LWC 2025 PREVIEW

TOP CONTENDERS – MEN

Marcus Heineck --   Watch closely.  Heineck’s stance on the log has a slightly different look.  It’s a unique wide stance, almost as if he’s patrolling both edges of the log sideways.  One leg is angled at times perpendicular on the back edge of the log.  Almost like an anticipatory cue-up before he goes in for the attack.  The advantage, seemingly, is the opportunity to get a few inches head start on a big kick or pull. Maybe more flexibility darting back and forth between the two.  The unorthodox style may not be for everyone, but without question, for Heineck, it’s worked.  In six tournaments this summer, he’s picked up four wins.  Among them, a dominating victory Sunday at Namekagon, in which he beat two of the top four rollers in the world (Connor Birdsong and Tanner Hallett) with a perfect 6-0 fall count.  He’s also gone the grittier route, needing 10 total falls combined against Anthony Polentini and Hallett to win in Madison.  He’s come up short as well, losing in the semi’s to Polentini in Madison, and getting cut down by Hallett 3-1 at the La Crosse Open.  But one thing is clear.  The defending World Champion has learned and adjusted, winning three of the past four tournaments.  He’s almost certainly the best roller on the planet right now.  And over the next three days, he’ll have a chance to solidify that status.

Tanner Hallett --   Heineck might be rolling better than anybody on the circuit heading into LWC week, but Hallett is not far behind.  In fact, the 2025 season has morphed into somewhat of a rivalry between the two.  The last four weeks, they’ve met head-to-head five times – and three of those matchups have gone five falls.  With the exception of the US Logrolling Open and The Lumberjack Games, they’ve met in the finals in every tournament this summer.  Do we get another rematch on Saturday night?  If that’s the case – and you’re interested in probability metrics – maybe keep it simple and call it 50-50.  Both guys are true students of the game and among the smartest rollers in the field.  Both are physically rolling at an extremely high level this summer,  and it’s doubtful either will be intimidated by the big stage or each other.  For Hallett, this weekend could tip the scales in a big way for his overall resume.  Only 13 men have ever won three World titles or more.  A victory would catapult him into that group.  It’ll be a tough road though – potentially requiring wins over both three-time World Champ Anthony Polentini and Heineck.  Another sign this year’s men’s division is among the deepest in many years.

Connor Birdsong --  Maybe the perfect buy low stock in this year’s men’s field. Birdsong has yet to win a tournament this year. Two fourths, a couple of third place finishes, and one runner up.  And think about where he was a year ago in Hayward.  At the finals.  Up 2-0.  One fall away from his first world championship.  Heineck then won three straight falls and took the title.  So, here’s the pitch: Birdsong is still absolutely in play to win this weekend.  At times, numbers do lie.  Birdsong’s results look below average by his standards this summer, but let’s dig in.  In Madison less than 20 days ago, Birdsong beat Polentini 3-1 before eventually taking second.  A week later, he knocked off Hallett 3-1 before losing a five fall Match to Polentini in the finals at The US Logrolling Open.  Birdsong also beat Heineck last season, and as mentioned, was within a fall of defeating him 12 months ago in Hayward.  And of course there’s the eye test.  Birdsong has mostly looked the part this summer against top competition, with a few bad breaks mixed in. It’s certainly reasonable to not count him out this weekend.  In fact, he might be due. Maybe even a smart bet to win his first LWC championship.

Anthony Polentini --    The 23-year-old three-time World Champion is set to roll at LWC for the seventh time in his career.  In six years, he’s finished no worse than third.  Three wins, a runner up, and two thirds.  Add on one boom run title, and it’s been quite the ride since turning pro in 2018.  The story heading into this year at LWC is a similar one:  When he’s on his game, there may not be a more gifted roller in the field.  In Michigan on July 4, Polentini crushed Heineck 3-0, and then defeated Birdsong 3-2 on his way to his first win in almost two calendar years.  On the flip side, he also finished seventh at the Lumberjack games, and in total has only rolled in the finals once this summer.  So which version of Polentini do we see this weekend?  If he’s on his A-game,  he could join Jaime Fischer, Fred Scheer, and Ardy Wickheim in the four-time World Championship club.  And if he does, only eight pro rollers will stand ahead of him on the all time LWC list.

Shane Burns --  After a decade as a pro, Burns continues to churn out mostly top five finishes.  He’ll head in this weekend fittingly as the five seed, which could mean a head-to-head with training partner Connor Birdsong in in the quarter-finals.  Burns consistently has stretched the four rollers ranked ahead of him to four and five fall battles, before falling short this summer.  With a few breaks, don’t be surprised to see him as one of the last four standing on championship Saturday.  Burns Finished fifth at LWC last year.

Others to watch –

Sam Polentini  --  A knockout puncher who aggressively attacks opponents.  Three top five finishes this summer,  including a runner up at the Lumberjack Games last month.  Keep an eye on his first match Thursday --  Sam will face either his brother Joey or fellow big puncher Cassidy Scheer.

