2000-2001 KANELAND WRESTLING

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Click here to review the 1999-00 Kaneland Wrestling Season

The Knights took on the rest of the Suburban Prairie White Conference in Evergreen Park Saturday. The nine team tournament is the final warm-up for teams before the regionals next Saturday. Coach Baum was forced to forfeit 4 weights due to injury. With only 10 wrestlers his focus appeared to be on individual performance as opposed to team scores.

This approach may be something to use in the future. After 3 rounds of wrestling the Knights were 4^th in team scoring and had put 8 wrestlers in the finals. With Lemont less then a dozen points ahead things looked surprisingly good for a run at third place. Keeping to his strategy coach Baum kept his wrestlers focused on just one match. It worked. The Knights won 4 of their last 8 and finished with 128 points with Lemont ending with 125.

Sycamore won the tournament with a score of 244 followed by Yorkville with 225.5.

Kevin Rogers(112lbs) lead the team with a convincing 9-0 decision over Chris Robbins from Sycamore in the finals for 1^st place. This after pinning Dave Simmons from Yorkville in 4:16. An impressive day for anyone made even more special by the fact that Kevin is just a freshman.

Robert McGinnis(152lbs) fell short of one of his season goals losing to Derek Sellers of Ridgewood 5-4. Robert finished the day 2nd.

Jeremy Kenny(145lbs) continued to earn the respect of the competition with a decisive win for 3^rd placewith a fall in just 1:33. Jeremy had 2 other victories on the day. A fall against Evergreen Park at 1:30 and a win by decision against Lemont 13-9. Jeremy is a freshman the conference will be following closely for the next 3 years.

Matt Schiff (171lbs) finished his day strong and fast with a fall at 1:12 for 3^rd. Matt has to be a name to watch for next week and next year.

Eddie Simonic(189lbs) followed the pattern set by his practice partner Matt Schiff with a fall of his own at 2:27 for 3^rd. With Eddie returning next season the Knights should have strong leadership at an upper weight class. Eddie earned his place in the finals with a fall against Evergreen Park at :48 and a decision against Lemont 7-1.

Jon Newbolds(119lbs), Robert Hopkins(135lbs), and Russell Flanders(215lbs) all finished the day with a 4^th place medal.

Overall coach Baum thought the underclassmen found some strength today. Things look good going into the regionals next Saturday.

The Knights hosted their final dual meet of the 2001 season welcoming the team from ST. Edwards of Elgin. To say they finished the year on an up note would be an understatement.

Jeff Jendreiczyk (103lbs) got things started with a pin at 1minute 28 seconds. Kevin Rogers(112lbs) continued the winning with a fall at 3:40. Jon Newbolds(119lbs) accepted a forfeit. John Stralka(125lbs) took only 1:14 to pin his opponent.

Matt Schoonover(130lbs) avenged an early season loss to Dan Janes with a win by decision 5-2. Brad Miller(135lbs), who was forced into the varsity lineup with the injury to Brandon Mathews, lost 8-1. Robert Hopkins(140lbs) dominated Gustitus winning by technical fall 17-2 at 4:00.

Jeremy Kenny(145lbs) pinned his man in just 3:02. Myles Barnett(152lbs) accepted a forfeit. Robert McGinnis(160lbs) won by pin at 1:53. Matt Schiff(171lbs) also pinned his man at 2:54. Ed Simonic(189lbs) battled into overtime coming up just short 7-5. Russell Flanders(215lbs) won by Major decision 10-2.

Final Team score Kaneland 60 ST Edwards 12

The Knights travel to Evergreen Park Saturday to battle in the Suburban Prairie White conference meet.

The Knights traveled to Elmwood Park Friday to take on the Tigers of Elmwood Park and the Rebels of Ridgewood. Both schools are in our conference. With the varsity tournament only 1 week away, doing well against each team will have an impact on the seeding for that tournament.

Starting out against the Tigers, the Knights showed their skill scoring 8 pins and winning by 22 points even after giving up 3 weights to forfeit, 2 due to injury. Brandon Mathews has been lost for the season with a knee injury suffered at the Lisle Tournament and Robert Hopkins received a concussion last Friday against Yorkville. He should return Tuesday.

