RM rocks Wheeling
There was a major wrestling earthquake Friday night in Rolling Meadows.
The host Mustangs (2-2, 1-0) stunned reigning Mid-Suburban champ Wheeling when Chris Sanchez defeated Rafeal Zaccarias in the final match of the night to propel the hosts past the Wildcats in a 28-26 victory.
"I cannot remember the last time we beat Wheeling, but I will remember tonight's match for sure," said Mustangs coach Dave Froehlich following Sanchez's terrific effort at 103 pounds to edge the preseason MSL favorites, who had taken a 26-24 lead after Tim Schalz 4-3 decision at 285 to set-up Sanchez' heroics.
This see-saw MSL East dual gave the big crowd on hand plenty to cheer about on a night when the lead changed seven times, with the 'Cats (6-2, 1-1) coming from 8 points back at 24-18 to take its final lead on the Schalz victory.
"You have to hand it to (Dave) and his club tonight," said Wheeling coach Neal Weiner. "He's a great coach, and tonight he really brought his guys ready to wrestle, in each match, and with a lot of energy, to win a lot of close matches."
Mustangs seniors Steve Orchell (160) and Tim Herff (171) were instrumental in slowing down a Wheeling comeback which saw the visitors climb back into the match and take its second lead of the night at 16-15 when Leo Hicks held off Joey Caprio 5-3 at 152.
"I had just started to cool down and untie my shoes when I heard the referee pound the mat (and saw) Tim pin his guy," said Orchell, who exploded in the final 30 seconds to score 5 points and break open a 7-7 draw with Joel Rangel to win 12-7.
"Steve really inspired me with his great finish," said Herff, who has been hobbled all week with a bad ankle but was still able to contribute with a huge effort and 6 big points to push the Mustangs' cushion to 24-18.
A much anticipated match between the star duo of Danny Vargas (Wheeling) and Thomas Davidson at 189 prove a nail-bitter, with the Vargas, a senior, coming out ahead 2-0 when the returning state qualifier put 2 points on the board on back points at five minutes, then rode Davidson out to gain the win.
Moses Kim (119) and Andrew Smaida (135) also won their respective matches for the Mustangs, as did freshman Zurabi Khomauli, who was filling in for the injured Mike Medsker at 112, and Dennis Caravello at 140.
"On a night when we were missing Mike (Medsker), a 30-match winner last season, and with Herff banged up and two first-time varsity guys (Khomauli and Caravello) in our lineup, we were able to come up with a big, big victory for our program," said Froehlich.
Added Herff: "When we were freshmen the seniors would tell us before we left.. (we) had to beat Wheeling for them. Tonight we did." Luke and Mike Smith scored victories with a major and pin at 125 and 130, while Chris Johnson, whom Weiner praised along with Schalz, was triumphant at 215.