Lakenheath's Adrian Hill spins out of the control of AFNORTH's David Diaz during a 215-pound wrestling match on Jan. 25, 2025, at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

SPANGDAHLEM, Germany – Nobody would have faulted SHAPE’s Julyan Serrano-Garcia from sitting out the last regular-season meet Saturday at Spangdahlem High School.

The senior Spartan already had sealed his ticket to the sectional rounds, which take place Feb. 1, thanks to a 12-1 record. Why risk injury before the last wrestling championships of his high school career?

Yet Serrano-Garcia looked at teammates on the girls side, Penelope Gomlak at 105 and Lene Schaumburger at 120 pounds, who needed a good showing to advance to the postseason. That’s all the motivation he needed.

“I was not going to let them wrestle alone,” said Serrano-Garcia, who went 4-0 at 126 on Saturday. “I had to do it with them.”

That mentality proved to be a theme for numerous wrestlers Saturday, when SHAPE, AFNORTH, Alconbury, Baumholder, Lakenheath and host Spangdahlem grappled in a tournament that had more empty brackets (three) than a full field (one).

One of those wrestlers was AFNORTH’s James Bennett. His record was good enough despite changing weight classes from 144 (where he lost just one match) to 150 (where he won the first tournament with relative ease). He said he made the switch because making the weight was difficult after a football season in which he weighed 168 pounds.

On Saturday, Bennett showcased his leadership qualities with four wins (one of which was a forfeit).

“Wrestling gives you a wonderful opportunity to uplift those around you,” he said. “What drove me to try really hard was to try to set an example for some of the freshmen out here. They always perform better when I go out and try my best.”

Another wrestler to place a stamp on his resume at Spangdahlem was Lakenheath’s Adrian Hill.

The junior Lancer entered with a perfect 12-0 mark, and it was put to the test in a 215-pound weight class that carried the lone bracket in the tournament.

He made quick work of two opponents with 18-2 technical falls against SHAPE’s Artur Skangalis and AFNORTH’s David Diaz. Then in the final against Spangdahlem’s Hudson Hulet, a 2024 European qualifier, Hill jumped out to an 11-1 advantage before producing the pin at 3 minutes, 13 seconds.

“That was a great test,” Hill said of the final match against Hulet. “I was looking forward to it all day. It proved to be what I thought it would be, but I’m sure I’ll get to see him again and I can’t wait to wrestle him again.”

Lakenheath's Parker Grimm picks up SHAPE's Donovan Traylor and throws him down during a 150-pound wrestling match on Jan. 25, 2025, at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Spangdahlem's Alexi Farmakis grabs the leg of SHAPE's Andrea Kontri during a 140-pound wrestling match on Jan. 25, 2025, at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Baumholder's Jonathan Zdunczyk looks up as he holds SHAPE's Arturs Skangalis to the groung during a 215-pound wrestling match on Jan. 25, 2025, at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

AFNORTH's James Bennett pins Lakenheath's Parker Grimm during a 150-pound wrestling match on Jan. 25, 2025, at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

The victory continued Hill’s perfect beginning to his wrestling career. The junior hadn’t taken the mat before coming to Lakenheath from Illinois this school year.

“Couldn’t have ever planned it,” Hill said of his success this season. “Maybe two weeks ago is when I realized, ‘Man, I really could continue with this.’”

Serrano-Garcia, meanwhile, showcased his commitment to the competition right before his last match.

The senior Spartan had produced three pins – at 2:22 against Spangdahlem’s Caleb Truscott, 1:20 against Lakenheath’s Diego Vargas and at 1:27 against Spangdahlem’s Jackson Harcz. When just minutes after his victory over Harcz he thought he had heard his final match against Alconbury’s Luis Payares was scheduled immediately, he jumped up and said he was rearing to get back on the mat.

Serrano-Garcia had to wait the regulated 30 minutes between matches before defeating the Dragon by an 18-1 technical fall.

“I wasn’t tired, so I was ready,” Serrano-Garcia said. “But I know that my opponent went three rounds right before me, so I knew he was tired. I didn’t mind.”

The trio and other top wrestlers in attendance Saturday now turn their attentions toward the postseason.

Each has plans to advance to the European championships Feb. 6-8 at the Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. Serrano-Garcia said he has to beat a field that includes Vicenza’s Mitchell Horrigan, who won the 120-pound title last winter.

Hill will try to cap off a perfect rookie campaign.

And Bennett enters the tournament fueled by the disappointment of last season’s sixth-place finish.

He said he still remembers what the eventual 2024 champion at 144, Wiesbaden’s Jacob Lane, told him after the tournament.

“At the end of the year, (Lane) gave me a real good heart to heart and told me that if this year I don’t go out and I don’t go out and get it, then I’m letting myself down,” Bennett said. “I’m trying to live up to his words and I’m trying to secure it.”

Alconbury's Richele Reyes rolls over SHAPE's Alexis Hall during a 120-pound wrestling match on Jan. 25, 2025, at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Lakenheath's Jaden DuBois helps up Spangdahlem's Oscar Diaz after pinning him during a 190-pound wrestling match on Jan. 25, 2025, at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

SHAPE's Julyan Serrano-Garcia holds down the head of Alconbury's Luis Payares during a 126-pound wrestling match on Jan. 25, 2025, at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

SHAPE's Liam Kennington dives at the legs of Lakenheath's Wesson Roney during a 175-pound wrestling match on Jan. 25, 2025, at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)