Ehren Metzger’s return to the Hubs varsity wrestling team this winter may have been a buzzer-beating decision, but the senior grappler wasn’t about to let his final opportunity to suit up for Rochelle Township High School slip away.

Metzger was one of Rochelle’s strongest performers throughout the 2016-17 season. The 152-pounder went 29-6 last winter while finishing fourth at the Northern Illinois Big 12 Varsity Invitational, third at the Mahomet-Seymour Invitational and first place at the Rockford East Giardini Invitational.

But Metzger withdrew from the wrestling team toward the end of last season for personal reasons. As time passed and his deadline for returning to action this winter loomed, Metzger knew he had to make a tough choice.  

“I was in a bad state of mind and I had a bunch of things going on that were getting to me,” Metzger said. “I shouldn’t have let them get to me that much, but it ended up with me resigning from the team… When the time came, I made the decision that this was my senior year, so I should give it one last shot. It feels good to be back, and as a team, we all get along and my teammates welcomed me back with open arms.”

While Metzger did not wrestle in Rochelle’s opening triangular meet with Dixon and Burlington Central, his return to the varsity lineup has helped the Hubs win six of their last 10 matches including victories over Marengo, Streator and conference rival Sterling. Metzger is 11-2 over his first 13 matches this season, and the senior finished second at this year’s Rockford East Giardini Invitational to help Rochelle take third out of 13 schools.

“I think I’ve started the season pretty well,” Metzger said. “My strong suit is being in the neutral position, but I think I’ve gotten better on top. I’ve improved my top game this year and I’d like to improve my endurance and my bottom game… Winning regionals is a goal that we all believe we can accomplish, and we’re going to work hard in order to get there. Conference is going to be difficult, but if we can all get down to our weights, I think we can do that too.”

Metzger’s toughness extends beyond the mat room. The senior totaled 2,091 yards and 29 touchdowns over the past two seasons for the Hubs varsity football team in addition to 84 total tackles. He’s earned All-Conference First Team recognition in back-to-back years for his efforts on both sides of the ball, and even though he’s been wrestling since he was 5 years old, he said he also shares a strong passion for the gridiron.

“I like the team aspect of football,” Metzger said. “It’s a beautiful thing when everybody works together. I like how wrestling is 1-on-1 and it’s you against the other guy. Whoever worked harder and trained harder usually wins the match… Wrestling has always been a family thing. I had a lot of uncles and cousins who were into wrestling and my dad likes wrestling a lot so that got me into it.”

Ehren’s athletic role models include his uncle Will Metzger, who played fullback when Rochelle reached the state quarterfinals in 2011, and his uncle Matthew Fletcher, a former Army Ranger who is currently playing football at Coastal Carolina University. He also credited Hubs wrestling coach Rich Harvey and Rochelle football coach Kevin Crandall for helping him grow as both an athlete and a person.

“Coach Harvey has helped me understand the sport of wrestling more,” Metzger said. “He likes to go through film with me and break down what I did wrong and what I could do better. Coach Crandall helped me with my attitude and he helped me get a good mindset of always working hard and finishing hard.”