Defend, not repeat. That’s the motto this season for the No. 1-ranked UW-La Crosse gymnastics team, as they look for back-to-back National Championships.

Coach Kasey Crawford, along with All-American juniors Paige Breckwoldt and Raina Christenson stopped in studio to talk about winning it all last year, who the best athletes are on campus, what makes their sport so tough and — again — trying to defend, not repeat winning it all.

We also hype up a matchup at 6 p.m. Friday at the La Crosse Center with No. 3-ranked UW-Whitewater, and a special appearance by Maggie Nichols — a world champion gold medalist and was the first gymnast in NCAA history to earn a "Gym Slam" by scoring a perfect 10.0 on all four individual events.

This is Crawford’s 10th season at UW-L, where she now has a title, plus three second-place and two third-place finishes nationally.

Meanwhile, Christenson is the reigning National Champion and WIAC Champion on the beam and a two-time All-American, she made history earlier this season by becoming the first Eagle since 2018 to win an individual title at an NCAA Division I meet, taking first on beam at Northern Illinois.

And Breckwoldt is a two-time All-American and a key force on vault, where she placed third at the National Championships last season. She has already proven to be a standout in 2026, recently sweeping the vault and floor exercise titles in the Eagles' victory over top-ranked UW-Oshkosh.

Since recording, UW-L went from No. 2 to the top team in the national rankings.

Defend, not repeat. That&rsquo;s the motto this season for the No. 1-ranked UW-La Crosse gymnastics team, as they look for back-to-back National Championships.
Coach Kasey Crawford, along with All-American juniors Paige Breckwoldt and Raina Christenson stopped in studio to talk about winning it all last year, who the best athletes are on campus, what makes their sport so tough and &mdash; again &mdash; trying to defend, not repeat winning it all.
We also hype up a matchup at 6 p.m. Friday at the La Crosse Center with No. 3-ranked UW-Whitewater, and a special appearance by Maggie Nichols &mdash; a world champion gold medalist and was the first gymnast in NCAA history to earn a "Gym Slam" by scoring a perfect 10.0 on all four individual events.
This is Crawford&rsquo;s 10th season at UW-L, where she now has a title, plus three second-place and two third-place finishes nationally.
Meanwhile, Christenson is the reigning National Champion and WIAC Champion on the beam and a two-time All-American, she made history earlier this season by becoming the first Eagle since 2018 to win an individual title at an NCAA Division I meet, taking first on beam at Northern Illinois.
And Breckwoldt is a two-time All-American and a key force on vault, where she placed third at the National Championships last season. She has already proven to be a standout in 2026, recently sweeping the vault and floor exercise titles in the Eagles' victory over top-ranked UW-Oshkosh.
Since recording, UW-L went from No. 2 to the top team in the <a href="https://usagym.org/college/national-rankings/021626/">national rankings</a>.

Listener conversations about the days events in and around the La Crosse area.  Weekdays from 5-6pm on WIZM 1410AM and 92.3FM

La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

WIZM - La Crosse

UW-L national champion gymnasts Christenson, Breckwoldt, and coach Crawford on defending the title

Live show prep

Revamping downtown La Crosse

City admin talk

Mac Kiel in studio recapping last week’s city council meeting, where both city administrator and what we call the “bike lanes” plan were both on the agenda. 

Now, what that plan really entailed was the council making a recommendation to the Wisconsin DOT for basically a revamp of downtown La Crosse from storefront to storefront between King and La Crosse streets. We talk about the “hybrid” plan that was selected — bike lanes on only two blocks north of downtown — and how it will impact downtown. 

We also discussed Pearl Street, including the farmers market moving there this upcoming season and what that area might look like as a pedestrian-only street — something we explored with economist Dr. Adam Hoffer last week.

The second half of the show was dedicated to the city administrator plan(s) that didn’t pass the two-third majority last week. Kiel explained how the original charter ordinance, that’s been on the agenda since 2024 failed 0-13, and why the new plan was the one actually considered — and why just having the plan on the agenda has hampered the council.

Kiel is a former La Crosse City Council member, who is an advocate for providing the public with what is happening with city government. She also serves on some city boards and works with the unsheltered population.

