Harper wrestling looks to maintain tradition
Tradition carries a lot of weight with the Harper College wrestling program.
Expectations are always high with NJCAA Division III national titles in 1994, 2001, 2006. Last year's second-place finish was its sixth straight year in the top five.
And the Hawks are gearing up for the postseason with the Midwest District regional tournament Feb. 10 and the national tournament Feb. 21.
"I think we generally work harder than a lot of the teams we compete against," said Harper coach Dan Loprieno, who will be inducted into the NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame at the national tourney. "Tradition helps. They know we're not expected to be second place (six straight regional titles), but everyone guns for us."
Harper is currently ranked No. 1 in the country in NJCAA Division III but lost to second-ranked Meramec (Mo.) in a dual meet.
"Rankings are just that -- somebody's opinion," Loprieno said. "I never give much emphasis to it."
But Loprieno does emphasize the importance of experience. That's an issue with only three sophomores in his lineup in Josh Lahman (141 pounds), Craig Johnson (149) and Alex Delonis (heavyweight).
"The last few years one of the things that's really taken us over the top is that leadership you have," Loprieno said. "It takes a year to figure out how tough it is to wrestle in college.
"Physically they're (freshmen) fine. It's the mental aspect … and they need to figure out it's up to them now."
Freshman Darius Williams, a Tennessee state champion is ranked second at 174. Shea Geradot is ranked third at 184 and Grant graduate Mike Dace has been solid at 162.
Freshman Danny Miller (Hoffman Estates) is also a key at 184 and 197.
"He's a kid who really could make us or break us," Loprieno said. "He's there every day working hard. He's an unranked kid who could go out and place and kids like that can win you the title."
The Harper Duals on Saturday are its final tuneup before the postseason.
"It's been kind of a roller-coaster season for us but hopefully we'll have everybody back (from injury) at regionals," Loprieno said. "The team that works hardest is going to win and we've always managed to put it together at the end of the year.
"Hopefully the same formula works as it has in the past."
Would've, could've: The Harper men's basketball team could have taken a big step forward in the N4C with wins over College of DuPage and Rock Valley.
The Hawks could have also taken a big step backward with two losses.
They settled for a split as they blew an 11-point second-half lead in a 54-51 loss to COD but overcame a 14-point first-half deficit to beat Rock Valley 77-68.
Harper (16-6, 2-2) was without 6-foot-9 freshman Andy Merklein (Prospect) because of an ankle injury against Rock Valley.
The Hawks rallied to within 35-31 at halftime and pulled away in the final seven minutes. Bobby Rhodes (Schaumburg) was 15-for-18 on free throws and scored 28 points while Conant products Mike Silungan and Fred Taylor added 10 and 9 points respectively.
Rhodes (17 points), Taylor (15 points) and Merklein (11 points) led the way against COD. A tying 3 at the buzzer by Silungan rattled in and out.
Harper was scheduled to play at Wright College on Thursday. It gets a chance to avenge its first N4C loss at Triton on Tuesday and returns home to face Joliet at 3 p.m. on Feb. 9.
Half and half: The Harper women's basketball team (3-17, 0-4) hung close for long stretches in N4C losses to COD (66-42) and conference leader Rock Valley (65-47).
Harper led COD most of the first half and trailed 29-23 at halftime. It was a 10-point difference with seven minutes left.
Larissa Coldebella and Emily Vierneisel scored 13 points apiece and Katy Spencer had another strong all-around game with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
Harper trailed Rock Valley 30-18 before falling as Vierneisel and Cerissa Sanders had 12 points apiece and Spencer added 10 points.
Harper was also scheduled to play Wright on Thursday, visits Triton at 5 p.m. Tuesday and hosts Joliet at 1 p.m. on Feb. 9.