Wrestling | 2/16/2026 11:06:00 AM
Madison, Wis. - University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduate student Noah Leisgang of Ashwaubenon (H.S.) has been named the recipient of the 2026 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men's Wrestling Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award.
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 (NWCA) 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 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III All-American at 165 pounds, finishing second in 2024 and third in 2023. 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.
Noah Leisgang won his third WIAC title this season.
Leisgang has volunteered with DeSoto and La Crosse Boys and Girls Club, UW-La Crosse Veterans Day Breakfast, Oktoberfest and as a wrestling official.
He is the 17th wrestler to earn the WIAC Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete, including second straight after Marcus Orlandoni garnered the award last season.
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.