Mac Kiel in studio recapping last week&rsquo;s city council meeting, where both city administrator and what we call the &ldquo;bike lanes&rdquo; plan were both on the agenda.&nbsp;
Now, what that plan really entailed was the council making a recommendation to the Wisconsin DOT for basically a revamp of downtown La Crosse from storefront to storefront between King and La Crosse streets. We talk about <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/02/13/la-crosse-city-council-finally-votes-on-the-bike-lanes-plans-for-downtown-la-crosse/">the &ldquo;hybrid&rdquo; plan that was selected</a> &mdash; bike lanes on only two blocks north of downtown &mdash; and how it will impact downtown.&nbsp;
We also discussed Pearl Street, including the farmers market moving there this upcoming season and what that area might look like as a pedestrian-only street &mdash; something we <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/02/14/economist-hoffer-discusses-ideas-for-a-better-la-crosse-after-council-votes-on-bike-lanes-city-administrator/">explored with economist Dr. Adam Hoffer last week</a>.
The second half of the show was dedicated to the city administrator plan(s) that didn&rsquo;t pass the two-third majority last week. Kiel explained how the original charter ordinance, that&rsquo;s been on the agenda since 2024 failed 0-13, and why the new plan was the one actually considered &mdash; and why just having the plan on the agenda has hampered the council.
Kiel is a former La Crosse City Council member, who is an advocate for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MacKielforCityCouncil">providing the public&nbsp;</a>with what is happening with city government. She also serves on some city boards and works with the unsheltered population.

Reviewing city administrator, downtown La Crosse reconstruction with Mac Kiel

Legalizing recreational marijuana

The "bike lanes or no" plan

Turning King, Pearl streets into parks

City administrator

Economist Dr. Adam Hoffer in studio to discuss some wild ideas we have, a day after the La Crosse council took votes on city administrator and the “bike lanes” plan for downtown.

Hoffer, the director of excise tax policy at the Tax Foundation, helps brainstorms some new ideas for La Crosse, like turning Pearl Street and King Street into greenways — basically turning them into parks. 

We also break down what’s been called the “hybrid option” for downtown La Crosse. The council is recommending that plan to the Wisconsin DOT, which is preparing to revamp downtown from storefront to storefront starting in 2030.

We end the show by breaking down the city administrator proposal, including the cost of the position, plus how the city could go about having a position like that to make government more efficient in different ways.

Economist Dr. Adam Hoffer in studio to discuss some wild ideas we have, a day after the La Crosse council took votes on city administrator and the &ldquo;bike lanes&rdquo; plan for downtown.
Hoffer, the director of excise tax policy at the Tax Foundation, helps brainstorms some new ideas for La Crosse, like turning Pearl Street and King Street into greenways &mdash; basically turning them into parks.&nbsp;
We also break down what&rsquo;s been called the &ldquo;hybrid option&rdquo; for downtown La Crosse. The council is recommending that plan to the Wisconsin DOT, which is preparing to revamp downtown from storefront to storefront starting in 2030.
We end the show by breaking down the city administrator proposal, including the cost of the position, plus how the city could go about having a position like that to make government more efficient in different ways.

Economist Hoffer discusses ideas for a better La Crosse after council votes on bike lanes, city administrator

Billings on 3 bills passing committee

Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Jill Billings hopped on La Crosse Talk PM on Wednesday from Madison to describe what she called the most chaotic end to a legislative session of her 15-year career.

Most of the conversation centered on the volume of bills moving through committee and the frenetic pace for lawmakers, staff, and lobbyists, as Republicans have scheduled legislative work to conclude for the rest of 2026 on Feb. 19 ahead of the upcoming campaign season.

In these final days, Billings has seen three of her bills pass through committee and hopes they receive a vote from the full Legislature and reach the governor’s desk.

The bills that cleared committee were AB 1000 out of Children and Families, while AB 957 and AB 958 passed through Criminal Justice and Public Safety.

Billings is also hoping to see her Water Notification Act advance — a bill that would require the DNR to notify local health departments within seven days of discovering contaminated well water.

Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Jill Billings hopped on La Crosse Talk PM on Wednesday from Madison to describe what she called the most chaotic end to a legislative session of her 15-year career.
Most of the conversation centered on the volume of bills moving through committee and the frenetic pace for lawmakers, staff, and lobbyists, as Republicans have scheduled legislative work to conclude for the rest of 2026 on Feb. 19 ahead of the upcoming campaign season.
In these final days, Billings has seen three of her bills pass through committee and hopes they receive a vote from the full Legislature and reach the governor&rsquo;s desk.
The bills that cleared committee were AB 1000 out of Children and Families, while AB 957 and AB 958 passed through Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
Billings is also hoping to see her Water Notification Act advance &mdash; a bill that would require the DNR to notify local health departments within seven days of discovering contaminated well water.

UW-L national champion gymnasts Christenson, Breckwoldt, and coach Crawford on defending the title

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