Wrestling has been a huge aspect of  Minooka for years, and on Dec. 1 the boys varsity team had their first home meet of the year.

Even with the problems going on with the gas leak over at Central days prior, that didn’t stop Minooka from hosting this event.

Things didn’t start so hot for Minooka after being down 21-6 going into the 145 pound match. Cale Stonitsch went into the match looking very confident

“It was basically just go out their and win,” Stonitsch said. “It felt good to tech him and I feel like I should of been a little nicer to the ref, but otherwise it was a pretty good match.”

This changed the momentum towards Minooka. Then it was Elijah Munoz’s turn. While minooka was still down 21-10, a win out of Munoz was needed and that’s what he was able to pull off with another tech win for Minooka.

“I felt good, and I was able to get a good warm up in before, ”said Munoz.

Minooka was able to win back to back to put the meet into their reach with a score of 21-16.

But they weren’t able to keep their streak alive with the 160 pound match that turned into a win for Oswego by pin causing the score to turn 27-16.

That didn’t stop senior Cody Pelton’s electric win over over one of the best wrestlers in the Oswego line-up with a big pin in the second period, putting Minooka just in reach with the score of 27-22. 2

But it didn’t just stop there. Junior Lukas Shipla went out on the mat for the 182 pound match and didn’t let the pressure get to him and pinned his opponent. With this minooka took their first lead of the night with the score of 28-27.

Only up 1 with 3 matches to go, Minooka needed to stay focus and try to secure the win. Next it was junior Hunter Coons turn to help Minooka with their comeback.

Coons went out their and got a huge first take down to take the momentum toward Minooka and get a huge pin with putting MCHS up 34-27.

Next would be the 220 pound match, which Minooka had to forfeit  and give 6 points to the Panters.

MCHS was up 34-33 going into the last match of the night, the heavyweight match which Oswego won by a pin.

Minooka lost to Oswego 39-34.

Head coach Mike Kimberlin was asked if not having a 220 pound wrestler had an impact.

“Absolutely, that’s 6 points,” he said.