SJU Wrestling looks ahead to upcoming NCAA Regional meet

The SJU wrestling team finished off the regular season with junior wrestlers Connor Krueger and Aidan Wayne each clinching titles in their Feb. 7 meet at Concordia-Moorhead. The team finished with an overall record of 4-6 on the season. Krueger and Wayne will compete in the NCAA Regional meet at the end of the month.

Head coach Kevin Schiltz said the team’s performance this season was good despite unfortunate circumstances with injuries and illnesses among the athletes that took them out of the lineup. These circumstances have constantly shifted the lineup and impacted performances in dual meets.

“The overall performance was good, but the outcomes weren’t so good in some of the dual meets we lost,” Schiltz said.

He explained that the outcomes not leading up to expectations were due to some key athletes being out. Even with the injuries, Schiltz was proud to have champions and high placers on his team at almost every tournament. Some of the biggest improvements that Schiltz saw within the team were a majority of the wrestlers progressing in strength by hitting the weight room, getting out to compete and believing in their abilities to beat their opponents.

The main challenge that the athletes had to adapt to was making the transition from high school to college. Schiltz said that he has a very young team and the earlier the athletes can make the adjustment, the better off they will be. The mindset that Schiltz said he has for his wrestlers—both physically and mentally—is heading into the postseason being prepared to step on the mat with anybody who is in front of them and coming out on top if they put forth the effort.

Schiltz prioritizes strength and conditioning as the main focus heading into the NCAA Regional meet—wrestling is a cardiovascular sport, and resting too much can catch up to the athletes quickly.

“We’re keeping our conditioning level up for those extra-long matches that may go into overtime or that extra tough guy that just doesn’t want to seem to go away that stands in
front of us,” Schiltz said.

His message to the team is “A’s and pins,” striving for As in the classroom and building their body and mindset to go out and get those pins on the mat.

Junior Connor Krueger explained that his technique, growth and conditioning has improved over the course of the season through hard work and practice. Krueger said that he is prepared and in shape for the postseason. Some strategic improvements he has made is being familiar with his wrestling technique and mastering the fine details. Krueger gave his thoughts on his favorite match of
the year, being the first meet of the season at the UW-Stevens Point Pointer Open. He got to compete with schools from Division II and he enjoyed it the most.

Krueger’s mindset heading into Regionals is growth, using the regular season to get better, and being in the best shape. He expressed his gratitude towards his teammates and coaches for pushing him to get better every day and that his best friends are his best partners. Krueger’s main focus for Regionals is building up cardio anticipating that these next matches are going to be the toughest ones all year. His biggest goal is to qualify for the national championship after falling short of it by one spot last year. Knowing that the toughest matches are ahead, Krueger plans to rise to the occasion and take his competitiveness to the next level.

Junior Aidan Wayne said that he was happy with his performances through 18 heavyweight matches going 15-3, and 16 matches at 197 only losing once. Wayne began wrestling at 197 in his freshman year and said that he was a little anxious about how he would do in the first three duals. He ended up winning the duals, which was a turning point and confidence booster for him. One challenge that Wayne has faced during the season is dealing with bad shoulders, he would maintain this constant battle by getting into the weight room before and after practice every day when he can.

Wayne’s preparation for Regionals, both physically and mentally, is being mindful at practice, working on cardio and staying fit. Wayne emphasized placing top three is his main goal.

“I definitely want to place top three; I’d be pretty upset if I didn’t,” Wayne said—he would also like to get a shot at winning the tournament and going to Nationals.

The NCAA Regional wrestling meet will take place Feb. 27-28 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.