It’s official. As Oshkosh residents dust off the old trees and decorations, it’s time to roll out the mats for Wildcat wrestling. After winning regionals and sending four athletes to state last year, the team is looking to run it back. This intense and inclusive sport attracts more and more athletes every year. Coach Matt Cuadra sees this rising tide of interest as a result of the many lessons the sport has to offer.

“What I expect from the sport as a whole is that it continues to grow in numbers,” he said. “I hope athletes keep realizing how wrestling can benefit you in other sports and in life.”

Athletes find that wrestling can teach them a lot about self-discipline and accountability. As an individual and a team sport, it can teach many lessons about unity and trusting teammates to perform. Sophomore Ryland Schneider competed at state last year and is grateful for what the sport has taught him.

“My favorite part about wrestling is the intensity and how it's all on you,” he said. “If you lose, it's no one else's fault but your own”

After a tough loss, it's important to have teammates there for encouragement. Bonds are made, and wrestlers work to strengthen each other throughout the season. Sophomore Jaiden Fronczak appreciates the people he has met throughout his journey.

“Wrestling has impacted my life by introducing me to new people and friends that I wouldn’t have met without it,” he said.

The coaches and the athletes are able to create relationships that will last a lifetime. Coach Adam Stuiber finds that wrestling is rewarding in the way that he is able to help kids on and off the mat.

“My favorite part about coaching is the ability to work with the young individuals and getting them to excel in something that they may not believe that they can excel in,” he said. “Motivating them to get to their potential that they didn't even think they could reach.”

After the success of last year, the team hopes to do it again. To do so, the team believes they need to stick with what's working.

“We had great leadership and a lot of upperclassmen,” Cuadra said. “Our underclassmen really stepped up for us in a time of need. A lot of the kids on the team were also selfless, and they were willing to do whatever the coach asked of them.”

Coach Adam Stuiber has goals for the team that have to do with winning, as well as goals that have to do with the team's mentality.

“We have high standards and high goals, but ultimately the biggest thing that we focus on is making sure we are processing every day,” he said. “Furthermore, I think an important part is that we are better humans by the end of the season as well.”

Such positivity seems to be a common goal.

“What has helped me succeed is support from coaches and those close to me,” Schneider said. “They keep it positive and don't let me get down on myself about wrestling or just how life is going.”

Although many believe the success is based on wins and losses, this team bases it on the culture they build from within.

“The team's success is all about the work that we put in and the environment we have,” Schneider said. “When we all work hard, we succeed.”

By Sophia Rigoni

November 28, 2022

Oshkosh West Index Volume 119 Issue III

Wrestlers grapple with challenge of stacking success following last year’s dominant performance