Wrestling: Winberg steps up for Mundelein in conference meet

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Mundelein's Dan Winberg (top) battles Antioch's Mike Morales at 132 pounds during the NSC Tournament on Saturday. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 3, 2012 8:21AM

Mundelein High School’s Dan Winberg wanted to wrestle this season; he just needed to figure out where he fit in.

Blocking his path were two experienced upperclassmen — Conor O’Shaughnessy and perennial State qualifier Matt Ornoff. They had a monopoly on the 138-and 145-pound weight classes. So rather than spend his senior year on JV, Winberg did what any determined wrestler would: he dropped weight, getting down to 132 pounds. 

And he started to win, but not without learning a life lesson.

“A spot is not going to be given to me,” Winberg said. “It made me realize I have to work a lot harder.”

During the North Suburban Conference league tournament, held at Libertyville Friday and Saturday, Winberg (16-13) earned a medal no one would have expected back in November. He won four matches over two days, culminating in a third-place victory over Lakes’ Jose Collardo. The match showcased Winberg’s growth as a wrestler. Much faster on his feet than he was previously, Winberg successfully executed his shoots. It’s a skill he has worked on every year since taking up the sport in the sixth grade, beginning at the Mundelein Wrestling Factory. 

The third-place finish was validation for his decision to drop weight classes, and it gives the Mustangs more firepower heading into Saturday’s regional action. 

“Our message to Dan was, ‘Just have fun. Do your thing,’ ” said Mundelein coach Tony Buenik. “We had a nice conversation about sticking with it. It’s a huge win.”

As February begins, Winberg hopes there are many more wins to be had. At least he knows where he fits in.

“It’s one of the best days of the season so far,” Winberg said. “I got the spot I wanted.”

Recap: The Mustangs forged a ninth-place finish at the conference tournament, finishing with 76.50 points. Ornoff (138) was the lone Mundelein champion. Mundelein (1-6) ended the regular season sixth in the Lake Division. 

The Mustangs only wrestled in eight of the possible 14 classes in the league meet.

“It’s been a rough season. We’re a little depleted,” Buenik said. “We’re hoping to have more kids (at regionals).”

Ornoff (32-0) added to his school record for wins with three more Saturday, capping the league meet with a 8-3 decision over Grant’s Devin Monroy in the finals. It’s another medal on a crowded mantlepiece for Ornoff, who’s shooting for a third trip to the state finals.

“(Matt) wrestled good,” Buenik said. “It’s great to be a senior and win a conference championship. More preparation for next week.”

Other Mundelein medalists were Winberg (3rd at 132), Jake Long (4th at 152) and Jose Jimenez (6th at 220).

Long’s (30-11) third-place match with Libertyville’s Kayne MacCallum was close; it was the third time the foes have met this season. MacCallum hung on for a 5-3 decision, but Long still delivered a resilient performance by in a challenging weight class. 

“We do a good job seeing a guy a second or third time,” Buenik said. “A lot of these guys are in our regional, and we’ll see them. The ones that are working hard are reaping the benefits.”

On the schedule: Mundelein returns to Libertyville for regional action on Saturday.

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STANDINGS: Grant (224.50 points), Libertyville (213), Antioch (166.50), Lake Zurich (147), Zion-Benton (134), Stevenson (111), Warren (102.50), Wauconda (91.50), Mundelein (76.50), Vernon Hills (67), Round Lake (62), Lakes (43), Lake Forest (22), North Chicago (16).

FIRST-PLACE FINISHERS: Nick Kramer, Grant (106); Steve Polakowski, Libertyville (113); Ben Soumar Grant (120); Mike Gussarson, Antioch (126); Abel Rios, Zion (132); Matt Ornoff, Mundelein (138); Austin Pettinato, Libertyville (145); Justin Weber, Stevenson (152); Scott Hoff, Lake Zurich 160); Tony Cashmore, Grant (170); Zach Freundt, Antioch (182); Shakhiem Chapman, Warren (195); Quinton Quarles, Grant (195); Jeremy Brazil, Vernon Hills (285).