Lone Calvary Wrestler Making Strides In Season

It’s lonely to be the only member of a team.  Christian Otzenberger is facing this issue at Calvary.  He was the sole wrestler last year and placed third at the LHSAA State Championships for the Cavaliers.  Otzenberger has been helped in training by the North Desoto wrestling squad.  He has been grateful to the Griffins squad in his improvement this year.  “North Desoto has always been there to help,” Otzenberger said. “My technique and stamina has improved and haven’t had any injuries.  It’s been smooth sailing and that has helped.  I owe a large majority to them for my success.”

“Otz” moved up to the 170 weight class and has had a dominant season with a host of new sweatshirts and medals around his neck.  He started the season finishing third in the Cinco Ranch Big 12 Invitational in Katy, TX.  The next weekend he took a runner-up at the 12th Annual Heath Invitational in the 11 man field in the 170 class.   The Calvary Wrestler grabbed another runner-up at the Little Rock Central Classic.   

Otzenberger’s first title came closer to home at the annual Lone Survivor tournament.   The Cavalier won the 170 Pool B undefeated with winning three first-period pins over wrestlers from Airline, Byrd, and Rayne.  A semifinal rematch with Airline Brendon Brooks saw another first-period pin in 53 seconds.  This setup a championship with Haughton’s Jason Zahm who won Pool A.  Otzenberger took the title with another first-period pin.  

The title gate had now opened.  Otzenberger went back to Parkway and competed in the Big Cat Brawl.  The round-robin tournament saw “Otz” face two training partners from North Desoto pinning both in the first period.  The Cavalier took runner-up from Parkway Brendon Earnest in a 33-second pin.  A rematch from Lone Survivor with Jason Zahm went the distance but a 14-0 decision.  

Otzenberger got an opportunity to see what he will be facing in four weeks at the LHSAA State Championships at Louisiana Classic in Gonzales.  Otz won the first-round match with a 7-0 decision over Anthony Denova from Brusly.  An opponent he could face in the tournament. The second round was a win over Catholic League Jesuit wrestler Patrick Matthews.  A pin in the final period pushed Otz to the quarterfinals.  The Cavalier wrestler fell in the quarters to Luke Robertson from DeLasalle on a third-round pin. Otzenberger battled through the consolation.  Jacobi Clement was the first opponent in the quest for third.  The East Ascension wrestler was pinned nine seconds into the second period.  Otz advanced again with an overtime win over Texas wrestler Juan Salinas from Rockwall Heath.   The Calvary wrestler made it to the podium with a 9-7 decision over Teurling Catholic John Paul Travasos.  Otzenberger faced a rematch in the third-place match against Luke Robertson.  Otz had a 2-point takedown in the first period just 22 seconds into it.  Otzenberger took the 2-0 lead after one period.  Each wrestler scored four in the second period.  Otz took a 6-4 lead into the final period.  Another takedown by Otzenberger pushed the lead to 8-4.  Another escape pushed to 9-4.   Robertson got a reversal for two points with 33 seconds remaining.  Time ran out and Otzenberger took third in 170 weight class.  

The Cavalier wrestler will be heading south to compete in a Louisiana mainstay in the Ken Cole.  This will be before the road to the LHSAA State championships begin in the North Louisiana Regional Championships.