Glenbrook North’s Jacob Weingardt takes on Deerfield’s Peter Runac in the third-place match at the CSL Tourney. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUDY FIDKOWSKI
Glenbrook North’s Jacob Weingardt started his post-match interview by casually wiping a little blood off his forehead.
Nothing serious. Just a dab of crimson running down his face.
Just a little battle liquid when two heavyweights enter the circle and engage in combat.
But this wasn’t just any skirmish for Weingardt.
“Got a little revenge,” the GBN senior said.
Weingardt came up with one of his best efforts of the season, when he claimed a 3-1 overtime win over top-seeded Peter Runac of Deerfield in the 285-pound third-place match at the Central Suburban League Tournament at Maine South on Jan. 21.
It wasn’t predicted to go down like that.
Weingardt went into the bout as the overwhelming underdog. In an earlier match this season against Runac, things didn’t go well for Weingardt.
In that confrontation, Runac (25-14) needed less than a period to toss, turn and pin Weingardt.
“I just tried to stay clear of getting tossed,” said Weingardt. “I’m sure he thought he could toss me again.”
Weingardt is a different grappler these days. He’s competing with a quiet confidence and a fierce determination.
Last year wasn’t exactly a memorable season for him. He didn’t get a lot done.
“I don’t even remember what my record was last year. But it wasn’t good,” said Weingardt.
This year has been a reversal of fortune.
Weingardt carved out wins No. 28, No. 29 and No. 30 at the league tourney. His lone setback was a 4-2 overtime decision to Niles North’s Dylan Ramirez in the semifinals. (Ramirez went on to beat Glenbrook South’s Alex Balabanos in the championship).
With his 30-10 ledger, Weingardt will head to the Wheeling Regional on Feb. 4 as a contender.
How did he get here? He started setting his alarm for 4:50 a.m.
Four.
Five.
Zero.
A.
M.
The “want” to get better has made a huge difference in Weingardt’s wrestling career. All season, he’s been rising and shining at that time in order to make it to GBN’s early morning workouts.
Dedication has been key with the athletic Weingardt, who recorded 46 tackles, including six for losses, as the starting nose guard for the GBN’s 9-2 football team.
GBN head wrestling coach Jason Erwinski has been thrilled with Weingardt’s turnaround.
“He’s spent a lot of time in the weight room. He’s strong,” said Erwinski. “But I really think the change has been with his confidence.
“When he steps out on the mat, he thinks he can win,” the coach added. “In fact, he expects to win. He asked me [today], ‘Why was I third? Why not first?’ ”
Notable: Erwinski and his staff appear have the Spartans headed in the right direction. After winning only one match in three years, GBN came up with six dual-meet wins this winter. And the team produced a respectable fifth-place showing at the CSL Tournament (132.5 points). The top four teams were Deerfield (310.5), New Trier (201.5), Evanston (178) and Maine South (159.5). Glenbrook South placed sixth (127.5). … GBN’s other top placers were freshman Kazden Orshoski (4th at 106), senior Gio Kollias (3rd at 132), senior Jake Fahey (4th at 138), sophomore Cam Casey (6th, at 182), sophomore Trent Williams (5th at 195) and senior Brandon Friedman at 220 (5th at 220). … Friedman is now 29-9 on the season. Fahey is 21-8. And Kollias is 26-10.