Hearing the name Schoenfelder around Antioch Community High School is fairly common. It became even more common this year when the youngest of the family, Niall Schoenfelder, entered the halls of ACHS.

A big part of Schoenfelder’s life is wrestling. As a freshman, he is wrestling varsity at the 126 pound weight class. Two weeks into the season, he has an 8-3 record.

Prior to Antioch, Schoenfelder has had a lot of experience wrestling. He started wrestling at the age of five with the Lakeland Predators Wrestling Club. Schoenfelder said growing up he was a timid wrestler, but when he had to step it up he would become aggressive and wrestle well. He also started wrestling freestyle along with folkstyle in the sixth and seventh grade to help himself improve.

In middle school, Schoenfelder was very successful. All three of his years he qualified for state. His first two years he lost his first match at the 90 and 100 pound weight classes. His third year, Schoenfelder placed 2nd in state at the 112 pound weight class.

Even after being so successful at Antioch Upper Grade School (AUGS), Schoenfelder said he has noticed a big difference between middle school and high school.

“I noticed that at AUGS it’s a lot more laid back and at the high school it’s a lot more intense,” Schoenfelder said. “You always feel like you have to be on top of your game.”

Schoenfelder also explained that at the high school varsity level, wrestlers seem to be a lot more experienced. He said that in order to beat wrestlers like that, he needs to calm down and “wrestle like himself.” To do that, he said he needs to be able to control the tempo of the match and put himself in good position to beat his opponent.

Schoenfelder said what he enjoys most about wrestling, is having a one on one challenge against your opponent.

“It’s a different sport where you don’t have to rely on other teammates,” Schoenfelder said. “It’s just you on that mat. There’s no one for you to blame but yourself.”

By the end of this season Schoenfelder’s goal is to make it down to state. At the end of his career at Antioch, he has even bigger goals.

“I’d say my main goals are to be on top of the podium and won state by the end of my four years here,” Schoenfelder said. “I want to leave here knowing I left a legacy for everybody to look up to me, and know that I was a good wrestler.”