Glenbard North wants to make its fifth consecutive trip to the IHSA team championships the charm. The Panthers cruised past sectional hosts Naperville North 48-18 Tuesday night for their chance.
After Naperville North’s 119-pound state champ Nick Fanthorpe brought the Huskies within 10-9 after four matches, senior Jon Ranck (125) started a four-match win streak that put the Panthers in control.
“It gives me a little hope,” said Ranck, whose two wins improved his season record to 37-7. “The real goal is not there yet. Getting down there is not the point. I mean third is pretty good, but we just really want it.”
Glenbard North has recorded three straight third-place finishes after a runner-up in 2001. The Panthers’ hunger for a state title had them fired up.
“Everyone wrestled tough in the beginning of the weights and we took control of the meet,” said senior Matt Smith, who finished fifth at the state individual meet last weekend and recorded a pin in the sectional championship match. “It feels good to go back down and take a run at a state title again. We all felt pretty ready.”
Glenbard North moved to the final with a 32-28 win over Neuqua Valley. Wildcats senior Cordero Hightower, the 189-pound runner-up, won via forfeit to end the season at 39-2.
Naperville North advanced with a 38-26 victory over Glenbard West. Hilltoppers senior Rob Eisinger won the final match of his career to finish 41-4.
