2026 LWC PREVIEW

TOP CONTENDERS – MEN

Anthony Polentini -- At some point there may be a simple, affordable

way to electronically measure exactly how fast a human being can spin a

log. For now, the guess is, Polentini might be at the top of that list. The

current number one ranked pro Logroller in the world can churn it about as

quickly as anybody on the pro circuit. As for this weekend, the 24-year old

Wisconsin native may be the favorite to win it all. After two below average

seasons by his standards, Polentini appears to be back to his peak form

heading into the 2026 Lumberjack World Championships. During a window

from 2019 through 2022 he won three straight world titles, and the majority

of his 21 career pro wins came during that stretch as well. This season,

he’s not just winning again, but at times dominating. Polentini jumped out

of the gate this summer with victories at both the Lumberjack Games and

the La Crosse Open, with a combined 24-1 fall count – which included 3-0

victories over highly ranked pros Connor Birdsong, Tanner Hallett, and

Shane Burns. Overall, he’s won three times this summer, along with two

runner-ups, and a fourth place in Madison. Next up, another shot at winning gold at LWC. If he can pull it off, that’ll be four titles over the past

eight seasons.

Marcus Heineck – It was about 30 minutes after he locked up his second

straight Logrolling World Championship last summer. The question posed

was a simple one.

“How do you keep your nerve up there.”

Heineck’s response perhaps captured his night perfectly.

“It’s not hard at all when you know you’ve prepared…when you know

you’ve put the work in”

The tone was not braggadocious in nature. Nor was there even a hint of

excitement. Just a robotic nonchalant response. And 100% authentic.

Those that understand Heineck’s work ethic will concur. He seemingly

never stops preparing. Running. Weightlifting. And of course, non-stop

rolling. In search of an indoor pool this past winter, the 19-year-old two-

time defending World Champ drove almost three hours weekly to train with

other top pros. And this spring, accelerated his training outdoors. As for

those comments on championship Saturday a year ago – Heineck

essentially articulated the adage that so many other top performers have –

that preparation often triggers the ultimate psychological edge. Very little

seems to psych him out. Two years ago, Heineck was down 2-0 in the

finals at LWC, and came back to win. Last summer, down 2-1, he came out

on top again. Truth be told, there are no guarantees, no matter how much

work an athlete puts in. The men’s field is loaded with talent this year,

including several past world champions still competing in their prime. Does

Heineck have enough for a third straight title? One thing is certain. If

somebody knocks him off this week, they’ll have to beat him both

physically, and maybe more importantly, mentally.

Tanner Hallett – If anybody can explain the physics part of it, it might

actually be Hallett himself, who works as a rocket scientist for SpaceX.

How does a 6’5 pro Logroller dip under water two to three feet, while

continuing to spin a 600-pound log, and subsequently knock his opponent

off? The explanation would no doubt be fascinating. But maybe not as

impressive as the accomplishment itself. In Gladstone, MI two weeks ago

at the U.S Logrolling Open, Hallett did exactly that. With the Log sinking

deeper into the water, and two-time defending World Champ Marcus

Heineck scrambling to stay on the other side – Hallett kept on churning.

Eventually Heineck spilled into the water, and Hallett picked up the victory.

It was a highly entertaining finals match that marked Hallett’s 17th career

pro win. The question this week, can he take home the summers biggest

prize, another Lumberjack World Championship? The 27-year-old Hallett

won his first world title in 2018 at 19- years old. He won another five years

later in 2023. After a few close calls the past two years, he’s ready to give

it another crack this weekend. And he’s certainly among the favorites to

win.

