Advertisement

Only one goal remains to be conquered for the personable Mancelona High School senior ... winning a state title.

He was fourth at state last year and has overwhelmed everyone in his march to the school record.

Sehl's determination is etched on his face as he paces behind the Ironmen's bench prior to taking the mat.

Glaring over at his opponent as he mentally prepares himself for the match, Sehl has no doubt of the outcome. He will win. Guaranteed. And he works fast to get the job done.

Manton's wrestler gave him the toughest match, holding off what has become the inevitable pin until 59 seconds remained in the first period. Kingsley's guy didn't last that long.

With the first pin, Sehl became the school's all-time victories leader with 140 wins.

The second was just business as usual for Sehl. And Sehl is all business on the mat. No wasted motion. No mistakes.

Afterward he posed for pictures with a banner specially made for the occasion by his mother that read "140 and counting."

His dad, Bryan, gave him a bear hug and everyone offered their congratulations after Sehl broke the record held by his cousin, Josh Osborne.

Osborne now wrestles at Olivet, and there's a good possibility Sehl could also extend his career beyond high school.

Sehl has been wrestling since the third grade.

A friend got him started, and his father, Bryan, has supported him ever since he showed an interest in the sport.

Quiet and unassuming by nature, Sehl leads by example with his remarkable work ethic and almost scary determination.

"Every day after school I (jump rope) at least a thousand times," Sehl said following a lightning quick pin over a Kingsley opponent last Tuesday.

"I run about two or three miles (a day) ... doing everything I can. Because it's just not the school record. I want a state championship."

Sehl also played football for the Ironmen, who were Ski Valley Conference cochampions last season for the first time since 1994, but enjoys the unique oneon-one competition of wrestling.

Each wrestler is out to win for the team, but must do it on his own. He doesn't have 10 teammates out there with him, providing support.

"It's you and another guy. The team can't help you," Sehl said. "Whoever has the most heart, and whoever has worked the hardest during the week (that will win).

"That's what I love about it. In football, your teammates block for the running back, right? There (isn't any) blocking out there (on the wrestling mat). It's all yourself."

With the regular season quickly winding down, Sehl is locking in on his last remaining goal ... winning a state tite.

Sehl goes through a regular routine before each match to psyche himself up, occasionally glancing over at his opponent.

Just before his match starts, Sehl squats down and slaps himself. He can't explain why he does it.

"It's just a mental thing," Sehl said. "It's just knowing he's my competitor, and there isn't anything that's going to stop me from beating him. It's a mode I get into. It's what I do."

He's counting on the experience he gained competing in the state tournament to give him an advantage this year.

Knowing how hard it is to advance out of districts and regionals, Sehl isn't taking anythng for granted.

"It's going to be even tougher this year with the U.P. (Upper Peninsula) coming down," Sehl said. "It's just that much harder that I have to work." Sehl didn't immediately put up big numbers as a high school wrestler. He was a pedestrian 25-20 as a freshman.

The next year, he went 43-12 as a sophomore ... and Sehl began to think he might have a chance of breaking his cousin's record of 139 wins.

When he finished 43-6 last year, lifting his career total to 110 wins, Sehl knew the record was within his reach.

And he wanted it bad.

"I wanted to beat Josh," Sehl said with a grin. "Just a little competitive battle that he and I had."

Mancelona coach Ed Schmidt enjoys having Sehl on the team. And not only because he wins so much.

"He's a real team leader, and the kids really look up to him," Schmidt said. "It's good to see him get (the record), because he's a real hard worker. He's showing that the hard work pays off.

"We have a lot of freshmen on the team, and they're seeing that it's all possible. Cody wasn't expected (to challenge for the school record) when he started out as a freshman.

"I'm excited to be a part of it. I can't say enough good about him. I'm really hoping a college looks at him, and shows some interest. He's easy to work with.

"He's a different person on the mat. When he's on the mat, he's all business. He listens well, and he executes everything pretty much that I tell him to do when he does need advice. He's been a joy to have around."

Sehl has always played baseball in the spring, but says this year he's switching to golf.

"I want to have a little fun," he said.

That'll be a cinch if Sehl heads into his final sports season at Mancelona as a state champion wrestler.