also been fortunate to have Travis Moelter in the lineup for four years,” Black said. “He’s from a wrestling family and has been rolling around since he was a little kid. He’s fun and very mature for his age. He’s worked as hard as anyone I know.”

Richie Ceja, another one of the Wildcats’ seniors, has been in and out of the lineup this season with various injuries. Like some of the other seniors being honored on Thursday night, Ceja had an outstanding junior year.

Ceja eclipsed the 20-win mark in his junior season and was one match shy of qualifying for the Division 1 State Tournament in Madison. He will leave the River Falls program as a three-time letter winner.

“Richie has had a special role on the wrestling team since he joined as a ninth grader,” Black said. “He’s an unconventional wrestler with several tricks that can keep him in any match. He is going to take many lessons from the sport that will serve him well in the future.”

After stepping away from wrestling for the better part of a year, now-senior Caleb Mielke rejoined the team this fall after an off-season dedicated to becoming the best wrestler he can be. Coach Black spoke about Mielke’s journey back to the wrestling mat.

“Caleb rejoined the team after a summer of hard training with other teammates,” Black said. “He’s been able to re-focus on his pursuit of excellence as a wrestler and it has given him a strong platform to lead well with the upper weights on the team. Being a part of the wrestling team has helped Caleb ‘come alive’ for his senior year.”

Senior 170-pounder Zack Peterson will graduate having only competed for the Wildcats for a single season. Peterson open enrolled at River Falls during his junior year and had to sacrifice a year of eligibility because of it.

During that year, Peterson planted his roots deep into the River Falls wrestling community and found a lifelong home if only for one calendar year with the varsity program. Coach Black spoke about Peterson’s journey to the program.

“He quickly became a part of the wrestling community and has had a strong leadership role because of his work ethic and desire to push himself to learn and grow,” Black said. “Making a big social change and adapting to the Wildcat style of competing on the mats has helped him grow as a man who embraces challenges to become the best version of himself.”

The sixth and final senior wrestler involved with the River Falls program is Zach Peterson. For years, classmates and those involved in the wrestling community urged Zach Peterson to put on the singlet and become a member of the team. He decided to take that leap of faith during his senior year.

“Zach spent a lot of time in the bleachers cheering on his brother and turning down invitations to join the team until this season,” Black said. “Wrestling is extremely diverse in its ability to teach important life skills and meet athletes going through many different life scenarios. Zach took the challenge and will forever be impacted by taking part in the grind.”

Although River Falls suffered defeats in both duals against Menomonie and New Richmond with scores of 49-27 and 42-32 respectively, Thursday night was a cause for celebration of the six seniors.

Their wrestling careers are not over, as those who have remained healthy will have a chance to wrestle in the Division 1 Regional at Hayward on Saturday, Feb. 11. Coach Black spoke about the upcoming postseason.

“Our primary goal is to continue to get better,” Black said. “Whether it’s a senior with big state tournament aspirations or a freshman taking advantage of the opportunity to compete, we have to get better this week in practice and use the regional tournament as a valuable learning experience. We’d like to get as many wrestlers through to sectionals and we’d love to see them show up prepared, confident and able to compete hard, hustle and be their best and do their best.”

River Falls senior Travis Moelter grapples with his Menomonie opposition during the 132-pound match on Thursday, Feb. 2. Moelter won his match via pinfall on senior night. Photo by Reagan Hoverman