The Milford wrestlers had a tough state tournament Feb. 15-17. The four Eagles who competed finished outside the medals.
“It was disappointing. There’s no way to sugarcoat it,” Coach Joe Schluckebier said.
This was the first time since his first year the Eagles didn’t have anyone wrestling on Saturday, breaking a string of seven consecutive seasons with a medal winner, he said.
“People expect us to be there, and they realize when we’re not,” Schluckebier said.
All four wrestlers – three sophomores and a freshman – did win matches, which he was happy to see. However, the Eagles didn’t have their best tournament.
Sean Stanton advanced to the consolation quarterfinals or heartbreak round before ending his tournament in Class C at 144 pounds. He finished the tournament 2-2 with a 5-2 loss to Mavrick Hagemann of Elkhorn Valley in the heartbreak round. His final record is 42-6.
Kellen Lovitt, wrestling at 106 pounds, went 1-2. His win came in the opening round, a 9-7 decision over Yovanni Jimenez of Mitchell. Lovitt finished the season with a 28-12 record.
Quinn Zegers at 113 was 1-2, as well. He lost his opener, then won his first consolation match against Francisco Juan Lucas of Madisn and then lost his second round, ending the season with a 31-11 record.
Garrett Schoen went 1-2 at 285 pounds, getting a pin of Andrew Rivera of Clarkson-Leigh in his first consolation match and finishing the year at 36-13.
“We knew Quinn had a tough draw,” Schluckebier said. “We thought Kellen had a good route, and Garrett, too.”
He said there are no “warm-up matches” at state to get into the flow of the tournament.
“You have to be ready for six minutes,” Schluckebier said.
Senior Conner Kohout qualified for state but was unable to wrestle because of an injury. He finished the season with a 39-4 record.
“We have things to build on,” Schluckebier said.
Four impact wrestlers were not on the floor, including juniors Cooper Rea and Hunter Dickinson and seniors Kohout and Hunter Oborny.
“That took the wind out of our sails,” Schluckebier said.
He said the Eagles on the way home were already talking about competing in Kearney in two weeks.
“We will have a lot of hunger up and town the lineup,” Schluckebier said. “We will be back next year.”
