2/26/2025
The Naperville Central Wrestling Team reconvened on
Wednesday, February 26 for their annual awards banquet held in the aux gym
(wrestling room) at Naperville Central High School. There was much to
celebrate. The boys varsity finished 17-6
in duals and undefeated 5-0 in DuPage Valley Conference competition. They took second in DVC tournament. The boys placed in all tournaments including eighth
at the Marmion Tournament, second at the Prospect Tournament, 14th
at the DeKalb Dual Tournament, first at the Stem Tournament, first at the Mahomet-Seymour
tournament, and second at IHSA Regionals.
Five individual boys were conference champions which tied a record for
most individual champions in a single season.
They were Jacob Cochran, Vince Bern, Henry Rydwelski, Paul Peradotti,
and Will Erbeck. Those five wrestlers
and CJ Bierman were also honored as DVC All-Conference wrestlers. Cochran was named Outstanding Wrestler in the
tournament. Vince Bern and Will Erbeck
are both two-time DVC conference champions.
The postseason saw seven boys qualify for IHSA Sectionals three of whom advance to the IHSA State Tournament Jacob Cochran, Henry Rydwelski and Will Erbeck. Henry became NCHS’s 26th state place winner.
The girls team continued to progress with 11 total girls on the team. They placed 7th at Niles West, 7th at Eisenhower, 11th at Pontiac, 4th at Chicago Curie, 8th at Ottawa, 9th at Batavia, 31st at Sectionals. The team generally had only seven or eight scorers at the tournaments. Two girls qualified for IHSA Sectionals, Dezi Azar and Arianna Rico with Dezi qualifying for IHSA State, only the second girl in NCHS history to qualify.
The combined under-level dual record was 27-8. Both the JV1 and JV2 teams were DVC Tournament Champions. The junior varsity, freshman-sophomore and freshman teams had outstanding seasons. The junior varsity team took first at the Streamwood Dual Tournament, first at the Libertyville Tournament, first at the Bolingbrook, second at the Oswego (F / JV1 combined), and first at the DVC tournament. The JV1 team was 15-3 in duals.
The freshman-sophomore and junior varsity 2 teams were also very successful this season taking first at Plainfield South F/S tournament, second at Maine South Freshman-Sophomore Tournament, third at the NCHS JV2 tournament, and first at the DVC tournament. They were 6-2 in duals.
The Freshman team took first at the Lyons Township tournament and first at the Hinsdale South tournament. They were 6-3 in duals this season year.
At the awards banquet, 22 wrestlers earned the “Iron Man” award given to wrestlers who did not miss any practices all season. They were Bradley Anderson, James Ball, Vince Bern, CJ Bierman, Jacob Cochran, Stavros Gerousis, Nick Olvera, Paul Peradotti, Henry Rydwelski, Austin Schiltz, Jack Schwartz, Yusuf Sikander, Justin Skryd, Annika Hull, Ellen Purl, Nate Sadowski, Caelon Young, Mason Betz-Waters, Tyler Gonzalez, Cooper Kozielski, Jack Sjordal, and Daniel Ryba.
The varsity captains, Jacob Cochran Henry Rydwelski, and Will Erbeck were recognized.
The coaches gave tribute to the five outstanding managers that helped with statistics, table help and filming all season. They were Chanelle Phillips, Rhea Thankachen, Sadi Lui, Giselle Sevilla, Arianna Thigpen.
Special awards were given to athletes voted on by coaches and team members. The Most Valuable Wrestlers were Henry Rydwelski and Dezi Azar. Most Inspirational Wrestlers were awarded to Will Erbeck and Ariana Rico. The Hardest Worker Award was Henry Rydwelski. Most Improved went to Nick Olvera. The JV Wrestler of the Year was Caelon Young, and the Freshman Wrestler of the Year was Jack Fitzgerald. The Red and White Award is given to a member of every sports team for outstanding athletic and academic achievement as well as leadership. For boys and girls wrestling, the award winners were Will Erbeck and Annika Hull. Annika becomes the very first recipient of the Red-White Award in school history. Will and Annika will have their names listed on the Red-White board in the athletic hallway of Naperville Central High School.
The coaching staff thanks the parents for their support and dedication all season, especially to our parent representatives, social organizers Marie Erbeck and Katina Besteiro. Special thanks to Angela Skryd, Kathleen Aguinaldo, Susan Peradotti, Lynn Mulech, and Karin Kukis. Karen also stepped up to be volunteer chair for 25-26 wrestling season. Michelle Skelton-did video for 2025 and will also volunteer co-chair for next year 25-26. Coach Porter thanked the volunteer coaches Tina Azar, Mike and Lynn Meluch for there support all year with the girls team. Tina was especially helpful in practices and meets. Coach Fitzgerald thanked our administrators athletic director Jeff Plackett and secretary (and mom!) Vicki Sadowski. Jeff Plackett and Vicki Sadowski as well as principal Jackie Thornton. Coach Fitz thanked the Naperville Kids Wrestling Club including president (and dad!) Erwin Aguinaldo. Finally, Coach Fitz thanked his assistant coaching staff which included Tim Lee, Chris Nutt, Luke Roth, Colin Baumgartner, and Nick Peradotti, Erwin Aguinaldo, Pat Murphy, with special help from Rob Porter.