The Class 3A Barrington Sectional gave Deerfield wrestling one of the greatest days in program history. But in a flash, the achievement was marred.
Competing in the title match at 145 pounds on Feb. 13, senior Andrew Mehrholz had clinched his school-record fourth state title berth. He held a commanding lead over Grayslake North senior Jake Wright late in the third period.
But Mehrholz landed awkwardly on his left elbow while attempting to get away from a Wright hold while on his feet. He was unable to continue, forcing an injury default that gave Wright the title.
Deerfield coach Marc Pechter said Mehrholz has a dislocated elbow and is out for the remainder of the season. That includes the individual state tournament that starts Feb. 18 and the team sectional meet on Feb. 23.
“It has already been decided. He is definitely out,” Pechter said. “Dislocations are pretty serious.”
Mehrholz’s state replacement will be the fifth-place finisher from the Barrington Sectional, Hononegah’s Anthony Silva.
Pechter said the injury doesn’t erase the illustrious career of Mehrholz, who first qualified for the state tournament as a 106-pound freshman in 2013.
“Andrew has already cemented his place as one of the best wrestlers to ever walk the hallways of Deerfield,” Pechter said.
For the second season in a row, six Warriors qualified for the state tournament. After the injury to Mehrholz, five will compete in Champaign. Two — sophomore Holden Heller (113 pounds) and sophomore Kenny Kerstein (132) — earned their way by winning sectional titles.
Kerstein was a regional runner-up who failed to get out of the sectional as a freshman in 2015. But another season has made him seasoned, mature and happy.
“I was taking wrestling way too seriously. I needed to make it more fun,” Kerstein said. “I’ve opened my shots, my offense and defense up, and made it easier to succeed.”
The presence of so many good wrestlers in the workout room — two former state qualifiers, juniors Kyle Clough and Dylan Utterback, aren’t in the lineup but do practice with the team — has Kerstein prepared for any opponent.
“We have a bunch of guys in the room so even when I feel like going easy in practice, I know the reward will be at the end of the year,” Kerstein said.
Deerfield has three other state qualifiers.
Freshman Reece Heller lost to Libertyville sophomore Alex Mitchell 11-9 in the title match at 106 pounds. Senior Sage Heller, older brother of Reece and Holden, made it to a championship match at 170 pounds before he was pinned by Highland Park’s DJ Penick. Senior Nick Kupets snagged the fourth and final state spot at 126 pounds.
“We are very proud to have six state qualifiers in back-to-back years. I believe it shows a level of consistency and proves once again we are one of, if not the top team in Lake County and one of the best in the state,” Pechter said.
Jon J. Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @prepspioneer
