Rebels have mixed results in busy week

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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:25AM

Fresh off a solid performance against Reed Custer last week, the Ridgewood wrestling team looked to keep rolling in meets against Glenbard South and in the Prairie Ridge Quad.

In the Prairie Ridge meet on Saturday, earning victories for the Rebels were Donato DiGiulio, who picked up his victory against Rockford Guilford with an impressive pin. From his back, he was able to quickly make a move and take down his opponent in a matter of seconds.

“He pinned him the way it’s supposed to be,” said head coach Jared McCabe. “The kids were surprised with how fast the pin was called.”

Also picking up victories in the meet for the Rebels were P.J. O’Connor and Joe Perez, who McCabe feels are reaching their strides at the right time.

“We challenged (P.J.) and he came out on top in all three bouts,” said McCabe. “He used his speed and came away with three victories (against Rockford, Nazareth and Prairie Ridge).”

Regarding Perez, McCabe said, “He has so much technique and talent. He’s getting confident in his take downs now and he knows he can take down anybody.”

Against Prairie Ridge, McCabe moved each wrestler up a weight class in order to avoid forfeiting a match. But the plan backfired as the Rebels lost 48-12.

“I made a mistake and I apologized to the team for it and it was my fault,” said McCabe. “It looked good on paper, but it just didn’t work out. The other team’s wrestlers were a lot bigger than us and it cost us.

It would have been closer had I not bumped everybody up. We didn’t want to forfeit a match but that’s the way things work out.”

Despite what he referred to as a “coaching mistake,” McCabe feels his team performed well in the quad.

“It went well. A lot of the kids are peaking (with regionals coming up) and I’m happy with where we’re at right now.”

Against Metro Suburban Conference foe Glenbard South on Thursday, the Rebels were able to win three matches on the day. Henry Meyers and DiGiulio won their matches by fall and Perez won by a major decision.

Next up for the Rebels is a match-up with another conference rival in Riverside-Brookfield on Friday night.

“They’re a tough team and we’re prepared for them,” said McCabe regarding Riverside. “The last time we faced them, in the third period, they were getting tired and we weren’t tired, (so) we hope to take that into the match. The third period is where we score most of our points and hopefully we come out with another win.”