Against Elmwood pins were scored by Kevin Rogers(112lbs), Jon Newbolds(119lbs), Jeremy Kenny(145lbs), Robert McGinnis(152lbs), Myles Barnett(160lbs), Matt Schiff(171lbs), Mike Haugen(189lbs), Russell Flanders(215lbs).

Final Score Kaneland 49 Elmwood Park 27

Against Ridgewood the battles were not as dramatic at the lower weights at least. The Knights forfeited 103lbs then Ridgewood forfeited 119lbs leaving the team score 6-6. Kevin Rogers(112lbs) fell in just 1minute 10 seconds followed by John Stralka(125lbs) getting pinned at 1minute 5 seconds. After Matt Schoonover received a forfeit at 130lbs the Knights were tricked into forfeiting both 135 and 140 lbs.

Jeremy Kenny(145lbs) continued to impress winning by tech-fall 15-0 at 5:40. Robert McGinnis(152lbs) held off a tough competitor winning by decision 3-2. Myles Barnett(160lbs) brought the Knights within 4 team points with a pin at 3:42.

Matt Schiff(171lbs) was unable to keep the momentum losing by decision 10-6 allowing Ridgewood to stretch their lead to 7 points with only three weights left. The Rebels were forced to forfeit 189lbs bringing the Knights within 1 point Eddie Simonic(215lbs) gave the Knights their first lead of the match in just 54 seconds with an impressive pin. Russell Flanders moved up to Heavyweight to try to win it all for the team. A lot to of a sophomore. The big man from Ridgewood was just to much pinning Russell in just 1:07.

Final Score Kaneland 38 Ridgewood 39.

The Knights Varsity wrestlers attended the Lisle Invitational on Saturday. To be specific Coach Baum took 11 wrestlers to the tough tournament. To their credit the Knights placed 8 wrestlers in the final round. Robert McGinnis(152)lbs led the way with a 10-4 decision in the championship round.

Kevin Rogers(112lbs) came up just short posting a second place finish. Jon Newbolds(119lbs), John Stralka(125lbs), Jeremy Kenny(145lbs), And Matt Schiff(171lbs) each placed 3^rd in their weights. The team place third overall against a tough field of 9 schools.

The Knights hosted a conference battle on Friday night. The Foxes of Yorkville and The Injuns of Lemont invaded the east gym at Kaneland High. When it was over the Knights had been beaten by two of the Suburban Prairie White conferences best.

The Knights battled Lemont first. A team the Knights have struggled with for as long as I can remember. Jeff Jendrzeyczyk (103lbs) fell quickly getting pinned in the first period. Kevin Rogers(112lbs) returned the favor on Lemont winning by pin at 2minutes 55 seconds. Jon Newbolds lost by technical fall 18-1 giving Lemont a lead of 11 6.

John Stralka(125lbs), Jon Lupei(130lbs), and Matt Schoonover(135lbs) were all unable to overcome the strong Lemont wrestlers in their weights. Team Score stood at Lemont 25 Kaneland 6

Brandon Mathews(140lbs) got things back on the right track for the Knights with a strong win by pin as the buzzer sounded at the end of the first period. Officially the fall came at 1:59. Jeremy Kenny(145lbs) kept the momentum moving with an 11-3 major decision.

The Injuns forfeited both 152lbs and 160 lbs to the Knights giving Kaneland the points lead 28-25 going into the 171lbs bout. Matt Schiff did not let his team down with an impressive 14-4 major decision win adding to the point lead now standing at 32-25.

With only 3 weight classes left the Knights looked like they might pull this one out.Eddie Simonic(189lbs) fought tough but came up just short 4-3, and Russell Flanders(215lbs) was no match for his man losing 0-6. Without a 275lb wrestler to send out on the mat Coach Baum was forced to forfeit and give up his chance at beating Lemont. Final Score Knights 32 Lemont 37.

When the Knights took on Yorkville things were not as close. When Kevin Rogers(112lbs) pinned his man at 3:54 the team score was tied at 6-6 this was the closest the Knights would come to a team victory. Robert McGinnis(152lbs), Eddie Simonic(189lbs), and Russell Flanders(215lbs) all posted wins but it was not enough to overcome the Foxes. Final score Kaneland 15 Yorkville 52.

The Knights traveled to Somonauk Tuesday 01/09/01 to grapple with the Red Devils of Spring Valley Hall and the Bobcats of Somonauk.

