Posted 1/19/06
UW-Platteville senior Justin Seichter wrestles in what may be his final home match Friday vs. UW-Eau Claire at 7 p.m. in Williams Fieldhouse. The 165-pounder from Boyd, Wis. is among the Pioneer leaders in victories, wining 14 of his first 22 matches.
How is the season going for you and for the team?
"It's going OK for me. I've had some bad matches, but I've had some good matches, too. I've done well in tournaments but always looking to do better. As far as the team goes, missing our 125-pounder (to injury) hurts us a lot. If we would have had one, the MSOE or Lakeland matches would have gone the other way. We're strong and have a lot of good guys and will have a lot of them returning next season."
What kind of goals do you have for finishing up the season?
"As a team, we would like to be third in the conference again. Second is a little far out there because we are missing our 125-pounder, but third would be ideal. As for me, I'm looking to qualify for nationals. I want to get there. That would make my year. Then I would like to place and make all-American. I have to take it up a notch or two."
What are your strengths as a wrestler?
"I'm good on my feet, solid on my feet, strong and aggressive. I go out there and keep going. I'm in good shape and condition fairly hard."
Friday is the last home match? Has that hit you at all?
"It's more of a motivator. We look at it as our last chance to perform in front of the home crowd. We just want to go out there, go all out and take it to them."
What does the future hold for you?
"I'm graduating in December. I probably won't wrestle next year. If I'm involved, I'll probably come back as a graduate assistant, if coach will have me. I could go another semester and then wrestle the whole year, but right now it looks like I can be done in December. It's time to start paying off loans...I'm a construction management major with a minor in business. I'd like to run my own company or at least get in with a big company and be a construction manager. I like residential construction, but I've been kind of getting into commercial lately. I'll just have to see."
How do you balance schoolwork and athletics?
"I'm not sleeping. If I'm not wrestling, I'm working or going to school. I use all the time I have. In the morning, I get up early so I can work. If I'm not working, I study and then after practice I work and study until 10 or 11 at night. Then I get up the next day and do it again."
Will it be strange once your wrestling career is over?
"I'm going to miss it, but at the same time it will be nice to have my body heal. It will be nice to have extra time to work."
Interview by SID Paul Erickson