Sectional wrestling roundup
By Erik Buchinger
Hortonville senior wrestlers Eric Barnett and Colin Schuler qualified for state after winning sectional titles at Appleton North High School on Saturday, Feb. 16.
Barnett competed in the 126-pound weight class and is going into the state tournament with a perfect 43-0 record.
Barnett has won two state titles, and his last loss came in the state tournament his freshman season.
“I set new goals and have some things I want to do when I’m down there,” Barnett said. “My goal this season is to pin everybody.”
In addition to pinning each of his opponents, Barnett said another goal of his is to not get scored on against some of the top competition in the state.
“There’s not much build up to [the state tournament],” Barnett said. “It will be fun with it being my last time competing in the state tournament, especially with a teammate too.”
Schuler will be competing at state for the first time after coming close in each of his first three seasons.
“The thing that motivated me was taking third last year,” Schuler said. “It stinks taking third when only the top two go. My previous two years, I was close to going as well. Being that close to going to state really motivated me to make it this year.”
Schuler is coming into the state competition with a 41-7 overall record. He said his goal is to place high at state and leave with no regrets and have fun doing it.
“Wrestling at the Kohl Center and going down there with a bunch of friends and a bunch of people watching is going to be fun,” Schuler said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Barnett and Schuler will begin state competition on Thursday, Feb. 21 in Madison.
Wrightstown Sectionals
Four New London wrestlers competed at the Wrightstown Sectional on Saturday, Feb. 16.
The Bulldogs’ wrestling season is over, as nobody qualified for the state championships.
Logan Heimbruch finished fourth at 145 pounds, and Travis Kuhnke placed fourth in the 285-pound weight class for the Bulldogs.
New London’s Damian Polanco (106) was defeated in the first round, and Mason Kloehn (138) lost his first two matches.