The Kaneland wrestlers are probably thinking good things about their own coaching staff after watching their teammates run through the Spring Valley Hall lineup in impressive fashion. A perfect team score during a wrestling meet would be 84-0. The final score Tuesday night was Kaneland 81 Spring Valley Hall 0. Some notable matches included Brad Miller(130lbs) with a come from behind pin in the third period and Mike Haugen(215lbs) with a fall at 3:53. In fact the junior Varsity team was just as impressive beating all of its opponents as well.

After beating up on the Red Devils the Knights turned their guns on the Bobcats of Somonauk. At 119lbs Matt Jahns was caught by a very aggressive takedown and lost by pin. Through the rest of the evening Somonauk followed the pattern set by Spring Valley falling easily to the Knight wrestlers. One exception at 215 Russell Flanders lost a tough battle 10-4. Final team score Knights 64 Bobcats 10

Friday night 01/05/01 the Knights traveled to Riverside Brookfield High School to match up against the Bulldogs of Riverside Brookfield and the Sentinels of Westmont. The line up sheets they handed out to the spectators said "A CONFERENCE BRAWL". I don’t know what they really expected but it was anything but a brawl.

The Knights took on Westmont first. I later teased Kevin Rogers(112lbs) for being one of only two Knights who won without pinning his opponent. He won by technical fall 18-3. Brandon Mathews(140lbs) was the other winning 10-0. Nine Knights scored pins against a very weak Westmont team.

Final Score Knights 69 Westmont 12

Riverside Brookfield made big noise this year in football. The only regular season loss for our Knights was at the hands of the Bulldogs. The Kaneland wrestlers may have had this in mind when they took to the mat Friday. After receiving a forfeit at 103lbs the Knights when on a tear. Kevin Rogers(112lbs), Jon Lupei(130lbs), & Robert Hopkins (135lbs) all scored pins with tough aggressive wrestling. Brandon Mathews(140lbs) scored a convincing decision 13-1 and Russell Flanders(215lbs) won the only real "Brawl" of the night with an exciting 10-9 decision. Final Score Kaneland 55 – R B 12

The Knights took 12 of their Varsity Wrestlers to Polo High School Saturday, to participate in one of the toughest single A tournaments in the state. After the dust settled the Knights Placed 8 wrestlers in the "Finals", and took 4^th overall in team point totals.

Robert McGinnis(152lbs), Matt Schoonover(130lbs), and Kevin Rogers(112lbs) each took second.

Eddie Simonic(189lbs) took 4^th.

Brandon Mathews(140lbs), John Stralka(125lbs), and Matt Jahns(119lbs) each took 5^th.

Russell Flanders(215lbs) placed 6^th.

The Knights traveled to Plano on Thursday night 01/04/01 to take on the Reapers of Plano and the Indians of Sandwich.

The first meet was against Sandwich. As has been the case for the last few years things did not go so well for the Knights. With Matt Schoonover side lined with a shoulder injury Robert McGinnis was the only senior in the lineup for the Knights. Robert was also the only win for the Knights with an 8-3 decision. Final team score Knights 3 Sandwich 65.

Things got better when the Knights took on Plano. Jeff Jendreiczyk (103lbs) and Kevin Rogers(112lbs) both pinned their men in the first period. Matt Jahns(119lbs), sick with the flu, still dominated his opponent with a 9-0 major decision. Plano forfeited 125,130,& 135lbs. Brandon Mathews(140lbs) fell in the second period of his match giving Plano their first points of the meet. Jeremy Kenny(145lbs) also fell victim to a pin in the second period. Robert McGinnis(152lbs) took very little time disposing of his man with a fall in 1:32.

Matt Schiff(171lbs) battled strong but came up short losing by pin. Ed Simonic(189lbs) won by injury forfeit and then Russell Flanders battled to a close loss by decision. Team Score Knights 46 Plano 33.

Details to come.

Details to come.

The Knights did not do so well against a much stronger and faster DeKalb team. Getting pinned at 103lbs, 112lbs,125lbs,135lbs,140lbs. The bright spots came at 119lbs when Matt Jahns got his second strong win of the night with a Tech Fall (16-0) then at 145lbs when Jeremy Kenny battled a smart yet tough match pulling off a 7-6 win, and 152lbs when Robert McGinnis won by Major decision 10-0 along with Matt Schiff (171lbs) winning by decision 5-4.The last shining moment came when Russell Flanders(215lbs) won by Major decision 11-1.