Nick Magnone --  Illinois native has had a solid season, with fifth place finishes at The Lumberjack games and La Crosse Open, along with two sixth place finishes this past weekend (Namekagon, Three Rivers Roleo).  Magnone has cracked the top six the past three years at LWC, including a fourth place finish two years ago.  Nick’s bracket won’t be easy this weekend though, he’ll likely get Sean Stafford to open, and potentially Tanner Hallett after that.

Tom Mengwasser --  His history at LWC is strong.  After a highly decorated amateur career, Mengwasser came in third as a pro in 2019.  Came in eighth last year in Hayward, and this summer has topped out with a couple of sixth place finishes (Lumberjack Games, US Logrolling open).

Garrick Birdsong – The 11-year veteran pro has quietly had an excellent season, with several falls won against higher seeded competition and two sixth place finishes (La Crosse & Madison).  Garrick is a legit threat to put a scare into a top contender at some point, and should be a handful in the back bracket this weekend.

Sean Stafford --  Stafford has finished eighth or better in every tournament he’s entered this season.  Like Birdsong, he’s consistently scored falls on top contenders all summer.  Came in fifth at the Three Rivers Roleo, his top finish as a pro.  If you’re looking for a surprise candidate to make a deep run in the back bracket, it might be him.

Caleb Graves --  Best finish at LWC was seventh three years ago.  The former boom and pole climbing World Champ brings a feisty attitude onto the log as well.  First round matchup with Torrin Hallett should be a good one.

Joey Polentini --  Made  some noise last week at The Three Rivers Roleo with a seventh place finish, including 3-0 wins over Ben Rawson and Torrin Hallett.  After losing to Cassidy Scheer in round one last year at LWC, gets an opening round rematch with Scheer on Thursday.

TOP CONTENDERS -- WOMEN

Livi Pappadopoulos  -- Chasing history might be harder than any opponent.  You can’t touch it.  You can’t feel it.  And you can’t really beat it.  But make no mistake, the 24-year old Pappadopoulos walks into the Lumberjack bowl this week with history seemingly on the other side of the door waiting.  Pappadopoulos won’t ever get to compete with Judy (Scheer) Hoeschler or Bonnie (Kubarek) Pendelton -- But this weekend, with a win, she can join each of them with seven career Lumberjack World Championships.  Along with Scheer, Pendelton, and 10-time World Champion Tina Salzman,  Pappadopoulos would also become one of only four women in the nearly 100-year history of women’s pro logrolling to win at least seven World titles.  Pappadopoulos’ focus in Hayward this week will certainly be on rookie sensation Aini Anderson, not to mention the five former World Champions in this year’s field.  The athlete has to focus on the now.  The thing they can touch, feel, and possibly beat.  But entering this weekend, history might be waiting too.

Aini Anderson --  Upon further review, the judges nailed it.  Fall goes to Anderson.  And with that, Aini Anderson did what no women’s roller had done in nearly three years.  She knocked top ranked women’s roller Livi Pappadopoulos off the log.  After 175 consecutive falls won, Pappadopoulos’ streak came to an end in Gladstone, Michigan on July 4 against Anderson.  While the 16-year old Anderson lost the match 3-1, she once again showed the moxie and toughness she’s displayed all summer.  The rookie pro hasn’t beaten the defending world champ yet, but has pushed her hard in each of their five head-to-head matchups this season.  That includes a battle this past Sunday at Namekagon in which the two battled on the four log for more than 17 minutes.  As for everybody else?  Anderson has done more than push them.  She’s beaten them.  All of them.  Anderson has a perfect 20-0 record against the rest of the women’s field this summer (with a 60-2 fall count).  That includes her first win as a pro on July 12 at the Three Rivers Roleo.  Next question, can she bring her A game to logrolling’s biggest stage this weekend in Hayward?   Time will tell.  But there’s no doubt the women’s field has a bright young star, who’s getting better by the week.

Meredith Ingbretson – The 30-year old Ingbretson is having perhaps her best year since the 2018 season, when she entered LWC as the top overall seed.  The Hayward, WI native heads in this week as the three seed.   She’s grabbed two runner ups (Lumberjack games, US Logrolling Open) and a third-place finish (Namekagon).  Ingbretson, who has two Logrolling World Titles (2015, 2017), came in third last year at LWC.  Her power game is among the best in this year’s field – keep an eye on a potential strength vs speed matchup with Anderson in the semi finals on Friday night.  And if things break right for Ingbretson, don’t be surprised to see her in the finals for the first time since 2018.

