Wildcat wrestlers cap season success with State trip to Madison

Not everyone can take a five knuckle shuffle from John Cena or a batista bomb from Dave Batista, but four Wildcat wrestlers came as close as possible for a high school student. Senior Garth Martell, juniors Ryland Schneider and Edwyn Schroeder, and freshman Sarah Mrazek all traveled to Madison to compete at the Kohl Center in Madison on February 22.  

While talented, the kids couldn’t have made it on their own. They prospered the most under head coach Matthew Cuadra.

“Coaching the kids is probably one of the best things I do,” he said. “My wife jokes about it all the time; she believes they’re more of my kids than my own kids during the season.”

The dedication Cuadra has put in this season has greatly strengthened the wrestling team and program, but nothing rewards this time and effort like the final showdown in Madison.

“The state experience was awesome,” he said. “This is the most we’ve ever had qualified. It was really busy, but the kids did great.”

While he didn’t wrestle on the mats himself this year, Cuadra knows success when he sees it. 

“Everyone wrestled really well,” he said. 

Schroeder wrestled in the 138 pound weight class and his success this year has engendered optimism for the future.

“I feel I grew a lot overall and as did the team,” he said. “Honestly as we got closer together, we got better together.”

This season Schroeder managed 48 wins and 24 pins, breaking a school record. Since his freshman year, Schroeder has gathered over 100 wins. Martell has also racked in big wins this season, breaking 100 wins in his career as well. For Cuadra, the athletes’ progress has sparked a flame within the culture. 

“We’re always learning new things here and there,” he said. “Being able to see the dedication from them is probably the best thing about coaching.” 

Martell wrapped up his career in Madison on a triumph, taking down Wisconsin’s most competitive heavyweights. He is proud of all he’s accomplished while giving gratitude where it is much deserved. 

“Coach Cuadra had a huge role in my physical and mental game,” he said. “My family has also been a huge factor in my success in wrestling. Whether it was my brothers coaching me up or the constant support from my parents.”

Schneider concurs that reinforcement from family is integral to achievement.

  “My dad and practice partners like Eddy, as well as coach Cuadra, have helped a lot,” he said. “I went against a top ranked guy and didn’t win, but I still feel like I took it to him. It made me realize that everyone is beatable.”

The past four years, Martell has flourished under the tutelage of Cuadra. 

“I learned that coach looks really bad with dyed hair,” he said. “It was great to be wrestling every day this year at state rather than last year when I got knocked out in the first round.”

Participating every day was a blessing, but it did not come without its obstacles. 

“After winning my first two matches on day one I had to prepare to face the number three ranked heavyweight in the nation,” Martell said. “It was a pretty difficult thing to do. Although I lost to him, I thought I battled well.”

Cuadra recognizes the athletes dedication and perpetual time they’ve put into this season. The loss at regionals cut a lot of athletes' seasons short but their tough mindsets allowed them to persevere. 

“There’s always a lot of challenges, it could be someone being hurt or someone not in the lineup,” he said. “But I was really proud of how they were able to respond to different situations.”

For Schneider, injury was no stranger. 

“I sprained my ankle right before regionals,” Schneider said. “That was a challenge, but I pulled through.”

Despite setbacks throughout the season, Cuadra remains hopeful with big goals in view for next year. 

“Next year we're going to be returning quite a bit of our starters in hopes that we can make more school history and be the first team at Oshkosh West to qualify for team state for wrestling,” he said. 

Schneider knows to reach for the moon, because even if you miss, you are still among the stars.

 “I plan on winning a state title,” Schneider said. “I’m going to do extra practices like weightlifting, while keeping a good diet and working during the off season.” 

He offers one last piece of advice. 

“Stay consistent and disciplined,” he said.