Final team score Knights 19 DeKalb 49.

12/21/00 The Knights wrestlers traveled to DeKalb Thursday to take on the Barbs of DeKalb and the Vikings of Geneva.

The work behind the scenes is starting to show on the mat. After Jeff Jendreiczyk accepted a forfeit at 103lbs, Kevin Rogers lost a tough battle at 112lbs 12-4.Team score standing at Knights 6 Geneva 4.

Matt Jahns(119lbs) controlled the momentum in his battle then pinned his man in 1 minute 52 seconds.

John Stralka continued to look strong with a pin early in the second period.

Team Score Knights 18 Geneva 4

The Knights received forfeits at both 130 & 135 lbs allowing the team score to climb to Knights 30 Geneva 4.

At 140lbs Brandon Mathews got caught in a mistake and fell victim to a pin in the second period.

Jeremy Kenny (145lbs) showed continued improvement scoring a 10 point win 14 – 4.

Team Score Knights 34 Geneva 10

Coach Baum tried a little trick moving Mark Booth (152lbs) into the line up at the last minute. However the wrestler from Geneva was just a little better then Mark. A pin in the second period ended this match.

Team Score Knights 34 Geneva 16

Robert McGinnis(160 lbs) weighed in at 152 but the coaches thought it better to match him up with the toughest member of the Geneva squad. It was the battle everyone expected into the second period then Robert caught the Geneva wrestler with a strong reverse move right to his back. Win for Robert 6 points for the Knights.

Team Score Knights 40 – Geneva 16

Matt Schiff (171lbs) continued the domination pinning his man mid-way through the second period.

Knights 46 – Geneva 16

To end the meet Eddie Simonic received a forfeit at 189lbs. Then Mike Haugen(215lbs) and Russell Flanders(275lbs) both fell to pins.

Final Score Knights 52 Geneva 28

On December, 8^th and 9^th the Knights traveled to Plano, Il to take part in what some say is the toughest Class A tournament in the state.

This will be the last year for the Knights attending this tournament because we have been moved up into class AA by the IHSA. The folks in Plano were kind enough to allow us to attend one last time, giving Coach Baum a year to find his wrestlers another tournament to attend next year.

The Knights brought 10 wrestlers to take on the states best. Only three managed to survive the competition and make it to the medal round.

Kevin Rogers (112 lbs) won an exciting final round match 6-5 to clinch 5^th place. Quite an accomplishment for a freshman.

John Stralka (125 lbs) Fell short in his bid for 5^th getting pinned leaving John with 6^th place. Nothing to be ashamed of there.

Robert McGinnis (152 lbs) looked good throughout the tournament only to come up against a former state champion in Jason Kimberlin from Bishop McNamara. Jason showed Robert just how much better he would need to get if he wants a shot at a state placement. Final score 18-4. Giving Robert second place.

The next stop for the Varsity will be a big conference dual against De Kalb on Thursday night 12/21 in De Kalb.

The Knights Wrestlers hosted their first home meet last Thursday night. Visiting the Kaneland campus were the Spartans of Sycamore and the Mustangs of Evergreen Park.

The Knights made quick work of the less then impressive Mustangs. In 14 bouts the Knights won 5 by pin (Rogers 112lbs, Schoonover 130lbs, Mathews 140lbs, Simonic 189lbs, and Flanders 215lbs.) and an exciting 7-6 win for Jeremy Kenny at 145 lbs. Final Score Kaneland 63 – Evergreen Park 12.

After Sycamore beat up on the Mustangs, not allowing a single team point the extra mats were cleared and a real battle took place between the Knights and the Spartans.

The final team score doe not even remotely express the emotional struggle the fans for both teams witnessed. Both teams showed up ready to wrestle.

Young Jeff Jendreiczyk (103lbs) fought hard through all 3 periods but came up short 11-3.

Team Score Knights 0 Spartans 4

Kevin Rogers (112lbs) came out at the whistle like he was shot out of a gun scoring a quick takedown battling through the next 6 minutes ending in a 4-4 tie. In overtime a freshman mistake cost him allowing a takedown giving his opponent the win. 4-6

Team Score Knights 0 Spartans 7

Jon Newbolds excepted a forfeit at 119lbs. Team Score Knights 6 Spartans 7

John Stralka (125lbs) fell victim to an expected state championship contender Curt Hand getting pinned in the first period.

