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One of the WIAA’s most exclusive groups welcomed two new members Saturday night.

Stratford’s Jeremy Schoenherr and Ellsworth’s Sam Stuhl each won their fourth consecutive individual state wrestling championships at the Kohl Center.

Schoenherr and Jake Baldwin of Coleman went toe-to-toe for the first half of the Division 3 138-pound title match before Schoenherr gained some separation. He ultimately won the bout 13-5.

“This is just awesome, knowing that the work I’ve put in, everyone that has invested in me, volunteered time for me, is paying off,” Schoenherr said. “The feeling of coming out on top the last time down here, there’s nothing better.”

Just moments later, Stuhl pinned Traeton Saint (Prairie du Chien) late in the third period of the D2 138 championship bout to become the 16th four-timer in state history.

“Winning the fourth one is the same as winning the first one,” Stuhl said. “Every one is a battle. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can get pinned in a move, it doesn’t matter. So it just feels unbelievable that all the hard work I put in inside and outside of the room … just knowing that those sacrifices paid off.”

Even with his nearly-unprecedented level of success, Stuhl refused to take his latest triumph for granted.

“I just feel privileged because I’m sure tons of guys out here have done the same things as me,” said Stuhl. “They’ve cut out stuff. They’ve worked hard. I just feel privileged to know that I’m going to be on top of the podium. It’s just unbelievable.

Saturday marked the third time two four-time champs were crowned on the same night. The four-timers club gained two new members in 2002 and 2008.

There was almost a third new addition to this historic group.

Almost.

The D3 126-pound championship match saw AJ Schoenfuss of Stratford competing for his fourth championship. But Jordan Boldt crashed the party.

The senior from Bonduel outlasted Schoenfuss 4-3 in ultimate tiebreaker to deny the Stratford senior the opportunity to make history.

The highly-contested battle featured many close calls with neither wrestler able to distance himself on the other on the scoreboard.

“He’s a great wrestler. I’ve seen him at Sectionals since freshman year,” Boldt said of Schoenfuss. “Freshman year he pinned me and ever since then, since he beat me I’m like, I’m going to work hard every day. Everything that I’ve worked for has just finally paid off … It’s my senior year. I had to leave it all out there.

Schoenfuss was trailing 2-1 in the waning moments of the third, but scored a late escape to force overtime.

After a scoreless one-minute sudden victory period, each wrestler earned an escape in their 30-second tiebreaker. That forced an ultimate tie break.

Boldt started on top. If he could maintain control, victory was his. If Schoenfuss earned an escape, he’d claim his fourth title.

“I looked down at the other mats and all of them are done. I’m like, aw crap, they’re all on me then. Everyone is looking at me,” Boldt said. “I worked all through adrenaline with all the clapping. My goal was to ride out. That’s all my goal is: just to ride him out. I put all my hips into it. I almost got turned. I don’t know. It was insane.”

Boldt was able to hold Schoenfuss down and clinch the victory.

“During the one overtime when everyone was clapping and getting into it, I was like ‘alright’ I’ve got something left in me,” Boldt said. “The crowd really helped me out, that’s for sure.

A victory from Schoenfuss would have marked the first time three four-time champions were crowned on the same night and the first time a pair of teammates won four straight.

“I’m so proud of him, Schoenherr said of Schoenfuss. “Three-time state champ, finishing second his final year. It’s still a great accomplishment. If I was in his shoes, I’d be just as upset. It sucks to not finish on top.”

The Stratford duo along with Stuhl don’t have much time to dwell on Saturday’s outcomes. Both of their teams are competing at the team state tournament next weekend.

Top-seeded Stratford takes on Saint Croix Falls in a Division 3 semifinal, while No. 1 Ellsworth squares off with Chilton/Hilbert in a D2 semi.

“After this weekend, I won’t be thinking about this tournament,” Stuhl said. “My coach says, ‘they’ll only remember last week for last week because next week the whole town is coming to Madison again for Team State.’ So I’m just looking forward to that. I’m looking forward to practice on Monday and getting back in the groove and coming together as a team and hopefully defending our two-time title for Team State.”