Shana Verstegen --  After more than 20 years since turning pro, Verstegen is still among the top women’s rollers in the world.  And the numbers back it up.  The four-time world Champion heads in this weekend ranked fourth in the current USLRA rankings.  She’s been to the finals at LWC more than any current women’s pro.  Since turning 40, Verstegen has remarkably finished in third, fifth, third, and third again at LWC.  Her competitive fire is as impressive as any athlete you’ll watch.  Against 21-year old Claire Keech, a perennial top five roller, Verstegen nearly battled to the death to beat her, and take third at the La Crosse Open last month.  Verstegen has also cracked the top five in every tournament this summer, including a runner up in Madison.  While she’s become a fan favorite over the years at Hayward, she’s far from a ceremonial favorite.  She’s in it to win.  And don’t be shocked if you see her rolling on championship Saturday this weekend.

Claire Keech --  The Hudson, WI native brings a strong set of skills into action this week.  Her front step can be lethal and almost indefensible when it’s on.  Her ability to force even the strongest rollers into survival mode is also notable.  At her best, Keech is a threat to beat anybody.  She’s one of only three pros to win a fall against Anderson this summer, and earlier in her career got within a fall of beating Pappadopoulos – one of only two pros to ever accomplish that.  2025 has been a mixed bag for Keech.  She’s come in sixth twice (Madison & Gladstone, MI) and fourth once.  She’ll head in this weekend as the five seed, and as one of the more dangerous opponents in the field.

Others to watch -

Allie Duclos --   After struggling two years ago as a rookie in Hayward, Duclos had a second-year jump at last year’s LWC with a sixth-place finish.  2025 has been even better, with top five’s at both the La Crosse Open and Three Rivers Roleo.  She’ll head in as the sixth seed this weekend with an opening round match against 2011 World Champ Taylor (Biser) Duffy.

Emily Christopherson --  Christopherson’s history in Hayward is a good one – four times she’s cracked the top three at LWC, including a runner up in 2016.  She’s also got six career pro wins on her resume.  Christopherson is having somewhat of a resurgent season.  She hasn’t finished worse than fifth this summer, including a third-place finish at the Three Rivers Roleo.  One of the most disciplined rollers in the field, she’ll have a fighting chance against the top contenders this weekend.

Katie Burke --  Laser focus and determination are two guarantees here.  Burke, who’s mostly been a quarter and semi final regular at LWC, is always a threat to score an upset or two.  Beginning with the Lumberjack Games opener this summer, in order, Burke has finished sixth, sixth, fifth, fifth, and seventh.  A top five this weekend is very possible, and with a few breaks – perhaps an appearance on championship Saturday.

Carrie Horton --  The 18-year old rookie heads in with momentum this weekend.  At the Three Rivers Roleo last week, she caught a hot streak, beating Maggie Bulk, Katie Burke, and Liberty Lundstrom on her way to the finals, where she lost to fellow rookie Aini Anderson.  In her three wins, Horton made quite a statement with a 9-2 fall count in the three victories. The win catapulted Horton up to the nine seed heading into LWC this week.

Liberty Lundstrom – Like Horton, Lundstrom had a breakout tournament this past week at the Roleo, with a semi finals appearance.  On her way there she knocked off four-time World Champion Shana Verstegen, 3-1.  Lundstrom will undoubtedly be rolling with confidence this weekend and could be in line to make a deep run in the back bracket.

Jenny Atkinson --  How about a clash of generations?  The four-time World Champ is one roll-in victory away from facing six-time defending World Champion Livi Pappadopoulos, potentially in a Thursday night matchup.  Atkinson will compete at LWC for the 35^th time as a pro this weekend.

Boom run – men

Cameron Pilgreen – His blistering 12.69 blew away the field last year, earning Pilgreen his second Boom Run World Championship in three years.  He’s also a threat to win both the 60 and 90 foot speed climb this weekend and has a shot to finish top 10 in Logrolling.

Anthony Polentini – Speaking of multi-talented, the only male athlete at the Lumberjack bowl this year with both Boom and Logrolling world titles.  Finished second in the boom last year with a 13.44 time.  Won the Boom run in 2018.

Devin Blair – Ran a 13.66 last year, finishing third.  Keep an eye on Blair on both the Speed climb, and on the log this week as well.

Caleb Graves – One of the best all around Lumberjacks at the bowl this week, won the Boom two years ago. 

Connor Birdsong – College track background, could be in the mix to win the boom this year.  Ran a 14.31 and finished sixth last summer.

Boom run – women

Meredith Ingbretson --  Approaching GOAT status.  Ingbretson has now won six Boom Run World titles at LWC after running a 14.20, and taking the title last year.  Also finished tied for fifth in all around points for the women last summer at the Lumberjack Bowl, a rare feat for a primary Logroller/Boom runner combo athlete.

Alivia Poppe – The rookie runner and former High School track and field athlete shows major potential on the boom.  Don’t be surprised if she cracks the top three on Saturday.

Katie Burke -  A consistent top five finisher on the Boom, came in fourth last year.

Maddy Lyons – Came in fifth last year with a time of 17.64, and has continued to improve every year.

Aini Anderson – the 16-year old rookie could follow in Ingbretson’s footsteps as an elite Logroller/Boom Run combo winner.  Don’t be surprised if she finishes top three in both events this weekend.