Schluckebier leads Eagles to top 10 finish at state wrestling

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Hopes were high for the 10 wrestlers competing for Milford High at state Feb. 19 and 20. MHS brought home three medals – a silver, a fourth and a sixth.

“It’s almost impossible to come away from the state tournament and say that everything went perfectly,” Coach Joe Schluckebier said. “This weekend is always full of highs and lows, and this year was no different except for the fact that it was condensed into two days instead of three.”

That meant quick turnarounds, quick recoveries and quick refocuses.

“With 10 guys in the tournament it seemed like we were on a very fast moving roller-coaster of emotions as individuals and as a team,” Schluckebier said. “This team is special, maybe the best to ever come through Milford, so the expectations were high and they know that we didn’t end up how we wanted to. That doesn’t take anything away from our historic season, it’s just a credit to the high standard we have set for ourselves.”

Milford finished seventh in the Class C team standings, “a mark that we only dreamed of in this town for 25 years,” he said.

However, the wrestlers left some points on the table, he said.

“These guys know I love them, and in the end this journey is what they make of it so each one of them would tell you they expected more, and that’s what makes them so great,” he said.

Konner Schluckebier was the team’s top finisher. A returning state champion, he was looking for another chance at gold. The MHS senior pinned his way to the finals in dramatic fashion, Coach Schluckebier said.

“Most wrestlers would kill for an opportunity to wrestle in the state semi-finals and be an automatic state medalist, but Konner was not about to celebrate his first two victories until he got the job done in the semifinals against the kid that has handed him his only two losses this season, Alex Schademann from Fillmore Central,” he said.

The plan was patience, since a takedown would probably be the difference, he said.

Schademann scored an escape in the second period, giving Konner Schluckebier the chance for that difference-making takedown.

He hit that and more.

“Konner hit a well timed fireman’s carry takedown and ended up putting Schademann on his back and getting the pin. The win was sweet vindication,” Coach Schluckebier said.

Konner Schluckebier wanted to leave no doubt about his place in the finals, the coach said.

The championship match pitted Konner against Chris Williams of Valentine, a two-time state champion.

“We’ve known Chris since the boys were little, but haven’t met in high school,” Coach Schluckebier said.

Konner Schluckebier got off to a slow start and could never recover. He lost the match 11-2 and finished as the state runner-up at 126 pounds.

The finished marked the end of a historic high school career. The MHS senior finished third, first and second in the last three years and only lost five matches over that time.

He holds school records for career wins (178), pins (129), tournament wins, tournament points, season wins (50), season record (50-1), season pins (36), and fastest pin.

“His leadership will be missed, but there is a part of him in every kid left in that room, he has definitely left his mark,” the coach said.

Thomas Vance earned fourth place at 182 pounds in his first trip to state.

“Our other guys can learn from Thomas’ approach in the way he just lets it fly and wrestles fearless,” Coach Schluckebier said. “Everything doesn’t always work out for him, but he’s strong enough to get out of tough situations and he just keeps coming at you. We were all very happy with his performance this weekend and he has definitely made a name for himself heading into his senior year next season.”

Vance was 4-2 over the two day tournament.

Eli Vondra earned sixth place at 132 pounds, winning his second state medal. After beating a returning state runner-up in the quarterfinals, he battled the returning state champion Quentyn Frank of Amherst and took him down in the first period.

Unfortunately, Vondra gave up some nearfall points and lost 7-4.

“It was right back into action against a familiar foe in Ryan Payne of Centennial that Eli has beat five straight times this season,” Coach Schluckebier said.

In this match-up, Payne got the better of Vondra, putting the MHS junior in the fifth-place match. There he lost to Logan Bryce of Raymond Central, who he’d beaten in the quarterfinals.

“Eli took it hard, but the reality is that he is good enough to beat anyone in the state, and he has proven that all year. He just needed to stay in it for the long haul after losing the tough semifinal,” Coach Schluckebier said.

“It was no secret that he wanted to join Konner in the Parade of Champions. They’ve been best friends and practice partners their entire career. One thing I will never forget is how Eli carried his gear back into that arena later that night to get Konner warmed up for the state finals when he could have been sulking in the stands instead. He’s a high character man and will have a fire burning in him as he prepares for his senior season next year.”

Conner Kohout, a freshman at 106, lost in overtime in the heartbreak round. That equates to a top eight finish, Coach Schluckebier said.

Hunter Oborny, a freshman at 195, was also one match away from a medal. Five of the six medal winners in the class were seniors, the coach said.

Christopher Scdoris, wrestling at 170, ended a match away from a medal as well. Lorenzo Temple won one of his three matches, and Jack Chapman, Trent Stauffer, and Carter Springer each went 0-2 on day one to end their season a little earlier than they would have liked, the coach said.