A month into the season, the West Chicago Community High School Wrestling Team found themselves at home on Dec. 13 against the Glenbard South Raiders, a conference match that highlighted the early seasons’ performances and set the expectations of the season.
The opening match of the meet started with Junior Donovan Avila (138 lb), moving quickly and aggressively on the mat which worked in his favor as he secured a pin early into the 2nd round.
“I think I came off a strong performance and I finished the match early. I had to do what I had to do. I’m feeling confident. I’m now fifteen and three for my record, and the season’s only started. I’m looking forward to going deeper into competition all the way towards a IHSA competition,” junior Donovan Avila said.
Continuing with high speed and mobility, senior Scotty Zentner (140 lb), managed to also see a victory after going the distance. There was also a dominant performance from junior Omar Sarmiento, who managed to snag a pin early in the 1st round.
That said, the team has experienced a slow start this season, despite coming off a State title win last year from Nolan Allen (‘23). While the team seeks to recapture similar success in the current season, garnering momentum has proved difficult.
“I feel like we were just weren’t really ready to go out, but I feel like as the seasons going on, we’re slowly improving and getting better. Every day, every practice we’re getting a little bit better and I feel like going deeper and deeper into this season. We’re getting better. I feel we’re gonna be ready for that come state championship time,” JV captain Ryan Alvarado said.
WEGO certainly has experience on the mat, however. The Wildcats began with an intense pre-season in early September and then had multiple away meets/tournaments at surrounding schools such as South Elgin, Glenbard East, and Fenton.
“We keep getting better. Every time we got to wrestle. Guys are working. And the girls are working real hard in practice. And it shows every time we come up, like I said, we’re getting better. I think the whole team is having fun. Working hard. And yeah, we definitely expect to go further into the season,” Varsity coach Jamie Philips said.