Despite being short-handed, the Indians came out strong in their second wrestling meet of the season. In the Plainfield North Mega Duals on Dec. 4, Minooka went 3-1. 

With Minooka not having a 106 pounder, they were forced to forfeit that weight for every dual, giving up 6 points to the other team. 

“Overall, it is still early.  The goal is to get better and be the best team we can be in February,” Minooka’s head coach Michael Kimberlin said. 

Minooka’s top performers from the meet were juniors Dominic Schiavone and Elijah Munoz, and senior Jacob Hinders. They all went 4-0. 

They had high praise for their young team.

Munoz said the team, although they are younger, looked good and still has a lot to improve on. 

Minooka’s three wins were all one sided, with a win over Hinsdale Central 56-21, and two other wins over Dundee Crown and York. 

The tournament was a lot of fun and the team has a lot of good performers, Schiavone said, adding that he believed in the team. 

Minooka’s only loss was a close loss to Canton. They lost by less than a pin, 42-37. 

“They were a tough team, but the matches we lost were by pin.  Not good for the team score,” Kimberlin said.

The team’s ultimate goal is state.

“We have a good group this year, and I am really excited to keep working and improving to get guys on the podium at the end of the year,” Minooka’s assistant coach Anthony Rink said. “That’s the goal, putting guys on that podium Saturday night in Champaign, Illinois. It’s going to take a lot of consistent days until then to make those goals come to fruition- our guys are excited to string those days together.”