Monday, October 24, 2022

Naperville Central Redhawk Wrestling 2022-2023 Preview

The NCHS Redhawk wrestling team looks to build on a very successful 21-22 campaign with a few standbys and some fresh faces entering the varsity line-up.

The varsity season will kick off at home on November 26 against Batavia, Lincoln Way West and York.  Central will host DVC duals on Thursdays against Waubonsie Valley and Nequa Valley in early December before traveling to Naperville North on December 15 for the crosstown classic.  On Saturdays in December NCHS will compete in the annual Mega-Duals, Prospect Tournament and Oak Forest Duals.  The Prospect Tournament is a new event for Central.

Over winter break the Hawks will compete in the prestigious two day Flavin Dual Tournament followed by hosting Schaumburg, Libertyville and Bolingbrook.  Central will travel to DVC foe DeKalb and will complete a whirlwind of winter break wrestling at Downers Grove North to take on the Trojans with Barrington and South Elgin.

January will include a DVC matchup at Metea Valley followed by the overnight trip to Mahomet-Seymour.  The following weekend Central will compete in the DuPage Valley Championships hosted by DeKalb to complete the regular season.  Regionals will be February 4th.

Returning seniors include two-time state qualifier Ethan Olson leading the way with returning starters Gavin Bohan, and Chase Enfield.  Alexander Kelsey, Charles Kuang, Alex Montchik, Larry Stubitsch, and Joe Thomas round off an impress class of returning twelfth graders.

There is plenty of talent in the junior class including returning varsity wrestlers Chris Bern, Niko Besteiro, Mitchell Kaszuba and state-qualifier Tyler Martin.  Looking to make their mark are Luci Antonietti, John Carens, Luke Moen, Javier Sevilla, Jacob Smetters, and Hagan Taylor.

Watch out for a few stand out sophomores as plenty competed in multiple events over the summer or return as varsity wrestlers.  Highlighted sophs include varsity returner Gavin McDonald.  CJ Bierman, Will Erbeck, Henry Rydwelski, and Dylan Schroeder all added several tournaments of experience in the offseason.  There is no shortage of talented underclassman.

GO REDHAWKS