Not long ago, seniors Matt Elzy and Ricky Gutierrez-Blanco were among just another large freshman group of Riverside Brookfield High School boys wrestlers. As the lengthy pre-match Senior Night ceremonies continued, Jan. 24, these Bulldogs’ probable program-record 16 seniors showed they are quite a special group.
“The majority of us have done it four years straight,” Gutierrez-Blanco said. “We work hard in the room every day. We hold each other up. Whatever happens, we work on it. We come in as a family. We leave as a family.”
The Bulldogs and their seniors still have plenty to accomplish, starting with the Class 2A RBHS Regional Saturday. Many of this year’s seniors will play a part in the Bulldogs seeking a fourth regional team title in the past five postseasons – Gutierrez-Blanco, Elzy, Jack Boyle, Xavier Canchola, Anthony Esposito, Jacob Godoy, Simeon Hector, Aidan Higgins, Calvin Martin, Matthew Mohica, Edgar Mosquera, Jake Reid, Ethan Rivas, Avery Siemplinski, Nathan Stanard and Max Strong.
“Off the top of my head, in 22 years [coaching overall], I think it’s the biggest [senior group] I’ve ever had,” RBHS coach Nick Curby said. “I was telling them it’s a testament to the parent support they’ve had. Wrestling’s an up-and-down sport. You have your highs and lows. I was giving kudos to the parents as that support system.”
The Bulldogs also have each other for support in the sport and throughout the school day, even while training in clubs or participating in tournaments during the offseason. Elzy said the program’s recent success hasn’t hurt either. The last three regional championship teams have reached the state quarterfinals.
“We have a lot of people who want to win, a lot of people who want to compete so we’re sticking with it,” Elzy said. “We’re all very supportive of each other. I think a lot of these people are friends on and off the mat, in and out of school. All of that puts us in a strong community and brings us all together, keeps us wanting to wrestle.”
Curby said on average about 25 percent of his initial freshman groups stay the entire four seasons. The initial turnout of this senior group was in the high 20s.
“Whatever the [exact] numbers are, they’ve blown the average out of the water,” Curby said. “We haven’t lost very many so that’s impressive. What they’ve done over the last four years for the program has been impressive. It’s going to be tough to replace them.”
The Bulldogs finished second to Glenbard East in the Upstate Eight Conference East Division and placed eighth at the UEC Tournament, Jan. 25.
Mosquera (33-3 at 120 pounds), last year’s 2A state runner-up at 113, and Elzy (24-8 at 190) finished second. Godoy (18-13 at 132) was fourth and Gutierrez-Blanco (25-12 at 144) and juniors Jayden Tulian (13-14 at 126) and Nicholas O’Connor (26-9 at 175) were fifth.
At regionals, top-three finishers also advance individually to sectionals, where top-four finishers advance to state. Elzy said he remains motivated individually by finishing one victory from qualifying for state as a sophomore.
“It’s maybe not my favorite memory, but it’s the one that keeps me going,” Elzy said. “It’s the best reminder for me to keep pushing.”
LTHS boys wrestling
The Lions will try to contend for their first regional title since 2015 at the 3A Downers Grove South Regional Saturday. Top-three finishers also advance individually to the Hinsdale Central Sectional.
Junior Griff Powell (28-2 at 132) is ranked No. 5 in 3A. Seniors Roger Martinez (31-10 at 126) and Jack Kutchek (21-12 at 138) are honorable mention.
Other victory leaders include juniors Jimmy Hillmann (25-16 at 285) and Cornell Fennessee (21-13 at 165), seniors Will Pleviak (21-13 at 190), Everett Kittridge (20-16 at 175), Nicky Arquilla (19-15 at 215), Mickey Ahrens (17-17 at 157) and Claudio Rodriguez (17-18 at 144), freshman Louie King (16-16 at 120) and sophomore Ignacio Rodriguez (14-17 at 106).
The Lions finished 8-5 in the regular season and 3-3 in West Suburban Conference Silver Division duals.