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VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. — A trio of Cedar Catholic wrestlers competed last weekend at the 25th annual National Duals meet at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.
The 132-team event, which is administered by the National High School Coaches Association, is billed as the largest and most competitive duals event in the U.S.
Bodie Hochstein wrestled at 132 for the Nebraska Gold team, while his brother Easton competed in the 138-pound division for Nebraska Gold.
Braeden Kleinschmit competed at 138 pounds for the Nebraska Silver team.
To qualify for the Gold Team, a wrestler must win the Nebraska USA State Championship and to qualify for the Silver Team a wrestler must be the runner-up at the Nebraska USA State Championship.
Bodie Hochstein posted a 6-2 mark during the competition. Easton Hochstein ended the weekend with a 5-3 record.
Cedar Catholic coach Justin Bartling said Bodie’s most impressive victories were a 5-0 win over New York state champion Jack Cusumano and a 7-2 victory over twotime Oregon state champion Elijah Bayne.
“Ultimately, the match that stood out the most was Bodie’s dominant 7-2 win over Elijah Bayne — a state medalist in New Jersey and a two-time State Champion in Oregon. That is an impressive resume to say the least.”
Bartling said he is constantly surprised at how the 132-pounder handles pressure.
“What amazes me is that Bodie can stay calm and compete with anyone that steps foot on the mat. To only be a freshman and to have the poise and desire to take on the best wrestlers in the state and country is amazing,” Coach Bartling said.
Bodie Hochstein got off to a great start, winning six matches in his first two days of competition before losing 4-1 Monday to C.J. Carr, a wrestler who has already committed to wrestle at a Division I school.
Bodie wasn’t intimidated by the competition.
“I’ve been to National duals a few times. There are always good kids around the country, but they’re beatable.”
The Hochstein twins have competed at nationals before, so they didn’t have butterflies like they did the first time they faced such stiff competition.
“My first national duel I was pretty nervous because I hadn’t done it before, but the more I wrestle at this level of competition the more comfortable I get,” Easton said.
Events like this can be very humbling, sometimes Easton said, regardless of the outcome, though, each match provides a great opportunity to learn, he said.
“One match that stood out to me was when I had to wrestle a Pennsylvania state champ. I wouldn’t say it stood out for a good reason because I got beat by a lot,” he said. “But in this match, I realized that no matter how good I think I am there’s always going to be someone better. This is what I like about national duels. I get the chance to learn a lot more by losing a match than I do winning over and over again back in Nebraska. When I lose, I know there’s something to work on and to strive to get better to maybe wrestle that kid again.”
Bartling said Easton’s best victories were a 13-1 major decision over two-time national All-American Charles Smith from Florida and a dominant 6-1 victory over Michael O’Conner who was a New Jersey State medalist last season.
“Easton has the ultimate competitive desire to be the best. He wants to take on the best and show that he can compete with anyone,” Bartling said. “He continues to improve on his feet and showed this year with not only a fourth-place at the NSAA championships, but also a USA State Champion in Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco Roman wrestling.
Braeden Kleinschmit posted a 3-4 record at the event.
Kleinschmit drew some tough foes. Of his four losses, three were to state champions from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. All of his wins were by pin.
“Braeden has continued to show that he wants to put in the extra work it takes to get better and become a champion, Bartling said. “He is a leader in our building and is a true student of the sport.”
Kleinschmit is working to become Cedar’s first-ever four-time state qualifier and is only 13 wins away from becoming the school’s all time career wins leader.
“With these three kids I was definitely not surprised at how well they did this weekend. They have really put in the extra work to get where they are and deserve it,” Coach Bartling said.
