Huskie Duo Places at 57th Midlands Championships
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – A pair of Huskie wrestlers placed at the 57th Annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships after the final day of competition at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates on Monday.
“The guys wrestled hard and we had some nice individual performances,” said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. “We have a lot to build on and a lot to learn from. Freshmen Izzak and Gage competed with maturity to secure podium finishes.”
Gage Braun (197) and Izzak Olejnik (165) placed fifth and eighth, respectively, after battling their way through Monday’s bouts. Both wrestlers opened the round of 12 with victories.
Down 5-4 late in the third period, Olejnik recorded a reversal with 30 seconds left to defeat Jake Keating of Virginia, 6-5. However, he suffered a 7-4 decision to Phillip Conigliaro of Harvard in his next match before getting pinned in the first period in the seventh-place match by North Carolina’s Kennedy Monday.
Braun was aggressive early in his first match of the day. The Huskie redshirt freshman recorded a first period takedown over his opponent, Brandon Whitman of North Carolina. Braun earned a 6-5 decision to stay alive in the tournament.
He won his next match 7-5 over Army’s Alexander Hopkins to continue to advance through the tournament. However, Braun fell, 18-5, to Princeton’s Pat Brucki, putting him into the fifth-place match. A medical forfeit by Minnesota’s Hunter Ritter allowed Braun to take fifth place at 197.
Bryce West (125) and McCoy Kent (149) also competed Monday, but suffered defeats in their bouts.
NIU finished in 13th place with 44 points, while Iowa won the event with 196.5.
The Huskies return to action Sunday, Jan. 5 when NIU welcomes Central Michigan to Victor E. Court. The match begins at 2 p.m. and will be shown on ESPN+.
-NIU-
West Chicago snares three titles at Ed Ewoldt Invitational
Article Source Written by: By Mike Garofola – Daily Herald Correspondent
With the team trophy firmly in control of Lyons Township midway through the Ed Ewoldt Invitational, all the attention turned toward winning an individual title.
West Chicago big men Miguel Rodriguez and Ryan Hannah ended the day at Wheaton-Warrenville South on a high note by claiming the top prize at 220 and 285 pounds respectively, joining teammate Pierre Baldwin to give the Wildcats three overall titles.
Lyons Township would squash the competition, outscoring runner-up Lincoln-Way East by 57 points (224.5 to 167.5) and third place Dixon (154).
Downers Grove North (131.5), led by 106-pound champion Kai Tacadena, and Oak Lawn (130) would round out the top five.
Rodriguez and Hannah were both magnificent on Saturday, Rodriguez stunning returning state qualifier and top seed Charlie Milligan (Waubonsie Valley) in the semifinals, before recording a 4-1 decision over No. 3 seed Justin Thomas (Homewood-Flossmoor) in his 220-pound final.
“It feels great to come in here (unseeded) and walking out as the champion in my weight class,” said Rodriguez. “I’m lucky to have a great partner in the room with (Hannah) — a big body guy who pushes me around, who is both athletic and tough — and there’s no doubt he’ll get me ready for the postseason, which I cannot wait for.”
Indeed.
Rodriguez, who went 33-10 a year ago, had the misfortune of being in one wicked 220-pound division at sectionals — a division which produced the top four state medal winners in Champaign.
“I was still just one win from going downstate, so I kind of have a chip on my shoulder in my senior year,” admitted Rodriguez.
Hannah (16-1) was unstoppable at 285, dominating his final with Brian Smith of Homewood-Flossmoor en route to a 14-4 major decision victory.
“I feel like everything is beginning to come together for me,” said Hannah, a junior who is also a three sport star (football, baseball) and a returning sectional qualifier.
Baldwin (12-2) used a takedown just after the opening whistle to fuel his pin of Roberto Castro (Downers Grove North, 19-4) at 3:05 in his 113-pound final.
“I wanted to have a fast start in my final, set up my shots, and be quick with my feet to finish off points,” said Baldwin, a two-year starter.
Tacadena, who was second at the Ewoldt last season, had no intention of having that happen to him this time around.
“I wanted to prove to myself that I could win a tournament championship because last year I didn’t think I was as tough as I should be in big matches,” said the North junior, now 17-5.
