This story is sponsored by: The University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
STRATFORD – One of the Stratford wrestling team’s Marawood Conference goals is complete.
The Tigers wrapped up their Marawood dual meet schedule with a perfect 7-0 record after defeating Auburndale 54-27 on Thursday night at Stratford High School.
Stratford started out the match with three-straight first-period pins. Tyson Kauffman stopped Josh Gabel in 1:31 in the 285-pound match, Jake Drexler won in 1:21 at 106, and Jeremy Schoenherr needed just 26 seconds to pin Readi Meyer at 113.
“There are a lot of good teams and a lot of good individuals in the Marawood, so to come out on top after that grind, we’re pretty happy with that,” Stratford coach Joe Schwabe said.
Dylan Altmann grabbed the Apaches’ first win, a 6-2 decision over Jordan Becker at 126, before a second forfeit and a pin from David Marquardt at 138 put Stratford on top 36-3 halfway through the match.
Paul Willfahrt (145), Keller Wolfe (160) and Wyatt Weiler (170) had consecutive pins as Auburndale closed the gap to 36-27.
Stratford won two of the final three matches on pins by Kam Bornbach (182) and Hunter Kauffman (220), both coming in the first minute of their respective matches.
Kurt Jankowski (195) also had a first-period pin, taking down Aiden Hoffman in 1:41.
Auburndale wraps up its Marawood schedule next Thursday at Chequamegon before both teams compete at the Marawood Conference Tournament on Jan. 31 at Phillips. Stratford is going for its second-straight tournament championship and third in the last five years.
“Two in a row would be great for this group,” Schwabe said. “We’re pretty young and to get a second one would be nice. We got half of it, with the duals, but we want to win the tournament and be greedy. We’ll go after it.”
Stratford 54, Auburndale 27
285: Tyson Kauffman (S) pinned Josh Gabel in 1:31.
106: Jake Drexler (S) pinned Matt Leick in 1:21.
113: Jeremy Schoenherr (S) pinned Readi Meyer in 0:26.
120: A.J. Schoenfuss (S) won by forfeit.
126: Dylan Altmann (A) def. Jordan Becker 6-2.
132: Mason Kauffman (S) won by forfeit.
138: David Marquardt (S) pinned Aaron Willfahrt in 5:49.
145: Paul Willfahrt (A) pinned Mark Handrick in 4:48.
152: Sam Wenzel (S) won by forfeit.
160: Keller Wolfe (A) pinned Ron Drymon in 2:42.
170: Wyatt Weiler (A) pinned Ethan Young in 0:51.
182: Kam Bornbach (S) pinned Sam Hasenohrl in 0:34.
195: Kurt Jankowski (A) pinned Aiden Hoffman in 1:41.
220: Hunter Kauffman (S) pinned Jonah Kopelke in 0:49.