It’s a 14-hour drive from Oak Park to Virginia Beach, where Huskies senior Peter Ogunsanya traveled to compete in the National High School Coaches Association Wrestling Nationals from March 24-26.
“The drive was actually fun,” Ogunsanya said. “I drove down there with a couple of wrestlers from Crete-Monee and we had a good time.”
The drive home was even better for Ogunsanya, who won an individual title in the 113-pound senior division.
Ogunsanya won a 7-1 decision on the title mat to walk away with the top prize.
“Every guy I wrestled was new to me, and there were a couple state champs from North Carolina and Massachusetts,” Ogunsanya said. “I was nervous, but I knew the hard work would pay off and I just wrestled as hard as I could and I kept on attacking.
“I liked the atmosphere, and I really seemed to open up (offensively) in my matches there.”
His performance in Virginia Beach might pay off in other ways, as coaches from Ohio State and Rutgers were present and watched Ogunsanya wrestle.
The senior division nationals are a good way for senior wrestlers to get exposure, and Ogunsanya made the long trip to Virginia Beach count.
“I’ll find the school with the best financial fit for me and when I won, it opened up some opportunities for me, which was nice,” Ogunsanya said.
Gary Larsen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
