Wrestling: Leyden advances seven team members to sectionals
By Chuck Fieldman cfieldman@pioneerlocal.com February 6, 2012 8:56PM
Leyden's Javier Rhoades wrestles Oak Park-River Forest's Marq Brumant in a 285-pound match at the Leyden Regional on Saturday. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:26AM
Leyden wrestlers Ryan Soch and Matt Wnek each posted a top-three finish during Saturday’s IHSA Class 3A Leyden Regional, earning trips to the De La Salle Sectional Feb. 11.
The two freshmen were among seven Eagles who advanced, as Leyden finished third among eight teams in its own regional. As expected, Oak Par-River Forest (245.50 points) won the title, followed by York (185), Leyden (134), Proviso West (76.50), Addison Trail (57), Proviso East (48.50), Taft (30) and Foreman (26).
Joining Soch (106 pounds) and Wnek (113) in the sectional will be teammates Jess McCabe (138) — Leyden’s only regional champion — as well as Jake McCabe (3rd at 132), Luis Pacheco (2nd at 145), Andy Cocozza (2nd at 152) and Javier Rhoades (2nd at 285).
Both Soch and Wnek entered the regional with losing records, but Leyden coach Jason Potter wasn’t shocked to see them do well enough to move on.
“It’s really not about records at this point,” Potter said. “Both of them have worked hard and improved a lot during the season. They weren’t even in the lineup at the beginning, but they’ve come a long way, and it’s huge for them to get to the sectional so they can experience that as freshmen.”
Soch, who placed third, had to win his third-place match in order to make the sectional cut. He defeated Taft’s Melvin Kurian with a 12-4 major decision.
“I was nervous in the third-place match, but I just tried to keep on working hard,” Soch said. “I know the sectional is going to be really tough, but I’m just going to go hard and see what happens. It’s a good experience for me to get there so I can know what it’s like.”
Wnek, who was pinned in the championship match by York senior Denzel King, agreed with Soch.
“It feels really good to be going to sectionals,” he said. “I know it will be a really good experience for me to be there. I’ll work hard and do as well as I can.”
The Eagles just missed qualifying additional team members for sectionals, as juniors Nate Carasco (126), Steven Alfaro (170) and John Dyer (182) each finished fourth.
“I felt like we could have had a couple more guys advance, but overall I’m pleased with our performance,” Potter said.
Potter added that the McCabe brothers probably have the best chance of advancing out of the De La Salle Sectional, set for Saturday. Potter believes it wil be the toughest sectional in the state.
“They’re capable, but they’ll have to wrestle well,” Potter said. “They’re in the two most competitive weight classes.”
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