Potrykus takes over as Witt-Birn wrestling coach

WITTENBERG — A new but familiar face will be calling the shots for the Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School wrestling team this coming season.

Duane Potrykus is taking over as head coach, replacing Troy Ostrowski.

“Duane is a natural choice for the WB program,” said Chris Nier, the school’s athletic director. “He has worked under Troy Ostrowski for 20 years with the middle school and Charger Wrestling Club. He has been instrumental in helping to build the WB program and building a strong youth program.”

“Troy has brought a ton of passion, knowledge and experience to the sport of wrestling and to the WBHS Charger program. He has built an incredibly strong program, and he will be missed.”

Potrykus has been affiliated with the Witt-Birn wrestling program in a number of roles. He started out as a high school assistant before starting up a youth wrestling program. Potrykus has served as the junior high coach for the past 13 years.

“I have a tremendous love for the sport of wrestling,” said Potrykus. “Of all the sports I have coached over the years, I feel that this one gives the most life lessons to kids. I have a son (Pierson) who will be a junior in high school next year and have coached most of the kids on the team since they were very young. I have real good relationships with the kids on the team and want to continue to try to help them succeed.”

Potrykus takes great pride in the youth wrestling program, which started with just 10 athletes and now boasts between 70-80 wrestlers yearly.

“I feel I have helped a lot into making our program into a success story and hope to keep doing that for the foreseeable future,” he said.

Potrykus said he hopes to keep the strong tradition of the high school team going, and will only institute a few new things into the program.

He will have some help from several other familiar faces within the wrestling program.

Phil Kersten has served as an assistant coach for about 20 years and will continue to hold the same position as Potrykus takes over as head coach. Jeff Carter will also serve as a coach at the high school level.

Kevin Reick and Bobby Jensen, both ex-Witt-Birn wrestlers, will serve as the head coach and assistant coach, respectively, at the junior high level.

Chad Moegenburg, Jeremy Landowski and Gavin Czerwonka, also former Charger wrestlers, are among the other individuals that will also be offering some guidance to the wrestlers.

“No one can do it on their own and you need all hands on deck,” said Potrykus.

The reason for Ostrowski stepping down as coach was so that he could spend more time attending sporting events that his kids (Payton and Levi) were a part of.

Ostrowski served as the head coach at Witt-Birn for 21 seasons — he has 25 total years of head coaching experience (two years at Rosholt and Mishicot) and was also an assistant for four years (all at Rosholt).

“I guess my greatest accomplishment would be helping to get our 2014 wrestling team to the team state tournament,” said Ostrowski. “As far as memories go, I guess it would be getting to know all our wrestlers and spending time with them and our coaching staff.”

Under his coaching, Ostrowski’s team have accumulated 296 dual wins, seven conference titles and six regional team championships. His individual wrestlers have won 57 conference and 45 regional titles. A total of 105 wrestlers have qualified for sectionals, with 36 reaching state.

Ostrowski was named the Central Wisconsin Conference Coach of the Year on three occasions (2011, 2014, 2020).

“I will still be around when I can, but my children will take priority,” said Ostrowski of his future involvement with wrestling. “As far as plans for my future in coaching, I guess you never know. Right now I want to focus on not missing any of my children’s events, and helping the wrestling program when I can.

“Lastly, I want to thank all of the people that I have worked with through the years. I will say that I am going to miss the competition as a team and running into all the other coaches and officials. Thanks to all the wrestlers, coaches, parents and officials. I’m sure you will see me at many wrestling tournaments and meets, just not on a fixed schedule.”

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