Wrestlers take the stage at Ozaukee High

The Ozaukee High School boys’ wrestling team got a taste of what it’s like to be under the lights at their own home.

The Warriors’ Jan. 6 meets against Cedar Grove-Belgium and Random Lake were held on the stage of the Northern Ozaukee School District Fine Arts Center.

“We wanted to try something different and hopefully memorable for our duals with Cedar Grove and Random. Of course, it would have been more fun if we won more matches, but overall I don’t know how many schools would be willing to try to do an event like we did,” coach Ted Schanen said. 

“There was a lot of effort that went into having our meet in the fine arts center up on the stage. There were many times in the planning and preparation that I wasn’t sure that it would work, but between maintenance, administration and tech staff, everyone helped find solutions to make it possible instead of just reasons to scrap the idea. For that, I’m grateful for all of the support at Ozaukee.”

The Rockets beat the Warriors, 66-6. Ozaukee’s Wyatt Borchardt got his team’s win, pinning Ben Duwell at 126 pounds. For the Rockets, Brayden Prom, Syrus Anderson, Josh Anzia and Carsen Voskuil earned pins.

“Wrestling on the stage was a fun opportunity,” Cedar Grove-Belgium coach Chad Hoopman said. “Hopefully that draws more attention to the sport.”

Last Friday, Sterling Schanen got fifth at The Duffy Invite in Port Washington, going 4-1 at 106 pounds. Delleree got sixth at 120, going 3-2.

At the Valders Viking Scramble on Saturday, Schanen went 4-1 and got second. Delleree went 3-2 and was fifth. Borchardt went 2-3 and was sixth.

“He is hungry, he is still developing, and the best is yet to come,” coach Schanen said of Sterling. “I could say the same for our whole team at this point.”

The Warriors wrestle at Fox Valley Lutheran on Saturday, Jan. 17. The Rockets wrestle in an invite in Florida on the weekend.