Woods helps Crystal Lake South edge Cary-Grove
Just about this time last year, Crystal Lake South was putting the finishing touches on a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title before making a serious run at an overall conference championship along with Cary-Grove.
But what a difference a year makes.
Heavy graduation losses combined with injuries have placed both fine wrestling clubs in the middle of the conference pack this season, making Thursday night's dual on the Gators' home floor not quite the marquee matchup it would have been a year ago.
With that said, the teams still put on an exciting show, giving a big senior night audience its share of thrills right up until the very end, when Frank Woods brought the Crystal Lake South crowd to its feet with a 9-4 decision in the final bout to give the Gators a 35-34 victory.
"I know Ryan (Cary-Grove coach Ryan Ludwig) and us are a little down this year, but this is what a dual between two long-time rivals is supposed to be about," said Crystal Lake South coach Ross Ryan, who watched his club come from 10 down (at 25-15) before outscoring the Trojans 20-9 down the stretch to grab the win.
"You've got to be real happy for Frank, who doesn't get too many chances like this to win a big one for us," said Crystal Lake South 132-pound senior Garrett Dziedzic of his 152-pound teammate, who built a 6-2 advantage midway through his match with Kyle Muller before holding on in the final minute of regulation when both benches were roaring in an effort to fuel their teammates, knowing a win by either would decide the outcome.
"We always tell the guys each of them could have an opportunity like this during the season, and tonight was one of those nights for Frank - he took full advantage," said Ryan.
Cary-Grove was without one of its best, Michael Cullen (120, 21-1), along with his brother Sean, so it appeared the Trojans might be a little short of firepower heading into the meet.
But Michael Gustafson (160), Owen Henriques (195) and standout heavyweight Michael Gomez (20-2), fresh off an impressive individual title at the Sycamore mega-tournament last weekend, all did their part to keep Cary-Grove close by scoring all 13 of the Trojans' points during the first half of this contest while South garnered 15 of its own.
"Michael and Owen came up with huge efforts to get a major and a decision before Michael got us going at 285 to set up big wins from our freshman six-pounder (Adam Pinter), then Dale Charlier," said Ludwig.
Pinter's pin at 3:03 pulled the visitors ahead at 19-15, which was extended to 25-15 after a forfeit at 113.
South's Doug Crain (120) slowed Cary-Grove for a moment with a pin at 1:03, but Charlier answered with a fall of his own at 2:40 to give him his 18th win on the season.
"It was back and forth all night, so it was fun for the fans to watch, and for us as well, but fortunately, we have Dziedzic and Eric (Barone), who we've counted on all throughout the year for us," said Ryan.
The two four-year stars were nearly flawless, Dziedzic (17-6) first with a pin at 2:38 to make it a 4-point affair at 31-27. Then Barone (145 pounds) followed John Cullen's hard-fought 3-2 win at 138 for the Trojans with an impressive effort to get a technical fall, bringing the Gators within range for Woods' heroics.
"When you have two long-time conference rivals like South and us getting together, this is what usually happens," said Ludwig. "Although we came up just short tonight, it was still a good effort from the guys, many who stepped in to give us big wins when we needed them."
The Trojans will have their hands full Saturday when they travel to Dakota to face the defending 1A champs, along with the top-rated 2A team, Montini, as well as No. 11 Lincoln-Way Central from the 3A division, in a super quad.
Crystal Lake South (6-11, 3-2) will be on the road at Round Lake for a quad this Saturday.