Ian Huff (Maine West, 10-5) turned in a first class effort in his semifinal to advance into the finals, where the Warriors’ senior ran into the highflying Lyons Township senior Jimmy Ruston, who was impressive in their 138-pound final.
“I was so nervous heading into my semifinal (I mean) really nervous, but after that wild second period scramble, I settled down and wrestled with a lot more confidence,” said Huff of his 9-1 semifinal victory.
Alex Young would rebound from his heartbreaking 7-5 defeat in the semifinals to defeat crosstown rival Eric Santana (Elgin, 14-5) to claim third place at 145 pounds.ADVERTISING
The Larkin junior took a 5-4 lead against Paul Cozzo (Lyons Township) with 24 seconds left in regulation but conceded a one-point penalty at nine seconds to send the contest into overtime. Once there, Cozzi would register a two-point reversal with three seconds to go.
“I lost my focus when I was hit with that penalty for stalling,” admitted Young (13-2), who is 100% healthy after offseason shoulder surgery.
Buffalo Grove garners two wins
Article Source Written by: By Mike Garofola – Daily Herald Correspondent
Gio Jackson and Alejandro Mejia laugh when they call themselves a dynamic duo, but the best wrestlers from Buffalo Grove have every right to do so.
The Bison stars led their club to a pair of victories over visiting Geneva and Romeoville Monday in their home gym to move BG over .500 (9-7-0) in advance of the new year.
“We feed off each other’s success,” echoed the Bison seniors, who each recently won individual titles at the Glen Erb Invite and before that another at their own Rex Lewis.
“Having those two in the room has really made a big difference,” said BG coach Kurt Kutska. “They bring the level of intensity way up because of how hard they work, and with the results each has had because of their work rate.
“But it’s kind of funny because Alejandro is all business, while Gio is a little more carefree, always with a smile on his face. We’re obviously fortunate to have both of them with us.”
Mejia would wrestle as a freshman at BG, then, along with his family, move to Kentucky before returning last season, and advancing to sectionals.
This season he is currently the No. 10 rated 152-pounder in the state with a 19-3 record.
Jackson, who transferred from Palatine where he was a state qualifier last season, sits at No. 2 in the state polls, squashing the opposition all throughout the first half of the season on his way to a 22-0 overall record.
“I’ll continue to work on my fitness, while working to push the pace and stay quick on my feet. I know I can be cleaner and better in everything that I do, so that’s what I’ll concentrate on from here on out,” said Jackson.
Teammates Antonio Lopez (138, 16-6) and heavyweight Brandon Flores (18-5) won both matches on the day for BG as well.
Elk Grove was without four starters including its top man, Tuvshin Zuunbayen (126, 17-0), but the Grens managed to go 1-1 on the day when an Emmanuel Gonzalez pin at 285 on the final bout gave coach Dan Vargas’ club a 40-39 victory over Geneva.
“The program is in great shape because of strong underclass numbers, but on the varsity level we’re a little light at some weights. But with guys like Tuvshin and Emmanuel, plus two terrific sophomores in Danny Gaskill (120, 14-6) and Brady Tosterud (182, 14-5) the future is looking bright,” opined Vargas.
Zuunbayen was first at both the Rex Lewis and Niles West, where 2019 state qualifier Ian Huck (16-4, 126) from Geneva was runner-up to Zuunbayen.
“There’s a few losses this season that I am not happy with and sectionals are always tough,” said Huck, 38-9 a year ago. “I feel that the experience of getting downstate last year, plus getting bigger in an offseason when I competed in preseason nationals, training at Izzy Style, and going to a camp at SIU-Edwardsville has prepared me for this season.”
The Vikings were down 35-17 in its final contest of the day with Romeoville but would make a valiant comeback effort in their final contest of the day, coming back from a 33-18 deficit to take a two-point advantage over the Spartans, 35-33.ADVERTISING
Richard Krieger (195), Hank Smith (220), Blake Kunkel (285) and Maguire Hokesema (106, 14-5) would score 17 unanswered points to give Geneva a 35-33 advantage until Jaden Ruiz (12-2) dashed the Vikings’ hope with a pin at 113.
