Tom Mitrenga crowned champion at 160 pounds
December 10, 2011
Naperville Central took 5th at the eleven team Hoffman Estates Tournament. Lincoln-Way Central won the tournament. The Redhawks had eleven wrestlers place in the event. Taking top honors was Tom Mitrenga. The NCHS wrestling captain won all three of his matches to bring home the gold. Mitrenga pinned Psonak of Hoffman Estates. In the semifinals, Mitrenga scored a last second reversal to win 3-2 against Alaya of Libertyville. In the championship match, Mitrenga scored a second period fall to win in style against Ditchman of Lincoln Way Central. For his performance, Tom was named the "I'm Somebody" winner for the day.
The other NCHS captain, Kirk Cherep, took second at 132 pounds. Kirk won by fall in his first match and won 6-4 in the semifinals against Meyer of Libertyville before falling in overtime in the finals against Mikenis of Lincoln Way Central. Two other Redhawks advanced to the semifinals and finished fourth, seniors Andrew Meder and Kyle Klass.
Central had four wrestlers take fifth place. Steven Splan finished 2-1 on the day at 120 pounds and scored a fall. Freshman Ben Williamson lost a close 5-7 match in the first round but reeled off three wins in a row and not giving up a single offensive point the rest of the way. Luke Roth followed a first round loss with three wins of his own. He scored ten takedowns and also did not give up another offensive point in his wins. Ryan Berg, 195 finished fifth also, going 2-1 on the day with a pin.
Derek Wilke, freshman 106 scored his first ever varsity win at 106 with a come-from-behind 9-6 win against Harris of LWC. Hunter Stephens and Vince Piazza also finished sixth, both winning two matches in the tournament. All point scorers in the tournament came away with a win.
NCHS won all three of their Saturday duals to bring home a trophy in the Streamwood Duals The Redhawks defeated South Elgin, Bartlett, and Downers Grove South. Central also won all three duals at the freshman level at the Lyon's Quad. They defeated Lyon's Township, Glenbard South and Fenwick.
Next up the Redhawks will travel to the Hinsdale Central Whitlatch Tournament next weekend. The 26 team tournament promises to be one of the top events of the year with many of the state's top teams present.