Stratford dominates Amherst
Schmidt battles above his weight
At first glance, it’s hard to imagine Stratford freshman Roman Schmidt could have success wrestling against opponents two times his weight.
Schmidt is barely five feet tall and he’s only 86 pounds, yet he was able to pull off an improbable first win of his high school career in the 106-pound
“I try as hard as I can to do my best, even if my opponents weigh 20 pounds more than me.” Roman Schmidt
weight class against Amherst on Tuesday morning.
He was tied with Amherst freshman Ryan Warzynski at eight points apiece after the second period in their match, but Schmidt was able to earn two near fall points in the final period for a narrow 10-9 win. Schmidt’s victory helped Stratford
Stratford freshman
dominate Amherst, 57-12, in the nonconference dual meet.
It’s evident from watching Schmidt wrestle that he gives it his all on the mat.
“I try as hard as I can do do my best, even if my opponents weigh 20 pounds more than me,” said Schmidt, who is the son of Craig and Cori Aschenbrenner.
“I’m very happy to be a part of Stratford’s strong wrestling tradition, because there are some guys here who work all day and night to be as good as they can.”
Stratford senior Logan Rueth started the dual meet against Amherst by quickly pinning his opponent, to give the Tigers an early 6-0 lead. Tigers sophomore Patrick Greenberg then earned a hardfought pin in the heavyweight bout, followed by Schmidt’s 10-9 decision at 106 pounds to give Stratford a commanding 18-0 advantage.
Amherst got on the scoreboard with a pin against Stratford junior Alex Lemoine at 113 pounds. Both teams forfeited 120 pounds, and Stratford forfeited 126 pounds to Amherst. The Tigers still led the Falcons, 18-12.
It was all Stratford for the remainder of the dual meet. Tigers senior Logan Gaulke gained a pin at 132 pounds and junior Gavin Drexler worked took a quick 8-0 lead with a takedown and near falls points, before pinning his opponent. Stratford sophomore Ryan Becker went up 4-0 on a takedown and reversal, before pinning his Amherst opponent at 145 pounds.
Stratford junior Elijah Lucio earned a pin at 152 pounds, and junior Jake Heiden gained a hard-fought pin at 160. Tigers senior Hunter Ford scored a lastminute two-point reversal in the waning seconds of the third period for a 6-5 decision win at 170 pounds, and Tigers sophomore Jackson Ormond obtained a pin at 182 to conclude Stratford’s 57-12 dual meet victory.
Edgar/Athens
The Edgar/Athens co-op wrestling team won a low-scoring non-conference dual match against Oshkosh Lourdes/ Valley Christian, 18-9, on Tuesday morning in Oshkosh.
Both teams double forfeited in nine of the 14 weight classes. Edgar/Athens earned its 18 points on six-point pins from Connor Lewandowski at 132 pounds and Brady Lemmer at 160, and on Jesse Jisko’s forfeit win at 152 pounds.
Oshkosh Lourdes/Valley Christian gained its nine points on a six-point forfeit victory at 182 pounds and three points on Mason Carpenter’s 7-6 decision win against Brooks Kraus of Edgar/ Athens at 113 pounds.
Auburndale/Marathon
The Auburndale/Marathon co-op wrestling team was edged, 36-33, by Neillsville/Greenwood/Loyal on Tuesday night in the Neillsville High School gym. Auburndale/Marathon wrestlers who pinned their opponents are Cody Poeschel at 182 pounds, Sloan Welch at 195, Logan Werner at 285 and Mason Putnam at 120. Jared Sweno won the 138-pound match because of an injury to his opponent. Hector Pintor lost his 170-pound match, an 8-6 decision in overtime to Tommy Friemoth. Dylan Dodson lost a 7-5 decision at 106 pounds. Derek Veseley was pinned at 132 pounds, as was Jacob Smith at 145.
TIGERS BENCH CHEERS ON ITS WRESTLERS- Stratford varsity wrestling head coach Adam Davison, far right, and varsity assistant coach Greg Heiden, far left, guide freshman Roman Schmidt during his 106-pound match against Amherst on Tuesday morning at Stratford High School.STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER
Jared Sweno
