Barrington’s Gonzalez continues family tradition

After arriving at Barrington three years ago, Adrian Gonzalez wasted no time ushering in the next generation of family wrestling excellence.

Growing up watching his two half-brothers, Brad and Josh Fiorito, come through the ranks, the Barrington junior enters his third season with the big club with a dazzling 81-14 overall record.

Gonzalez’s successful resume includes consecutive trips to Champaign, the second ending when he brought home a fourth-place medal at 103 pounds.

“I remember being around the Dundee Highlanders club where my brothers (wrestled) and my dad was the coach, and actually starting to wrestle when I was 4 years old, just because I was there with my entire family,” said Gonzalez. “Later on, and after Brad was already out of high school, Josh would be there to (wrestle) with, and always be there showing me different things, and giving me the encouragement and support as I got further along in the sport.”

Josh, who finished a brilliant four-year career with a fifth-place state medal in 2007, only scratched the surface of what he would mean to the program and his teammates. He still is there for his younger brother, providing plenty of moral support and technical and tactical guidance as well.

“I had a disappointing final last weekend against Nicky (Fontanetta, Crystal Lake South) at the Moore-Prettyman tournament,” Gonzalez said, “but Josh was there for me later and switched the focus from that loss to getting myself better prepared and ready to compete at 112 pounds for the rest of the season.”

Gonzalez, off his 45-5 record last season, was anointed the No. 1 ranking at 103 by many preseason publications, until a decision made just a few days before the Moore-Prettyman sent him one weight division higher for this season.

“My goal is to wrestle in college, and the lowest weight (there) is 125,” he said, “and I really feel it will be easier to train and compete at 112 during my junior season instead of cutting (weight) to stay at 103 for another year.”

“It’s a big jump to go from 103 to 112,” said Barrington coach Al Strobl. “When you’re at 103, most of your opponents will be either freshmen or sophomores, whereas the competiton at 112 will likely be juniors and seniors.

“But Adrian is a talented and tough kid, and the intensity that he brings into each and every match will help carry him through when things get a little tough (from time-to-time) during this transision period for him.”

At the core of his match-day philosphy is his fast-paced attack. Combined with his high energy level, it allows the reigning Mid-Suburban League champion to win most bouts with ease.

“The thing about my brother Josh that always made a big impression on me was his work ethic he was the hardest worker that I’ve ever seen,” said Gonzalez.

Josh Fioritio won 12 bouts last season at Lindenhurst College in Missouri, and will be at 149 pounds this season.

“I’ve always tried to go as hard as I can for six minutes, regardless of if I am winning, or like last weekend, when Fontanetta had a big lead on me late in the match,” Gonzalez said. “To me, the only way to wrestle is to go all out.”

Gonzalez appeared on the state scene in his rookie season. He was one and out after dropping a 11-8 decision to Bryan Gonzalez of Glenbard North, who coincidentally is rated No. 5 at 112 after going 44-10 last season.

Gonzalez’s march into the state tournament in 2010 went into overdrive after he pinned his way to a championship belt at the Fremd regional before finishing second at the Broncos’ own sectional.

Gonzalez dropped an 11-5 decision to eventual state champion Kevin Malarick of Stagg in the second round. He fought back to win three straight consolation matches before his nemesis Fontanetta recorded a 6-0 victory in the third-place medal match.

One week later, Gonzalez was part of what he describes as his best memory thus far at Barrington as it captured the fourth-place team trophy in Bloomington at the dual-team state tournament.

“I feel very fortunate to be on a team like we had last year, and I was really happy for guys like Dan Santoro, Luke Miller and Kalvin Argueta,” Gonzalez said, “who put so much of themselves into the program for four years and ended their careers with a state medal.

“And having a coach like (Strobl) who is always there for us, and is someone you can talk to about everything, even if it isn’t related to wrestling it makes being a part of Barrington wrestling that much better.”

Gonzalez was thrilled to be invited to the Disney Duals in Orlando last summer, where Crystal Lake South star Kean Loupee and Cullen Smith of Prairie Ridge were also competing. Another trip to Fargo, N.D., also proved instructive as Gonzalez went 2-2.

“It was a great opportunity for me to be at both places, and a lot of fun at the same time,” Gonzalez said. “and that’s what it should be all about.”