Geneva is at St. Charles East on Thursday in a DuKane Conference contest.
Hubs sweep home quadrangular meet
Article and photo by: Russell Hodges
ROCHELLE — Eighty-four points are the maximum amount that any high school team can score in an IHSA wrestling dual. The only way that many points can be obtained is through winning every bout by either fall or forfeit, and the Rochelle wrestlers did exactly that during their dual against Marquette Academy on Saturday.
The short-handed Crusaders fielded only four varsity wrestlers, forfeiting 10 bouts to the Hubs and giving Rochelle a 60-point advantage right away. The four Rochelle grapplers who did compete took care of business, though, recording pins to help the Hubs top Marquette Academy 84-0 to close out their quadrangular meet with Rockford Jefferson and East Peoria. Rochelle improved to 10-2 overall with the three dual wins.
“The kids are continuing to show progress and this meet was a sneak peek of our full lineup,” head coach Alphonso Vruno said. “We have Diego [Escobar] down to 160 pounds now, Keegan [Davis-Carter] made it down to 138 pounds and we have Gavin [Ansteth] down to 195 pounds… We were really excited to see what this team will look like in action, and we think the kids are wrestling really well. We’re becoming a good team.”
152-pounder Zeke Horn recorded Rochelle’s first pin of the dual with Marquette Academy, dominating Branden Sampson in only 1 minute and 3 seconds. 170-pounder Bryan Garza fared equally as well against Jake Mitchell, pinning him in 1 minutes and 17 seconds. After 126-pounder Caleb Nadig won by fall over Easton Kent in 48 seconds, 132-pounder Grant Thompson stepped into the ring with Rochelle ahead 78-0.
Thompson fought a tough match against Logan Petre, but the junior slowly built up a lead after a strong performance in the second period. A near shoulder injury fired Petre up in the third, but it wasn’t enough, as Thompson recovered from a quick reversal to pin his opponent and complete Rochelle’s sweep of the Crusaders.
“I feel like I’ve improved my shots a lot,” Thompson said. “I felt that I wasn’t very confident in my shooting before this season, but these last few duals have really helped my confidence. I feel that we have another chance to go to state this year, and everyone needs to come together so we can make that happen. Everyone needs to be at their weights and go 100 percent.”
Rockford Jefferson
Rochelle opened the quadrangular meet with an easy win over Rockford Jefferson, topping the J-Hawks 77-6 behind seven forfeit victories and five falls. The varsity freshmen stepped up for the Hubs in their dual with Rockford Jefferson, as 113-pounders Josey Weber and Weldon Nay each had excellent performances against their J-Hawk opponents. Weber pinned Jadin Spicer in less than 45 seconds at 113 pounds, while Nay moved up to 120 and took down Mick Fasino with an 18-2 technical fall that featured several strong takedowns and near falls.
“The freshmen were really intimidated about wrestling on the varsity level right away, but we told them we were going to put them out there this season and help them be successful,” Vruno said. “They have bought into that and they’re starting to trust the coaches. They’re working stuff they know and they’re doing it at a high level right now, which is really nice to see. Josey took an awesome shot in her match today and got the pin.”
160-pounder Diego Escobar managed to turn Ethan Pope for a pin late in the first period (1:50) before Bryan Garza followed with a fall victory at the 38-second mark in the 170-pound bout. Caleb Nadig and Grant Thompson each notched pins for the Hubs, who only dropped one head-to-head bout in the dual with the J-Hawks.
East Peoria
The Hubs faced East Peoria second in the quadrangular meet, compiling another solid team performance to win 55-15. Rochelle create a 9-0 lead after Grant Thompson pinned his opponent in the 132-pound bout and Keegan Davis-Carter held off Levi Robison to win by 8-7 decision in the 138-pound bout. State-ranked wrestler Tristen Westbay put East Peoria on the scoreboard with a 9-3 decision over 145-pounder Ethan Tooley.
Rochelle rallied off 35 straight points to emerge with a 44-3 lead entering the 285-pound bout. Zeke Horn and Bryan Garza both pinned their opponents, while Gavin Ansteth moved up to the 220-pound weight and turned Luke Brooks over for a fall at the 1:10 mark. Ben Harvey went up to the 195-pound weight and cruised over Jonah Ziegler, winning by 19-3 technical fall.
