Cary-Grove's Gomez impressive at state

CHAMPAIGN - While tournament favorites Michael Cullen, Eric Barone and Christian Brunner dominated their first-day tournament opponents, the story at the IHSA Class 3A individual state wrestling tournament Thursday still has to be of Gomez, the Cary-Grove senior.

The Trojans' heavyweight did some wrecking business of his own at State Farm Arena, and in doing so has now set up a date with Brian Ditchman (40-3) of Lincoln-Way Central) in one of several key quarterfinal bouts to take place Friday at 11 a.m.

Cullen (Cary-Grove, 36-1, 120), Barone (Crystal Lake South, 40-1, 145) and Brunner (41-1, 195) of Dundee-Crown left plenty of doubt in the minds of their future opponents as they proved to strong for their division rivals, while Class 2A stars Anton Krocko (Hampshire) and Burlington Central freshman Austin Macias (38-1) were in control from the opening whistle to impress at 170 and 106 pounds, respectively.

Krocko (38-3) here for the third time, started brightly against Dillon Miller (39-8) then lowered the boom late in the third period - finishing off the Jacksonville senior with a pin at 5:10.

"It felt so good to finally get a first day victory," said the Whip-Purs' senior captain, who now faces No. 2 Jake Warner (42-3) from 2A state power Washington.

Macias said after his technical fall over Joe Arroyo (23-6) of Grayslake North he was feeling a little under the weather prior to his first state match but his overall effort said something else, as he went safely through his opener and now will face Kevin Radcliff of Rich East.

Josh Stenger (39-7) gave Huntley its lone victory out of four tries, his coming with a fall to advance the Red Raiders' sectional champ against Robbie Precin (31-9) of Sandburg.

"We know he likes to hit his (tips) so I'll have to watch for that and just stay on the offense to beat him," said Stenger after his well- orchestrated pin at 113 pounds.

Crystal Lake South senior Garrett Dziedzic turned in yet another classic Dziedzic-type match - get the lead, ride your opponent into the mat afterward then continue to press until your six minutes are over for the win.

"That's kind of what I like to do," admitted Dziedzic (29-10) who faces Jaime Hernandez (30-7) from Oak Park-River Forest Friday morning.

Back to Gomez, who improved to a sparkling 32-3 after his pin at 3:12.

So how does a guy who didn't even compete during his sophomore year become a dominate force in the land of the giants?

The reasons for the success of Gomez vary from all quarter, but the message is still clear, regardless of who chimes in with an opinion.

"Michael is just something else, and he just gets better and better each time out," says C-G head coach, Ryan Ludwig.

Gomez admits there was a personality conflict with Ludwig two years ago, one which was strong enough to keep the affable big man away from the sport, concentrating instead on football.

"We didn't have the best relationship back then, but looking back at it now he really did have my best interest at heart," admits Gomez, who has won three straight tournament championships since the postseason began.

"Now we're really tight, and he has been a major influence on how things have turned around for me, and with the success that I've had, along with guys like Michael (Cullen) who is one of the best in the state, and responsible for showing me things those little guys do, so in turn, I can do against the big guys I wrestle."

"I am so proud of Michael," begins his good friend and teammate, Cullen. "He's an amazing two-sport athlete, who has come so far so quickly because his work ethic has been so unbelievably high, it's actually helped overcome the lack of experience he has in the sport."

Gomez appeared on course to reach Champaign last season when an MCL injury ended his season just before regionals.

"It was a tough injury at a bad time, but after rehabbing and getting back in shape, I got back to doing the work needed to get myself back, and ready for my senior year," he said.

Gomez would train with Class 1A power Dakota during the offseason, then compete at the Disney Duals in Florida, where he would face plenty of high profile competition which would help take his game to a higher level.

"I guess my style of wrestling is a little unorthodox but I like to do a lot of sweep singles and doubles, while using my quickness and speed, which in this weight class can be a valuable weapon," he said.

After a marvelous football season with the 7A state runner-up, where he excelled as a two-way player on both sides of the line, Gomez would impress one big name after another as the season went on culminating in him sweeping aside the competition at the Fox Valley Conference, regional and sectional tournaments to solidify his top four standing in the 285-pound bracket and give him a chance to be the first big man at Cary-Grove to win a medal since Paul Rands.

Although hoping for a chance to wrestle in college, Gomez instead will attend Winona State in Minnesota and play nose tackle, rooming with Jordan McInerney, the outstanding DE/LB from Libertyville, who just missed advancing downstate at 195 pounds.

"Winona felt right to me when I went to visit and meet the other recruits. It's a great fit," Gomez said.

Following immediately after Friday's quarterfinals, the first round of wrestlebacks will take place, before the area goes silent until 7 p.m., when the semifinal rounds begin for all three classes.