Labarbera sets tone for Metea Valley victory
Josh Labarbera is a freshman wrestler to remember.
The Metea Valley 160-pounder had already secured a technical fall in his DuPage Valley Conference dual match against Lake Park on Thursday night in Aurora.
But only seconds later, Labarbera polished off his opponent with the fall.
In the schools' forfeit-addled dual match, the Mustangs kept Lake Park winless in the league with a 39-16 victory.
Lake Park had to forfeit six weight classes due to injuries and illnesses.
Neither program could send out a representative at 113, 120 and 220 pounds.
The Mustangs' Jaycee Gonzalez, Brandon Hing and state-ranked senior Bobby Papiernik earned 18 points for Metea Valley with respective forfeits at 138, 145 and heavyweight.
"We're building for the end of the season to get healthy," Lake Park coach Anthony Cirrincione said. "We're looking for individuals to reach their peak in the next three or four weeks."
With Metea Valley (8-7, 1-4) holding a 30-16 lead with two matches remaining, LaBarbera had mathematically eliminated the Lancers by securing his 20th point in the second period.
But LaBarbera completed the fall moments later to make the verdict was official.
"I really wanted to get the tech," LaBarbera said. "Then I wanted to get the pin for the team points. No matter what the outcome is, you want the extra points for the team. It can be the difference between a win and a loss for the team."
Metea Valley coach Claude Torres was ecstatic with his prized underclassman.
"Josh LaBarbera, without a doubt, was the best match of the night for me," Torres said. "It's not just that he got a win, it was the way he did it. He wrestled very well tonight."
Metea Valley sophomore returning state qualifier Phillip Sims had the Mustangs' other pin at 132 pounds, two weights higher than his customary position in the lineup.
The Mustangs' Mekhi White (182 pounds), Harsh Anchan (126) and Jacob Tjards (170) registered simple decisions for the other 9 Metea Valley points.
The three victories Lake Park earned on the mat all came in decisive fashion.
The Lancers' DeMarco Lee and Luke Badger had technical falls - a point spread of 15 points or greater - and Vince Liebich recorded a fall at 195, 106 and 152 pounds.
"I'm just going with the flow," Badger said. "No matter who they put in front of me, just go after it."
"They are taking the warrior wrestling mentality," Cirrincione said of his three victors.
The Lancers fell to 0-5 in conference matches.