A busy weekend for the Saint Ignatius wrestling team was a success by all accounts.
The quartet of DJ Huff, Najee Lockett, Michael Drobnick, and Aidan Gill all performed well at the Ironman Tournament at Walsh Jesuit, one of the toughest and most well-renowned wrestling tournaments in the United States.
Meanwhile, the varsity blue wrestling squad excelled at the Riverside Rumble at Riverside High School on Friday and Saturday.
The Wildcats faced some of the most challenging opponents in the country on Friday at the Ironman. The Mat Cats struggled at first, as each of the four wrestlers fell in his first match of the day.
DJ Huff started the afternoon with a hard-fought 5-0 defeat at 132 pounds, but responded well with a 9-5 victory in the consolations. Unfortunately, the junior dropped a close 4-2 decision in his next match, and was eliminated from the tournament.
Najee Lockett also rebounded well in his second match. The 160-pound sophomore claimed a 2-0 win over a foe from California, and then notchec another victory over an opponent from West Virginia, 2-1. Lockett's two wins sent him to day two of the tournament. Unfortunately, Lockett could not keep the good times rolling, falling in his first match on Saturday.
Michael Drobnick likewise let the loss roll off his back. Wrestling at 195, Drobnick pinned his foe from Illinois to advance to Saturday's action. The senior then took down his next opponent from California, before losing to finish the tournament 2-2.
Aidan Gill followed the path of his fellow senior, falling in his first match before pinning an opponent from Texas. Unfortunately, Gill could not defeat his first opponent on Saturday, and was eliminated.
At Riverside, the Mat Cats placed plenty of wrestlers, many in impressive fashion.
Johnny Novak continued his outstanding sophomore campaign with a great weekend at 106 pounds. Novak finished the tournament undefeated, finishing off his run with a 6-4 decision on Saturday to earn first place in his weight class.
Matthew Whipkey also stood first at the end of the tournament. The junior romped his way through the first and second days. Whipkey won by pin to capture first place for the Wildcats at 126 pounds.
Patrick McGraw, wrestling at 132 pounds instead of his typical 138, performed well, entering Saturday undefeated in the tournament. The junior rolled to the championship bout, before falling in the final match to grab second place.
Zach Tomford also entered Saturday with no losses in the tournament, but fell en route to the title before rebounding in the third-place match, securing a narrow 4-3 victory.
Zach Morgan wrestled up a class from his 145 spot to 152 pounds, and did well on Friday. The junior dropped a consolation match to finish fourth for the tournament.
Tommy Gill impressed for the Wildcats while his older brother wrestled in Akron. The junior stormed to the final match for the Mat Cats, but unfortunately fell in the title bout. Gill took second at 195 pounds.
Josh Dinya, a hard-working 182-pound sophomore enjoyed a breakthrough day. Dinya won by pin to notch third place on Saturday in impressive fashion.
Freshman Jack Bush also broke onto the scene this weekend at 113 pounds. Bush pinned his foe to grab fifth place for the Wildcats on Saturday.
Entering Saturday's action, the Wildcats were third overall as a team, and thanks to a late spur, the Mat Cats advanced to second place at the end of the action on Saturday evening.
The varsity gold squad will make its 2017-18 debut at Sullivan Gym next Saturday, hosting Madison and Strongsville at 6 pm. The varsity blue team will matchup with Brooklyn and Cleveland Central Catholic next Saturday at Brooklyn High Scholl at 1 pm.