Wrestlers’ unique journeys to state

Seniors Rueth, Sweno are first timers at state

Stratford senior wrestler Logan Rueth patiently waited for the past three years for his turn to crack the varsity team’s starting lineup this season. Now he’ll wrestle in the WIAA Division 3 state individual wrestling tournament this Saturday, Feb. 13, at Wausau East High

School. What a dramatic turn of events for Rueth in his high school career. He was only on Stratford’s varsity reserve squad for the past three seasons until he finally made the varsity team this season. Even then, he wasn’t in the starting lineup at 170 pounds until senior Hunter Ford suffered an unfortunate injury.

Rueth pinned senior Brayden Wolf of Spring Valley/Elmwood in the 170-pound sectional championship match on Saturday in St. Croix Falls to qualify for the state tournament. He’s ready to experi- ence what it’s like to compete at the state tournament.

“My strategy is to stay focused and wrestle the best I can and then we’ll see what happens, but I’m hoping to beat some good wrestlers at state,” Rueth said.

Stratford head coach Adam Davison said Rueth’s perseverance during his high school wrestling career provides for a great story.

“He’s a kid who has worked hard and earned his shot,” Davison said. “With the depth and talent this team has had over the past few years, there were a lot of kids who were talented but didn’t get a chance to wrestle varsity regularly. Logan is a great kid, he shows up every day and puts in solid work.

“It’s a great feeling as a coach to see a kid, who a lot of other people probably discounted or counted out as we approached tournament season, to prove some folks wrong not only by qualifying for state but doing so as a sectional champion. No matter what happens this weekend, Logan can always be proud of what he accomplished this season.”

Rueth will be joined by his Stratford teammates Gavin Drexler, Elijah Lucio, Jacob Heiden and Raife Smart at the state individual wrestling tournament on Saturday. Drexler won the 138-pound sectional championship and he’ll attempt to win back-to-back individual state championships. He won the 126-pound state title last season.

Lucio and Heiden are also making return trips to the individual state tournament, whereas this will be Smart’s first time competing at state. Lucio won the 145-pound sectional championship while Heiden and Smart placed second in their sectional weight classes.

Senior Jared Sweno of Marathon is the only other local wrestler who’ll compete in the Division 3 state individual wrestling tournament on Saturday. Sweno never even made it to sectionals in his previous three years in high school up until this season. He placed second in the 132-pound sectional in St. Croix Falls to qualify for state. He’s eager to showcase his wrestling talents to the rest of the state this weekend.

“It’s been my goal throughout high school to wrestle at state,” Sweno said. “All the hard work and dedication in the practice room this year really helped to contribute to me getting to state. It being my last year really gave me the extra drive to go out with a bang and leave everything out there on the mat.

“My coaches have been with me since the beginning and have always been reminding me of how far I’ve come and that my time is limited. To complete another step toward the goal of being a champion is really fulfilling and I’m excited to see what Saturday brings.”