Feel-good CSL finale for Maine West
A solid performance from Maine West coach Chris Brassell's team, which cranked into gear after a speed-of-light pin from Brad Uidl, led to an impressive 42-25 win Friday night over Niles North in the cozy confines of the Warriors' wrestling gym in Des Plaines.
The big senior night crowd was treated to plenty of pin power from the home side, which recorded 5 pins in its 8 victories to end the CSL regular season for Brassell's group. The Warriors improved to 2-3 in duals will host Fenwick, Hersey and Loyola on Saturday before they begin preparing for conference the following Saturday at Deerfield.
"This is the way to finish our conference schedule," said the Warriors first-year coach, who along with his staff honored seven seniors during a pre-match ceremony.
"Brad gave us a big spark with his pin just 11 seconds into his match at 182, and then the lower end of our lineup, beginning with freshman Abe Martinez, helped us put this one away with 3 pins in our next four matches. It was a nice team effort tonight," said Brassell, who once starred at crosstown Maine South as a heavyweight.
"I can't think of a better way to end my career here than the way we did tonight," said Warriors senior Jake Riportella (182, 15-5) whose hard-fought 4-2 victory in OT against Thomas Gaul extended Maine West's lead to 18-7. "My four years here have gone by in the blink of an eye, but I am anxious to have a solid weekend at the CSL tournament next weekend before turning my attention to the Lake Park regional."
The three-sport star (football, baseball) missed some time this season with a pinched nerve in the same shoulder that ended his campaign on the eve of regionals a year ago. Riportella was involved in a dicey bout with Gaul, which saw the Warriors' starting QB last fall draw even at 2-2 at five minutes before setting up the match-winner with a nicely orchestrated takedown just inside the circle.
"I sensed he was running out of gas, and I had plenty left in mine," Riportella, a starting outfielder on the baseball team last spring, "so when I saw my opening early in the first OT period, I went for it."
Riportella's impact is not lost on Brassell.
"Jake is a natural born leader who leads by example, in the room and classroom," said Brassell, "and he's been an important guy for us with so many new, young guys on our roster this season."
The Vikings drew closer (24-16) after heavyweight Dylan Ramirez pinned the Warriors' Juan Bahena, who was giving away much size to his opponent. But Martinez (106) answered with a fall to strengthen the Warriors' advantage to 30-16.
One match later, Jayton Hall (120) and Afsalan Afshar (126) closed out the visitors with consecutive pins.
"This has been a terrific group to be around for a first-year coach," said Brassell. "The chemistry among them is unbelievable, and their work effort and desire to improve has made my job an enjoyable one to be sure."