Deerfield locks up fourth straight league crown

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Deerfield's Zach Perbohner pins Elk Grove's Dan DiMaria at 182pounds during Saturday's triple dual meet at Stevenson High School. | Brian O'Mahoney~For Sun-Times Media

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Updated: February 20, 2012 8:18AM

Nothing was going the Warriors’ way

And yet, somehow the Deerfield wrestlers found a way. 

After battling snowy conditions on the way to Maine West on Jan. 12, Deerfield found other obstacles when it arrived: a heavy scale, and a loud, partisan crowd — larger than usual for Alumni Night.

With the Central Suburban League North regular season title at stake, Deerfield (20-2) competed as if it had no troubles in the world.

“They had every reason to come up with an excuse, yet they found a way not to,” said Deerfield head coach Marc Pechtel. “They found a way to win.”

JJ Nawrot (285 pounds) got things started with a 4-2 win.

“That got us rolling,” Pechtel said.

Deerfield won its first five matches in sealing the dual-meet victory 46-15. Jack Eisman (126) returned for his first match since conquering a season-long illness and won 6-0.

And, in the night’s most thrilling match, Deerfield’s Lenny Bloom (145) rallied from a 6-1 deficit to pin Maine West’s Rico Zayas in the final minute.

When it was over, Deerfield all but hoisted its fourth consecutive CSL North title, the longest streak in school history. Deerfield clinched it with a 68-6 win over Maine East Friday night. It also marked the second year in a row that Deerfield has marched through the regular season undefeated in conference at all three levels.

The Warriors (17-2) will head to the CSL Tournament will plenty of confidence. The big tourney will be held Saturday at Maine East. 

“I’m proud of the way our kids responded. They responded like champions,” Pechtel said. “It’s not what happens to you in life, it’s how you handle it. They did something that hasn’t been done.”

One of the reasons for Deerfield’s success is its ability to reload its roster. Senior Zach Perbohner (182 pounds) had limited varsity experience heading into this season. 

An example of Perbohner’s development came against Elk Grove on Saturday. He pinned an opponent for the ninth time this season, raising his record to 15-7.

“I’m generally not as big as most guys I wrestle,” Perbohner said. “I’m not as strong — it’s mainly technique.”

That’s where leverage — and intellect and savvy — come into play. A match against a Huntley opponent in December provided another instance in which Perbohner picked his spot to strike. Down 5-1, he was able to gain leverage and throw his man down for a pin.

“He was much stronger. I could feel how strong he was,” said Perbohner, a pole vaulter in spring. “Never would I expect to beat a kid like that.”

Added Pechtel: “Zach’s a cognitive wrestler. He’s smart and paid his dues. He’s a contender — not just to be conference champion but to make it Downstate.” 

Recap: After wrapping up the league title against Maine East Friday, Deerfield dominated Stevenson 43-16 on Saturday.

Pechtel is pleased to have Eisman back, which gives him a proven wrestler at 126. He’s also counting on strong performances from the Hoogheem brothers, Kevin (113) and Christian (120).

“They are our unsung heroes,” Pechtel said. “They don’t ask for any attention; they don’t get much attention. All they do is win.”