DeKalb hoping to gain momentum, health heading into Day 2 of The Flavin

DeKALB – Mike Hodge (144 pounds), Hudson Ikens (150) and Cam Matthews (157) earned victories to finish off DeKalb’s dual against Lincoln-Way West during Friday’s opening day of the 25th Don Flavin Dual Team Invitational.

While that was a productive finish for the Barbs it wasn’t enough as they dropped a 53-26 decision to the Warriors after losing 59-15 to Washington. DeKalb had opened with a 52-19 victory over Mukwonago, Wisc.

Now they’ll look to take a little momentum into Saturday’s Bronze Pool competition after winning their final three bouts during a long day in their own fieldhouse.

The Barbs will get a fresh mix of teams on Saturday with Lockport, Naperville Central and Barrington presenting a new array of challenges.

“We’re dealing with some injuries, but everyone was coming back today but a lot of us are unconditioned because of being out,” Ikens said. “We’ve missed a few key tournaments with seniors, but I think we’re going to be back to being fully healthy after this weekend.”

Washington recorded seven pins against the Barbs. Lincoln-Way West had eight against them, including four in the opening minute.

DeKalb’s Nick Waddle opened his day by pinning Muskwonago’s Connor Kreger in 1:44, but then found himself on the other end of that outcome against Washington’s Josh Hoffer in 2:50 and in 0:52 against Lincoln-Way West’s Nate Elstner

“I think a lot of us were really rusty today,” Waddle said. “Some of us with that sickness (that’s been going around) have not been as conditioned as we usually are. I think we were trying moves and just getting thrown and reverses didn’t help. I just think we’ve all just kind of been out. We’ve had a rough couple of days with some infections and sicknesses and injuries and stuff.”

Ikens returning to the lineup was one of the positives for DeKalb which wrestled in the afternoon in the Rich Harvey bracket.

“I was a little rough, but it’s a dual tournament and it’s the home tournament so you have to show up for your team,” he said. “We had to show up for DeKalb. It’s as packed of a field house as we’re going to get all year so you may as well show up.”

Sean Kolkebeck at 175 was the only wrestler for the Barbs to enjoy a 3-0 day.

Washington’s Seth Krause gave Kolkebeck the most trouble, but Kolkebeck ultimately got to him with a pin at 5:11. He then flew through his final two matches, taking down Washington’s Braden Brown in 0:40 and Lincoln-Way West’s Logan Biggs in 0:20.

Jaden Bradley (106) and Tyler Daub (132) went 2-1 on the day along with Hodge, Ikens and Matthews.

“With this tournament you just got to bounce back from every loss because it’s immediately 30 to 40 minutes later,” Ikens said. “You’ve got to regroup and get back at it.”

That’s one of the nice things about this tournament. While the level of competition is beyond compare, wrestlers also have a chance to fight back the next day.

“Overall it didn’t go the way we wanted,” Waddle said. “But we’re going to turn it around tomorrow.”

Kaden Klapprodt earned a 12-11 victory at 120 against Mukwonago’s Gavin Meinecke but didn’t wrestle in the team’s other duals. Ayden Shuey pinned Mukwonago’s Gabe Erdmann at 126 but suffered an injury in his match against Washington’s Logan Makiney and didn’t wrestle against Lincoln-Way West.

Midaris Chappelle (138) and Jeremiah Piniera (285) also earned wins against Mukwonago.