Historical Overview

Random Lake Wrestling has a rich history of fostering talent and achieving greatness. Our program has produced numerous champions and has been a cornerstone of our community for decades. Explore our journey and celebrate our legacy.

How Wrestling Got Started at Random Lake High School

When it comes to wins and losses, as well as state tournament appearances, the most successful sport at Random Lake High School during the past decade is wrestling. No question about it.

The first competitive sports at RLHS were basketball and baseball, and next came football and track. These were all sports for boys, while the girls could be cheerleaders or participate in events sponsored by the school’s Girls Athletic Association. Modern inter-scholastic sports for girls got started in the 1970s.

One could say that the start of Random Lake’s wrestling program came during the summer of 1965, when Alan J. “A.J.” Arneman was hired as a science teacher (his teaching career started at Southern Door High School). On Aprl 18, 1966 the school board voted to add cross country, and there also was a presentation about wrestling (which was tabled). On June 6, 1966 the school board voted to add wrestling to the list of RLHS sports.

The first interscholastic meet was Dec. 6, 1966 at Slinger, and coach Arneman’s Rams defeated the Owls, 25-17. Winners in the first match were Jim Mondloch (95 pounds), Loren Van Vleet (103), Frank Meissner (127), Joel Steffen (133), Bill Kern (145), Bruce Jackson (154) and heavyweight Bob Wood. Losing in that historic first meet were Steve Titel (112), Bob Bialzik (120), Dennis Ustby (138), Jon Kircher (165) and Bill Hagel (180). The Rams went on to defeat North Fond du Lac, 29-18, and they beat Campbellsport, 29-21. Other team members who saw varsity action during the Scenic Moraine Conference season were Jim Miller (127), Dennis Jackson (145) and Jim Bertram (180). The Rams finished the 1966-67 campaign with a 3-4 record.

Random Lake’s first conference champions were recorded the following year. Reigning over the Scenic Moraine Conference were Mark Helminger (112) and Joel Steffen (138).

Arneman continued as head coach as Random Lake High School entered the new Central Lakeshore Conference during the 1969-70 term. The Rams won the CLC championship that season. A number of coaches led Random Lake to CLC crowns in 1974, ‘75, ‘76, ‘77, ‘78, ‘84, ‘86, ‘88, ‘89, ‘90, ‘96, 2007, ‘08, ‘09, ‘12, ‘13, ‘14 and ‘15. The new Big East Conference is two years old and Random Lake has captured the championship in both ‘16 and ‘17.

Random Lake’s first WIAA State Tournament qualifier was Jim Theis (119) during the 1974-75 season. At that time (through 1979) the tournament was one open class. Theis battled his way to fifth place and he is remembered as one of the true greats from the early days of RLHS wrestling.

In 1980 team champions were determined by A-B-C classes. The classes were renamed divisions beginning in 1990.

Random Lake’s state champions include: Arthur Demerath (112) in the 1984-85 season; Garret Depies (171) in 1991-92; Zach Kurtz (160) in 1995-96; Justin Mudlaff (112) in 2008-09 and (135) in 2010-11; Nick Mudlaff (145) in 2011-12; Helton Vandenbush (170) in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Beginning in 1991-92, the WIAA team champion was determined in a separate tournament series involving dual meets among the regional champions. The Rams return to the WIAA Division 3 State Team Tournament in Madison this Saturday, March 4, for the sixth straight season and for the eighth time overall. The most notable RLHS appearance was a runner-up finish in 2009.

THE SOUNDER, Random Lake, WI, March 2, 2017