Grayslake Central senior Tyler Weidman’s beginnings in wrestling can be traced back to his older brother.
Jayson Weidman started wrestling in eighth grade, quickly rose up the ranks and finished his Rams career by reaching the Class 2A state meet at 120 pounds. He competes at Loras College.
“I started wrestling the year after my brother, when I was in fifth grade,” Tyler Weidman said. “The family pushed me into it. I started doing wrestling for the fun of it. I ended up pretty decent at it. I quit soccer in eighth grade to fully focus on wrestling. Soccer was a big part of my life.”
But Tyler Weidman decided he didn’t want to follow in Jayson’s footsteps forever.
“I wanted to join a team and help them become great and make my own legacy,” Tyler Weidman said. “I wanted to be separate from my brother. Since I’ve been young, I’ve always had the same teachers as him, the same coaches. Sometimes my name would get mixed up. I wanted to have my own area to grow as a wrester.”
So Tyler Weidman, who is already a three-time state qualifier, committed to Wisconsin-Whitewater in late January.
Jayson Weidman commends that choice.
“I knew the moment he started wrestling in fifth grade that he was going to surpass my legacy at Grayslake Central,” Jayson Weidman said. “I couldn’t be prouder of him and the hard work that he has put in to get where he is right now.
“We had different attitudes when it came to making college decisions. As much as I would have wanted him to come to Loras, I always wanted him to make his own path and on his own terms. That’s a part of growing as a person.”
With his college decision behind him, Tyler Weidman can focus on the postseason and his growing legacy at Grayslake Central. After earning a fourth-place medal at 126 pounds in 2A last year, Weidman has a 33-3 record this season and is ranked fourth at 126 by FloWrestling entering the Antioch Regional on Saturday.
“I feel I’m not in his shadow at this point of my career,” Weidman said. “He didn’t wrestle as long as I have. Plus, I have my plaque on the wall for fourth place.”
Weidman’s marquee moments this season include titles at the Lake County Invitational and the Mid-States Classic and a win against Wauconda’s Nate Randle in a dual meet on Jan 25.
“He’s a leader in our room,” Grayslake Central coach Matt Joseph said. “His technique is not always the cleanest, but what separates him from a lot of guys is he doesn’t stop moving. A lot of guys will shoot and stop, but he continues to wrestle out of numerous positions.”
Weidman, who overcame a knee injury that sidelined him for several weeks, said his main goal on the mat is wearing out opponents.
“I’m definitely more aggressive and am a physical wrestler,” he said. “I try to take angles and make them uncomfortable and get an edge on them. I like to keep my pace fast, stay on my feet and keep moving. I was a striker in soccer, so I’m always on the offense.”
Weidman, who has recorded 22 pins this season, seems primed for a successful run to Champaign.
“He’s having a great year so far,” Joseph said. “He’s going into regionals with some confidence. He’s keeping his eyes on the prize.”
Weidman confirmed he’s ready.
“I feel like I have to clean up some sloppiness, but other than that, I feel like I’ve done everything on my path to set me up for success,” he said.
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
