Wheaton North pins Naperville Central
While the work week is winding down for most, for high school wrestling teams it’s just starting.
Wheaton North came to Naperville Central on Thursday night and it was the first of three straight days of competition for both teams.
The Falcons dominated 46-19 and the victory was well-timed; they travel to Glenbard North tonight to take on the Panthers, the No. 1 team in Class 3A.
“Coach (Rob) Porter (of Naperville Central) runs a quality program, a very similar program as ourselves,|” Wheaton North coach Steve Holland said. “They battle every single match. This is definitely a good win for us. On paper I can’t see that we were the favorites with a few of our kids hurt right now.”
The Panthers, who finished third last season in state, have made the state finals a habit, placing second or third seven times since 2001. The team hasn’t won fewer than 20 dual meets in a season in 12 years.
Holland believes wrestling Glenbard North is a big deal, but not as big as being prepared to compete as well as possible against them.
“They’ll challenge you physically and mentally, moreso than any team in the state,” he said.
Regardless of what transpires tonight, the Falcons won’t have much time to think about it because they are at the Lockport Quadrangular on Saturday morning.
Thursday night’s battle started at 130 pounds, and Naperville Central won three of the first matches for a 13-9 lead with Redhawks victories coming from Kirk Cherep, Josh Tardy and John Graeber. Putting Wheaton North on the board were Jarod Strom and Nick Sutryk.
Then Wheaton North took control of the meet and didn’t let go. Sean Cleveland Osman Lutifiyev gave the Falcons an 18-13 advantage and the Redhawks never threatened again. Naperville Central’s last points scored were James Mitchell’s forfeit win at 285.
Mike Swider and Joel Henley kept the lead growing with falls. Swider is ranked 12th at 189 in the Class 3A rankings. Teammates Tyler Simmons, Zach Striplin and Cutler Hane are honorable-mention picks in their respective weight classes.
“Last year I wrestled 189 too. I was a small 189,” Swider said. “I did a lot of off-season wrestling and I feel I’m wrestling stronger with more technique.”
Finishing out the evening for the Falcons were victors Keagan Caulkins, Simmons, Sean Murray and Elan Ramos.
As for Naperville Central, Porter and the Redhawks get right back in action tonight by hosting Wheaton Warrenville South and then travel to the Hoffman Estates Hawk Invitational on Saturday.
“(Wheaton North) came to wrestle and we came out flat from the beginning,” Porter said.