State-ranked East Peoria heavyweight Caleb Collins broke the Rochelle scoring streak, netting the Raiders six points with a fall over 285-pounder Zack Capes. 106-pounder Ivan Pineda nearly earned a major decision for the Hubs, winning 11-4 against Curtis Stage before Weldon Nay compiled a 14-8 victory in the 113-pound bout. Caleb Nadig iced the win by recording 11 takedowns in his 23-8 technical fall against Kortney Atchley in the 126-pound bout.
Assad returns home to compete at Midlands Championships
Cody Goodwin, Hawk CentralPublished 4:36 p.m. CT Dec. 27, 2019 | Updated 11:23 a.m. CT Dec. 28, 2019
Article Source THE DES MOINES REGISTER
IOWA CITY, Ia. — Abe Assad joined the Iowa wrestling program out of Glenbard North High School, about an hour from Welsh-Ryan Arena at Northwestern University. A few years ago, Assad and his dad made the 40-mile trek to watch the Midlands Championships.
Back then, a young Assad brought an Iowa hat along for the ride, and at the conclusion of the finals session, he actually got it signed by former Hawkeye star Brent Metcalf. Head coach Tom Brands and associate head coach Terry Brands signed it, too.
“I think I still have it, actually,” Assad said last week. “They probably don’t remember, but I do. That was fun.”
This week, Assad will return to the Midlands, this time at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. This time, he’s a competitor, a true freshman for the Iowa wrestling program.
This time, he didn’t come to watch and ask for autographs. He came to wrestle in Monday’s finals session.
“I’m not going there for second,” Assad said. “I’m not going there to just place or get a couple of matches in. I’m going there to wrestle hard every match and win the tournament.”
Iowa’s Abe Assad, left, wrestles Cash Wilcke during the second day of preseason Hawkeye wrestling matches, Friday, Nov., 8, 2019, inside the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo: Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen)
There are many intriguing subplots to follow at the 57th Ken Kraft Midlands Championships, which runs Sunday and Monday. The field is expected to feature at least nine teams from Trackwrestling’s latest top-25 poll, including No. 1 Iowa, No. 13 Northern Iowa and even NAIA superpower Grand View. Individual matchups and team positioning are all on the line.
In the case of the top-ranked Hawkeyes, it will be the first opportunity to see them in a tournament setting this season. Brands hopes to solve some lineup spots — 141 and 184 pounds — and to see his team dominate. Iowa has won 28 Midlands team titles. If this year’s team is truly a national title contender, it should win another team crown by a wide margin.
“It’s a good barometer for everybody,” Brands said. “It’s a barometer for my evaluation perspective, as well, because if our guys are throwing their hat in the ring just to see where they’re at, then we need to work on their mentality.
“This is about being the best that you can be, one match at a time.”
► MORE WRESTLING COVERAGE FROM THE DES MOINES REGISTER
- A collection of football and wrestling stories from Kirk Ferentz and Tom Brands
- All-Decade Wrestling: The best Iowa, ISU and UNI wrestlers from the 2010s
- Greco-Roman national champion commits to Northern Iowa
- Iowa’s Spencer Lee wins U.S. Senior Nationals, qualifies for the Olympic Trials
Another fun reason to follow the Midlands is that it operates like an open tournament, meaning anybody can enter and compete. Iowa has routinely used it as a proving ground, of sorts, for its true freshmen.
Enter Assad, perhaps the most well-known of the Hawkeyes’ small-but-talented true freshmen class.
The Carol Stream native joined Iowa as a ballyhooed recruit, the No. 29 overall prospect in the 2019 class. He won two state titles for Glenbard North, a bronze medal at the Cadet freestyle world championships and a Junior men’s freestyle national championship last July.
This season, Assad is 11-2 while competing unattached at 184 pounds. He’s competed in three tournaments — the Grand View Open (second), the Lindenwood Open (third) and the Jim Koch Open at Wisconsin-Parkside (first). He’s recorded two pins and three technical falls.
