Wrestlers Back Strong After Break

The wrestling team began the second half of their season on a roll, as they downed squads from Niles West and New Trier on consecutive evenings.

On Tuesday, the Aces traveled down Oakton to match up with a squad from Niles West. Ida Crown dropped the first two matches of the night, but then cruised to a seemingly easy 42-12 victory over the Wolves. Senior Captains Ofri Ben David (132) and Matthew Jacoby (152) led the way with :28 second and :20 second pins, respectively. Junior Zachary Frank (138) and senior Nate Bomben (145) had total domination as they notched tech falls of their opponents. Senior Captain Ilan Kaissar (160) and junior Max Gorenstein (170) also had convincing wins. Against JV and frosh competition, junior Sam Bellows (132), sophomore Yosef Marcucci (138), freshman Ariel Nudman (152) and junior Avi Bar-Meir (220) claimed victories in what proved to be a very successful evening for the Aces.

On Wednesday, Ida Crown grapplers hosted their first match in the new Academy building and graced it with their first dual meet victory ever against New Trier. It was not easy, but when the final whistle sounded, ICJA emerged victorious, 36-34. Ben David won by decision, 6-4, as did Frank by a score of 12-5. Bomben, Jacoby and junior Joey Silverstein (170) all pinned their opponents. Junior Akiva Goldberger (120) and senior Captain Sam Schneiderman (126) closed out the evening with victories, as well. On the JV/frosh mat, sophomore Erez Kaissar (126), Marcucci, Bellows and sophomore Avi Dobkin (126) all earned victories.

The Aces hit the road next week with matches against defending regional champion and perennial rival Walther Christian and Evanston Township High School.