The Jesuit Varsity Wrestling team recently enjoyed success against district opponent Berkner, winning by a score of 39-33. Berkner provided good competition for the Rangers, but the match was not as close as the score suggested.
Out of the fourteen weight classes needed to be filled at this match, Jesuit was unfortunately only able to fill nine. This lack of bodies resulted in several points per missing wrestler to be awarded to Berkner, allotting them thirty points from the start. This automatic disadvantage did not faze the Rangers, however, as they only surrendered two matches.
To overcome the large deficit, the Rangers needed to fire on all cylinders. Rising to the challenge, the Jesuit wrestlers won six of their matches by falls, an extremely impressive feat. Highlights included senior Michael Ingram’s hard fought victory over Nadim Mohammed and sophomore Blake Heckel’s win by fall after only one minute and forty-eight seconds. Additionally, juniors Matt Schonberg, Ryan Black, and Gustavo Saucedo all won by falls, swinging momentum heavily in Jesuit’s favor.
Coach Menard emphasized the importance of these decisive victories, explaining that they “knew going in that [they] had a great chance to win, but [they] needed to win pretty much all” of the weight classes that they were able to fill. Approaching the match, he knew that the smaller number of athletes would be a challenge, but that it was not a hurdle that was impossible to overcome for his talented squad of wrestlers.
Menard explained that he was particularly impressed with his new wrestlers, as newcomers to varsity like Blake Heckel and Ryan Black performed dominantly, pinning their opponents. Also, he was very pleased with veterans like Matt Schonberg and Gustavo Saucedo, whose wins by falls proved crucial in taking the lead and, eventually, the victory.
Matt Schonberg echoed Menard’s comments, saying, “A lot of us wrestled really well. A couple guys had their first varsity matches ever and hung with their guys. A couple of them even pinned their opponents.” He also knew going in to the match that the initial deficit would prove challenging, as “it came down to one or two guys” winning their matches to push the team to the top.
Besides the initial scoring deficit from the empty weight classes, Menard explained that “confidence” can be a challenge for the Jesuit wrestlers. He described how their “physical abilities are where they need to be,” but their mental strength can sometimes cause them to coast and not compete to the fullest of their abilities.
Despite the disadvantages going into the competition, the Rangers were able to dominate in the weight classes they competed in, a result of long hours of training in the weight room and on the mats. They hope to continue their success after winter break at both tournaments and district matches.