“A guy there with a lot of talent,” Brands said. “His upside is huge. We want him to continue to get more college-oriented in this room. When you come from a high school program and you’re the alpha male, sometimes it’s hard to look at it like it’s nothing but survival.
“But it’s not survival. We want to persevere and overcome and rise to the occasion in these challenges, no matter who our opponent is in this practice room — and there’s some tough practice partners in this room for all of our younger guys.”
Assad first made his presence felt during Iowa’s preseason matchups. In a matchup against senior Cash Wilcke, Assad wrestled tough in a 3-2 loss. He pushed the pace and hand-fought hard and flashed a strong gas tank.
Since then, Assad said the biggest stride he’s made this season has been between the ears. He often goes with Wilcke, Nelson Brands, Jacob Warner and Michael Kemerer in practices. It requires a great deal of mental fortitude, he said, to drill with the nation’s best each day.
“There’s been some technical things I’ve changed and improved,” Assad said. “But my mindset, going into practice, I have to get ready for it every day. Some days, I’d come in and not be ready, and it would show on the mat. Having a strong mind has helped me a lot.”
Added Tom Brands: “He’s definitely made progress, and we have to keep that going. When you look at guys, where they start and where they end up, they don’t come out of nowhere. You don’t just get your butt whipped, your butt whipped, your butt whipped, then, just because it’s my time to put a Hawkeye singlet on, I’m the guy and, all of a sudden, I’m going to shine.
“It’s about the attitude and the fight when you’re in here, not necessarily the scores or the results. But that has to correlate to scores and results in competition. You asked about Abe Assad — he’s on track.”
Iowa’s Cash Wilcke, left, wrestles Abe Assad during the second day of preseason Hawkeye wrestling matches, Friday, Nov., 8, 2019, inside the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo: Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen)
The Midlands will be his toughest test to date.
Among those expected to compete at 184 this weekend are eight ranked competitors in Trackwrestling’s latest national rankings. That includes Northern Iowa’s fourth-ranked Taylor Lujan, Iowa’s 10th-ranked Nelson Brands, as well as Wilcke and many others.
The Midlands has previously been a launching pad for some of Iowa’s current stars. Kemerer, currently No. 2 nationally at 174 pounds, placed fifth as a true freshman in 2015. Tony Cassioppi, Iowa’s fourth-ranked heavyweight, took seventh last season. Alex Marinelli, No. 2 nationally at 165, took fourth in 2016 and has won each of the last two.
Assad is excited for the challenge. He’s expecting a big crowd — Glenbard North is less than 15 miles from Sears Centre Arena — and hopes to give them a show.
“I’m not just throwing my hat into the ring,” Assad said. “I want to go in there, fight and score points. I know I can win this tournament.”
And if he does, perhaps he’ll be the one handing out autographs after Monday’s finals session.
Cody Goodwin covers wrestling and high school sports for the Des Moines Register. Follow him on Twitter at @codygoodwin.
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57th Ken Kraft Midlands Championships
- WHEN: Sunday-Monday
- WHERE: Sears Centre Arena, in Hoffman Estates, Illinois
- WATCH: Flowrestling ($)
THE FUTURE IS NOW IN GIRLS WRESTLING
IWCOA Feature Story – Niles West Holiday Open Big Success
by Mike Garofola
Niles West High School –
It wasn’t the 40-plus teams, and over 150 participants that impressed so much last week at the Illinois High School Holiday Open – it was the excitement in the air from all those on hand that made this day so wonderful.
Sport has the power to teach and change lives – and it appears wrestling has done just that for those on hand in the giant Niles West field house.
Wrestlers of all ages would compete on this day, and if the energy, passion and pride exhibited by these young women is any indication – then girls wrestling is headed into the stratosphere, and hopefully for all those involved, the next sanctioned sport of the Illinois High School Association.
145-pound Elite Division runner-up Adriana Demos believes so.
After being a part of a national championship in cheerleading, the Warren sophomore went in search of her next challenge, and it didn’t take long for Demos to realize where she belonged.
“After the first day I knew it was the sport for me,” admitted Demos, who was on Team Illinois last season, qualified for Fargo, and currently trains in the room with the boys varsity team.
