Deerfield Wrestling Wins 12th Conference Championship

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Today at Highland Park High School, the Warrior Wrestlers of Deerfield High School secured their 12th consecutive conference victory in the Central Suburban League North. Facing off against the Highland Park Giants on a Friday evening, Deerfield High School was victorious 72-8.

While there were victories across the board, Zach Willens came up with the big pin of the night. Willens was named the Warrior of the Meet for his efforts.

After the meet, Head Coach Marc Pechter huddled the team together to discuss their accomplishment and beyond. Acknowledging the accomplishment of the 12 consecutive conference titles Pechter continued to say, "it's up to you younger guys, to continue on this tradition."

Our Warriors secured their 12th Conference title in a row tonight! Way to go Warriors pic.twitter.com/VpTH2Ujhej
— Deerfield Wrestling (@dhs_wrestlingIL) January 18, 2020

Beyond the twelve conference titles, Pechter has overseen three team Regional championships, six team Regional runner-ups, two Sectional championships, and a fourth place finish. The championship in the Central Suburban League North only adds another accomplishment on Pechter's impressive coaching record.

In the coming weeks, the Deerfield Warriors will have Regionals and then Sectionals. Any wrestlers who can continue to advance past those rounds will head down to the state wrestling meet held in Champaign, Illinois.

Last year, at the State tournament, Jake Reicin and Brock Emerich placed in Fifth Place, while current Deerfield High School senior, and University of Illinois commit Cody Goodman placed in third.

Congratulations to Coach Pechter, his staff and all the Student Athletes past and present of the @dhs_wrestlingIL Nation for winning their 12th Consecutive CSL Title tonight with a victory over Highland Park!#WarriorPride pic.twitter.com/gE18Gagkmg
— Deerfield Athletics (@DHS__Athletics) January 18, 2020

Looking forward to the State Wrestling tournament, Cody Goodman, finds himself looking to do what only one wrestler - Colton Emerich has done in Coach Pechter's tenure - that is win the state wrestling tournament. Goodman is currently the top rated wrestler at 195 pounds in the IHSA 2A division.

Other Deerfield athletes who will be looking to put up impressive performances in Champaign this February include Junior Rory Perlow and Sophomore Lucio Morgan.
Prior to Pechter's tenure, the Deerfield High School wrestling program had only ever won three conference titles, the most recent of which was in 1968. He hopes to continue the rich tradition of Deerfield Wrestling heading to Regionals and beyond.

Jake Leahy is a 2017 Deerfield High School graduate, Bannockburn school board member, volunteer freelance Patch reporter, and principal of Ladders LLC.