Finished 17-9 in 2023-24 and was an NCAA Division II national qualifier, First-Team All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference, winning the 2024 title at 165 pounds, earned Second-Team All-Great, Midwest honors at 165 pounds in 2022-23and was second on the team in wins (26), finishing at 26-10 with one pin, three technical falls, and five major decisions.  

Those are just the few accomplishments that Sevriano Garza, better known as Sevi, has accomplished on the Ashland University wrestling team; however, his love and determination for the sport has always been prevalent in his life. 

“When I was young my father dragged me to my older brother’s wrestling practice. Then decided to join wrestling since I was forced to be at the practice and kept it going from there,” Garza said. 

When it came time to play at the collegiate level, Garza had no doubt Ashland would be his home for the next four years. 

“I knew of the wrestling program here and its tradition for a while. The school checked all the boxes in what I was looking for,” Garza said.  “But what really sold me on going to AU was talking to Coach Sponseller and Coach Romanzak. They really showed interest in having me there and I knew with their knowledge I could become a great wrestler.” 

Friendships are what bring a lot of teams together, and it was no different for Garza. 

“I have made a lot of great memories here at AU, but the friends I have made are most memorable. My friends provide plenty of laughs, but most of all they have helped me become a better man assisted me in my faith and made me be a better wrestler,” Garza said. 

Garzas teammates also reciprocate the love he finds for his team, such as Senior Wyatt Bailey. 

“I love Sevi, he is one of my favorite teammates and I love hanging out with him as well as the work he puts in to be a good wrestler,” Bailey said. 

Going into the new season, Garza has plenty of goals for himself and his teammates. 

“For the team, our goal is to get better one percent every day, chipping away at becoming complete wrestlers. If we can achieve this, our team can repeat with a conference title and regional title while having five plus at nationals. The goals I have for myself are to leave everything out on the mat and peak at the end and end up high on the podium at the national tournament,” Garza said. 

Wrestling fans can follow Garzas and the teams progress at Go Ashland Eagles.