Driscoll's Randich comes up big in quad

If you saw Driscoll's Jake Randich on the street and had to guess his age, there's no way on earth you'd think the 174-pound freshman was 14 years old.

After you watch him beat one of the best 189-pound wrestlers around, 14 seems even less believable.

Randich topped Addison Trail's Arber Bebo by 10-7 decision in a quad at Driscoll on Monday, scoring 3 takedowns off of Bebo shots and hanging on as the Blazers' junior brought the heat, late in the match.

"I wrestle at 171. I only wrestled at 189 tonight so I could wrestle (Bebo)," Randich said. "I'm in single A and he's in double A, and it's a good match up just to see how I'd do."

West Chicago and Mooseheart joined Addison Trail and Driscoll at the quad in Addison, with the Blazers sweeping the competition; 39-32 over West Chicago, 45-27 over Driscoll, and 42-21 over Mooseheart.

"We're a good team, but we've been hurting," Bebo said. "We've had a lot of people out because they're hurt and sick lately."

Blazers coach Rob Serio used a makeshift lineup throughout Monday's quad.

Bebo didn't wrestle all last week due to an ankle injury, but managed to finish second at Saturday's 16-team Lake Park tournament despite wrestling at less than his best. He moved up to 215 against West Chicago and won by technical fall.

West Chicago came into Monday's quad after participating in Hinsdale Central's 26-team tournament, and posted a 65-12 win over Mooseheart and a 48-24 win over Driscoll.

The Blazers got pins from James Sokolnik and George Iliopoulos to help clinch a close battle with the Wildcats.

"We've got some kids that were new to the varsity lineup tonight, and it's hard to win when you're giving up pins," said Wildcats coach Jamie Philips. "But the kids battled."

Driscoll forfeited five weight classes all night, but got strong efforts from the nine wrestlers that took the mat. The Highlanders earned a 5-4 edge in matches wrestled against the Blazers, including pins from Chris Heading (112), Brett Warren (145), Tom Randich (171), and Steve Driscoll (215).

"We wrestled well," said Highlanders coach Matt TreDenick. "We'll get a few guys back in the lineup, but we'll still have to give up three or four forfeits."

"But individually this year, we're looking for a few guys to have some good success."