Glenbard North rebounds for third place
BLOOMINGTON - Tony Ramos' last brilliant weekend of high school wrestling could not slingshot Glenbard North past Minooka.
The Panthers dominated the teams' regular-season encounter, but their Class 3A team semifinal Saturday afternoon was a study in contrasts. Even with the Iowa-bound Ramos, a three-time state champion, at his best, the Panthers could not overcome the second-ranked Indians.
The Indians' Ryan Warczynski had a second-period technical fall in the final match to clinch a 27-20 victory. But Glenbard North responded in style, claiming its eighth trophy by turning back Edwardsville 36-19 for the top consolation honor.
The schools split the matches evenly, but bonus points proved to difference in the semifinal.
"I don't want to say they had more heart," Ramos said. "Some of their guys came out harder and were ready to go. I'm a little upset, a little disappointed (in the semifinal loss)."
"In the weight classes from (103) to 130 pounds, I felt we had to win at least two - and we did," Minooka coach Bernie Ruettiger said. "(The Panthers) are tough as nails there. We had to keep the matches close."
Of the 14 matches only Ramos and Warczynski had theirs end early. Mitch Brozovich gave Minooka (23-3) the lead for good with a major decision at 152 pounds. The heart of the Panthers' lineup - starting with Dan Rios at 112 pounds, continuing with Joe Gosinski (119), Tom Collum (125), Ramos (130) and ending with Jimmy Chase (135) - rebounded to give the squad a 25-point unanswered burst against Edwardsville.
"It was (the seniors') last time to wrestle, so they knew not to leave anything on the mat," Ramos said.
Glenbard North (21-10) began its day with a deceptively easy 32-28 victory over Wheeling. The Panthers built a commanding lead, and the end result was much closer as a result of three forfeits in succession once the match was secure.
Naperville Central drew the short straw in its debut at team state. The Redhawks met eventual state champion Oak Park-River Forest in the second quarterfinal.
Junior Nick Santos' second-period fall sliced the top-ranked Huskies' lead to 19-16 in the eighth match of the dual. Naperville Central had no answer for the Dardanes brothers, who fashioned back-to-back falls to lead the Huskies to a 42-22 victory.
"We didn't want to take a step back," Naperville Central coach Rob Porter said. "We wanted to come here and be competitive. We're very proud to represent our school and conference."
In addition to Santos' abbreviated victory, Naperville Central (15-8) had wins from Adam Gebner (152 pounds), Joe Savina (160) and heavyweight Joe Widman.
"(My opponent) was my type of wrestler that I like," Santos said. "I like to throw and I was able to catch him in a move."