Wrestling: Bonds of friendship

They grew up just down the road from each other and met in daycare.

Friends ever since, DeForest wrestlers Lucas Evans and Tucker Schmidt are also competitive. Once upon a time, they wrestled in the same weight class. That lasted about three years. Evans is quick to point out that he had the better record, but Schmidt noted he won the last match between them.

“We treat each other more like brothers than wrestling partners or friends,” said Evans. “We have a different bond than anyone else in the (wrestling) room.”

Schmidt added, “It’s nice to always have somebody to help you push through.”

The two seniors got through regionals and will be wrestling at sectionals on Saturday at West Salem/Bangor. It could be their last team representing the Norskies on the mats, with Evans competing at 138 pounds and Schmidt at 157.

Evans can’t pick out a moment in his career that stands out above the rest.

“To be honest, I’ve just enjoyed every minute just wrestling with the boys,” said Evans. “I’ve loved every single second, and I’ll miss it if I don’t go to wrestle in college.”

For Schmidt, he returned to the DeForest wrestling program this year, after leaving it last season. He said he’s really enjoyed his senior year, winning his first high school tournament. Schmidt said he’s had a “love-hate relationship” with wrestling, but he added he’s going to miss the people.

Going all the way back to kindergarten, Schmidt and Evans have wrestled. They might have even started in 4-year-old kindergarten, they said. They used to wrestle against each other, with Evans winning three of four matches. Evans said he’s always known that wrestling is his sport. Schmidt also plays soccer, and for him, wrestling is a little different. Admittedly, he hasn’t always stuck with it.

However, after he stepped away last season, Schmidt found that he was bored. He was doing a lot of snowboarding, but Schmidt said he had too much time on his hands and missed that spirit of competition. He’d also broken his arm and collarbone.

Evans said he’s happy with how his senior year has gone and how the DeForest wrestling program has grown. After finishing the 2022-23 campaign with around 15 wrestlers, the Norskies’ numbers have ballooned to around 34.

“We have a good bond with all the underclassmen,” said Evans. “I think we’ve bonded with them more than any other senior class.”

Both Evans and Schmidt agreed that the Norski coaching staff is wonderful to work with and make practice fun.

“I think we’ve got the best coaches around,” said Evans, adding that they have coaches for different moves, different positions and different weights.

Looking ahead to sectionals, Evans is hoping to get through sectionals and reach state, as is Schmidt. And they’re looking to set themselves up in the best position possible to compete at state.

No matter what, though, Evans and Schmidt will always be competitive with each other, whether they’re playing video games, spike ball or yard games. They said their families have a good relationship and that wrestling has brought the families and their parents together.

Still, they can’t help but make digs at each other. They are different after all.

“I’m funny and he’s not,” joked Evans. Schmidt responded, “Well, at least I’m tall.”

Still competing, right to the very end.