Connor Birdsong – Is this the year he gets that one extra fall to put him

over the top? There’s certainly a strong case that Birdsong can win at LWC

this year. Logic would tell you he’s got as good a shot as anybody. Twice,

he’s made it to the finals at Hayward. Over his nine-year career, Birdsong

has regularly beaten all three top seeds in this year’s field. And perhaps,

things stack up for a serious run this weekend. Birdsong’s side of the

bracket appears to be somewhat friendly in terms of a path to the semi-

finals. If the seeding plays out, he’ll get two lesser experienced opponents

in Joey Polentini and potentially Sean Stafford in the round of sixteen and

quarter finals – avoiding Hallett, Heineck, and Shane Burns early – and

shooting him straight to the semi-finals, most likely against top seed

Anthony Polentini. If he’s on his game this weekend, Birdsong could be

right back on that doorstep -- And in position to be rolling for a title on

Saturday night.

Shane Burns – Pro Logrolling and show rolling certainly bring two very

different flavors for spectators. Style verses substance. For Burns, he’s happy to combine the two. Burns is one of the few pro rollers left in the sport that will regularly splash his opponent in an effort to blind them for aninstant, and then snap them into the water – a task easier said than done. Most pros avoid splashing altogether for fear they might knock themselves

in. When the splash doesn’t catch the opponent’s eye, the splasher

immediately becomes vulnerable. Often, the risk is not worth the reward.

For Burns, the opposite might be true. His accuracy is among the best in

the field. If he can consistently scoop, hit the target, and lock in on the kill,

it could be an X-factor. Burns is among five men in this year’s field that

have at least one pro tournament win. However, his side of the bracket this

weekend won’t be easy. Tom Mengwasser, Marcus Heineck, and Tanner

Hallett to start if he keeps on winning – all have won or cracked the top five

at LWC. But don’t forget about that splash. It can be a potential difference

maker. Combine that with Burns strength and outstanding ability to

transition – and he’s certainly got a shot to be rolling on championship

Saturday.

Sean Stafford – Everybody loves an upset. And at the La Crosse Open on

June 20th of this year, Stafford gave the crowd what it wanted. In a quarter

finals match against defending world champion Marcus Heineck, Stafford,

as a seven seed, not only won – but did so convincingly with a 3-1 victory.

And with that, Stafford made a statement. After spending the first few

years of his career in the middle tier of the men’s rankings, those days

appear to be over. It began with that shocking win over Heineck in La

Crosse, and has continued into July. Stafford ended up in fifth at the La

Crosse Open – followed with an eighth-place finish in Madison, fourth at

the US Open, sixth at the Three Rivers Roleo, and sixth at Namekagon.

He’ll head into World Championships as the five seed this weekend.

Stafford has always had the size and skill. Now he’s seemingly putting it all

together, and perhaps for the first time, is a legitimate threat to make a

deep run this weekend.

Others to watch –

Sam Polentini – After injuring his Achilles at The La Crosse Open in June,

Polentini has stayed away from competition since. The sixth ranked roller

in the field is easily a top contender most years, but his health will be the

biggest question this year. He’s expected to give it a go tomorrow, when

he’ll face off with the Nick Magnone/Devin Blair winner.

Garrick Birdsong – With wins this summer against his brother Connor and

#1 ranked Anthony Polentini, Garrick is a threat to beat anybody. Garrick’s

top finish at LWC was fourth place in 2015. If he can pull off a few upsets

this week, don’t be surprised to see another deep back bracket run. His top

2026 tournament was a third-place finish in Madison last month.

Ben Rawson – Speaking of upsets, Rawson’s raw power and intensity

gives him a fighting chance against anybody as well. Keep an eye on the

top of the men’s bracket, where #1 ranked Polentini will have to face the

Rawson/Garrick Birdsong winner in his second match – a tough early draw

for the top seed – but also a strong reflection of how deep the men’s field is

this year. Rawson checks in ranked 9 th overall in the men’s field.

Tom Mengwasser – LWC career best was a third place in 2019. As for this

year, he should have no problem with his role-in match against Lyle

LeCaptain – but it gets much tougher quickly -- with Shane Burns and

Marcus Heineck likely waiting on deck if Mengwasser keeps winning.

