Neuqua Valley senior Reese Martin realized what went wrong.
It’s beyond imperative in a showdown between elite wrestlers — the first points are monumental.
“I gave up that first takedown,” Martin said of his 126-pound championship match against DeKalb’s Blake McGee, who moved his record to 27-12. “I beat him in the dual.”
McGee, however, gained the upper hand early Saturday afternoon and never let go for a 5-3 victory over Martin in the DuPage Valley Conference Meet at Naperville North.
Martin had advanced to the finals with a dominant 16-4 victory over Naperville Central’s Ethan Jones.
After garnering two state-qualifying appearances at Glenbard East, Martin relocated to Naperville in the offseason. He watched his record as a senior drop to 26-7.
“I knew he was going to be a fighter,” Martin said of his second showdown this season with McGee. “It was going to be a good match.”
Other than fellow returning state qualifier Bryce Boumans, Martin was the only Neuqua wrestler to reach the finals of the six-team tournament.
Losing to a wrestler from DeKalb brought on no shame. The Barbs, ranked third in the state, won the conference title.
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Two weight classes after Martin was subdued by McGee, Boumans beat Naperville Central’s Elrin Esporlas 5-0 at 138. Esporlas came in 26 wins. Boumans improved to 27-5.
Chasing the champs: Naperville Central’s Angelo Eklou was on a mission in the 220-pound championship match against Neuqua Valley’s Nolan LeBreck, who entered with 20 wins.
“I knew we were behind DeKalb in the team race,” said the state-ranked Eklou, who improved to 30-6. “I had to get the pin.”
Eklou did just that, delivering a pin in the second period at 3:31.
The Redhawks ended up with four other conference champions in Ethan Olson at 106, Tyler Driessens at 120, Ryan Silva at 152 and Shane Roth at 170.
DeKalb, however, captured half of the 14 weight classes to pile up 261.5 points and deny Naperville Central a second straight conference title.
The Redhawks were the runner-up with 246 points.
Right on course: Waubonsie Valley senior Charlie Millington, who resides in Naperville, made a triumphant return to the biggest weight class.
“Last week,” Millington said about competing at heavyweight again after participating at 220 for the entire regular season.
Millington had a takedown in the last 30 seconds of his championship final at the DVC Meet, defeating DeKalb’s Tunde Oroye. Millington is now 29-6.
“It’s nice coming off a win going into regionals,” Millington said.
Kevin McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.