The winter is here, and so is wrestling season. “We have a lot of guys on the team [this year],” senior Jackson Striggow said.
In 2013, Striggow and graduate Charlie Schmid placed in state; this was the first time the wrestling team had done this since 1970. With over 25 boys going out this year, they are expected to do well.
To get prepared for the season, “I participated in several summer tournaments and I also went to practices that were held at St. Michael,” junior Johnny Schmid said. Striggow and junior Spencer Schuhe also participated in many tournaments over the summer.
With the season started, many of the guys have to cut weight in order to wrestle in their desired weight class. When asked to explain their diet, many responses were similar.
“I will cut out food that contains carbs. I usually eat fruits and vegetables and will try to eat proteins,” Schmid said.
Leading up to the matches, their diet is reduced even further. “Two days before the meet, I reduce myself to one to two meals per day and two cups of water or Gatorade,” Schuhe said.
When cutting meals and foods that one enjoys, many would agree that their mood would change.
“[I have] a lot less energy than normal,” senior Cooper Tokar said. Schuhe adds that he is more quiet in school.
Other than being having less energy, “According to Hannah [Striggow], I get crabby,” Striggow said.
Many guys on the team have the experience and explained why they decided to take on this sport. “My dad wrestled in High School and he got me into it when I was in first grade, so I’ve wrestled ever since,” Schmid said. Striggow also began wrestling when he was in first grade.
Knight and Schuhe joined wrestling for a similar reason. “I plan on joining the military after college and wrestling is great training,” Knight said. Schuhe said that he has wanted to go into the military his entire life.
Wrestling benefits many members of the team in other sports. Not only does Schuhe play soccer along with wrestling, he does Muay Thai and Kali, which is boxing and martial arts. He believes that wrestling is the best base for any type of fighting.
Striggow plays football in the fall and he says that wresting helps for tackling in football. “The best tacklers are often wrestlers,” Striggow said.
Tokar plays lacrosse while Knight and Schmid play soccer. “Wrestling gives you confidence in yourself and confidence that you can do anything,” Schmid said.
When asked about their favorite part of wrestling, many responses were different. Schmid said that his favorite part is the competition because there is a great feeling that he gets every time he beats an opponent.
“Winning,” Striggow said in response to the question. Shuhe responded with less focused on competitions. “The best part is the people. It is the only sport I’ve played where the guys are so close to each other,” Schuhe said.
The first wrestling meet will be held at New Prague High School on Dec. 4. The first home meet is on Dec. 9 and four other meets will be held at Orono High School throughout the season.
Striggow believes the team’s’ biggest opponent will be against Delano on Jan. 8 2015.
The team seems to be starting the season with confidence and excitement. “[Wrestling] has a lot of excitement and I am slowly learning the rules which makes it easier to follow along,” senior Rachel Heussner said.
For information on upcoming wrestling meets, go to: http://oronowrestling.org/schedules/schedule/
