‘Just Wynn, baby’: Mukwonago’s Wynn Stang focused on winning
MUKWONAGO, Wis. – It took Wynn Stang just two games to get the state of Wisconsin’s attention. The senior running back for Mukwonago High School entered the season as the lead back following a successful junior season and he has made the most of the opportunity.
“Last year I had to split carries behind some good backs but at the end of last year, I knew it was like a new beginning almost and that I would be the main guy,” Stang said. “I was really looking forward to that responsibility.”
Stang started the 2022 campaign with 304 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries against Sussex Hamilton in a 52-28 win. But it was his week two performance that got everyone’s attention. Against Sun Prairie East, Stang rushed for 470 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries. Mukwonago needed the performance in a 55-45 win over East and Stang was just 54 yards shy of the Wisconsin state record.
“I was in disbelief,” Stang said. “I was just out there playing. I was really tired after 30-plus carries.”
“It was the most amazing feeling ever, knowing what I just did, hearing it after the game and obviously they knocked us out of the playoffs last year…It was kind of a revenge feeling, it was amazing.”
That put everyone on notice that Mukwonago had a running back that was dangerous every time he touched the ball. In just two games, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound running back had almost eclipsed his junior year numbers. Last year behind senior Jake Adams, who rushed for 1,656 yards, Stang was able to rack up 150 carries for 1,028 yards and 19 touchdowns. In just two games this year, the Mukwonago native already had 61 carries for 774 yards and 10 touchdowns.
And that is only the beginning. Mukwonago as a team is very talented this year and Stang would be the first to tell anyone that he is just one of the pieces that makes Mukwonago football great this year. In particular, Stang cannot say enough about his offensive line. He credits them with setting him up for the success he has had so far this season.
“With my line, honestly, I feel like we have a chance to break every play for a touchdown so just right before every play it’s like, ‘I could definitely score on this play,’” Stang said. “No matter how far we are out I know that my line can block it.”
Stang will continue to post impressive stat lines on Friday night and people have taken notice. He is starting to get recognition for the stellar start to his senior season.
“It’s been a lot to take in and I’ve been gaining a lot of social media interest and coaches for college talking to me,” Stang said. “I’ve just been trying to keep my head down, just keep on working and not let the noise get to me.”
His teammates and coaches also help him stay grounded but Stang doesn’t really need much help in that area. Like his coach, a Las Vegas Raiders fan, tells him everyday, ‘go Wynn,’ and that’s what he’s focused on. Stang knows what he wants out of the season and all the hype that he has been receiving doesn’t change that. The goal is to get Mukwonago football to state.
“I’m just going out there to play football with Mukwonago,” Stang said.
However, that doesn’t change the fact that he has caught the attention of college coaches. The interest he is garnering from the collegiate ranks has created a tough decision that Stang will eventually have to make.
Along with being one of the best running backs in the state, Stang is also a talented lacrosse player. Last spring as a junior, he was first-team all-state and an All-American. He had 50-plus goals and 70-plus points, leading the state in both categories for midfielders.
During the spring and summer, his lacrosse recruitment had been more active than football but that has clearly changed. Since Stang has always loved the sport he is currently playing, it’s hard to predict which sport he will decide to proceed with in college.
However, that will be a decision Stang can make later. Right now, he is just focused on helping Mukwonago make a deep run into the postseason and win the Classic Eight Conference.
