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David Schomberg, a West Salem High School wrestler, helped bring his team a third-place trophy as he recently traveled to Australia to compete in the Down Under International Games.

Schomberg was selected by coach Matt Hill of Appleton, Wis., to travel to Australia July 4-15 to compete in the event. The Down Under International Games are put on every year by Utah-based International Sports Specialists and is in its 19th year of taking athletes to compete on the Gold Coast of Australia in nine different sports.

“Wrestling is only a part of this trip,” Hill said. “The friendships and cultural experiences are life-long for sure.”

Schomberg competed very well and wrestled to a third-place, bronze-medal finish in the individual tournament. Then, as part of the Team Dual Tournament, he wrestled 135 pounds for Hill’s team that took third place.

The only loss for the team was a 25-25 tie with the Australia Wrestleroos, which was lost on a criteria tie breaker of overall points scored.

“David is a great kid, with lots of skills,” Hill said. “I certainly hope the experience he gained wrestling competition on an international level will benefit him during his upcoming season.

The trip also included a bonus stopover in Honolulu for a couple days of “fun in the sun.” David and his mom Nancy Schomberg, who also traveled with the team, received a bonus extra day of pampering in Hawaii as the airline over-booked the flight coming back to Los Angeles, and they took advantage of the airline’s offer to extend their stay.