Wrestling: Regional crown goes to Lincoln-Way Central
By Logan Malloy For Sun-Times Media February 2, 2013 9:24PM
Lockports Dan Radcliffe reacts after scoring the winning point in overtime against Plainfield Centrals Nick Nasenbeny during the 126 pound championship match at the Lockport Regional, Saturday February, 2, 2013. | Ray Luna ~ For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 4, 2013 6:38AM
For the first time since 2008, Lincoln-Way Central stands in rarified air.
The Knights’ ascent through the Class 3A Lockport Regional on Saturday marked the first postseason title in five years for the perennial power. Leading the climb were champions Robbie Mikenis (138 pounds), Matt Schneider (160), Bryce Gorman (170) and Ryan Gromnicki (220).
“Being a senior, this is my dream,” Schneider said. “I tore my meniscus early last season so I couldn’t compete here. I’m really proud of this team for coming through. We have so much depth.”
The top three individuals from each weight class advanced to Saturday’s Moline Sectional.
Central’s victory secured a bid, along with the 15 other Class 3A regional winners, to the dual team state tournament.
The Knights scored 177.5 points to top Lockport (156) and Plainfield Central (144.5). Lincoln-Way East finished fourth (139.5) and Homewood-Flossmoor took fifth (120).
Lockport sent a tournament-high eight wrestlers into the finals and received titles from Brian Rossi (113), Shayne Oster (120) and Dan Radcliffe (126).
In one of the most entertaining matches, Radcliffe upset Plainfied Central’s Nick Nasenbeny, a two-time state medalist, 4-3 in double overtime.
“He placed higher in two tournaments that we were in together, but I never had the chance to face him,” Radcliffe said. “My goal is to place in state, and he’s a returning placer, so I knew it was an important match.”
Earning titles for Plainfield Central were Ryan Holzrichter (132) and undefeated 195-pounder Jordan Ellingwood.
“This was a good tournament for me,” Holzrichter said. “Normally I’m a bad kind of nervous before tournaments but the coaches have been talking me through it and helping turn the nervousness into good jitters.”
Lincoln-Way East’s Kyle Langenderfer, an Illinois signee, looked dominant at 152 pounds en route to the title. The Griffins also notched a championship from heavyweight Nick Allegretti.