Nick Magnone – A former top four finisher at LWC, keep an eye on

Magnone to potentially knock off a top contender or two. If he can take care of Devin Blair in his roll-in match, could get interesting against Sam Polentini, who is nursing that Achilles injury.

Andrew Serpico – Don’t look now, but Serpico has surged the past few

weeks, with a seventh-place finish at Namekagon this past Sunday, and top

10 finishes at both The U.S. Open and Three Rivers Roleo. Up to #12 in

the weeks USLRA rankings.

Joey Polentini – Strong 7 th place finish at Madison last month. He’ll take

on Robert Egger in a roll-in match tomorrow, with the winner meeting up

with #4 seed Connor Birdsong. Joey heads in this week ranked 13 th .

Cole Bennetts -- The Gladstone, MI native gave the hometown fans

something to cheer about on July 4 th at the U.S Logrolling Open, which

takes place in Gladstone. Bennetts won three matches on his way to a

career high sixth-place finish, and also pushed eventual winner Tanner

Hallett to four falls in a hard fought loss. With two top 10 finishes this

summer, look for Bennetts to potentially make some noise in the early

rounds.

TOP CONTENDERS –WOMEN

Livi Pappadopoulos – Athletic excellence can be awe inspiring – but

often carries an unsuspecting irony along with it. One that any seasoned

coach can attest to. The process of success might be the most boring thing

on earth. It’s sports Psychology 101. The exact same stretches every day.

Same mundane “easy” drills over and over. Watching video, light running,

lifting weights. A healthy diet. It’s a routine anybody can start -- but difficult

to maintain over a period of years. Not because it’s exhausting. Because

it’s mundane. Boredom derails talented athletes faster than any opponent

could. For Pappadopoulos, her resume of seven world titles and 50 career

pro wins jumps off the page – but the process behind it is predicated mostly

on those boring principles that are so hard to stay locked into. Routine.

Discipline. The boring stuff. The stuff that builds focus and muscle memory

over the long haul. This weekend, Pappadopoulos goes for her eighth

consecutive World Championship in Hayward. If she wins, she’ll join Tina

Salzman as the only pro Logroller in history, man or woman, to win eight

world titles in a row. All built on something much quieter than what’s sure

to be an energetic Lumberjack Bowl crowd, or the attention that will follow.

It’s much more about an iron clad consistency that win or lose, never

wavers.

Shana Verstegen – “you got this mom.” Every other parent that hears it

can feel it. It’s about as pure and perfect as one might imagine. At 46-

years-old, Verstegen continues to compete at a high level against athletes,

mostly half her age. And her cheering section might easily be the most

inspiring of any out there. And to be clear, her sons Greyson and Clark

don’t get cheated either when it’s time to cheer Mom. Their chants are

loud…and very clear. “it’s the most amazing thing ever” is how Verstegen

describes it. And so far, it’s worked. Heading in this weekend, she’s

ranked second in the USLRA rankings. This year she’s picked up two

runner-ups, a third, and three fourth place finishes. The four-time World

Champion hasn’t won in Hayward since 2012. However, she continues to

churn out top 5 finishes, and once again, reaching the finals is very much

within arm’s reach this year. That being said, she seems to have already

won the day every time she’s locked in a wild back in forth match. It’s

inevitable what’s likely coming next from the crowd. And we can’t wait to

hear it.

Aini Anderson – Take a close look at her feet moving. It’s borderline

artistic. Zone in closely. Her feet barely leave the log. Almost no space

between log and foot. Nobody rolls quite like Aini Anderson. It might be

the most natural rolling style of any pro in the sport. As for production,

Anderson’s silky smooth style had led to enormous success this summer,

with runner-up finishes each of the past three weeks. Anderson has not

lost a single match this season, other than to top ranked Pappadopoulos.

As the three seed, she’ll have a potential round two match against the

Emily Christopherson/Ella Wedul winner, and if things play out according to

seeding, she’ll likely end up with Verstegen in a semi-final match. Not an

easy road to the finals – but Anderson is considering by most the favorite to

meet Pappadopoulos for the title on Saturday night. And if she gets there,

it could be quite a show.