Team Score Knights 6 Spartans 13

Matt Schoonover (130lbs) used his experience to battle calmly for all 6 minutes holding off a late charge to win with a score of 9-8.

Team Score Knights 9 Spartans 13

Robert Hopkins (135lbs) is starting to use the weapons that Coach Gussman and the other coaches are giving him. Robert built a commanding lead into the third period 8-2 only to make a Freshman mistake which allowed his opponent to reverse Robert right to his back and pin him. A visiting alumni was heard commenting that this was “Kaneland style wrestling”.

Team Score Knights 9 Spartans 19

Brandon Mathews (140lbs) showed quickly what years of experience can be worth. In just 14 seconds he took Ross Eggers down and pinned his shoulders to the mat.

Team Score Knights 15 Spartans 19

Half-way through 14 bouts the Knights only trailed by 4!

Jeremy Kenny (145lbs) fell quickly getting pinned in the first period.

Team Score Knights 15 Spartans 25

Myles Barnett (152lbs), perhaps better than anyone else, showed the level of wrestling needed to be a winner on this night. Giving up an escape late in the third period Myles forced an overtime battle the Kaneland Coaches really wanted to avoid. Not wanting to let his team down Myles excited the crowd with a strong roll through move after a takedown attempt by Matt Haresty failed and Myles was given 2 points by the referee. Win for Myles 8-6 in overtime.

Team Score Knights 18 Spartans 25

Robert McGinnis (160lbs) battled Derrick Lalowski to a 0-0 tie in the first period. Early in the second Derrick escaped for 1 point and was tied up with Robert as they went out of bounds. Instead of backing to the center to restart Derrick charged Robert with his head down and head butted him. Robert was momentarily stunned and needed help from the trainer for a cut he received from Derricks headgear. The referee ruled the impact unintentional and ordered the match to continue. After 2 period the score was tied 3-3. After 3 periods Derrick held a 9-6 point lead and was declared the winner.

Team Score Knights 18 Spartans 28

This was as close as the Knights would come as the next 4 wrestlers lost.

Final Score Knights 18 Sycamore 49

The Knights traveled to Batavia, on Saturday to take on the Rockets of Burlington Central and the Bulldogs of Batavia.

Wrestling Burlington first things got off to a rough start with Jeff Jendrzejczyk (103lbs) getting pinned in the first round. Kevin accepted a forfeit at 112lbs bringing the team score to Knights 6 Burlington 6.

Matt Jahns (119lbs) took a 2 point lead into both the second and third periods only to make a mistake and allow his opponent to pin him with 45 seconds left in the match. Coach Baum decided to give John Stralka (125 lbs) a rest and not run up his match total to early in the season. (The IHSA sets a limit to how many dual meets a wrestler can take part in each year). Tim Morris got his chance to wrestle with the varsity team. Fighting hard and scoring early in the first period but getting pinned in the second.

Team Score Kaneland 6 Burlington 18

Matt Schoonover (130lbs) stayed undefeated using his experience to battle through a tough match finishing it off with a pin in the third period. Team Score Knights 12 Rockets 18

Robert Hopkins(135lbs) (yes he likes to be called "Robert") continued to impress the coaches with his strength and effort taking a 4-4 tie into the second period only to make a mistake early in the third that lead to a pin. Team Score Kaneland 12 Burlington 24

Brandon Mathews (140 lbs) set the tone early in his match building a 4-1 lead in the first finally pinning his man at 2 minutes. Correction the Referee said it was to be called a pin at 1minute 59 seconds.

Team Score Kaneland 18 Burlington 24

Jeremy Kenny (145 lbs) fought as hard as I have seen him fight all year finishing with a loss of 5-12. What you must understand is that team points are scored like this.

6 points for a pin

5 points for a technical fall (15 point lead during a match)

4 points for a Major Decision (8 to 15 point win)

3 for a decision (win by 1 to 7 points).

If you followed all that you can see that Jeremy kept the score within 7 points only giving Burlington a 3 point victory. This could play out to be very important later in the meet.

Team Score Kaneland 16 Burlington 27

Myles Barnett (152lbs) suffered only for a short time getting pinned in the first period.

Team Score Knights 18 Rockets 33

Robert McGinnis (160lbs) Continued in his efforts to go undefeated beating his man 4 –1 in a full 3 period battle. I told him later we sure could have used a pin from him. He did not think I was very funny.

