Barrington wrestlers went 11-3 in a dual meet against their formidable conference crossover rival the Rolling Meadow Mustangs and coasted to 47-9 victory. 

This is just the latest dual meet victory for the Broncos (12-0) as the team remains perfect on the season in such meets.

“It’s a great thing and are pleased of it; but it doesn’t mean anything until the end of the season,” Barrington’s wrestling Coach Alex Strobl said of the team’s success.  “We have things to still improve on but thing are heading in the right direction.”  

In the first match on the evening of Jan. 6, Ryan Wilt (189) and the Broncos started out with an early pin against Rolling Meadow’s Tom Devora.  Wilt’s pin occurring moments after the second period began, gave Barrington the 6-0 lead and helped set the pace for the Broncos’ victory.

Barrington’s Daniel Davidson followed up Wilt’s pin with a battle at the 215 pound category.  Despite the Mustang’s Jordan Diaz’s three-period effort to keep the match close, Davidson secured the four point victory pushing the Broncos to a 10-0 lead.

“Davidson did an excellent job tonight,” Strobl said.  “He was taking shots, controlling the match’s pace and was very aggressive.”

The Mustang’s attempted to win the 285 match with Martin Markovski’s upset of Barrington’s Aaron Castagna as the two clashed in what superficially appeared to be devoid of action. In fact, the two were forced to use carful technical strategy throughout.  The Mustangs were hoping to capitalize on a Castagna error, but to no avail as Castagna stayed patient leading to a 2-0 match win.

“[Rolling Meadows] knew what I wanted to do in the match and [Markovski] worked hard to not give me any offense; that frustrated me a bit,” Aaron Castagna said.  “I don’t like close matches like this and I really wasn’t satisfied, but I know there wasn’t much for me to do.”

 With the Broncos now leading 13-0, the Mustangs cut into their deficit by securing their first individual win at the 103 pound match as Aaron Kohlberg forced Barrington’s Matt Sheely to a 5-0 lose.  This was just one of three matches that Rolling Meadows would have on the night, yet it was still one of the tougher matches until the very end for the Mustang team but none the less Barrington was now only ahead 13-3.

But the Broncos were quickly back to their winning ways as they alternated the next 4 matches between 5-point victories and pins over the Mustangs.

First Barrington’s Adrian Gonzalez (112) won 5-1 and that was followed quickly by Jared Parvinmehr (119) pin of Mike D’Aquisto.

In a case of near déjà vu, the Broncos Connor Marinna (125) executed nicely as he slipped out to a 5-2 win over a difficult opponent. Moments later, teammate Coord Wiseman (130) managed a second period pin pushing Barrington’s team lead to 31-3 and all but ending the hopes of a Mustang win.

After Barrington’s brief streak of wins, Rolling Meadows squeezed out a victory to gain three additional team points when Kory Jauch (135) skillfully wrestled to a 9-3 result over the Bronco’s Steve Polasik.

But just like the last time the Mustangs managed to grab a win, Barrington had a quick answer to stop any Mustang momentum.

First Barrington’s Joe Adreani (140) took a 7-1 win, than seconds later Dakota Wapotishmade quick work of his 145 opponent with a 30-second first quarter pin.  Wapotish’s convincing win helped post the Broncos to a 40-6 lead over the Mustangs.

However the match of the night happened after the meet was basically in hand for the Broncos when Barrington’s Nick Shealy (152) battled Rolling Meadow’s Marc Herff in a rematch from last year. 

 “I came in looking for a comeback win because he beat me last year in conference and then again over the summer,” Barrington’s Nick Shealy said.  “So I wanted this one bad!”

With these two fierce competitors regulation wasn’t going to be enough. It wasn’t until four seconds were remaining in the extra period that the match was decided. 

After both wrestlers executed a successful escape during the three-period match, leaving it tied at 1 heading into sudden victory over-time, Shealy put himself in excellent position to win.  Not only as time was running-out but while simultaneously falling out of bounds, Shealy was rewarded the takedown.  The takedown led to his 3-1 win and gave the Broncos a 43-6 lead.

“That was definitely one my toughest matches this season and I just knew I would have to finish hard and not gas-out,” Shealy said.  “This match was all about heart.”

“This victory was about heart and [Shealey] being a tough kid,” Stroblsaid agreeing with Shealy’s assessment.

Barrington would win the first of the two remaining matches.  First the Bronco’s Cameron Thompson (160) would win 13-5, but in the final match of the night, the Mustang’s Joe Capano defeated Michael Weishappe (171) 11-4.  The split decisions earned the Broncos a 47-9 victory.            

“When we looked at our schedule we knew there we teams to watch out for,” Castagna said following the meet.  “We circled teams like Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg as some of those teams we should watch for.”

Barrington’s next game is at MSL W rival Schaumburg on Friday, Jan. 7.  This tough conference match-up begins at 6 p.m.