After winning the West Suburban Silver championship with a perfect 6-0 record in duals, as well as claiming IHSA Class 3A regional and sectional titles last season, the Oak Park and River Forest High School wrestling team looks to keep things rolling this winter.
“We have a handful of guys starting off the season strong,” said OPRF coach Paul Collins, “and we expect to continue building.”
OPRF is 3-1 to start the year, sweeping the Andrew Quad on Nov. 30: 50-20 over Andrew, 46-21 over Maine South, and 76-0 over Oak Lawn. The victories served as a good remedy for a season-opening 42-33 defeat on Nov. 27 at West Aurora.
“We challenged the team to be tougher in the moments that matter most, and they responded well [at Andrew],” Collins said.
OPRF returned 11 varsity starters, including four who were state qualifiers: junior David Ogunsanya, who finished sixth at 150 pounds; sophomore MJ Rundell (106 pounds); and seniors Eric Harris (215) and Joe Knackstedt (138), who recently signed a National Letter of Intent with Cornell University.
Other returnees are senior Gabe Rojas at 120 pounds; junior Zev Koransky (2023 state qualifier) at 132; junior AJ Noyes and senior Tristan Kidd at 144; junior Jeremiah Hernandez and senior Ryan Wozniak at 157; senior Hugh Vanek at 175; senior Ben Martin at 190; senior CJ Robinson at 215; and senior Terrence Garner at 285.
The Huskies’ top newcomers are sophomore Jamiel Castleberry, a transfer from Proviso West who finished fourth in Class 3A at 113 pounds last year; sophomores Zach Michaud (165) and Lucas Albrecht (190); and junior Pierre Nelson (heavyweight).
“One of our strengths is the experience and depth we have in the lineup, whether it is a starter or a backup,” said Collins, in his 10th season as head coach. “We have depth we haven’t had in recent years.”
The Huskies’ aims this year are to repeat as WSC Silver champions and improve on their postseason showing from last season.
“The harder they work for themselves and each other, the better chance they have at achieving their goals,” Collins said. “This is a group who enjoys being around each other and has built strong bonds over the past few years.”
Fenwick
Entering his sixth year at the helm, Fenwick coach Seth Gamino has an experienced team, with all but one wrestler (state qualifier Luke D’Alise) returning from last season. The Friars have 14 seniors on the roster.
“Our lineup is a work in progress,” Gamino said. “All [the seniors] are trying to make the lineup, but some younger guys with grit want their spots too.”
The Friars started the season, Nov. 29-30, at the Moore-Prettyman Barrington Tournament, finishing 13th out of 32 schools with 123.5 points. Senior Aiden Burns went 4-1 and finished second at 165 pounds. Senior Jack Paris took third place at 190; senior Patrick Gilboy was fifth at 215; and senior Max Kenny was eighth at 138. Gilboy and Paris are returning Class 2A state qualifiers, each narrowly missing out on top-six finishes in their weight classes.
Other returning wrestlers who qualified for last year’s sectionals are seniors Gianni Bertacchi (285), CJ Brown (120), Dominic Esposito (175), Eiam Staples (150), and Brian Timpone (157); junior Solanus Daley (138); and sophomores Harrison Brown (106), Cormack Mahon (113), and Burke Burns (132).
Newcomers to keep an eye on are freshmen Quinn Paris and Santino Scardina, and sophomore Patrick Nix. All three wrestled at Barrington with Scardina going 1-2 at 106 pounds; Paris losing both matches at 120; and Nix going 1-2 at 150.
“We have a few new varsity guys that will rotate and help us out in our lineup,” Gamino said.
One of Fenwick’s goals this season is to win a regional, something Gamino says hasn’t been done in 20 years. He believes hard work and a focus on getting better each week will be key to the Friars’ success.
“The senior class has worked hard in staying together and building a culture for their teammates to look up to and strive to be like,” Gamino said.