A major milestone was reached in a Chieftain’s varsity wrestling career. Senior Lucas Abro, captain of the Utica High School wrestling team, achieved his 100th high school career win at Eisenhower High School on Feb. 3.
Abro’s journey to 100 wins begins a year prior to him entering high school, where his uncle inspired him to join the sport, starting something that would grow to be a part of him.
“I started in 8th grade and I was winning a lot,” Abro said. “I thought it was cool that I was doing a sport a lot of people aren’t willing to do because of how hard it is.”
This new energy was seen by his future coaches, Clinton Davis and Robert Peltier, and Abro was quickly brought in to become a part of the Utica family.
“I first met Lucas at Eppler Junior High,” Peltier said. “He was quiet and determined and appeared to absorb as much as he could from practice and competition.”
Fast forward to the beginning of his senior year, when talking to Davis about the upcoming season, Peltier and Abro learned of his potential milestone: his 100th win.
“I keep a pretty good record on the wrestlers, and I saw at the end of last season when I was tallying career totals that Lucas could make it to 100 wins,” Davis said. “I had zero doubts. I knew he would attain at least his 100th win this season.”
Although Abro displays talent and athleticism on the mat, without the support of his family he would not be where he is today achieving his 100th win.
“My parents and my uncle meal prep for me to cut weight and take me to practices and tournaments in the off season,” Abro said. “When I figured out I only needed 30 more wins, I continued practicing and let my parents know to make my banner.”
Amongst his family and the crowd is his girlfriend senior Cali Kaczamr. Kaczmar and Abro have been next door neighbors and friends for 17 years. In 10th grade, they started talking even more than before and started dating on Feb. 16, 2024. Throughout their time together, Kaczmar has taken time to learn about wrestling and what she can do to support Abro to the best of her ability.
“My first ever match I attended was at Utica High School and Lucas and I were both sophomores; it was a totally new experience for me, it was like a new language. I remember that I was sitting with Lucas’s parents and they were explaining what was going to happen when he went to wrestle and I thought it was very cool,” Kaczmar said. “Throughout Lucas’s season before every match, I always text him “Good luck, you got this!” even though I know he won’t see it until after his match. I will always support through everything and I am so proud of him.”
Through the love and support, training and learning, Abro has not only achieved a 100th win in high school, but is a two-time State qualifier, County runner-up, 3rd place County, and 2nd team All-County.
“I didn’t have any doubts. All I was thinking about was the crowd, seeing all the Utica parents cheering, and just being a cool time,” Abro said. “It felt great. I know it took four years of grinding out wins to finally get my 100th win.”
When celebrating a 100th win on the Utica team, the athlete receives a banner and more love and support from the stands with a round of applause. This moment subtly clears the path for future hopes and inspirations for the athlete.
“His family had a nice banner made up, and he held it up at the end of the match and got his name announced at the competition,” Davis said. “I am looking forward to Lucas being ready to compete at his best level and get on the podium and earn All-State honors at Ford Field. I am already proud of his athletic accomplishments, and even more proud of the human that he is.”
Although talented and determined, the 2026 graduate doesn’t plan on wrestling in college but plans on going to trade school to become an electrician or a HVAC technician to focus on his future career. When he leaves, he leaves a permeant mark in the Utica wrestling community.
“Lucas is one of the kindest kids I have ever met. He shows empathy and compassion at all times,” Peltier said. “He leads by example and is a well-respected wrestler, athlete, and student of Utica High School. Mr. Abro is a true Chieftain.”
