Union Grove’s Rugg caps second straight undefeated season with D1 state title
MADISON, Wis. — Union Grove junior Camden Rugg capped a dominant season — and a dominant weekend — by winning his second straight WIAA Division 1 state championship Saturday at the Kohl Center, completing a second consecutive undefeated campaign for the Broncos standout.
Rugg, now 53-0 on the season, rolled through the bracket at the State Tournament, opening his run in the championship round of 16 with a bye to move safely into the quarterfinals. From there, he never allowed a point in his first two contested bouts and outscored his four-round path to the title by a combined 39-4 margin.
In the quarterfinals, Rugg set the tone with a technical fall over Milton freshman Kolten Mueller. Rugg built an early lead and finished the match with a 16-0 technical fall at 3:13, showcasing the same relentless offense and control that has marked his season. The win sent him to the semifinals with momentum and preserved his perfect record.
Rugg was equally dominant in the semifinals against West Bend West junior August Lubinski. Controlling position and pace throughout, Rugg secured a 12-0 major decision to reach the championship match. The shutout marked his second straight bout without surrendering a point and put him one win away from another state crown.
The final provided Rugg with his toughest test of the tournament in a showdown with Holmgren freshman Brendan Henderson, who entered at 52-3. Rugg again dictated the action, building a lead and closing out an 11-4 decision to secure first place. The victory delivered his second consecutive Division 1 state title and pushed his two-year record to a combined 106-0.
Saturday’s result cements Rugg as one of Union Grove’s premier wrestlers, with back-to-back undefeated seasons and state championships to his name. As a junior, he is positioned to return next year with an opportunity to chase a third straight title and further add to the Broncos’ tradition on the state stage.
