Grant junior Erik Rodriguez has felt the sting of defeat at the state meet.
But he also learned from his season-ending loss in the wrestlebacks of the 132-pound weight class in Class 3A last February.
“Last year at state taught me a lot about my own mental toughness and determination,” Rodriguez said. “Losing in the blood round can be really defeating, especially when you start to feel that all the hard work you put in just wasn’t enough.
“But that loss taught me that setbacks are part of your journey, not the end of it, and that growth isn’t about wins or losses but how you handle yourself when times get rough.”
Rodriguez (35-5), whose two losses at state were against four-time champion Ben Davino of St. Charles East and fourth-place Evan Stanley of Mount Carmel, appears to be handling himself well at 138 pounds this season. He won all five of his matches in the Larry Gassen Dual Team Tournament at Downers Grove South, finished ninth in his bracket at the highly esteemed Cheesehead Invitational in Wisconsin and won his weight class at Palatine’s Berman Classic.
“I think Erik became hungry after the state tournament,” Grant coach Mark Jolcover said. “There’s no better motivator than getting close to something and falling short. I know that’s driven him since the end of last season. He doesn’t have to think or dream about what it’s like to be close to getting what you wanted and falling short. He knows that feeling already, and that’s been the greatest driving force for him.”
Grant junior Vince Jasinski agrees that Rodriguez seems different this season.
“Erik has been a lot more motivated since last year,” Jasinski said. “He’s been staying after practice every day to get better in situations. I’ve seen that he started going with other partners willingly instead of just one guy to go through the motions for an easy practice.”
It should be noted that Rodriguez has already accomplished a lot on the mat. His career record is 107-32, making him the 26th wrestler in Grant history to win 100 matches, and he has another full season ahead of him.
“Erik’s drive and will to win make him great,” Jolcover said. “He approaches every day with a mentality to get better. There’s isn’t a task that’s beyond him. He lets his actions speak and is the ultimate competitor.”
Rodriguez, who is also a starting safety for Grant’s football team, said his older brothers Alex and Sean have pushed him to become his best self, and he credits Alex, a former Grant wrestler, for keeping him focused on his goals.
“Alex made me tough,” Rodriguez said. “Growing up, he would wrestle me and dig his forehead into mine. He still comes to the wrestling room as much as he can. I still wrestle with him occasionally.”
Jasinski, who is a team captain, also pushes Rodriguez. Jasinski said Rodriguez is relentless on the mat.
“He does a great job at attacking,” Jasinski said. “It doesn’t matter if he’s down 10 points or up five points, he will shoot.”
Grant assistant John Deneen noted that Rodriguez can attack in more ways this season.
“Erik has gotten better in every position,” Deneen said. “He has developed a couple of different attacks on his feet that make him a lot harder for opponents to defend when he puts them together.”
Grant assistant Anthony Johnson said such improvement is the result of Rodriguez’s commitment.
“Erik has gotten better at being a student of the sport,” Johnson said. “He asks questions, does the extra work, watches film and focuses on his skills. This year he has been doing a great job of focusing on the things he can control, specifically keeping a positive mindset while on and off the mat.”
Deneen point out that Rodriguez isn’t only focused on himself.
“Erik has stepped into more of a leadership role this year, and the team has responded well to him,” Deneen said.
All in all, Rodriguez has responded well after falling short of the podium at the state meet last year.
“I have to get more matches in and chase after the guys that beat me,” he said. “Whether it’s this season or the offseason, I have to chase those losses and get better.
“I’m more motivated than ever to make sure my outcome last year will not be my outcome this year at state.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
