Wrestling: Dozier, Glenbard West motivated for special season
Glenbard West senior Phillip Dozier is striving for a memorable wrestling season.
Dozier, who was named the top defensive linemen in the West Suburban Silver Conference, has many factors motivating him for a memorable run on the mat.
Two years ago, the last time the IHSA held a state wrestling meet, Dozier had a quick exit at the state tournament in Champaign.
After the IHSA did not have a state wrestling tournament last season due to the coronavirus pandemic, Dozier, one of the top wrestlers in the state at 195 pounds, is aiming to stand atop the podium on the final day of the season.
But Dozier admitted one of his main driving forces is not for himself, but his head coach, Nick Posegay, who plans to retire after this season - his 16th as a head coach and 35th overall in the program.
"The thing that is motivating me the most this year is to send Coach Posegay off with a bang this year," Dozier said. "I've been on varsity since a freshman, and I owe it all to him because he's helped me develop so much."
With a big crowd in attendance on Thursday night, the Hilltoppers notched another signature victory to remain undefeated, beating York 60-13 in a conference dual match in Glen Ellyn. The Hilltoppers (13-0) are off to their best start in Posegay's tenure, highlighted by Thursday's dominating performance. Dozier (13-0) pinned his opponent to easily win his match.
"I was not expecting this for my team, but I care more for my team than myself because it's an (great) overall team," Dozier said. "I'm proud of how everyone has been wrestling. Being on the mat is like a second home, especially to put COVID behind me and to have some fun."
In all, the Hilltoppers put together a memorable run after losing at 126 and 132 pounds. The Hilltoppers also have a conference win over Lyons.
"This is the best start since I've been here as a head coach," Posegay said. "We're having a lot of fun. We had a nice team last spring and a lot of the guys are back and we're enjoying some success. We have to keep battling because this conference is really good. This is a fun team to be around. This is the year that I'm retiring, so it's fun to be smiling a lot and it's very easy to work with these guys."
Glenbard West senior Brennan Skoda made quick work of opponent to also notch a pinfall victory.
"It's been a fun season," Skoda said. "Coming off last season to this season has been weird since there was no actual state, so to come out this season and wrestle the way we have is amazing. We have a lot of potential on this team, and could be one of the winningest teams in Glenbard West history."
At 170 pounds, Glenbard West senior Max Konopka (12-1) pinned his opponent to pad his team's advantage.
"It's finally shaping up to be a full regular season," Konopka said. "It's fun to come home and wrestle under the lights with all the fans here. The momentum was going well today and I knew I had to get in and get out. It ended up going well."
York earned a pair of wins early in the match, led by Sean Van Sleet pinning Isaiah Perez at 126 pounds. In one of the best matches of the dual, Sean Berger continued York's early momentum with a heated 9-7 victory over Jacob Lachs at 132 pounds.
"I thought the way we started off the dual was great," York coach Nick Metcalf said. "I thought Sean Van Sleet went out there and got us a big win, which was followed up by Sean Berger winning a close match in the last two seconds of the match. We fought hard. We're a young team. Glenbard West is having a great season. I was proud of our effort tonight."