Schroeder’s road to victory: Carrington senior fueled by loss

Cordell Schroeder doesn’t look at his only loss of the season with frustration.

In fact, the Carrington senior embraces it.

A late takedown by Coon Rapids standout Michael Burckhardt secured a 5-2 decision over Schroeder at the Rumble on the Red in Fargo after Christmas, but Schroeder was still pleased with his performance. Burckhardt is ranked 15th in the nation.

“It definitely made me a better wrestler,” said Schroeder, a heavyweight. “I like the competition. Rumble on the Red was a great tournament. I’d wrestle that kid again if I had the chance.”

He’s been unstoppable, otherwise.

Schroeder puts his 39-1 record on the line Thursday when the Class B state tournament kicks off at the Fargodome. He meets Linton-Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock junior Cody Schlosser in the opening round, bent on repeating as state champion and hoping to have an easier time than last year when he beat Napoleon’s Andrew Beine by 4-1 overtime decision in the 220-pound finals.

“It was an unbelievable feeling,” said Schroeder, who was seeded second behind Beine. “I worked really, really hard for it. I fell short my sophomore year and nothing feels worse than taking second place.”

Schroeder, a three-time state placer who took fifth at 215 as a freshman, is also looking to knock down another pillar in the final stage of his journey. Despite Carrington’s rich tradition in Class B wrestling, there has never been a heavyweight champion.

“That’s another reason I’m gunning for it,” said Schroeder, who has pinned 38 opponents this season. “It’s great to be 39-1, but it just doesn’t matter. There’s a lot of people that don’t have anything to lose. I’ll keep my drive focused on that heavyweight title.”

Carrington is looking for a big weekend out of its blue-chip wrestlers. The Cardinals won the Region 2 individual and dual tournaments.

“Obviously, personal goals come into effect,” said Schroeder, who is headed to the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton to play on the defensive line and major in agronomy, “but the team is looking at being up there in the runnings for the individual and dual titles.”

Carrington qualified 12 individuals to state and including the top-seeded Schroeder and 195-pound senior Austin Schuldheisz, who is also seeded No. 1. Carrington meets Region 3 No. 2 Stanley-Powers Lake-Tioga-Ray in the dual tournament quarterfinals.

“We’ve just been so close to the title,” Schroeder said. “It’s just time see if we can finally get one.”

South Border senior Blake Bosch will be looking for his third state title this weekend. He won titles as an eighth-grader at 112 and a junior at 126. He was runner-up as a freshman (112) and sophomore (119). He is 37-0 and faces New Salem’s Cullen Seeger in the first round.

South Border is in the running for both dual and team titles. The Mustangs won both Region 1 tournaments, qualifying 13 to the individual tournament. They face Beulah-Hazen in the first round of the state dual tournament.

Lisbon has two top-seeded wrestlers in Jace Berg (120) and Dylan Urbach (145), qualifying 10 for the tournament. Napoleon’s Andrew Beine (220) and Oakes’ Erik Loepp (113) are also seeded No. 1.

Linton-HMB made the state dual tournament, earning the No. 2 seed out of Region 1. The Lions match up against Region 4 top-seed Hettinger-Scranton.

Sun sports writer Chris Aarhus can be reached at (701) 952-8462 or by email at caarhus@jamestownsun.com

Tags: class b, sports, wrestling