Get to know West Bend East HS wrestler Kasey Gish
WEST BEND, Wis. — In March 2022, upon placing third in the WIAA State Wrestling Tournament in the 170-pound weight class, Kasey Gish of West Bend East High School raised his arms in triumph at this exceptional end to his junior year wrestling season.
Wrestling since he was four years old, the sport has influenced Kasey’s life by helping to implement a high level of commitment and discipline. Now a senior, Kasey is motivated by goal setting. Every time he steps into the wrestling room, his goal is to leave it a little better of a wrestler than when he entered. In his bedroom at home, Kasey has a white board where he writes his goals and crosses off those he accomplishes. He has crossed off placing at the WIAA State Championships, being a 2022 WIAA Regional Champion, attaining All North Shore Conference status in 2022 at 160 pounds and in 2021 at 152 pounds, qualifying for the 2021 and 2022 US Marine Corps Nationals, and having a 44-10 record in 2022. His goals also include wrestling at the university level. At this time, he is determining where that will be.
Kasey, who also plays varsity football at East High School on both offense and defense, began wrestling with the West Bend Wildcats club program. He credits his Wildcats and East High School coaches, Shane Pionkowski, Brent Henschel, and Bill Ehn for both teaching him how to wrestle and continuing to be mentors. Kasey also trains year-round at the Askren Wrestling Academy in Thiensville and Hartland run by brothers Max and Ben Askren. As he explains, “I love the one on one challenge that wrestling offers and the constant adjustments it takes to succeed. Wrestling is an extremely detailed sport, so as I get older, the details matter a whole bunch more. I also really love the people associated with wrestling and I am blessed to be around a whole bunch of great people.”
Kasey’s sports interests extend beyond wrestling and football. Outside of school, he likes to watch baseball, football, and college wrestling and attend sprint car races with his dad. He also has a part time job with Ahrens Heating & Cooling.
As Kasey shares, wrestling is an individual sport and if you lose it comes down to the opponent being better technically, physically, or mentally. But losing doesn’t happen that much for Kasey due to his hard work, dedication, and commitment.
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