With the wrestling season fast approaching, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks are preparing for what many inside the program believe could be one of their strongest campaigns in recent years.
The Warhawks return a balanced roster that blends experienced veterans with promising newcomers. After finishing last season with several standout individual performances, including No. 5 nationally ranked 125-pounder Jalen Dunson, No. 4 Dominik Mallinder at 133 pounds, No. 8 Brayden Peet at 165 pounds, and Jermaine Butler at 157, the team is confident it can compete among the nation’s best this year.
Senior Jalen Dunson enters his final season with confidence and a sense of purpose. Having wrestled since childhood, he said this year feels like the culmination of all his hard work.
“I am feeling really good heading into my senior season,” Dunson said. “I feel like this is an accumulation of all the work I’ve put in.”
Dunson’s personal goals reflect both his ambition and the program’s broader vision. “My goal is to be a national champion and finish with 100 collegiate wins,” he said. “As a team, our goal is to be national champions too. Every part of it aligns well.”
Team chemistry has also become a defining strength, Dunson said. Between early morning practices and off-the-mat bonding, often spent watching football or hanging out, the group has grown closer.
“I hang out with my teammates a lot and consider them to be my best friends,” Dunson said. “Little things like that make us a family.”
That unity has carried over into practice and preparation according to teammate Danny Gaskill, who hopes to qualify for the national tournament this season.
“The upperclassmen have done a great job welcoming the younger guys and getting them comfortable here,” Gaskill said. “Everybody knows they can trust one another.”
Gaskill added that the team’s focus is sharper than ever.
“Everyone is on the same page and has the same goals,” he said. “We all want to be at the top and know what needs to be done to get there.”
Both veterans credited the coaching staff for fostering a culture built on accountability, discipline and personal growth.
“They organize workouts tailored to our specific needs, hold us accountable and help us navigate life,” Dunson said. “They’re more than coaches — they put us on the right track.”
Meanwhile, a talented freshman class has already begun to turn heads in the wrestling room. Dunson and Gaskill pointed to Jordan Rasof and Brady Phelps as newcomers to watch.
“These two are dogs, they’re going to do big things this year,” Dunson said.
As for what fans can expect when the Warhawks hit the mat this winter, Dunson didn’t hesitate.
“Lots of points and exciting wrestling,” he said with a grin. “Fans should always expect a show.”
With a deep roster, strong leadership and a unified mindset, the Warhawks enter the new season not just hoping to compete, but expecting to win. For Dunson and his teammates, the goal is clear: everything they’ve worked for is right in front of them.