Rockets’ mission accomplished:

They weren’t shy in talking about it. Multiple Cedar Grove-Belgium High School wrestlers repeatedly said team state was their goal, even after they racked up enough individual honors throughout the season to fill a windmill.

Last Saturday, there was no stopping the Rockets. They blasted through a Division 3 sectional at home, beating Lake Country Lutheran, 68-6, in the semifinal and Oostburg, 64-9, in the final.

The Rockets are going back to state for the second time in four years, completing a mission, especially for the seniors who got a taste of state competition in 2023.

“It feels pretty good. Being part of this team means a lot,” senior Carsen Voskuil, the second-winningest wrestler in school history, said.

“Generations of Cedar Grove wrestlers believed in us from the start of the season. It’s good to finally accomplish that goal,” junior Nolan Anzia said. “I knew we had a chance and I knew everyone on our team knew what their job was, and everyone did that and exceeded their job. It was definitely incredible to watch.”

At least a few of the Rockets didn’t think the scores would be so lopsided, but they came in ready.

“I didn’t think we actually thought we’d be able to walk away with it that easily,” senior Chase Heimerman said.

Coach Quinn Hoopman said he remembers the target being set months ago.

“We talked about it last year, making it there. Then I think it was a big goal right away. Everyone knew this year, this is what we want to go and try to do,” he said.

“They executed it. They all keep working hard and staying motivated.”

Oostburg advanced to the sectional final by beating Random Lake by the fifth tiebreaking criteria, but it didn’t much matter to the Rockets who they faced.

“Our team got a lot better than the last time we dualed both those teams,” Josh Anzia said. “We knew that we could handle both of them.”

In the final, Ben Duwell, Voskuil, Syrus Anderson, Anzia, Vadim Misiura, Chase and Landon Heimerman and Seth Kessen all pinned their opponents.

Vince Knowles won a 16-0 technical fall and Seth Race won a 16-1 technical fall.

In the semifinal, Kessen, Voskuil, Knowles, Anderson and Josh Anzia pinned their opponents. Nolan Anzia and Brayden Prom each won a 17-0 technical fall. Race won a 17-2 technical fall and Landon Heimerman won a 15-0 technical fall.

“That can happen when you have the numbers on the team,” Hoopman said.

Even the wrestlers who didn’t compete were key to the team’s strategy.

“I don’t think sometimes they realize how big of a part they play. It holds teams honest. They can’t move around on you and change matchups, because if they move we have a guy who can fill in,” he said.

This, the Rockets said, is what they have worked for when nobody saw them in the gym, on the mat or in the weight room.

“Everyone put in the work in the offseason. You just see the outcome of it,” Knowles said.

“It’s awesome. It definitely shows that all the hard work paid off here,” senior Seth Race said.

“It was our goal all year and we just completed it, so that’s really nice,” Chase Heimerman said.

His brother, sophomore Landon, is happy to come along.

“It feels amazing,” he said.

Team state this year is in La Crosse after a long run at the Wisconsin Field House in Madison. Regardless, the seniors remember losing their first match there in 2023 and will use that to their advantage.

“Being a senior, it’s a whole different experience. You really know more,” Misiura said.

“We’ve been there before. We know how it’s going to go. We’ll be better prepared,” Race said.

Kessen said he is happy to bring the younger wrestlers along.

“It’s amazing to give our freshmen the opportunity to get there too, get all the new guys in there. It feels great,” he said.

This will be Hoopman’s first time qualifying as coach. His brother Mason was a senior on the 2023 team.

“It’s my first time being there. They have a little more experience than I do,” he said of the seniors.

He likes where his team is at right now.

“These guys are definitely peaking at the right time. They seem to wrestle better and better each week.”

The team competition will be Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7.

Almost the Rockets’ entire starting lineup is preparing for a different challenge first.

A school record 10 Rockets qualified for the individual state tournament that runs from Thursday, Feb. 26, through Saturday, Feb. 28.

For five Rockets, it’s their second trip to individual state, and all are seeking to finish in the top six and earn their first medals.

The 10 are: Voskuil, Race, Kessen, Chase and Landon Heimerman, Josh and his cousin Nolan Anzia, Anderson, Misiura and Knowles.