AFNORTH freshman Jonathan Herrera reaches out while held against the ground by Hohenfels sophomore Ben Tocco during a 138-pound semifinal on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Cross country runners aren’t known for wanting to work on their upper body strength.
Stuttgart’s Kendall Cancel doesn’t fall into that mold.
The Panther sophomore has sought ways to increase her muscles, and wrestling was something she had considered her freshman year. With a little nudging from friend and fellow sophomore Julia Moran, Cancel decided to give it a go.
“I didn’t like how my physique was unequal — more legs than arms,” Cancel said. “So, I wanted to change that, and I don’t work out at gyms. So, this is a way to do that.”
During Saturday’s opening meet at Ramstein High School, Cancel showed wrestling could be more than just a way to become stronger. She had an impressive debut, winning all four of her round-robin matches to win the girls 128-pound weight class.
She recorded a technical fall against Wiesbaden’s Audrianna Vandiepenhu, pins of AFNORTH’s Marcy Daniels and Ramstein’s Charlotte Fontaine, and a major decision over Royal Lucy Cox.
Her long-distance-running background proved helpful on the mats. Cancel said her opponents couldn’t match her legs, which were built over the many miles she traversed across Europe while helping the Panthers clinch yet another cross country team title a month ago.
She admitted to struggling at times Saturday, but she managed to stay mentally tough to get past each of her opponents. She especially praised Cox’s strength.
“I was going to give up sometimes,” Cancel said. “Then I was like, ‘Wait a minute — I don’t want to get pinned today.’ ”
She emphasized that she didn’t anticipate being as successful as she was Saturday. She’s trying not to let it get to her head, though.
“It makes me scared because if I’m too cocky in the next one, I’m going to lose hard and I don’t want that,” Cancel said. “Confidence is high, but got to be wary about it — lowkey scared.”
Wiesbaden junior Layden Munoz tries to escape the grasp of Ramstein's Rhys Barlow during a 150-pound quaterfinal match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Ramstein sophomore Talon Keeton gets up after pinning Hohenfels freshman Jameson Mueller during a 144-pound quarterfinal match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Ramstein sophomore Lily Farrington holds Stuttgart sophomore Kannai Gonzalez against the ground during a 132-pound round-robin match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Ramstein senior Lilianna Greene throws teammate Lilian Smeltzer to the mat during a 105-pound round-robin match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Stuttgart sophomore James Chen holds onto Vilseck senior Nyime Winecoff during a 157-pound quarterfinal on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Vilseck sophomore Jack Tabbachi looks toward his coaches for advice while keeping Wiesbaden senior Nathaniel Griffis against the mat during a 157-pound quarterfinal match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Cancel wasn’t the only cross country runner to make a mark in the Ramstein gymnasium.
Hohenfels’ Benjamin Tocco dominated the 138 bracket, pinning Stuttgart’s Rucell Phillip and AFNORTH’s Jonathan Herrera before collecting a major decision over Ramstein’s Darien Bidlack in the final.
The sophomore Tiger’s performance wasn’t much of a surprise. Tocco qualified for the 2024-2025 European championships at 132, although he didn’t make the podium.
Tocco went to a monthlong wrestling camp over the summer and wrestled a couple of times per week during the cross season to keep himself sharp.
“I’ve probably seen the most improvement in not trying to perfect, but just getting it done,” Tocco said. “I can get the shots in and not waste time.”
Saturday’s performance doesn’t change Tocco’s goals for this season – too much.
He still has his sights set on making the podium in Wiesbaden this February. But his goal of a European crown seems less like a fantasy.
“It gives me great confidence,” Tocco said. “Last year wasn’t my best year wrestling. Now that I won this tournament, I’m looking forward to the season.”
Ansbach senior Nathan Arreguine goes for the pin against AFNORTH freshman Logan Ranger during a 165-pound quarterfinal match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Wiesbaden sophomore Audrianna Vandiepenhu fights along the mat while being held down by Stuttgart sophomore Kendall Cancel during a 126-pound round-robin match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Stuttgart sophomore Kendall Cancel grapples with Ramstein freshman Charlotte Fontaine during a 126-pound round-robin match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Hohenfels sophomore Benjamin Tocco breaks out of Ramstein sophomore Darien Bidlack's grasp during the 138-pound final on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Stuttgart junior Dominick Welsh flips Ramstein senior Ryan Parvin over his back during a 150-pound semifinal on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Vilseck sophomore Ayanna Tennial goes for the pin against Wiesbaden senior Josephine Hurt during a 138-pound consolation match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Ansbach sophomore Khloe Valenzuela struggles along the mat against Wiesbaden sophomore Carmen Lima during a 114-pound round-robin match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Hohenfels senior Ileana Rodriguez holds Ramstein freshman Carolyn Langley in a headlock during a 114-pound round-robin match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Wiesbaden senior Samia Calloway holds onto Stuttgart senior Violet Timko's leg during a 165-pound round-robin match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Spangdahlem freshman Alexis Farmakis tries to break Vilseck senior Charidee Seymour during a 152-pound round-robin match on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Stuttgart junior Kai Lewis holds Ramstein sophomore Xavier Schumacher on the mat during the 165-pound final on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Wiesbaden senior Daniel Garin holds Black Forest Academy sophomore Rogan Ivey during a 285-pound semifinal on Dec. 6, 2025, at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)
Like Tocco, Ramstein’s Levi Lesher might be raising his expectations after the meet.
The freshman won the 106 round robin bracket with pins over teammate Noah Schmermund and Stuttgart’s Arthur Seryodkin. He collected a third win by default over Stuttgart’s Jacob Paholic.
Despite having three years of wrestling experience in New Jersey before his family moved to Germany, Lesher admitted to being anxious before his first high school competition.
“I was really nervous coming in, but once I got on the mat, it felt good,” Lesher said.
Lesher said his strength on top and his speed give him an advantage over most opponents. He also was quite pleased to have cradled both of his opponents.
Overall, his performance has Lesher believing he, too, can medal at Euros.
“I think it does (give me confidence),” Lesher said. “My goal is to do good and hopefully place in Euros this year.”
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