Starnes finds losing helps winning
P.J. Starnes remembered the image. He didn't like it.
Starnes' quick exit from the Glenbard North wrestling sectional forced the Schaumburg senior to work even harder during the off-season.
Using that one-and-done sectional outcome as the impetus to reach a higher level, the state-ranked 145-pound Starnes arrived on the scene under new coach Matt Gruszka bigger, bolder and loaded with the advanced technical and tactical weapons to be a force.
He hopes to show that force this weekend at the Mid-Suburban League tournament -- and beyond.
Likely to earn the top-seed at the MSL tourney over Joe Kent (30-3), in part from his 4-2 victory over the Wheeling senior, Starnes (29-2) has impressed Gruszka and others while building an impressive resume.
"It's kind of interesting to note that P.J. fancied himself as a basketball player when he came into Hoffman Estates (Starnes would transfer the following year to Schaumburg) where I was the freshman wrestling coach at the time," says Gruszka, who took over the Saxons' program after 11 years as an assistant with Hawks' head coach Bill Scully.
"I said to P.J. right then 'you're a wrestler,' and he had a terrific freshman season, but moved to Schaumburg the next year. I thought, there goes a really terrific talent over to the enemy.
"Luckily for me and our program, P.J. and I are back together, and nobody works as hard or worked as hard over the off-season to get better.
"He's the type of kid who will work on a move 100 times to perfect it, before using it during a match. And when we wrestle each other in the room, he's one of those guys who'll hit me with a cross move and I'll physically feel it. He's that strong."
A natural athlete, Starnes improved his strength and speed once the season ended last February, but he knew pure athleticism wouldn't take him as far as he wanted to go in his final year in high school.
"Last year I would beat guys because I was more athletic, but the regionals (Starnes would finish third to advance) and my one match at sectionals really opened my eyes as to what I had to do to be among the best this season," he says.
Starnes admits the defensive part of his game was pretty solid, but it was his offense that was sorely lacking something extra.
"I'd get in on guys and not finish," Starnes says, "but not anymore."
"P.J. is so strong and quick, and that grip of his he puts on the wrist is like a vise," adds Wheeling coach Neal Weiner.
"Guys just cannot get free from the grip," agrees Gruszka.
Starnes looks to flee the cold weather of the Midwest next fall and land at Arizona State University, where he'll major in education and possibly walk-on the mat team.
He feels the extra work, early-season success and the arrival of Gruszka have gone a long way toward his development into an elite wrestler.
"Working with coach is great because he relates so well with all of us and is easy to learn from because he's such a terrific teacher," Starnes says. "He takes as much time as necessary to instruct.
"Now I can push the pace of the match and go a full six minutes with the type of confidence that I need to be successful."
Starnes' 2 losses this season have been to No. 2-rated Cameron Lloyd (3-1) of Bremen and No. 2-rated (at 140) Eric Terrazas of Wheaton North 1-0.
"I've come into this season with the mindset of being a state champion," Starnes says, "and to me, I have to think that way in order to achieve the goals I have set for myself."