Waukesha South Senior Bill Prochniewski Honored by School Board for Wrestling Championship

Waukesha South High School senior Bill Prochniewski started wrestling when he was 4 years old with the West Allis Wrestling Club before moving to Waukesha in fourth grade.

He hasn’t given up the sport since he first stepped on the mat– and it shows. His high school record is 159 and 23 and he ended his senior season being crowned the state champion in individual wrestling.

“In the finals this year, I beat a guy who hadn’t lost in two years and had only lost one time in his career … two now!” Prochniewski said.

Prochniewski recently was honored by the Waukesha School Board for his success in wrestling. While Prochniewski hadn’t settled on a college in mid-March, he hopes to study chemistry. He has been accepted at several top schools

“I am kind of just waiting to see if I can wrestle,” he said. “If I don’t end up getting scholarships, I think I would be fine with going to any of these schools.”

Prochniewski’s success in school and with wrestling made the Waukesha School Board members smile.

“We really appreciate it when one of our students go out there and shows off a little bit for the Waukesha School District,” said Board Member Bill Baumgart.

Prochniewski said wrestling is the hardest sport in which he has competed. Practices and individual weight management present difficulties for the athletes, which is preparing Prochniewski for the next stage in life.

“It is a lot of mental more than physical, I think,” Prochniewski said. “I don’t ever quit, so I think I apply that to everyday life and school too.”