Joe Gonzalez is an extremely athletic guy. He thrives on competition and likes to push himself to see what he can accomplish. And his senior season featured a whole lot of accomplishment. I have lost count of how many, many times Joe's hand was raised in victory by a referee over his past two seasons as a varsity wrestler at Lyons Township High School, 100 S. Brainard Ave. But I can easily count the number of times I saw him smile at the same moment: once. Even with a spectacular win-loss record, Joe just wasn't smiling. I don't know what was going through his head, but I imagine he was …

Nine senior starters on the Lyons Township wrestling team, more like brothers than teammates, are counting down the days until the end of their high school wrestling careers.   In the fourth of a series, this column highlights team captain, Matthew Nora. This time last year, Matt Nora experienced the low-point in his wrestling career.  He was a highly-ranked junior, wrestling great, and looking forward to a run at the state title. A leg injury in a match on January 23, 2010 changed everything for him.  Instead of wrestling in February with his teammates, he was walking on crutches. His …

For the first time since 1991, Lyons Township will be sending two wrestlers to the state finals Saturday evening: Drew Bates and Joe Gonzalez. Three Lion wrestlers competed in the IHSA class 3A semi-finals in Champaign, IL, Saturday afternoon. The Lions' Matt Nora lost a close match against Spartacus Chino from Wheaton Warrenville South 5 to 3. He then beat Batavia's Augie Watson 5 to 3 in the consolation match. Nora will face Jake Residori of Minooka in the 3rd place match. Check back with Patch for more details.

Seven Lyons Township wrestlers battled with the best on Friday, the first day of the IHSA class 3A state tournament in Champaign, IL. Three—Drew Bates, Matt Nora and Joe Gonzalez—have clinched a spot on the medal stand and will compete in the semi-finals Saturday morning. Four were eliminated: Jack Windmoeller, Luke Polka, Brian Pieroth and Jamie Jones. The competition culminates on Saturday evening with the 1A, 2A, and 3A finals. Senior 130-pounder Drew Bates (ranked No. 8) started the day with a 5-0 decision against Ryan Holzrichter of Plainfield Central. In the quarterfinals, he defeated …

Nine senior starters on the Lyons Township wrestling team, more like brothers than teammates, are counting down the days until the end of their high school wrestling careers.   In the third of a series, this column highlights team captain, Jack Windmoeller. A dear friend of mine raised a family of wrestlers into some very impressive young men. She has taught me about this unique sport and how it can provide discipline and focus in a young man's life.   My friend said,"The tougher the mom, the better the wrestler." I remember thinking,"Perfect! I'm a natural for that role." That was five years…

Nine senior starters on the Lyons Township wrestling team, more like brothers than teammates, are counting down the days until the end of their high school wrestling careers.   In the second of a series, this column highlights team captain, Drew Bates. A gifted athlete, Drew would probably have excelled at any sport he chose.  But as anyone in the stands at last weekend's Leyden Class 3A Sectional would attest—he was born to wrestle.  It was a privilege to watch him in action, pinning his way through the York Regional, and cruising through three matches to the medal stand at the Leyden …

There are less than two weeks remaining of the high school wrestling season. For nine of Lyon Township High School's starting wrestlers, the dual team state tournament in Bloomington, IL at the end of February marks the end of their high school wrestling career.   Each of these young men is a unique individual, yet together they form a true brotherhood. We wrestling parents have also formed bonds, exactly like a family. A friend was teasing me at the tournament over the past weekend as I referred to the various wrestlers as "my Luke" or "my Brian." By observing the parents who have preceded …

Lyons Township High School has a proud tradition of wrestling excellence dating back to the 1950’s. Every year since 1964, the team has sent at least one wrestler to the state tournament. Last year, three LT wrestlers qualified to compete with the best of the best in state in Champaign, IL. This year, half the team is going! Why is 2011 such an extraordinary year? The last time LT’s wrestling team sent this many guys to State was 1992. Many of the current wrestlers were born that very same year. Coincidence? Maybe. Or perhaps those 1992 wrestlers released some “winner dust” into the La Grange…

What’s your favorite month?  My guess—it’s not February. Most people would probably not even put February in their top 10 list of favorite months!  But, high school wrestling fans approach each February with endless delight and anticipation. Each weekend, the excitement builds: Regionals … Sectionals … The BIG SHOW (state finals) in Champaign, IL And if your team is really special, you might hope for a shot at the Dual Team State Championship in Bloomington, IL at the end of the month.  Lyons Township High School's wrestling team is just that special this year:  10 returning starters from …