Grant makes alums proud against Antioch

Host Grant was fired up for its alumni night as the Bulldogs faced rival squad Antioch in Northern Lake County Conference wrestling action Friday.

Starting with a pin by Sam Maldonado at 138 points, Grant (6-2, 2-0) built a 28-12 lead after 10 matches on the way to capturing a 33-18 NLCC victory over the Sequoits.

Returning state qualifier Spencer Welter's 14-5 major decision over Niall Schoenfelder at 145 made the score 10-0 before Grant teammate Ethan Geist posted a hard-fought 7-5 decision over Jackie Sistrunk at 152 to boost the lead to 13-0.

Antioch (7-5, 0-2) got on the scoreboard when 160-pounder Mikey Volkmar posted a 6-1 decision over Christian Palma. Then 170-pounder Nico Garcia added a 6-4 decision over Kyle Rainey to cut the gap to 13-6.

"It went pretty well, but I actually thought we could have gotten a few more points," said Grant coach Lenny Grodoski, whose team defeated Deerfield on Thursday night. "We've had a bitter rivalry with Antioch since Fred (Loffredo) was coaching here so it was nice to see all the alumni come out, it's very humbling."

The Bulldogs got back in the win column when 182-pound sophomore Justin Brown (12-2) pinned his opponent in 3:07 to boost their lead to 19-6.

The Sequoits answered with Blake Juszczyk's 4-2 decision over Alex Larracas at 195, and Alex Scheider's 6-1 decision over Kaleb Perzigian at 220 cutting the lead to 19-12 after eight bouts.

But without sophomore state qualifier Xavier Sanchez in the lineup at 285, Grant's Alvin Nash took advantage of the situation by pinning his man in just 25 seconds.

Then Grant 106-pounder Chris Lozos posted a 7-2 decision over Drew Lehn, and the Bulldogs' lead was back to 28-12.

"We lost some close matches, we still don't have a heavyweight, and we had them on the ropes in a couple of matches," said Antioch coach Wilbur Borrero. "We're very young with a bunch of sophomores and juniors in our lineup with no seniors in our lineup."

Returning state qualifier Alex Barbarise kept Antioch's hopes alive with his 10-4 decision over Zach Hitzler at 113, making the score 28-15.

But Grant 120-pounder Alex Paz pulled out a 6-5 decision over Luke Menzies in a back-and-forth battle, and that officially clinched the team victory for the Bulldogs at that point.

Tucker Rogan added a 2-0 decision over Antioch's Danny McPherson at 126 before Antioch's Elijah Reyes edged Dylan Rinkenberger 5-4 to account for the final score.

Among the headliners in attendance for alumni night was John Welter, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018. Welter placed second in the state for Grant in 1967.

Olympian Daniel Dennis (class of 2005, second in 2004) was also there along with long-time coach Loffredo (IWCOA Hall of Fame), former coach Don Rowden (IWCOA Hall of Fame), and Steve Welter, who was Grant's first state champion in 1965.

Former coach Ryan Geist (IWCOA Hall of Fame) and former Grant coach Dave Kapraun (1977-1999) were also among the dignitaries who are part of Grant's illustrious history.

"More than anything John (Welter) is kind of an architect of this whole thing," said Grodoski. "We came out hot, and I think we did a nice job because it can be a nerve-wracking atmosphere for the guys on alumni night."