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Cedar wrestlers reach some impressive marks
HARTINGTON — The Cedar Catholic wrestling record book isn’t being updated this winter — it’s being overhauled.
Career milestones, school records and all-time rankings are falling as Maverick Heine, Brady Hochstein and Easton Hochstein continue building careers that already rank among the most accomplished in program history.
The trio has turned consistency into dominance, milestones into routine, and the program’s all-time wins list into their personal climbing chart. And they’re not done yet.
Heine and Brady Hochstein both blasted through the 150-career win mark recently, moving within striking distance of Braeden Kleinschmit’s school record of 157 career victories. What once looked like a distant mark is now clearly within reach as the postseason approaches.
“Brady and Maverick came into our room from day one and proved they were different,” said Cedar Catholic and Hartington-Newcastle coach Justin Bartling. “The success, the medals, the wins for themselves — but also the leadership and success that’s spread throughout the team — has been amazing. Both of them are in the hunt for another shot at the finals.”
But this surge isn’t a two-man show. It’s a room full of winners.
Cedar Catholic currently has five wrestlers with 100 or more career victories, a staggering number that shows just how deep this group runs. Easton Hochstein has climbed to 138 wins, Bodie Hochstein sits at 119, and Hunter Kuchta joined elite company by just now hitting the century mark.
“There’s one wrestler opponents still overlook, and I don’t know why,” Bartling said. “Hunter Kuchta is a two-time state qualifier and now just the eighth wrestler in school history to reach 100 wins. He’s a glue guy. He can wrestle and work with anyone and is in the hunt for a medal every time we compete.”
The Hochstein name has become nearly synonymous with Trojan wrestling, but Bartling also pointed to the Kuchta family’s growing legacy.
“Madison was our first girls varsity wrestler and first girls state qualifier. Hunter qualified as a freshman and sophomore, and now Morgan is heading into districts ranked with 29 wins this season. That’s a wrestling family.”
Still, the headline achievements belong to the program’s current standard-setters.
Brady Hochstein didn’t just pile up wins — he smashed the school career pin record with 107 pinfalls, blowing past the previous mark of 87. Easton Hochstein set a new single-season takedown record with 107, topping the old record of 99. Maverick Heine also etched his name into the books with one of the fastest pins in program history, sticking an opponent in just seven seconds, tying a school record.
Before this season began, Heine and Brady Hochstein were fourth and fifth on the all-time wins list. Now they sit tied for second at 150 and closing fast. Easton has rocketed into fourth all-time, while Bodie and Kuchta have climbed into the program’s top tier as well.
With Bodie and Easton both still having another full year ahead, records set today may not stand long — but that doesn’t make this run any less special.
This group isn’t just winning matches. They’re building the foundation for future Trojans.
