Jacobs' Gary Conrad ‘excited’ to be back in charge after year hiatus: Boys wrestling notes

Gary Conrad always felt that he’d return to coaching wrestling after he departed Jacobs in March 2023. Conrad just thought he’d have more time between gigs.

But when Jacobs needed a new coach after a sudden departure, Conrad felt he needed to step up for the program he helped build for 11 years. He’s enjoyed the return halfway through the season.

“I feel like this is what I was born to do,” Conrad said. “It brings a lot of purpose to my life, because it’s ... teaching all those life lessons that the sport really offers. It’s exciting to help kids make that journey and just ... to be back and to be able to do it again.”

Conrad returned to the Golden Eagles after former coach Ryan Horcher suddenly left the program in July after one season. Horcher’ is listed as a member of Barrington’s coaching staff on its IHSA page, where he previously coached before taking over at Jacobs.

After enjoying a year break from the grind of coaching wrestling, Conrad discussed with his wife and former assistant coaches whether it made sense to return. He decided to come back, officially taking over the program in October.

Since then, Conrad’s been catching up with old and new faces. He reinstated his fitness and training expectations, something Conrad said was missing last season. Although it’s taken some time for the Golden Eagles to get used to the shift in expectations, Conrad has been pleased to see buy-in.

“The ones that are buying in are seeing a lot of success. They’re seeing it,” Conrad said. “They’re getting hands raised, they’re not getting tired during the matches, and they’re getting stronger and understanding the philosophies. The team’s really starting to buy into that, with excitement on the bench and winning duals and believing in what we’re doing.”

Conrad did adjust his coaching a little bit after his hiatus. He stayed involved in the sport last season by refereeing and learned from his new vantage point of the wrestler-coach relationship.

“I feel like this is what I was born to do. It brings a lot of purpose to my life, because it’s just turning kids … and teaching all those life lessons that the sport really offers. It’s exciting to help kids make that journey and just having to be back and to be able to do it again.”

—  Gary Conrad, Jacobs head coach

During those moments, Conrad watched how wrestlers reacted when a coach either yelled too much or acted on the opposite end of the spectrum.

“I try to be a little bit better in the corner as a coach to help my athletes succeed better and also just be better at representing the school,” Conrad said. “And to not be so harsh on refs, because I’m a ref myself now. So it’s just very different when you’re sitting in the corner and you have the whistle. So that perspective has really helped me, just with that aspect of it.”

With just over a month left until the start of the state postseason, Conrad is excited to be back for what he missed the most about coaching. At 3-1 in the Fox Valley Conference, Jacobs has competed well in duals and tournaments.

But Conrad is looking forward to that push to the state finals.

“You work all year for [it] – and just to be a part of that journey with the kids and the excitement that comes with it,” Conrad said. “It is really fun, and it makes it all really worth it. I’m just excited to kind of be a part of that journey with my kids again.”

Richmond-Burton passes first-half tests

Rockets coach Tony Nelson wasn’t sure what to expect when he set a tough schedule for the first half of this season. Halfway through the season, the Rockets have flown through with an undefeated record without a couple of key wrestlers.

R-B won three straight tournaments to cap the calendar year at 7-0. The Rockets captured their own Tom Dubois Varsity Invite by more than 80 points, then went on to win the Rus Erb (Glenbrook South) and Berman Holiday Classic (Palatine) tournaments.

Nelson didn’t schedule a Thanksgiving tournament and didn’t feel like the Rockets hit their stride until three or four weeks into the season with some limited matches. But Nelson liked the way his team responded to tough competition, including a Rus Erb field that featured mostly Class 3A and 2A teams.

“It’s looking good,” Nelson said. “I’m surprised at the finishes, but at the same time it’s not to be completely unexpected.”

The Rockets brought back an experienced team from last season, but key seniors Kyan Gunderson and Dane Sorensen haven’t wrestled yet because of injuries. Nelson expects Gunderson to come back next week, while Sorensen could return soon, but Nelson doesn’t want to rush him back.

Senior Emmett Nelson, Clay Madula, Kristian Gersch and Colin Kraus have each led the way and picked up tournament and dual wins. They’ve also enabled underclassmen to step up in key roles to help in R-B’s first-half success.

“It’s cool. It’s unique,” Tony Nelson said. “These older guys, they’ve taken on roles themselves, making sure these young guys carry on what they’ve been building.”

The second half won’t get too much easier for the Rockets. They’ll compete in invitationals at Glenbrook South, Princeton and Muskego, Wisconsin, while trying to wrap up a third straight Kishwaukee River Conference title.

“Our guys will be tested,” Tony Nelson said. “I think that’s a good thing.”

Huntley continues impressive FVC streak

The Red Raiders continued their dominance in the FVC with a 4-0 conference start this season. Huntley beat Crystal Lake South, Crystal Lake Central, Cary-Grove and Jacobs so far this season.

This season’s success isn’t new for the program. Huntley has won six of the past eight FVC titles and has lost only three FVC dual meets during that span. Red Raiders coach B.J. Bertelsman credited his team’s depth for its continued success.

“We have capable wrestlers that go out there and compete hard,” Bertelsman said. “That’s why we’re a good dual team.”

Huntley has five FVC duals left in the season, including two against Hampshire and Burlington Central on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. With another FVC crown on the horizon, the Red Raiders will continue what they’ve done best over the past decade.

“Maintaining the ship and going straight will get us the conference title,” Bertelsman said.