Naperville Central has reason to celebrate
There were plenty of smiles and celebration after the Naperville Central wrestling team accepted the Class 3A Naperville North regional title plaque Saturday night.
It was the Redhawks’ first regional title in three years and continued the momentum of their second-place finish at the DuPage Valley Conference the weekend before, their best showing since 1991.
It was a one-point victory over second-place Downers Grove South (154.50-153.50). Downers Grove North was third (139.50) followed by West Aurora (137), Naperville North (124), Wheaton Warrenville South (78), Batavia (69), Metea Valley (58) and East Aurora (30).
The Redhawks move to the West Aurora dual team sectional later this month.
However, the season wasn’t always so smooth. Naperville Central’s football team reached the Class 8A semifinals last fall, delaying the start of wrestling for many athletes.
“It’s great to see athletes succeed in all sports. But it was a challenge to get ready for high-level competition when we were missing some of our athletes,” Porter said.
At one point Naperville Central was 1-7 in dual meets.
“I’ve been coaching 22 years and I have never seen a team overcome so much adversity,” Porter said.
Eight Redhawks move on to this weekend’s Glenbard North individual sectional, including two sectional champs.
Senior Steven Splan won at 120 and junior Ryan Berg at 195. Berg gave credit to his main practice partner Luke Roth (second place at 182) and his other teammates for preparing for a day that saw him prevail in two 1-point victories, including the final.
“I felt I did my very best. I give 110 percent effort in practice and expect no less on the (competition) mat,” Berg said.
Also heading to Glenbard North for the Redhawks are second-place finishers Mitch Lee (113 pounds), Ben Williamson (126) and Kirk Cherup (132). Tom Mitrenga (160) and Kyle Klass (170) placed third.
“Our coach said to be aggressive from start to end and that’s what I did,” Klass said of his 2-1 overtime third-place win.
Naperville North advanced six wrestlers, including regional champ Nick McDonnell at 145. The senior missed all of last season due to injury.
“Overall, it was a great feeling. I think it was one my best meets. I needed to be aggressive. I needed to shoot. You can’t score without takedowns,” he said.
The Huskies also qualified Wayne Yuan, Juan Ramirez, Eric Krieger, KiJuan Walker and Colin Goebel.
Steve Franke (170 pounds) and Evan Welsh (182) won regional titles for Wheaton Warrenville South. Also qualifying for sectionals were Qarin Johnnic (120) and Ramond King (138) with third-place marks.
Johnnic pinned his opponent with just seven seconds left in the bout and Johnnic trailing 14-7. He credited his use of the Hammerlock Gable, a move named after wrestling legend Dan Gable which Johnnic, a freshman, learned at the club level.
“I’m 9-6 and in eight of those wins I have used the Hammerlock Gable. It’s an old-school move. Usually no one is aware of it. I was down by a lot, but I never give up,” he said.
Metea qualified one wrestler for sectionals. Junior Austin Graham was third at 132.
“It was a little bit disappointing. I was this close (a 4-3 loss in his second match of the day, which put him in the consolation bracket). But stuff happens. You move on to the next match,” he said.
West Aurora qualfied seven for sectionals, including four sectional champs. Carlos Jacquez (106), Sean Anthony (113), Greg Jacquez (138) and Austin Beebe (285) reached the top of the awards podium.
“It’s one of the most exciting things in my life. I was expecting to win, but anything can happen,” Anthony, a freshman, said.
Other qualifiers were Nate Pealstrom (second-145), Brandon Farias (second-152) and Brandon Warren (third-182).
Batavia is sending two to Glenbard North, Anthony Scaccia (second-138) and Connor McKeehan (third-220).