Team Score Knights 21 Rockets 33

Matt Schiff (171lbs) gave the Knights a real momentum builder pinning his man in 1 minute 38 seconds.

Team Score Knights 27 Rockets 33

Now things are getting interesting.

FAST Eddie Simonic (189lbs) really stirred the crowd with an exciting come from behind pin at 4 minutes 57 seconds.

Team Score Knights 33 Rockets 33

With only 2 bouts left the Kaneland coaches had to do a little shuffle of their line-up.

Mike H (215 lbs) came up from junior varsity to (much to the enjoyment of the Kaneland fans) dominate his man and finish with a victory 15-8 giving the Knights a slim –no pun intended- 3 point lead going into the heavyweight round.

Russell Flanders (heavyweight) moved up from 215 lbs to wrestle Heavyweight giving us a full line-up. He fought hard and almost pulled it out. He kept it close with a final of 4-6.

Final Team Score Kaneland 36 Burlington 36.

After watching Batavia beat up on Burlington winning by 30 team points I don't think anyone in the gym Saturday expected much from the Knights Varsity squad. No one told that to the 14 boys who make up this young team.

Batavia gave up 12 quick points to the Knights forfeiting both 103 and 112. I guess the Bulldogs thought they wouldn't those points

Matt Jahns(119lbs) got things really rolling running up a 13–0 score by the end of the second period. A quick takedown to start the third and it was all over. 15-0

Team Score Knights 17 Bulldogs 0

John Stralka(125lbs) took the momentum into his first period scoring a quick takedown and getting through the period leading 2-0 . John allowed his man to close to a 3-3 tie at the end of 2 periods. The news gets worse from there with John starting on top he allowed his man to escape and then fell victim to a takedown and eventually a pin. Batavia's first win of the meet.

Team Score Knights 17 Bulldogs 6

Matt Schoonover (130lbs) went out onto the match facing an old friend. Jacob Graves used to wrestle with Matt in the Knights wrestling club. Matt often fell victim to Jacobs's speed and strength. Not today!!! Matt started off smooth and confident and caught Jacob over committing to an inside move. He turned Jacob up into a "stack" and quickly it was over. Matt Schoonover pinned Jacob Graves. No one was more surprised than Jacob was.

Team Score Knights 23 Bulldogs 6

Robert Hopkins (135lbs) looked as strong as ever building a 5-0 lead mid way through the second period. Youth came into play one more time for Robert as he made a small mistake and as usually happens at the varsity level his opponent used it against him. Turning Robert and pinning him in the second period.

Team Score Knights 23 Bulldogs 12

Brandon Mathews (140lbs) went 2 for 2 Saturday beating his man in convincing fashion 15-1.

Team Score Knights 27 Bulldogs 12

At this point in the meet the Kaneland bench began to sense something wonderful was happening.

Jeremy Kenny (145) out lasted a tough opponent hanging on for a 10-7 win.

Team Score Knights 30 Bulldogs 12

Myles Barnett (152) caught a very tough opponent and was never really in his match losing with a tech fall 15-0 in the third period.

Team Score Knights 30 Bulldogs 17

Can Batavia stage a comeback against this little school from the cornfields?

Robert McGinnis (160lbs) did what he wasn't able to do early today pinning his man in the first period.

Team Score Knights 36 – Bulldogs 17

Matt Schiff (171lbs) kept the energy level up for the Knights when late in the second period he reversed his man snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with an awesome show of strength. Pin for Matt.

Team Score Kaneland 42 Bulldogs 17

Eddie Siminoc (189lbs) tried with all he had to maintain the winning ways for the Knights but fell short getting pinned late in the first period.

Team Score Knights 42 Bulldogs 23

Russell Flanders (215lbs) battled hard but came up just a little short. 6-5

Team Score Knights 42 Bulldogs 26

Without a heavyweight Kaneland was forced to forfeit the last match.

Final Score Knights 42 – Batavia 32

Welcome Knights to AA Wrestling.

The Knights have wrestled as a 1A team for as long as they have wrestled. Starting this year they have been moved into the class AA ranks. (top 2/3 of the state high schools – based on enrollment).

Tuesday night was quite a welcome for the Knights as they took on the Tigers of Wheaton Warrenville South High School.

