MID-WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS: Heineck is back, Burns and Birdsong shake things up

Madison, WI — The men’s field has never been this deep, and the scope of the 2026 season just became a little more interesting as Shane Burns took second place, his first time on the podium since his La Crosse Open victory in 2022. Burns met Anthony Polentini (2026 Splash N Dash, La Crosse Open winner) in the semi-finals, and defeated him for the first time in his career. Garrick Birdsong, ranked 9th overall and seeded 6th in Madison, took third over Polentini.

19 year-old Marcus Heineck, who’s already collected 10 pro titles and two world championships, mostly dominated his side of the bracket, losing only one fall to Garrick Birdsong. Heineck’s electric transitions have historically made him next-to untouchable, and while he didn’t win his first two events of 2026, looked strong as ever in his victories over Birdsong and Burns.

Shana Verstegen, Aini Anderson, and Livi Pappadopoulos returned to the podium in Madison. Anderson and Verstegen had a nail-biting semi-final on a 12 foot 4 log, with a remarkable backstep recovery by Anderson in the third and final fall. Pappadopoulos did not lose a fall in the tournament and collected her 48th career win.

An even bigger field will compete in Gladstone, MI at the 10th Annual U.S. Open next Saturday.

RESULTS

MEN

1. Marcus Heineck

2. Shane Burns

3. Garrick Birdsong

4. Anthony Polentini

5. Connor Birdsong

6. Eli Neve

7. Joey Polentini

8. Sean Stafford

WOMEN

1. Livi Pappadopoulos

2. Aini Anderson

3. Shana Verstegen

4. Liberty Benson

5. Allie Duclos

6. Maddy Lyons

7. Ella Wedul

8. Grace Berg