“I did all I could in (cheer) – so when I got involved in wrestling, the thing I liked (was) you put everything you have as an individual out on the mat, and the physical and mental part of the sport is something I really enjoy.”
Demos, who was unable to participate at Fargo due to a concussion, goes 24-7 when it comes to training.
“Three days a week I go to Izzy Style from 5:00-8:30 to train, but I really like being in the room working with the varsity, and watching guys like Joel Vandervere, who is a real role model for me to follow,” says Demos of Vandervere, who is No. 1 in the IWCOA boys 3A poll at 138 pounds.
“Joel is great because he’ll see something I’m doing and he’ll offer suggestions on how to improve and be better (and) it makes me feel like I am part of the wrestling program at Warren, and that’s important.”
Demos, whose older brother (Andrew) was a three-time state qualifier, and state medal winner (currently wrestling at the University of Nebraska-Kearney) sees the big numbers here at this tournament as a sign of future in her sport.
“We’re all here because we love the sport, and all of us are doing our best to get better to make it be the best it can be, and I want to see it become an IHSA sport before I graduate in order to compete for a state championship.”
Elgin High School freshmen, Ariana Luna, inspired by teammate Natalie Gonzalez, is thrilled to be a part of wrestling, and believes it is the sport for her.
“Natalie is the one who provided the inspiration for all of the girls at Elgin to be a part of wrestling, and because of her, and the respect given to us by the coaching staff, and the boys program, I know I am in the right sport,” says Luna, who would use a technical fall in her Novice 138-pound final to win top honors.
“It’s not about success, it’s more about effort and hard work, and that’s what keeps me in the sport, but I know if I continue to work hard and improve, I’ll have the success Natalie has,” added Luna, who will play soccer in the spring at Elgin.
For the record, Natalie Gonzalez is a two-time IWCOA state qualifier, and 2018 state runner-up, who also happens to be a starter on the boys varsity team.
“The success of Natalie has given girls wrestling a lot of exposure at Elgin, so when we go out to talk to girls in other sports, there’s more of an interest to participate than ever before,” echoed Elgin assistants, Jon DeCoste and Gary Parciak, who were on hand for the three girls here.
“We have five in the program right now, and we’ve ordered brand new two-piece singlets for the girls to make them feel a part of things (and) all of them train in the room with boys everyday, and I can tell you the guys make them feel like they belong in there (it’s) fun to see,” added Parciak.
Edwardsville made the near 300-mile trip north to be a part of this terrific tournament, and for coach Sarah Doty and her nine wrestlers, it was a road trip worth making.
“We came in the day before, stayed in a hotel, and it was a great way for the girls and families to bond and have some fun before going out there and competing,” said Doty, who brought an impressive resume to her new downstate ‘wrestling’ home.
Doty, who came to Edwardsville after stops in California, and most recently Missouri, is a former three-time college All-American, and obviously excited for the future of a sport that become such a big part of her life.
“The Edwardsville Wrestling Club (EWC) has 20 girls in the sport, all in middle school right now, and we’re growing, and thanks to the support of the boys program over at the high school, we feel like we’re a part of their program, which is the best way for everyone to grow and improve,” said Doty.
“Wrestling is a tough sport, but it’s one that will help all of these girls to learn a little bit more about life itself (the) ups and downs, and (knowing) that hard work and perseverance will pay off in the end.”
“Girls wrestling is on the rise here in Illinois and all around the country, and the girls that came here are a part of the future, and hopefully sooner than later, as a IHSA sanctioned sport.”
Thirteen-year old Rosie Sanders’ father and older brother have been in the sport, so Miss Sanders feels it’s the right sport for her as well.
“I’ve been wrestling for nearly ten years, and I cannot think of being in any other sport than this one,” said Sanders, who enjoys training at the high school alongside the boys program.
Sport is a great driver in gender equity, and in this particular one, it has the power to reach and change lives, regardless of gender – so says Oak Park and River Forest freshmen, Louise Calkins, who would finish second in the Novice 145-pound division at days end.
“Wrestling is obviously not a traditional sport for women, and I know there are those from the older generation who might feel we don’t belong (but) the younger coaches in our room do not feel that way, and the guys don’t either, but I think we all realize it still might take some time for us to earn total acceptance into the sport,” said Calkins.
