Gabe Quezada took the news in stride.
The Zion-Benton senior didn’t let his disappointment linger last week after the Illinois High School Association moved wrestling from its traditional winter season to the new summer season.
While the IHSA’s decision to start basketball on time made headlines, Lake County wrestling teams faced the reality of a delayed season. According to the IHSA, competition can begin May 3, and the season will end June 26.
Quezada, who plans to drop down as many as two weight classes after wrestling at 195 pounds last season, went back to work in the makeshift fitness area in his basement to grind toward his goal of competing in a state meet.
“There was always that hope, that maybe they would start in November,” Quezada said. “But right now what’s going through my mind is that I’m happy with it. It gives me more time to work in the offseason, just more opportunities to get better. There’s disappointment, but I plan on using that extra time wisely to improve.”
Among the drawbacks of a delayed and shortened season is the risk that seniors will miss opportunities to gain scholarships and some two-sport athletes will have to endure a quick turnaround from the end of the spring season.
Grayslake Central senior Adrien Cramer, the defending Class 3A state champion at 182 pounds, doesn’t want a delayed season. The Maryland recruit said he’s worried about a shortened summer rest period before he starts wrestling in college.
“The winter fits so perfect for wrestling,” Cramer said. “What else would be in the winter? There are only so many times you can do sledding. This really stings because it cuts into my summer of my senior year. The summer is when you can enjoy your time off from a long winter of wrestling.
“It’s weird not competing. You will definitely see some new front-runners coming up now because kids have more time to get better and work on their skills.”
Zion-Benton coach Hal Lunsford said it was the right decision by the IHSA to ensure the safety of all wrestlers.
“It’s hard because we obviously want to let people back in the building and the classroom,” Lunsford said. “But COVID-19 is knocking the wind out of all of us. Our No. 1 priority is the safety of our kids. Delaying the season is the right thing to do, especially until we better understand COVID-19.
“I’m relieved in a way. There’s no way we could’ve started in November, so I’m happy they made the decision to push it back.”
For Quezada, the delay allows him to focus on refining his body after dropping 15 pounds. He would like to wrestle at 170 or 182. He recently added a treadmill to his workout room and attends Zion-Benton’s once-a-week weightlifting session at the school. Quezada said he often works out twice a day in his seven-day routine.
“I was always a little under 195, weighing at 185 pounds in my junior year,” he said. “My junior year I faced so much adversity with so many injuries. But I’m healthy now. I’m ready and hungry.
“I’ve been working hard, seeing improvement and seeing a lot of room to improve. My goal is always to think big, dream big and go downstate. I’m going for it.”
More Top Picks Best Rain Jackets For Men Under 100
Lunsford said his wrestlers are allowed in the high school but follow strict protocols amid remote learning: temperature readings, a questionnaire on possible exposure to the coronavirus, masks worn throughout workouts and machines wiped down constantly.
“Six weeks ago, I saw the kids for the first time since we shut down in March,” he said. “I just wanted to hug them. I missed my kids. I got teary-eyed. It was very emotional. They also missed me. We’re going to try to stay positive and hope for the best. My kids are very excited about a season. My seniors want to go out with a bang. We’re training but doing most of our workouts outside to stay safe.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.