The upstart Chicago Wrestling Club is quickly establishing itself as a national power. Now known as the Cyclones, the Chicagoans finished second in the five-team San Diego Bulldogs Wrestling Tournament, held Feb. 19 in the main auditorium of The Center in Hillcrest.
Plus, Chicagoan Mark Wheeler captured the gold medal in the Heavy Division, defeating fellow Cyclone Matt Stremel for first-place.
The host Bulldogs won the team title, while Los Angeles was third, followed by New York and San Francisco.
'Oh my gosh, we're ecstatic,' Wheeler said. 'It's a great showing for the club, especially considering how new we are. Everyone did real well, and it really was a wonderful experience, a lot of fun.'
Joe Sochor, 42, of Chicago, finished third in the middleweight division.
Josh Watkins, 37, of Chicago, was second in the light-middleweight division.
All divisions were based on age, weight and experience, Wheeler said.
And what about beating a teammate for the title?
'Well, he really is a tough wrestler, an animal [ on the mat ] ,' Wheeler said of Stremel.
Wheeler said several members of the Cycles will compete in a Memorial Day weekend tournament in San Francisco.
'We're happy with the club as it is, but we definitely want more wrestlers to join, including females,' Wheeler said.
The Cyclones practice every Thursday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m.at Quads Gym, 3727 N. Broadway.