By TYLER DRUMMOND
of The Gazette
Even though the Pacelli High School Cardinal wrestlers aren't doing as well as head coach Steve Raczek might like, he sees this year as a positive rebuilding experience.
"We're a young team and we're trying to rebuild," said Raczek.
In his second year as coach, Raczek is fighting an uphill battle trying to get numbers back up. "This program went though four or five coaches in the last five years so we're trying to add some stability to the program," said Raczek.
Raczek is quick to point out that the wrestlers are really responding this year and working hard. "That's the nice thing about being in a school this small. Your upperclassmen become the leaders, not just on the mat, but in the classroom and the community," he said.
The heart and soul of the Cardinals lie in two juniors as well as two seniors who have stepped up to take the reins. At 130 pounds, senior Jamie Klein is 11-4. "He's doing really well this year," said Raczek.
Supporting Klein is junior Brain Napiwocki at 145, who is 10-4 this season. Also providing the spark for the Cardinals is junior Ben Klosinski at 189 and senior Nate Wachowiak at 215.
Other members of the squad include freshman TJ Hayes at 103, freshman Nick Retzki at 112, freshman Matt Weischan at 119 and sophomore Oliver Klein at 125. Joining Klein at 130 is freshman Billy Nicholson. Three Cardinal wrestlers wrestle at the 135 class, including sophomore Jake Heagle and freshmen Nate Zurawski and Mike Frisch.
Also competing are freshman Dan Wierzba at 140, and sophomore Nate Piotrowski at 152. Wrestling at the 171 level is senior Brian Churas who is a first-year wrestler for Raczek. Churas played football for four years and will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall. He picked up wrestling to keep himself in shape. "He's really enjoying himself," said Raczek.
In the heavyweight division are senior Joe Groshek at 275 as well as newcomer, freshman Manuel Arguello.
Next year Raczek said his goal is to get the number up so they can fill all the weight classes. "Realistically I'd love to see between 20-24 kids come out for the team," he said.
He likes to see kids get into the sport at a young age because he says it's tough to compete in ninth grade (freshman year) with no previous experience. "It's easier to start young."
Pacelli has a program in place that allows the middle school level kids to start in the Pacelli program at a young age. "We have quality coaches for the younger kids, but what's interesting to see is that all the coaches are former Pacelli wrestlers themselves," he said.
For fans coming out to watch a meet this year, Raczek advises that they won't be watching anything like the chaotic WWF. "It's not like that, it's more technical. It's just good one-on-one competition, and it's a pretty exciting event to watch," said Raczek. "I encourage everyone to see at least one meet at some point in their lives."