Bulldogs on high with big win
By JOHN B. REINHARDT
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editorial@kcchronicle.com
ST. CHARLES – It almost is guaranteed that every time the Batavia and St. Charles East wrestling programs compete, it’ll be close. Friday night was no exception.
The Bulldogs (15-7) won by a thread and ended up spoiling senior night for the Saints (13-7), winning 36-35.
Knowing that Batavia won nine matches to St. Charles East’s five, one would presume a more lopsided score. But it was the Saints' ability to get bonus points that made this another nail-biter.
“I knew it was going to be like this,” Batavia coach Tom Arlis said. “This is what we all expected.”
At the onset of the meet, it seemed Batavia was working on a blowout, by winning its first three matches and jumping to a 14-0 lead. But the Saints came back and cut the lead to 14-12 thanks to a couple of quick pins from heavyweights Carl Larson (215 pounds) and Blake Griffiths (285).
“I knew we had to get something started,” Larson said. “I wanted to come out with a lot of intensity.”
The two teams went back and forth, but the Bulldogs were able to seal the deal behind Augie Watson (140), getting the pin that closed the door on any chance of a Saints comeback.
Notably, Batavia’s Logan Arlis (35-0) continues his undefeated streak this season by beating St. Charles East’s Alex Maynard by a 10-4 decision.
“I put the record aside, and focus on winning one match at a time,” Arlis said. “The record doesn’t really mean anything to me.”
After a close loss, East coach Steve Smerz still is in a positive frame of mind, and focusing his concentration on regionals.
“We knew every point was going to count, and it showed,” Smerz said. “We wrestled hard, but now it’s the end of season. ... I think some good things are going to come ahead.”
This win also is a huge boost for Batavia. After losing an overtime heart-breaker last week to Wheaton North, the Bulldogs enter regionals feeling pretty good about beating a competitive Saints team.
“Last week was the ultimate low, and this win is a great high,” Arlis said. “This is a great springboard going into regionals.”
