Highland Park’s Riley likes his team’s commitment
by bob gosman Contributor January 17, 2012 8:18PM
Dom Ciancio of Highland Park (top) battles Josh Cramer of Lakes at 138 during Saturday's quad at the school. | Joe Cyganowski ~ For Sun Times Media
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Updated: February 20, 2012 8:18AM
The Highland Park High School wrestling team enjoyed a banner day in its own quad on Saturday.
The Giants won two of the three matches, securing more victories in one day than they had registered the entire season.
It is not that Highland Park lacks talent. The Giants’ issue is that they have a small team, particularly at the larger weight classes. It’s not uncommon for Highland Park to forfeit the final five weight classes in each dual meet. That pressures the Giants into needing a win in virtually all of their other matches.
“Considering all the hurdles we face to win dual meets, the morale has been good,” said HP coach Chris Riley. “The kids keep plugging away. They have pride and are committed to the program.”
Historically, Highland Park has had trouble attracting football players and other sizable student-athletes to round out the lineup.
“The weights up to 160 have always been our bread and butter,” Riley said. “We can put together a really competitive lineup, but our Achilles heel has always been the larger weight classes.”
Highland Park came agonizingly close to defeating Niles North in its most recent conference dual meet, but couldn’t get past a handful of forfeits.
That made Highland Park’s performance on Saturday all the sweeter. The Giants scored a 37-34 victory over Oak Lawn and a 34-27 decision over Lakes. Prairie Ridge defeated Highland Park 39-34.
The two victories were a team effort. Irvin Perez, Nate Kessler, John Ciancio, Brandon Garcia-Galvon, Dominic Ciancio, Josh Pollack and Connor McRaren were among the standouts.
“Winning was a great feeling,” Riley said. “You could see the relief and the joy on the kids’ faces. They came out with the mindset and intensity to get every point they possibly could. It was more of a relief than a surprise. It was a case of younger guys stepping up and older guys wrestling well. Everything fell into place.”
Breakthrough: Garcia-Galvon, a sophomore, went undefeated during the weekend, and is rapidly making the transition to varsity.
“He’s athletic and very good on his feet,” Riley said. “He’s got a great tank and can wrestle hard the whole time; he just lacks the technical expertise when he’s on the mat.”
The coaching staff is working with Garcia-Galvon on the fundamentals and techniques that will make him a wrestler to watch.
“He’s getting (closer) to putting all three phases together,” Riley said.
Up and coming: Freshman John Ciancio is starting to acclimate himself to wrestling at the varsity level.
“I’ve had my eye on him for awhile,” Riley said. “He has a lot of raw talent and potential. He’s a competitive kid and he sets high expectations for himself. He’s starting to make the adjustment.”
On the schedule: The Giants will compete in the CSL Tournament on Saturday at Maine East.
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