Things started off pretty rough with Jeff Jendrzeyczyk (103lbs) getting tossed around by Pat Kennedy for 2 periods. Kennedy could use moves at will with poor Jeff just along for the ride. Half way through the second period Kennedy built up a 15 point lead causing the referee to stop the match calling a technical fall.

Kevin rogers (112lbs) got off to a strong start scoring first with a strong takedown only to get reversed and pinned while still in the first period. Team points at this point Kaneland 0 WWS 11.

Matt Jahns (119lbs) wrestled a strong match building a 4-0 lead when a small mistake allowed his opponent the opening needed to reverse Matt and eventually pin him. Team score Knights 0- WWS 17.

John Stralka (125lbs) put on a show to watch. The first Knight of the evening to make it through all 3 rounds. The final John 10 his opponent 11 was a real heartbreak yet somehow not. It was wrestling in its true form. Team score Kaneland 0 WWS 20

Matt Schoonover (130lbs) fought both his man and himself, having the match held up several times because of a nose bleed winning another real battle 9 – 5. . Team score Knights 3 – WWS20

Robert Hopkins (135lbs) fought tough right from the start taking down his man in the first period. Despite a strong showing through the rest of the match Robert was pinned late in the third period. Team score Kaneland 3 – WWS 26

Mark Booth (140lbs) continued to show the youth this team is full of. His effort was outstanding but his Freshman age showed as he lost 19 – 5. Team score Kaneland 3 – WWS 30

Brandon Mathews (145lbs) showed what an experienced wrestler can accomplish if he comes to wrestle. He fought hard from the first whistle pinning his opponent early in the first period.

Team score Knights 9 WWS 30

Myles Barnett (152lbs) also showed that a class 2A team brings real skill to the mat. Fighting tough for 2 periods but falling victim to a pin. Team score Knights 9 – WWS 36

Robert McGinnis (160lbs) took control early in his match and went on to win 9-3.

Team score Knights 12 – WWS 36

Matt Schiff (171lbs) and Ed Simonic (189lbs) both battled tough but came up short each getting pinned in the second period. Russell Flanders (215lbs) showed his youth. After taking a 5 – 4 lead into the second period things went downhill from there ending in a 9 – 7 loss. Having lost our heavyweight wrestler we were forced to take a forfeit to end the night.

The Knights varsity wrestling team got off to a great start on the 2000-2001 wrestling season Wednesday night beating the Tomcats of East Aurora 51 to 27.

Youth continues to be the story for the Knights. With only 2 seniors on the team a lot will be expected from the under classmen.

Jeff Jendrzejczyk got things started accepting a forfeit at 103 lbs. Kevin Rogers at 112lbs represented the Freshman class well pinning his opponent early in the second period giving the Knights a quick 12-0 team point lead. Matt Jahns wrestling at 119 lbs fought hard but was pinned in the second period closing the score to Kaneland 12 Aurora 6.

John Stralka at 125lbs quickly turned the tide back in Kanelands direction pinning his man in 1minute 39 seconds. Kaneland 18 Aurora 6.

Matt Schoonover, the first senior had one of the most exciting bouts of the night.(130 lbs) After 1 period the score stood Schoonover 2 Espanoza 0. Matt worked the entire second period from the top not allowing his opponent to score a single point. In the third period Matt took control escaping for 1 point and then muscling a takedown for the final 2 points. Final 5-0 Matt. Team score stand at Kaneland 21 Aurora 6

Freshman Bobby Hopkins at 135lbs looked very strong pinning his opponent in just 47 seconds building Kaneland's lead to 27 to 6.

Mark Booth (140lbs) took an early 5-0 lead and battled tough but showed fatigue in the third period losing 10 to 7. Kaneland 27 Aurora 9

Jeremy Kenny received a forfiet at 145 lbs moving the team score to Kaneland 33 East Aurora 9.

Myles Barnett was pinned in the first period at 152lbs. Kaneland 33 Aurora 15

Robert McGinnis, the only other senior (160 lbs) pinned his man in 3:14 starting a three man run of pins. Matt Schiff (171 lbs) pinned his opponent in 3:39 , and Ed Simonic (189lbs) looking very fast and strong took care of his man in 3:42. The team score climbed to Kaneland 51 East Aurora 15

Russell Flanders (215lbs) and Victor Lopez (Heavyweight) fought hard but fell victims to first round pins in their matches.