Senior Maddy Arnold finished sixth and claimed a medal in the 140-pound weight class at the state wrestling championships Saturday.
Arnold was the only Cardinal to snag a win in the main draw before dropping to the consolation bracket. She battled through multiple rounds and eventually lost in the fifth-place match to end up sixth. Arnold said it felt good to find success at state, especially since she was recovering from an injury last year.
After Arnold lost her second bout, she fought back to grind out multiple big wins on the back side of the draw, which was key to helping her reach the podium.
“Coming back and medaling was a very big success for me and overall was a very great goal to accomplish,” she said.
Arnold is the second Cardinal girl to medal at the state meet, following Harper Andrews last year.
Fellow senior Ryan Bretthauer competed at state for the second time this year. She said it was neveracking coming back a year later. She said wrestling has taught her how to be a better person. Even though she didn’t win at state, she said wrestling has taught her how to be tough and keep fighting in the face of setbacks.
“You’ve worked so hard, and you put everything into it,” she said. “Finally getting to step out on the arena floor and wrestle on this big stage, it’s a really amazing thing.”
For many of the Cardinal wrestlers, the state tournament was a chance to compete at a high level and see the best competition.
Despite feeling some disappointment that he didn’t advance, sophomore Newt Schreiner said wrestling at state was a cool opportunity.
“I thought it was a lot of fun,” Schreiner said. “Just this different atmosphere and how many people are here … I’m just going to keep working and keep getting better with the team.”
Freshman Bryce VanDonge said wrestling at state as a freshman was a way to prepare him for more success down the line.
“I think it’s fun to be here,” he said. “It’s my freshman year, and I feel like there is a lot more to come.”
Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]
