Dukes putting up some wins now

It isn't always easy living in the shadow of wrestling state power Montini, let alone conference giants Oak Park, Leyden and Hinsdale South. Just ask York coach Terry Clarke.

But on Saturday the Dukes went 3-0 in their annual quad, including a dramatic 29-26 win over Hinsdale South in the final dual of the day as senior John Bullock defeated Norman Frazier 2-1 in overtime.

Before the hosts won in exciting fashion, they opened the day by soundly defeating Stevenson 42-22. After that, York edged Schaumburg 39-31 in a match with a controversial fall at 103 that proved to be the turning point.

"We opened the season poorly for a number of reasons and went 2-7 in the process," Clarke said. "But since then we've been able to get just about everyone back in our lineup where they belong, and we're now 12-3 after that terrible start.

"Hopefully, today's big win over Hinsdale South will help our run into the postseason."

Schaumburg coach Matt Gruszka did not want to take anything away from York's 8-point victory in the second match of the day, but he was still shaking his head on the quick pin the referee issued on the Saxons' James Donovan against the Dukes' Jack Cooney at 35 seconds.

"That was a 9-point swing after that call," said Gruszka, who saw his team go up 28-11 when Dan Malik registered a fall at 160.

However, the Dukes went on to win the next six matches to squelch any hopes of an upset as junior Evan Hafner (23-5) ended the dual with a 6-3 win over Sean Connell.

Hafner was one of only four Saxons who won against Hinsdale South in a 44-23 drubbing, but the 119-pounder was joined by nine others when York pounded Stevenson 42-17 to end a 0-3 day for the Patriots.

Hinsdale South (19-2) has an upcoming date at Leyden with the West Suburban Gold title at stake.