Wrestling: Schaumburg's Gruszka aims to make most of his experience

After national and even international success, Logan Gruszka is ready to enjoy even more high points closer to home at wrestling state tournament time.

The Schaumburg senior helped his club defeat visiting Streamwood and Bartlett on Wednesday, beginning what the Saxons hope will be a memorable season.

"I had an off-season that I'll never forget," said Gruszka, a reigning MSL champ, after Schaumburg topped Streamwood 44-21 before ending its day with a 61-16 triumph against Bartlett.

Gruszka was a UWW (United Greco-Roman) national champion at 76kg last summer, and was a World Team representative for the United States when it traveled to Saravejo.

"It was an unbelievable experience being there, when you consider the condition of the city after what it went through there, with the war and all of the destruction from genocide," Gruszka said. "On the wrestling side, you cannot believe the level at which they compete in Greco-style. They begin at a young age, and it's amazing how good they are."

It wasn't a perfect trip in terms of results.

"I know Logan was disappointed with his lone loss at the Worlds, but I was very impressed with his performance against Mehmet Bolat from Turkey - he almost had him pinned, so the experience there is impossible to measure," said Saxons coach Mike Levanti, who made the trip over to help Gruszka prepare for the tournament.

Earlier, Gruszka earned a third-place finish at preseason nationals.

"It was all good, but now it's time to turn my attention to the regular season and the state tournament," said Gruszka, who has signed a letter of intent to wrestle at SIU-Edwardsville next fall.

Gruszka and teammates Tony Vezzetti (182), Nolan Warner (195), Andy Ortiz (220) and heavyweight Jon Serio had too much firepower at the upper weights for their opponents. Streamwood managed to stay in the hunt until the Saxons went on a 20-6 run to finish off the Sabres.

"I thought we competed well today, keeping things close with Schaumburg until the later stages, s) there were plenty of positive things to take with us today," said Streamwood coach Bill Peach, who will lean on senior Sunny You, a veteran who reached sectionals a year ago for the first time in his career.

"I want to get back, but this time get to the state tournament," said You, who won 17 matches last season, including three straight in the backdraw (all by pin) to garner a third-place medal at the Upstate Eight tourney.

"That might have been the high point of my season last year," said You, who spent plenty of time during the off-season on sharpening his technical game and conditioning, which he feels will make a difference this season.

You and his teammates finished the day with a 42-31 victory over Elk Grove.

The Grens opened the day and their season with a 39-36 come-from-behind win over Bartlett fueled by a hard-fought 7-5 decision by senior Azeez Alabi at 182, followed by a decision from Louie DiPietro at 220 and a pin from big man Dionte Tillman.

"I was happy with the effort and results from the day," said Grens coach Dan Vargas. "We're missing a few guys, had to forfeit points at some weights, and were pinned were we should not have been - but the guys we had here today wrestled hard, and it felt good to finally get out there and compete."

Alabi, who led the Grens with 18 victories last season, exhibited a balanced attack during a resounding 19-2 major decision win during the dual with Streamwood.

"Last year I opened the season by losing my first three matches, so right there is when I got tired of losing, and after a long talk with coach (Vargas) where he told me to put those results past me and to just go out and get after my opponents, things turned around for me," said Alabi.

Vargas, a former Wheeling and Elmhurst College standout, has been key in Alabi's progress.

"I found out I was right there with the competition at regionals last year," said Alabi, "and (Vargas) has been the guy who's always been there as a coach, mentor and friend, and he's spent hours upon hours to get me to the next level."

Alabi hopes to be playing football next fall at either North Dakota State or Southwest Minnesota State; both have shown interest.

Bartlett, perhaps hardest hit by the new weight certification rules, had too many gaps in its lineup to compete with its two opponents on Wednesday.

"It's been tough getting everyone certified - (we) probably had 4-5 starters unable to go today, and it won't be until December when we're finally at full strength," said coach John O'Brien. "We wrestled well at times today, but we'll be fine when the new year rolls around."

One of O'Brien's best, senior Bradon Johnson, looked to be in midseason form during his first appearance in the Hawks' lineup following a season-ending injury during holiday break last December.

"I suffered a scary injury at the Berman Invite (at Palatine), breaking an orbital bone, so I am just glad to be back and wrestling again," said Johnson, who still has issues with his vision and wears a mask when competing. "I feel great at 138 pounds. It's where I belong and most comfortable at, but I'll wait to make any predictions on where I'll be and finish at the end of the year."

Johnson was 12-5 at the time of his injury.

"Brandon looked good out there today, he was maybe a little gassed during that match against Schaumburg, but he was leading 15-2, and a technical fall wasn't that important to us or him at that time," said O'Brien.