Passionate about wrestling, Calkins has ben involved in basketball, swimming, dance, volleyball and soccer, and she knows this one is the right one.
“OPRF obviously has a great tradition, so that kind of brought me into the sport, but I’ve become addicted to (it), and have learned it builds character, makes you tougher, gets you in great shape, and as a female, it makes me and others part of history,” continued Calkins, who in her film class made a documentary on wrestling.
The affable Calkins, who was one of nine from OPRF here, trains twice per week at 6:15 in their own room, splitting off on other days to work-out with the freshmen boys team.
“It’s a little frustrating at times to wrestle and train with the boys because they have that genetic advantage over us (but) we all know it will make us better in the long run.”
Calkins and her teammates were part of the first girls dual-meet recently against Downers Grove South, and it was that ground-breaking event, plus this Holiday Open that gives hope to Calkins for the future of her new sport.
“All of us want to see wrestling to be a part of the IHSA, and to have the chance to compete for a real state title, and hopefully that will happen very soon.”
Kalia Del Toro has enjoyed plenty of success already in her young wrestling career, but the Taft High School sophomore believes this tournament, and others on the calendar ahead will have an impact on the shaping of the future of her favorite sport.
“Everyone is here because they love this sport, and they want to be a part of a sport that gives girls the same chance as the boys have (and) when I go to other tournaments, it’s pretty clear to me the sport is growing, and there’s a lot of girls who work hard, and want to see it get the attention it deserves,” said Del Toro.
Del Toro came in from Mixed Martial Arts, while also dabbling in boxing, and jiu-jitsu, but neither compare to girls wrestling according to the Elite 120-pound champ.
“I just love wrestling because it’s an individual sport, it pushes you in so many ways, and it’s hard, and I like the challenge of getting better at something.”
Better is something Del Toro has mastered in her career thus far: she was third at 111 pounds at the 2019 IWCOA Frosh-Soph State tournament last year, Chicago Public League champ at 113 pounds, was an All-American with her fifth-place finish at Fargo, then finished up with a third-place medal at the Illinois Girls Freestyle State championships.
“Wrestling is not a boys sport anymore, we (girls) can do this sport, we’re hard workers, and just as dedicated, so there’s no reason why it cannot be an IHSA sport, and one that we can compete for a state title.”
These are proud times in the sport of girls wrestling – and from the several interviews and chats conducted last week here at Niles West – the athletes involved are fully aware they are the future.
IWCOA Rankings – Week 5
Rankings for the fifth week of the IHSA wrestling season have been posted. State rankings are presented by Rob Sherrill and sponsored by the Midwest Nationals Wrestling Tournament & the IWCOA.
View the rankings HERE!
IWCOA Top 10 Teams – Week 5
IWCOA Rankings – Who’s #1? Week 5
Rink Tabbed as CCIW Wrestler of the Week
Contact: Adam Poklop, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302
Dec. 24, 2019 — North Central College men’s wrestling senior Anthony Rink has been selected as this week’s College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Wrestler of the Week, receiving the distinction for the first time in his career. The CCIW announced its latest award winners on Tuesday.
Rink’s recognition follows a perfect 3-0 run at the Desert Duals on Sunday in Las Vegas. He kicked off the day with a dominant major decision, 18-4, over Sam Wenzel from the ninth-ranked University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, before going head-to-head with 2019 NCAA All-American and fifth-ranked Brady Fritz of the No. 1-ranked Wartburg College. Rink came out on top with a 5-4 decision. The senior finished the day with a 7-2 decision over Brandon Minear from Trine University.
The Kankakee-native has compiled a 14-3 record this season at 149-pounds with five pins, four tech falls and two major decisions to his name. Rink also remains unbeaten in dual meets with a 4-0 record.
This is the 36th Weekly CCIW Award in program history and second of the season for North Central, following Ian Mullen’s selection on Nov. 19.
North Central returns to competition on Jan. 7 for a CCIW dual against Elmhurst College, to be contested at R.A. Faganel Hall at 7 p.m.
Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available for iOS and Android devices, to receive up-to-the-minute news, scores and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information.