Milestone Marker: Thiele records 100th win

It's unlikely Alex Thiele will forget the significance of Saturday.

The senior wrestler became the first Bobcat to record 100 career wins.

The record was set in the third-place match at the Wakefield Trojan Wrestling Invite, when Thiele pinned Edwin Carey, a Millard South junior varsity team member, in 2:59.

"It is super exciting to be the first Bobcat wrestler to get 100 wins," Thiele said. "Ever since I started wrestling, it has been a goal of mine. It especially means a lot because I have had a few interruptions during the past few years with injuries and COVID, so it's very cool to be able to get this many wins."

Coach Dan Roeber said Alex, as well as all Bobcat wrestlers, have an opportunity to write the history books for the Bobcat wrestling program.

"Alex is the first wrestler to complete all four years as a Bobcat. I was very excited for Alex to get this accomplishment, he has put a lot of time into the sport and is a very hard worker and great leader for the team," Roeber said.

Thiele opened competition in the 120-pound class with a win over teammate, Caden Mendoza, in :37 and dropped a 5-1 decision to Wayne's Garrett Schultz in the semifinal. In the consolation semifinal, Thiele pinned Lane Fischer, Wakefield, in 2:12.

Roeber said Thiele has experienced ups and downs throughout his career and continues to look to improve.

"I had talked with Alex about getting this honor and not letting it be the deciding factor of his career; huge accomplishment for him, but he and I know that he has bigger goals yet to reach," Roeber said. "I was very glad to get it at Wakefield though, just one less pressure off before next weekend and the district meet."

Thiele started his career wrestling in the 113-pound class and, as a sophomore and junior, bumped up to the 126-pound division.

"I decided to go down to 120 since it's my last year and I have the best chance in wrestling at this weight," he said.

The Summerland senior said wrestling presents many hidden challenges that aren't always visible to spectators, like practices and conditioning.

Wrestling is a sport that "takes control of your life, even when you aren't at a meet or at practice," since the team travels to meets on most Saturdays.

And, wrestlers have to learn how to handle pressure.

"When you step out on the mat, you are all by yourself and the pressure is on you. You have TeamMates and coaches behind you, but ultimately, it all comes down to how you wrestle. It can be very hard to come back from an unexpected and disappointing loss, but it's also a great feeling to go out there and upset someone who was favored to win the match. It takes a lot of mental and physical strength to be a wrestler," Thiele said.