Wrestling

UW-La Crosse’s Leisgang Named Men’s Wrestling Max Sparger Scholar Athlete

MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Noah Leisgang has been named the recipient of the 2026 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Wrestling Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award.
 
A graduate student from Ashwaubenon, Wis. (Ashwaubenon), Leisgang is pursuing a master’s degree in physical education adventure/outdoor pursuit and sustains a 4.00 grade point average. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary/middle education and maintained a 3.63 grade point average. Leisgang is a three-time member of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-America Team and a two-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. He has secured a spot on UW-La Crosse’s Dean’s List numerous semesters.
 
Leisgang is a two-time All-American at 165 pounds, finishing second at the 2024 NCAA Division III Championship after placing third at the 2023 championship. He claimed NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Regional titles in 2023 and 2024. Leisgang is a three-time WIAC champion, winning the 174-pound crown this year after claiming the 165-pound title in 2023 and 2024. A team captain during the 2024 campaign, he owns an 82-4 career record and helped UW-La Crosse win conference titles from 2021-24.
 
Leisgang has volunteered with DeSoto and La Crosse Boys and Girls Club, UW-La Crosse Veterans Day Breakfast, Oktoberfest and as a wrestling official.
 
UW-Eau Claire’s Preston Carlisle (Sr., Red Wing, Minn./Cannon Falls) and UW-Whitewater’s Lucio Morgan (Sr., Deerfield, Ill./Deerfield) were also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award.
 
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Max Sparger, who served as commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference for 22 years from 1971-93. He oversaw the transition of the conference from NAIA to full NCAA membership. Sparger arrived at UW-Stout in 1959 and served the institution in a variety of capacities, including as an assistant football and basketball coach, head wrestling coach and head football coach. He served as UW-Stout's athletics director from 1969-71 and was inducted into the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average. In addition, he must be in his last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations and community service projects.
 
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