What a world of difference three years makes for Niles North junior wrestler Zyia Biram.
Just a few years ago he was in the midst of the turmoil in Syria. His family escaped the fighting, immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Skokie.
“It was just getting too dangerous there,” Biram said.
Biram didn’t know that wrestling was a sport while growing up, and when he tried it at Niles North he nearly quit.
“We had to do so much running (heading into freshman year). It was too much,” Biram said. “But after a week I decided to stick with it. I keep working as hard as I can.”
That hard work has paid. Zyia is 18-14 after taking fifth place in the 220-pound weight division at the Central Suburban League meet Saturday at Maine West.
Biram credits his friends and the school for making his transition so smooth. He added with a smile that his Xbox has helped as well.
He would play multiplayer games and speaking with other people via his headset helped him learn English, especially game terminology.
“My English is still not perfect, but I’m getting better,” Biram said.
Biram got over the language barrier and acclimated quickly, Niles North assistant wrestling coach Ben Shabad said.
“He’s really come on with his wrestling ability,” Shabad said. “He seems to always find a way.”
Biram’s wrestling partner at Niles North, 152-pounder Joey Manata, can attest to that.
“Zyia is really good at attacking and he’s always trying hard,” Manata said.
Maine South
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The elation that Jon Halvorsen felt two years ago when he helped the Maine South football team win the Class 8A state title is something that he’s trying to experience again this season as a wrestler.
Halvorsen, who started at defensive tackle on the state championship team, won the 182-pound weight class at the Central Suburban League meet Saturday at Maine West. After recording pins in his first two matches, he earned his title with a dominant 13-4 major decision over Glenbrook North junior Cam Casey in the finals.
“It’s great just to be able to help the team,” said Halvorsen, a junior from Park Ridge.
He has been a big help throughout the 2018 season. He is 24-1 and led the Hawks to an undefeated 5-0 dual record in the Central Suburban South. Maine South was presented with its division title Saturday at Maine West.
Halvorsen’s wrestling partner at Maine South is junior Jimmy Bartell, who has been wrestling with him since they were 6 years old and part of the Maine Eagles Wrestling Club.
“He’s always known when to be aggressive and score,” said Bartell, who finished third at 195 pounds. “He’s a very smart wrestler.”
In addition to Halvorsen’s ability on the mat, Hawks coach Kevin Hansen praised his other talents.
“He’s a leader, a student of the sport watching a lot of film and other wrestlers in matches,” Hansen said. “The kids on the team really look up to him.”
Halvorsen embraces his role as a mentor to his teammates.
“I like working with my teammates, showing them techniques and talking about the mental side of wrestling,” Halvorsen said.
Maine East
When he first started wrestling as a freshman last year, Maine East’s Angel Villegas didn’t eat healthy.
“I would eat chips, candy, have a lot of sodas,” said Villegas, a Des Plaines resident. “But I thought hard about doing a better job with eating.”
Villegas credits his older brother Jesus, a former Maine East wrestler himself, for helping him eat healthier.
Angel Villegas started getting up at 5:30 a.m. to work out and then got rid of the problematic food groups. Angel Villegas also joined the cross country team to work on his cardio. The changes have paid off: He has a 24-8 record after placing fourth at 145 pounds at the Central Suburban League conference tournament Saturday at Maine West.
“I was nervous when I first started wrestling (freshman team),” Villegas said. “Now, I just go after it.”
“I wish I had 10 wrestlers like him. He does everything right,” Maine East assistant coach Austin Bautista said.
Maine East senior Julio Cabrales opened his season in impressive fashion, winning four straight matches, including three pins to win the 126-pound weight class at the conference championships. Cabrales suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee before the first match of the season. The conference meet marked his return to the mat.
“It feels great to be back, and especially winning the championship,” Cabrales said.
He was selected the Central Suburban North wrestler of the meet.
Niles West
Two years ago, Mohammed Sami was looking for a sport to play in high school. Once he considered wrestling, there was no doubt in his mind which sport he was going to pursue.
“I liked it because you never stop,” said Sami, a junior from Morton Grove. “It’s a one-on-one battle to prove who’s better.”
Sami has amassed a 26-13 record, including a 3-1 record on Saturday on his way to a third-place finish in his 170-pound weight class at the Central Suburban League meet at Maine West. Sami, who is 6-foot-1 and lanky, has recorded 11 pins on the season.
“He’s a little unorthodox, very long with a long reach. He’s tough on top. Able to use his length,” Niles West coach Anthony Genovesi said. “He does whatever he’s asked.”
Mark Perlman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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