1/4/2024
In what may go down as one of the more exciting duals in recent memory, the Naperville Central Redhawks defeated the DeKalb Barb by a score of 37-28. The contest was tied twice, saw five lead changes in the fourteen matches and came down to the final match. Central won eight matches against six losses. The win makes NCHS 16-6 on the season and 4-0 in the DuPage Valley Conference.
Starting at 106, NCHS’s sophomore Dalton Meluch faced off against Jaden Bradley. Meluch put on a valiant effort, scoring a takedown in the match, but lost by fall in the second period. Redhawk Jacob Cochran (113) went the distance with Kaden Klapprodt, taking the lead in the third period before succumbing by decision 12-14. With the Barb ahead 0-9, veteran wrestler Ty Martin (120) put the Hawks on the board with a hard fought 3-1 decision over Eduardo Castro. Martin was in on the legs for a potential takedown in the final seconds of both the first and second periods before finally getting his break in the third for the victory. Next up, senior Mitchell Kaszuba (126) wasted no time in earning a fall over Tyler Daub, with the mat slapped in 35 seconds, tying the team score at 9-9.
Vince Bern (132) put the Redhawks ahead for the first time of the night, the first lead change, with a convincing 9-4 decision over Ayden Shuey. Bern scored takedowns in each of his three periods. DeKalb retook the team score lead 12-15 when Hudson Ikens pinned Central’s CJ Bierman in the second period. The Barbs added to their lead with a 6-17 major decision against young Stavros Gerousis at 144 pounds. Although a losing effort, Gerousis starved off a pin or technical fall against the starter from DeKalb. Senior standout Hagan Taylor (150) moved the Hawks to within one after pinning Michael Hodge with a headlock in the second period. The match was tied at the time of the fall. Chris Bern moved Central ahead once again with a excellent effort at 157, winning by major decision 10-2. After a scoreless first period, Bern captured the lead with an escape, takedown and nearfall to open the second period and added two more takedowns for the bonus teampoint in the third. The win put the Hawk up 22-19. DeKalb then moved up to the lead, the fourth lead-change of the night, with wins at 165 and 175. Jacob Luce earned a fall in the second period over John Carens of Central and Sean Kolkebeck held on to a 2-5 decision over Central’s Henry Rydwelski.
With the Barbs up 22-28, senior and returning state qualifier Jacob Smetters needed 39 seconds against Elvis Mora to tie the team score 28-28. With two matches left in the dual, the two teams split evenly winning six matches apiece, senior Niko Besteiro put up three takedowns against Lamar Bradley to win by decision 7-1. It was the fifth lead change of the night and put the result of the dual in the hands of the heavyweights. Jeremiah Pineira of DeKalb opened the match with a takedown and put Will Erback to his back momentarily. Erbeck was able to roll off without giving away nearfall points. After several close calls, Erbeck was finally able to shed his opponent for the reversal and in the process caught Pineira on his back. The fall was quickly called, securing the victory for the Redhawks 37-28.
Naperville Central will need a victory over Metea Valley next week to finish undefeated in the DVC. In the under-level contests Naperville Central defeated DeKalb 62-9 at the JV1 level and 48-35 at the freshman level. Central also won five of seven matches at what would be considered the JV2 level. The girls did not compete against DeKalb as the Barbs sent their girls elsewhere.