Meredith Ingbretson – Two World Championships, a runner up, and

several top 5 finishes. The 31-year-old Hayward, WI native has put

together quite the Log rolling resume at LWC, and it some respect seems

to be rolling as well as ever heading into action this week. Four times she’s

cracked the top three this year, and has looked the part, pushing

Pappadopoulos hard this past Sunday at Namekagon. She’s on a short list

of women who could knock off Pappadopoulos or Anderson if she’s on the

top of her game. Ingbretson is also among the top all around athletes at

the Lumberjack Bowl this week – she’ll be among the favorites to win the

women’s boom run, and should be competitive on the chopping dock as

well.

Liberty Benson – Over the past four years, Benson has climbed from the

adult sport division, to the fifth ranked pro women’s roller in the world. And

this summer has been her breakout. Last year, Benson pulled an upset

with a big win over four-time world champ Shana Verstegen, and has

steadily climbed the ladder since. This season, she’s been on a tear with a

third place in La Crosse, fourth in Madison, and has finished no worse than

seventh over the course of six tournaments. After going one and done in

the front bracket the past two years at LWC, don’t rule out a top five overall

finish this time around

Others to watch –

Emily Christopherson – tough corner of the bracket for the six seeded

Christopherson. She’ll face Ella Wadul in round one, and with a win, likely

rolls into Aini Anderson. Christopherson has a strong history at LWC, with

four top three finishes, including a runner up in 2016.

Allie Duclos -- One of the tougher outs in the women’s division, Duclos

brings an athletic style to the table, and can be difficult to shake off the log.

Came in fifth this summer at both the Three Rivers Roleo and Midwest

Championships. Currently ranked 8 th in the latest USLRA rankings.

Libby Magnone – The top rookie in the women’s field has held her own

this summer, with top 5 finishes at the Lumberjack games and again this

past Sunday at Namekagon. She’ll open the day tomorrow against Maddy

Lyons, with the winner most likely meeting #2 seed Shana Verstegen.

Taylor Biser -- 2011 World Champ went on a run at the La Crosse Open

last month, finishing third. She’ll open tomorrow against Duclos, with the

winner likely getting a date with top seed Livi Pappadopoulos.

Boom Run -- Men

Caleb Graves – 2025 Boom champ heads in among the favorites this year.

Graves ran a 13.28 to lock up the title a year ago – he’s shooting for his

third boom title this weekend.

Cameron Pilgreen – When everything clicks, could be the fastest guy in

this discipline. The multiple time boom champ ran a blistering 12.96 two

years ago to take the title. Is this the year he takes back the gold?

Anthony Polentini – 2018 Boom champion came in fifth a year ago,

following a second-place finish two years ago. A strong contender to win

gold in both Logrolling and the boom.

Devin Blair – Another multi-faceted star on both sides of the water, Blair

came in fifth last year in the boom run.

Connor Birdsong – Ran 14.14 to win the US Logrolling Open Boom

earlier this month. Former college track standout is a legitimate threat to

win this weekend. Came in third last year at LWC with a 13.61 time.

Hunter Lyons – Lyons came on strong last summer, finishing in second

with a time of 13.37. should be right in the mix to win this year.

Boom Run – Women

Alivia Poppe – Ran two of the five fastest overall times on championship

Saturday last year - but her top time of 14.16 was the weekend’s best, and

won Poppe her first gold in the boom.

Meredith Ingbretson – Six-time Boom World Champion looking for a

record seventh this weekend. Ran a 14.43, finishing a close second

behind Poppe last year.

Aini Anderson – Along with Ingbretson, has a good shot to finish top three

in both Logrolling and the boom. Anderson finished third last year with a

time of 15.72

Maddy Lyons – Lyons is the longshot among the top four, but she’s got a

fighter’s chance if the top contender’s struggle. Had a top speed of 17.82

last year.