MONROE — The Cheesemakers shined under the spotlights in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) in their 57-21 dual win over East Troy on Thursday, Jan. 4. Six Monroe wrestlers recorded pins, and one tallied his first win.

“When it comes to dual meets, it’s definitely a team sport,” Monroe head coach Tom Witt said.

The tradition of wrestling under the PAC lights on senior night started when Witt’s son, Alex, was a sophomore and has been one Monroe wrestlers have circled on their calendar each year.

“I’ve had that dream of being the senior wrestler on the stage ever since I was a sophomore and saw my brother (Brady) do it,” Monroe senior CJ Schuh said. “It’s a great experience being under the spotlight.”

Although the event brought excitement, Witt knew his team would need to battle for each point. East Troy has some talented wrestlers, including Max Gonzalez (126), who won Badger State in December.

The match started at 132 pounds, where Monroe’s Kraig Walter lost by a 16-9 decision. Walter had a takedown in the first period and got three points for a near fall. Despite the loss, Witt said Walter did his job.

“It wasn’t pretty but Kraig did enough to keep it to just a decision, which is only 3 points for them,” Witt said. “That’s what we needed from him. We didn’t need a win, we just didn’t need him to get pinned.”

Garrett Minder’s (138) pin and Connor Eckdhal’s (144) 9-2 decision gave Monroe a 9-3 lead. 

CJ Schuh (150) quickly took an 11-0 lead on his opponent, Ben Gates, before Witt reminded him to be smart. CJ Schuh was just four points away from a technical fall, but with 10 matches left in the dual, he needed the pin.

This lesson came to fruition against Dodgeville, where CJ’s younger brother, Noah, took a technical fall instead of a pin. Monroe beat Dodgeville 42-41, and Noah Schuh’s match made the 1-point difference.

“It’s really important to wrestle smart,” CJ Schuh said. “Sometimes it will come down to the last point. It didn’t go down to that tonight, but it very well could have.”

Monroe won six of the next seven matches with four pins and two forfeits. Braedyn Nally (157) secured Jacob Ginal between his legs for a pin just 24 seconds into his match. Kabian Ramos (175) pinned Kieran McCue in the first period, giving the Cheesemakers a 33-3 lead.

“As soon as he (Ramos) got the pin, he sealed it for us,” Witt said. “There was no way they could catch us. It can help those younger guys after that. I told Connor Swindle then after, ‘We have it won. Go wrestle your match.’”

First-year wrestler Simon Carus (215) picked up his first victory by pin, and Nathan Schipper (285) followed wit his own pin. Owen Voegeli (106) and Althea Eckdhal (120) received forfeits for Monroe’s 57 team points.

“Shipper has been struggling as well,” Witt said. “He came from behind to get that pin. It was the icing on the cake.”