100th win milestone

Heiden, Drexler get 100th career match victories

By Casey Krautkramer

Stratford junior wrestler Gavin Drexler on Thursday joined his older brothers, Jake and Manny, in accomplishing 100 career match wins in their high school careers.

They are Dan and Cara Drexler’s sons. Gavin obtained his 100th career win against Auburndale/Marathon in the first of Stratford’s three matches. Gavin pinned Marathon freshman Derek Vesely in one minute, 20 seconds in the 138-pound match.

Gavin’s Stratford teammate, senior Jacob Heiden, also achieved his 100th career match win at Thursday’s home quad. Jacob, the son of Greg and Mindy Heiden, won a 14-4 major decision against Cadott sophomore Cole Pfeiffer in the 160-pound bout to obtain his 100th career win.

Stratford head coach Adam Davison said obtaining 100 career wins is a great accomplishment for both of these young men.

“Gavin is a kid every coach in the state knows and recognizes for obvious reasons, but he works incredibly hard to be where he is and this is another milestone in what is certainly an impressive career,” Davison said. “Jake has had to battle a bit with some injury issues throughout his season, and even earlier in his high school career from what I’ve gathered, but 100 wins is a great thing to see a senior pick up. Although his high school career is nearing its end, he is committed to go to Augsburg to continue wrestling at the next level.”

Stratford beat Auburndale/Marathon, 48-30. Besides Gavin Drexler, other Tigers who won competitive bouts were sophomore Ryan Becker pinning freshman Jake Smith at 145 pounds, Heiden pinning sophomore Hector Pintor at 170, senior Logan Rueth with a 2-1 decision against Sloan Welch at 182, sophomore Jackson Ormond pinning Cody Poeschel at 195 and junior Cole Marten winning a 5-4 decision against Brice Thiel.

Auburndale/Marathon wrestlers gaining competitive wins against Stratford were freshman Dylan Dodson pinning Roman Schmidt at 106 pounds, junior Noah Altmann pinning senior Benno Wenzel at 126 and sophomore Logan Werner pinning sophomore Patrick Greenberg at 285.

Stratford lost to Gale-Ettrick-Trempeleau (G.E.T)/Melrose-Mindoro, 42-39, and to Cadott, 48-24. Auburndale/ Marathon also lost to G.E.T./Melrose-Mindoro, 54-24, and to Cadott, 51-30.

Cats/Jays fall to Loggers

Brooks Kraus was the lone Edgar/ Athens wrestler to gain a competitive win, with a pin at 113 pounds, during Thursday’s 54-18 home loss to Phillips.