PA-28 student pilot practicing touch-and-goes in the pattern encountered wake turbulence from the preceding C172.

Narrative

I began practicing solo takeoffs and landings in the pattern in a PA-28. The sky was clear; winds light and Runway 24 was in use. Another student was also doing solo takeoffs and landings in the school's Cessna 172 as his instructor supervised from the ground. I took off as he reported 'downwind; full stop' and was aware of the other aircraft and its position reports and maintained 1/2 pattern separation on my first takeoff and landing; however I was flying the pattern faster (or tighter) than he was and extended my second downwind to maintain separation. I heard him report 'final; touch and go' as I was extending final and after I passed his aircraft inbound on his final leg I turned left base. When I turned final I was farther out than I normally would be and saw that he was now on the surface. Just then the aircraft abruptly rolled left very hard about 60 degrees and I had to use full aileron to bring it back. Once level all seemed normal for a few seconds and the aircraft rolled hard left again just as before. Once level again my attention was again on the runway and I was surprised to see that the C172 was still there! Before I could react the radio came alive with a stern; 'Go around!' and I did. I went around the pattern and landed without incident. Both the manager and instructor were waiting for me when I got down and chewed on me pretty good. I told them about the 'touch and go' position report; but they didn't believe me. They said that the student was doing supervised solos and all of them were required full stops and that's what he reported. I didn't know that; but I did know what I heard on the radio and said so. They were adamant that I was at fault so I decided to keep my mouth shut about the rest of it and took my lashing. I have a safety rule that I follow to this day: If I make a big mistake in an airplane during a fly; its time to stop and reconsider your position before the next mistake kills you. I apologized for the incident; put the plane away and went home. That incident scared me; the other student; the instructor; and the manager of the airport. I think about it often and hope I am a better pilot for doing so.