Southern_Hospitality
01-10-2007, 03:51 AM
O'Fallon pair feed off each other's success
Freshman, senior each have 23-1 marks this season
BY DEAN CRIDDLE
News-Democrat
O'FALLON - There is a saying in the sport of wrestling that champions come in pairs.
And with the assistance of first-year head coach Glenn Exton, freshman Keith Surber and senior Nick Grahek of O'Fallon have proven that saying to be true this season.
Both 23-1 with three tournament titles to their credit, the 103-pound Surber and 112-pound Grahek have been the leaders of an O'Fallon team that seems well on its way to rejoining the top teams in Southern Illinois.
"It's getting to the point to where I'm expecting us to win a 103 and 112 pounds every time we wrestle, and with Christian (Rice) at 119, we've got three very strong wrestlers at the top of our lineup," Exton said. "We expected (Nick) Grahek to be good, but I don't know if I expected him to win 23 of his first 24 with three tournament titles.
"I think having Keith (Surber) to wrestle with every day has helped him, and I know Nick has helped Keith as well. Having a good practice partner to work with has helped them both."
Surber is perhaps the most highly touted freshman prospect in the metro-east since Dusty Carpenter and Joe Rujawitz entered Belleville West in the late 1990s.
A junior high state champion a year ago, Surber has been the most active wrestler in the metro-east during the past four years. Since taking up the sport at the age of 10, Surber has wrestled in state and national competitions and in more then 400 matches.
"Actually, my brother started wrestling, then my dad asked me if I wanted to," Surber said. "I just love wrestling because its an individual sport. If you lose, there is no one to blame but yourself."
Both Surber and Grahek won Mascoutah and Granite City Tournament championships. At Granite City, Surber lost to Cody Tyler of Oak Park on the first day of competition then rebounded to beat Tyler 5-4 in the title match.
"The thing about Keith is that he's the type of kid who is not afraid of anybody. He likes those challenges," Exton said. "He's one of those special wrestlers who doesn't just want to get to the state tournament and maybe win a match or two. He believes that he can win a state title.
"I think he's got a chance. He knows most of those guys (Chicago) anyway. He's wrestled and beaten a lot of them. He's not going to wrestle anybody that is heads and shoulders above him. He's wrestled that level for a long time."
If Surber is the top freshman in the metro-east, Grahek may be the most improved wrestler in the area. After finishing 26-13 last season, Grahek has developed into a leading 112-pounder.
"I went to the Purler (wrestling) Academy in Edwardsville this summer and that just really helped me a lot," Grahek said. "It got me a lot stronger and helped with my technique. I'm just a better wrestler in every way this season.
"Having Keith (Surber) to compete with has also helped a lot. He's a great competitor. I think we've made each other better."
Exton has also made Grahek a much better wrestler. Exton took over the Panthers program from longtime coach Bill Matzker, who retired following the 2005-06 school year.
"I liked Coach Matzker, but I think Coach Exton pushes us harder," Grahek said. "I know the practice sessions are a lot tougher this season."
Exton said that part of Grahek's improvement also stems from the fact that he is a senior.
"I sometimes think that seniors become more focused," Exton said. "They realize that this is their last chance and they want to do well."
Freshman, senior each have 23-1 marks this season
BY DEAN CRIDDLE
News-Democrat
O'FALLON - There is a saying in the sport of wrestling that champions come in pairs.
And with the assistance of first-year head coach Glenn Exton, freshman Keith Surber and senior Nick Grahek of O'Fallon have proven that saying to be true this season.
Both 23-1 with three tournament titles to their credit, the 103-pound Surber and 112-pound Grahek have been the leaders of an O'Fallon team that seems well on its way to rejoining the top teams in Southern Illinois.
"It's getting to the point to where I'm expecting us to win a 103 and 112 pounds every time we wrestle, and with Christian (Rice) at 119, we've got three very strong wrestlers at the top of our lineup," Exton said. "We expected (Nick) Grahek to be good, but I don't know if I expected him to win 23 of his first 24 with three tournament titles.
"I think having Keith (Surber) to wrestle with every day has helped him, and I know Nick has helped Keith as well. Having a good practice partner to work with has helped them both."
Surber is perhaps the most highly touted freshman prospect in the metro-east since Dusty Carpenter and Joe Rujawitz entered Belleville West in the late 1990s.
A junior high state champion a year ago, Surber has been the most active wrestler in the metro-east during the past four years. Since taking up the sport at the age of 10, Surber has wrestled in state and national competitions and in more then 400 matches.
"Actually, my brother started wrestling, then my dad asked me if I wanted to," Surber said. "I just love wrestling because its an individual sport. If you lose, there is no one to blame but yourself."
Both Surber and Grahek won Mascoutah and Granite City Tournament championships. At Granite City, Surber lost to Cody Tyler of Oak Park on the first day of competition then rebounded to beat Tyler 5-4 in the title match.
"The thing about Keith is that he's the type of kid who is not afraid of anybody. He likes those challenges," Exton said. "He's one of those special wrestlers who doesn't just want to get to the state tournament and maybe win a match or two. He believes that he can win a state title.
"I think he's got a chance. He knows most of those guys (Chicago) anyway. He's wrestled and beaten a lot of them. He's not going to wrestle anybody that is heads and shoulders above him. He's wrestled that level for a long time."
If Surber is the top freshman in the metro-east, Grahek may be the most improved wrestler in the area. After finishing 26-13 last season, Grahek has developed into a leading 112-pounder.
"I went to the Purler (wrestling) Academy in Edwardsville this summer and that just really helped me a lot," Grahek said. "It got me a lot stronger and helped with my technique. I'm just a better wrestler in every way this season.
"Having Keith (Surber) to compete with has also helped a lot. He's a great competitor. I think we've made each other better."
Exton has also made Grahek a much better wrestler. Exton took over the Panthers program from longtime coach Bill Matzker, who retired following the 2005-06 school year.
"I liked Coach Matzker, but I think Coach Exton pushes us harder," Grahek said. "I know the practice sessions are a lot tougher this season."
Exton said that part of Grahek's improvement also stems from the fact that he is a senior.
"I sometimes think that seniors become more focused," Exton said. "They realize that this is their last chance and they want to do well."