Wauconda’s Nate Randle had a championship resume even before he wrestled in his first varsity match last year.
Randle was highly successful in middle school.
“I started wrestling in first grade and always liked it,” he said. “I realized when I got to middle school that I was pretty good. I won a couple of matches at state, then won state in eighth grade.”
But Wauconda coach Trevor Jauch wanted to test Randle on the mat last year to validate his reputation. Jauch, who won three state titles at Crystal Lake Central and later wrestled at Missouri and Northern Iowa, is a good judge of talent.
“I already knew (Randle) was a good wrestler in middle school, so we were excited to get him in the high school room,” Jauch said. “He had potential based on his skills. I realized once I wrestled him and put my hands on him myself that he could get to state and win a few titles for us.”
Randle didn’t win a state title in his difficult freshman season, during which he suffered a concussion. But he advanced to the Class 2A championship match at 113 pounds in February. He lost a 3-2 decision to Glenwood’s Drew Davis, who was the defending champion. Randle finished the season with a 31-9 record.
“I really didn’t have any expectations for myself in my freshman year,” Randle said. “I was thinking maybe I would make it downstate and barely get fifth or sixth place or lose in the blood rounds. I was a little disappointed I lost in the finals. But I knew if I could make the state finals that I could win it in the future.”
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Randle (17-2) seems to be on the right track in his sophomore season. He won the 120-pound weight class at the Tom Dubois Classic at Richmond-Burton on Dec. 9, earning an 18-6 major decision against Jacobs’ Ben Arbotante in the final to secure the first tournament title of his career.
“It felt amazing,” Randle said. “I also dominated there. A lot of people were surprised I had not won a tournament. I can’t believe it either. My goals are to win state and also win it the rest of my high school career.”
Randle, who finished third at the Al Dvorak Invitational on Dec. 16, said he gained tremendous insight and confidence by wrestling Jauch.
“He taught me different ways to finish,” Randle said. “He was a different wrestler than I would normally wrestle. He could wrestle to the other side of his body, so I realized if I could defend from both sides, I would get better. If I can hit shots from both sides, it would be harder to defend against me.”
Jauch said Randle has all the traits to become a state champion.
“He’s willing to put in the work,” Jauch said. “If we let him, I think he would train seven days a week. He’s constantly trying to find competition. He’s always on the mat trying to better himself. He grinds in the weight room.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.