Glenbard North makes it 14 straight
It came as no shock that Glenbard North continued to pin the rest of the DuPage Valley Conference’s shoulders to the mat, winning the league meet Saturday at Glenbard East by 108.5 points for the Panthers’ 14th straight league championship.
But like other DVC meets, other teams and wrestlers were able to get some of the conference pie, gaining valuable momentum going into Saturday’s regional meets.
The Panthers showed their usual dominance with six individual titles and four second-place finishes.
Glenbard North won three straight championships starting at 120 pounds with sophomore Jered Cortez pushing to 37-0, followed by Jon Marmolejo at 126 and Johnny Gosinski at 132. It was Gosinski’s third DVC title, Marmolejo’s second.
Gosinski won in overtime 5-3.
“I thought about how hard I had worked all season and that I needed just two points or one point and I tried to outwork him. I think matches like this are good because in state no match is a blowout,” Gosinski said.
The Panthers’ title list continued with Brian Murphy heading to 21-0 by winning at 152. Murphy won last season at 140 and said making the move up in weight classes wasn’t a big deal.
“Guys got bigger. I got bigger. I’m wrestling the same guys,” he said. “I feel that I’m in great shape. At the beginning of the season, it was not so great. I can’t wait for the state series because it matters more.”
Freshman Jimique Davis was the 160 champ and senior Dan Eldridge prevailed at 195.
“This (conference title) means a lot. I’ve been wrestling since sixth grade. And my brother (Mike Eldridge in 2007) won his first conference title as a senior,” Dan Eldridge said.
Naperville Central finished second in the team standings with 170.50. It was the Redhawks’ best finish at the league competition since 1991.
“I thought five teams had the ability to fight for second. I thought we could finish anywhere between second and seventh place,” Redhawks coach Rob Porter said. “I thought we would need an outstanding tournament to finish second and that’s what happened.”
There wasn’t much space between the Redhawks and the teams below them. Wheaton North was third (167), followed by West Aurora (165), Glenbard East (147.50), Naperville North (137.50), Wheaton Warrenville South (110.50) and West Chicago (66).
Because of that, Porter said that Naperville Central’s five second-place finishers were critical to the Redhawks beating out the other teams. Those wrestlers were Ben Williamson (126 pounds), Kirk Cherep (132), Tom Mitrenga (160), Luke Roth (182) and Ryan Berg (195).
WW South’s Steve Franke (170) earned his second consecutive league championship with a 4-3 overtime victory, and Evan Welsh won at 182.
“I still have lots to improve on, but I can’t complain about today (winning a conference title),” Franke said.
Glenbard East, Naperville North and Wheaton North each won an individual title.
Angelo San Juan won at 113 for the Rams.
“I’m excited. This was for my parents. I wanted to make them proud,” he said.
Wheaton North’s Mike Swider ran his record to 35-0 with his 220 title He won in 2011 at 189.
“The adjustment (to the new weight) wasn’t too bad. I feel that I’m athletic and that can help against bigger guys that are strong but not as athletic,” he said.
Naperville North’s Colin Goebel won the last championship bout of the night, earning the top of the awards stand at 285.
West Aurora won three weight classes. Freshman Carlos Jacquez started the evening by grabbing 106. Greg Jacquez won 138 and Nate Pealstrom at 145.
“This is one small step to state,” Jacquez said. “I’m not too proud. I don’t want to end my season just as conference champ.”
The DVC is splitting right down the middle for regional competition. Glenbard North, Glenbard East and Wheaton North join host West Chicago while host Naperville North will be facing Naperville Central, West Aurora and Wheaton Warrenville South.