Barnard joins 100-win club at Tonawanda

It was a moment Tim Barnard has waited for and worked towards his entire wrestling career.

Barnard, a Tonawanda High School junior, became the 16th wrestler to join the Warriors’ 100-Win Club when he defeated Steve Qian of Amherst during the Warrior Duals on Nov.30.

“It feels great, just to be up there with such great names,” Barnard said with a mile wide smile. “That was actually my first goal. Ever since seventh grade, I dreamt of being up there on the hundred win board. I can’t get over how great it feels.”

Wrestling on the varsity since the seventh grade, Barnard said to reach this milestone moment in the George H. Miller gym during the Warrior Duals make it that much sweeter.

Senior and fellow captain Jacob Choate could barely contain his joy when asked about Barnard’s accomplishment.

“I’m pumped,” Choate said. “I started varsity before Tim. It’s awesome to see. We got to see Cody (McGregor) do it last year and Tim do it now. I’m just looking forward to me and Steve (Warthling) getting to that point.”

Knocking on the door to his 100th career win as well, Choate said seeing Barnard reach that coveted milestone is inspiring him to work even harder to make it himself.

“To see that it’s possible is exciting,” Choate added. “It just gets me in the wrestling mode and it just gets me pumped for the season.”

Barnard, who placed fifth in sectionals last year, said there are still more goals to aim for.

“I accomplished this goal but I’ve got to set new ones,” he said. “I want to go to states and hopefully a little further than that.”

Choate said that seeing Barnard reach his 100th was no shock, given the dedication and hard work Barnard has put in over the years.

“He’s got quite an arsenal of moves,” Choate said. “He’s got his go-to (move) also. Our coach last year (Jim) Schraufstetter taught great technique. And now to have another coach (Jeff Hess) pick up where he left off and continue to cultivate him. Tim has grown tremendously.”

Having nothing but respect for every person in the 100-Win Club, Barnard finds it hard to believe he’s up there with names like Ryan Mislin and the McGregor brothers.

“It definitely inspired me. Coming up wrestling with Jordan, Kyle, Scott and Cody, who’s a year younger than me and beating me to it,” Barnard said with a chuckle. “It really drove me.”