Since earning his first trip to the Class 2A boys wrestling individual state meet last season, Riverside Brookfield High School senior Josh Gonzalez has been hoping to return and truly make the most of that moment.
“Since I got a little taste of state, I want to go back and place [top six], be all-state,” said Gonzalez, who lost his two state matches at 138 pounds.
“[I learned to] just focus. Take it all in at once. Take my time. Don’t rush yourself. I felt like I was rushing myself at state and now I feel like I can take my time because I’ve already been on that stage. I want to be more comfortable in uncomfortable situations.”
The Bulldogs return this season with lots of wrestling experience. Even after graduating 17 seniors, coach Nick Curby has his most wrestlers (93) and currently a starting varsity lineup of all seniors and juniors.
“This is by far the largest team I’ve had. I’ve always hovered in the mid-70s. I thought that was big,” said Curby, entering his 16th overall season in the program.
“Over my career, I don’t think I’ve had juniors and seniors [starting]. I’ve usually had at least one or two freshmen or sophomores. We have nine returning starters, so just building on that experience will be No. 1.”
Besides Gonzalez, who had a 31-16 record last season, junior Edgar Mosquera (25-12 at 113) was a 2022 2A state qualifier at 113 as a freshman and a 2023 sectional qualifier.
Needing top-four sectional finishes to qualify for state, junior Matt Elzy (20-11 at 182) was one victory from advancing in 2023. The Bulldogs’ other returning sectional qualifiers were seniors Jacob Noe (32-15 at 145) and Cade Tomkins (24-17 at 152), juniors Ethan Rivas (15-9 at 132) and Max Strong (23-19 at 160).
Juniors Nate Stanard (10-17 at 126) and Jacob Godoy (132) and senior Mateo Gonzalez (113) also return with varsity experience. Stanard was fourth at regionals last season, one victory from a top-three finish and advancing to sectionals.
The Bulldogs should do well in their last year in the Metro Suburban Conference, which is down to three other teams (Elmwood Park, Ridgewood and Westmont). Last season, the Bulldogs won their first MSC title since 2010.
The focus is returning to the 2A dual team state meet. After back-to-back state quarterfinal berths, the Bulldogs finished second at the 2023 RB Regional 236-214 to perennial powerhouse Montini Catholic.
“I’m really looking forward to what an experienced team can bring to the season and see where we can take it,” Curby said. “We’ve set our goals pretty high so it’s a matter of making sure we work hard to get there.”
This season, Josh Gonzalez moves up to 144 pounds. He spent the offseason training with the Beat the Streets wrestling program in Chicago.
The fourth-place Gonzalez never forgets that his state-qualifying 6-5 victory at sectionals came on a late two-point takedown.
“I’ve worked on more conditioning, mental toughness for sure,” Gonzalez said. “You need that in the last round. The last sectional, it all came down to the last 20 seconds. We’ve been drilling that in practice.”
In the annual season opener at Lyons Township, Nov. 22, the Bulldogs lost 45-33.
Josh Gonzalez (144), Mosquera (113), Elzy (190) and Rivas (157) and junior Ricardo Gutierrez-Blanco (138) won with pins. Mateo Gonzalez (106) won 15-8.
