Barrington senior wrestler Julius Smith found himself in a familiar position Saturday
For the seventh time in his career, he was squaring off against Prospect sophomore Matt Wroblewski. Smith had split the six previous meetings with Wroblewski. None were more important than Saturday’s Class 3A Barrington Sectional 170-pound title bout.
“I had wrestled him many times before,” Smith said. “He’s a very defensive wrestler.”
Conservative wrestlers like Wroblewski test an opponent’s patience. In the Mid-Suburban League championship Jan. 31, Wroblewski’s style worked. He prevailed over Smith with a 3-1 overtime win.
On Saturday, Smith’s strategy was to attack early, get shots, and not get lulled into a lethargic tug-of-war.
“He likes to sit back. I just knew I had to get my shots on him,” Smith said. “Attack first and get him down.”
Smith executed his tactics. He got two early points and led by as much as 5-1 in the third period. Wroblewski received two late points but otherwise, Smith controlled the match, winning a 5-3 decision.
A season after taking fourth place, Smith earned his first sectional title. It was Barrington’s only first-place medal. But Smith will have plenty of company at the state meet, taking place Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Champaign.
Four other wrestlers locked up qualifying spots, meaning five Broncos — all seniors — will wrestle in the state tournament.
“Something that’s going for this team that has really inspired us is all of us seniors, we realize this is the last chance we may wrestle,” said Connor Boundy, a state qualifier at 145 pounds after finishing in third place. “When you have all guys on the same page, anything can happen.”
Boundy won four matches in the wrestlebacks, three by one-point decisions. He defeated Lake Forest senior Corey Knudsen in the third-place match by a 3-2 decision. Barrington’s strength is in the middle and upper weights. In the 160-pound third-place match, Travis Cysewski defeated Prospect junior Tanner Strobel by a 9-3 decision. At 195, John DePersia punched his state tournament ticket by defeating Libertyville senior Jordan McInerney by an 11-6 decision.
“No one is talking about [DePersia], but he’s come out of nowhere,” Boundy said.
Smith added: “John [DePersia] put in a lot of work. He wasn’t a starter [last year], and now he’s going to state.”
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Barrington’s heavyweight, Alex Zantner, was the only Bronco other than Smith to compete in a title match. He dropped a 5-2 decision to Cary-Grove senior Mike Gomez.
In the Grant Regional on Feb. 7, the Broncos finished runner-up to the host Bulldogs for the team dual championship. A week later, in their home gym, the opportunity was there for individual atonement. Barrington considers its five state qualifiers a season-long mission accomplished.
“It’s the camaraderie of all of us sticking together,” Boundy said. “Now we go for the next goal, which is to get a medal at state.”
Jon Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.