(Oakland) Riverside senior John Schroder has committed to wrestle at Northwestern College in Orange City.
Schroder says, “I went and toured out there and did a visit and just loved the facilities and coaches and being around the team so it just felt like a good fit for me.”
It wasn’t until recently that Schroder warmed up to the idea of continuing his career at the next level. “This football season I sat down and talked with the coach and I thought it would be a good idea to try and pursue it.”
Northwestern emerged as a clear top choice. “I looked at Iowa Wesleyan and Iowa Western a little bit, but Northwestern was kid of my first and only pick.”
Schroder discusses his initial goals. “Just to start out and be able to compete and hang along with those guys, because everyone at that level is good.”
For Schroder, it was hard to imagine his wrestling career coming to an end, so he’s glad to continue it. “Just for the love of the sport. I’ve been doing it my whole life and just want to keep pursuing it.”
He wrestled at 113 pounds in high school, placing 7th at the state tournament this year. In college the lowest weight class is 125 pounds. “I’m going to have to grow a little bit. It’ll be a different look my freshman year because in high school I was cutting weight and now I’m going to be a smaller 125 pounder.”
Schroder capped off his senior year with a record of 37-7. He was a three time state qualifier.
