Elk Grove continues its hot start
Two more victories from Elk Grove helped continue the Grens' flying start to the new season Wednesday morning on their home wrestling mats.
Coach Dan Vargas' team easily went past Streamwood in its opening dual, then needed an overtime decision from heavyweight Devaughn Tillman to win in thrilling fashion over Bartlett to go 2-0 on the day.
Mid-Suburban League rival Schaumburg won its two matches against Bartlett (48-31) and Streamwood to make it a clean sweep for the MSL against its Upstate Eight opponents in this annual season-opening quad at Elk Grove.
"Everyone has bought into the program - wrestling for each other, and fighting as hard as they can for each point to help the team - which we've seen already by winning so many of the close matches that last year we would have lost," said Vargas.
The Grens, at 4-1, are already halfway toward the eight wins they collected a year ago, which is not surprising to senior Griffin McEnroe, who is one of three returning sectional qualifiers.
"We all put a lot of work in during the offseason, but having a coach like (Vargas) is a big reason for the turnaround in the program because he's able to make it all fun, even when he's pushing us to work even harder," said McEnroe, who was 27-9 a year ago and a key figure in the Grens' lineup along with Matt McEnroe (21-14), Joey Gaskill (21-12) and Joe Szplit (12-12).
The Elk Grove-Bartlett match was a back-and-forth affair, with each side holding the lead at times.
The Hawks took control late after pins from Matt Tomaso (160) and Jacob Cwenar (195) to set up the late heroics from the aforementioned Tillman, who came back from a 2-0 deficit to Nathan Tomaso to win 3-2 in the third extra session.
The Grens beat Streamwood 41-24 to start their day, while Schaumburg was a 48-31 winner over Bartlett, despite a struggle or two along the way.
"We were happy to finally wrestle someone else besides ourselves," said Schaumburg coach Mike Levanti.
The affable Saxons head coach believes a fine group of seniors will lead the way for some talented newcomers on the roster, with the hope of changing their fortunes of late.
"We just could not seem to get over the hump in a number of crucial situations last year, witnessed by us losing three of four in the blood round of sectionals thus ending with us getting just one downstate," he said.
Jack Lingle was the lone Saxon to reach the state tournament, but the senior who was 30-8 last season, may have plenty of company this time around if all goes well.
Hiroshi Avila, Jaylan Claudio, Grant Hansen, Tony LaRocco and Hadi Mashhadiaabolghasem all were sectional qualifiers, with LaRocco (30-11), Claudio (24-14) and the-then freshman (Hansen, 30-15) all falling one victory short of joining Lingle in Champaign.
Bartlett drew closer to Schaumburg after UEC champion Trent Johnson recorded the first of his two pins on the day at 182 pounds, but it wasn't enough for the Hawks in the end.
"Despite the two losses, it was a pretty good day for us. We just have to try to fill all of the holes in our starting lineup, and continue to work on the little things such as third or fourth moves that at the end of the year will be the difference of advancing to state, or going home for the year," said Hawks head coach John Glorioso.
Glorioso liked what he saw on the day from Johnson (31-10) as well as Paul Kearns (126) and Jack Oliver (113), both of whom won over 22 matches a year ago.
"It's great to finally get started. Now the guys know where they stand, so we go forward from here," added Glorioso, whose club travels to Buffalo Grove on Saturday to meet Andrew, Niles North and the host Bison.
Streamwood was overwhelmed by Schaumburg in its second contest, but the two losses on this opening day didn't dampen the spirit of longtime head coach Bill Peach.
"We are so young and inexperienced, so much so that two weeks of practice for the several first-time wrestlers isn't quite enough to get these guys ready for the season," began Peach.
"Guys like Sirrion Dixon (170) are brand new to the sport, but he showed a lot in his first match (which he won) so that's what we'll build on, just like the rest of the other guys who have been working hard, and are always coming to practice and lifting sessions."
The Sabres are at West Chicago Friday, while Schaumburg competes at the New Trier quad along with Dakota, and Class 3A state power Oak Park-River Forest, as well as the host Trevians on Saturday.