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With exceptional season, Steiger could set JM mark

By Ben Pherson

bpherson@postbulletin.com

Garrett Steiger comes from a family of Rochester John Marshall wrestlers.

Steiger's father wrestled for the Rockets, and his uncle went to state as a John Marshall standout.

So it came as no surprise when Steiger picked up the sport as a youngster, and excelled.

Now, in his fourth season with the John Marshall varsity team, Steiger has a chance to become the program's all-time wins leader.

The senior 125-pounder will hit 100 career victories with his first win this season. The school record is 137, set by Josh Friedt, who was a state champion in 1994.

Though it would require an exceptional season, Steiger could break the record at the state tournament.

"He'll have to put together a great season, and he'll probably need a win or two at state," JM coach Brian Parlin said. "But he can do it. It's pretty cool that he's accomplished it in only four years. And he's not going to shy away from anyone this year to get extra wins. If it happens, it happens, but he's going to go after the better kids around his weight."

It's likely Steiger will start the season at 125, but he'd like to move down to 119 eventually. There's better competition for him at 125 this season, so many of his regular-season matches could come at that weight.

"I'm hoping to get to 119; the sooner, the better," Steiger said. "If not right away, then after the Christmas break when I get two pounds."

Steiger enters the season ranked No. 6 in the state at 125 among Class AAA wrestlers. He's coming off a 35-4 season in which he won his second consecutive Section 1AAA title. Steiger did not place at state, though he won his first match and appeared to be headed for another win in the second round, which would have placed him on the podium.

"I think it was pretty disappointing for him," Parlin said. "In the quarterfinals, he was up 4-0 at one point, and he made one bad move. It was a risk he shouldn't have taken. If he had won that, he had a really good shot at making the finals."

Steiger said last year's disappointment at state has provided added motivation for his senior season.

"I've been looking forward to this year for a long time," he said. "I should have wrestled better in a couple matches up at state, so that was kind of disappointing. But that's what this year is for ... I'm pretty motivated."

Parlin says there are very few holes in Steiger's game. The captain is great on his feet and he's the team's best rider.

"He's a complete wrestler," Parlin said. "He's a stubborn kid, and he doesn't like to lose. Sometimes he just finds a way to win."

Steiger has set modest goals for this season. He'd like to place at state, and he'd like to see his teammates do well.

"Really, I just want to wrestle everybody like it's a championship match," Steiger said. "I haven't thought much about the school record or anything like that. I just want to have fun, and do what I've got to do out there."

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