The 2009-2010 Wrestling season has come to a close, but not before experiencing a huge amount of success. RB wrestlers finished with a dual meet record of 11-4 and completely dominated their conference with a record of 4-0.
One of the high points of the season was when the team beat powerhouse Fenton for the first time in seven years. Fenton has been the conference champions for the last seven years, but RB was able to pick up a victory against them in the end.
They finished in the top 3 as a team in three separate tournaments including 3rd against Mundelein, 2nd against Lisle, and 3rd in the Regionals.
Head Coach Jason Rech feels that the season as a whole went very well this year.
“This season was highly successful for the team and individuals. We won the conference for the first time in 7 years, so that was a big goal achieved by our team. We are young in many spots and I think our young wrestlers learned a great deal from their experiences” Rech said.
Besides their 3rd place finish as a team in Regionals, individual wreslters were also able to earn a lot of points and recognition. A total of six wrestlers qualified for Sectionals.
Sophomore Mike Abbatacola finished with a 27-7 record and placed fourth in Sectionals in the 103 pound weight class.
Junior Keegan Buttimer finished with a 21-15 record and placed fourth in Sectionals in the 112 pound weight class.
Junior Eduardo Orihuela finished with a 21-13 record and placed fourth in Sectionals in the 125 pound weight class.
Senior Chris Russell finished with a 27-11 record and placed fourth in Sectionals in the 140 pound weight class.
Senior Juan Gomez Velez finished with a 27-7 record and placed fourth in Sectionals in the 189 pound weight class.
But the biggest accomplishment was Junior John Schraidt, who finished with a 27-8 record, placed second in Sectionals, and qualified for State in the 285 pound weight class. This represents the end of a very successful season for the talented junior.
“John is a tireless worker and since the end of last year he has worked for everything he has achieved,” commented Rech.
“I was upset with my performance at State, but it was great to make it. The Semi-Final match was the biggest match of the year and I won 8-3 qualifying for state so I was really happy with that.” Schraidt added.
With another season in the books, Rech feels that next year holds a lot of opportunities for the team.
“We lose four senior starters and return 4 wrestlers who will be seniors and a solid group of underclassmen, so I feel like we can reload for next year and be even better.” said Rech.
Both Schraidt and Rech seem very confident about Schraidt’s chances to go back to State again next year.
“This year was good to get down there and get his feet wet, but next year’s goal is bring home the school’s first wrestling state championship in 28 years.” Rech said.
“I am really confident that I can go back to state. And I have a realistic goal of winning state.” Schraidt added.
