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Wheaton North works for the weekend

During Friday night's 54-12 win at Neuqua Valley, Wheaton North coach Travis Cherry shouted at one of his wrestlers as the third period of a match was to begin that the wrestler had to battle just two more minutes and his weekend would begin.

Yes, the Falcons, ranked 11th in Class 3A in the illinoismatmen.com poll, will have the weekend off. It was a welcome break before the season picks up even more steam. The regular season ends next week for the team with a trip to Waubonsie Valley on Thursday and a home meet against Naperville Central the following night.

Then it's the DuPage Valley Conference meet on Jan. 27 and the start of what every wrestler works for, the postseason.

"We're making progress. We can improve upon some things. I think we'll get better as time goes on," Cherry said.

The victory over the Wildcats included four falls, two happening in the first period. Wheaton North trailed in just three matches.

"We're wrestling our best," said Tyler Podnar, who secured a fall just 1:35 into the match at 132 pounds.

Gabe Gonzalez got the other first-period fall, winning the final match of the evening at 138 pounds in 1:27. He said winning like that requires just one thing.

"You just come out ready to wrestle," he said.

The other two Wheaton North grapplers to win by fall were Brice Balosky at 113 and Quinlan Nelson at 152. Victories by decision came from Jaime Suarez (126 pounds), Sam Chesney (145), Antowon Tolbert (195) and Lucas Royer (285).

It was senior night at Neuqua Valley, and with only two seniors honored, it's evident the Wildcats are a young team. Neuqua earned 6 points from a Wheaton North forfeit and two grapplers won their matches.

Both Koshal Shah (106) and freshman Bryce Boumans (120) prevailed by decision.

"They came out and wrestled. They could have maybe put more points on the board, but they were aggressive," said Neuqua coach Mike Mucha.

The Wildcats coach said Shah, a junior, has been competing very well since the mid-December meet against Glenbard North.

"He flipped a switch after that meet. He has come on strong since then," Mucha said.

Shah is an honorable mention pick in the illinoismatmen.com rankings at 106.

"I've worked hard in the (practice) room and it's paying off," he said.

Neuqua is at the Lockport Mega Duals on Saturday and closes the regular season next Friday at Lake Park.

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