Gordon Technical High School - Tech Log Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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WRESTLING VARSITY The 1980-81 season was one that exemplified the fine tradition Gordon Tech stands for. Coming back from a tough winning season of 15 wins 6 losses and six returning varsity letter winners, Some people might think that the Rams would relay and await the upcoming season. But those people do not know the GT Grapplers. Bright and early in the pre-season those dedicated and hard working men were out work- ing and shaping up with the determina- tion and courage that breeds champi- ons. Building a solid base for the heavenly stacked upcoming season. Bottom Row: Rocky Gawenda, Mike Calkins, Mike Erenberg, Fernando Malabehar. Second Row: Lou Vasta, Mike Miller, Jim Jensen, Ron Plantz, Manager Bob Nolan, Paul Orzeske, Romeo Sara. Standing: Coach Dan Zajac, John Graczyk, John Nowatarski, Frank Calkins, Frank : Dlugopolski, Marty Calkins, Joe Klosinski, Head Coach Dennis McCann Coach Dennis McCann’s ‘‘Rams’’ were led by State Qualifiers Joe Klosinski (38-5) and John Graczyk (27- 11). ‘Ski’? replaced NCAA Champion Frank Santana (1973) and Dan Degnan (1975) as Gordon Tech’s All-Time Win- ner. Along with Team Captai Graczyk, Marty and Frank Calkin combined for 30 wins and anchore the middle weights. They were th “Heart and Soul’ of the Ram Team— enthusiastic, gusty competitors wh Mike Erenberg puts the clamps on his Caravan opponent.

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Tom Argy Scores a touch as he breaks through a slow moving parry. David Silva holds his ground as his competitor runs into him. Tom Stanley scores with a straight attack. Both fencers wait for the other one to tire or make a mistake. 111

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| No one escapes MVP Klosinski’s rugged ride. | never quit. 98 lb. District Champ Mike Calkins and 105 Ib. Senior Mike Erenberg (3rd League, District) were dynamite lights, and Juniors Ron Plantz (Heavyweight 30-10) and Jim Jensen (30-3) were murder in the upper weights. Football star Plantz racked up 19 pins and placed in the 4th at Sectionals. Two one-point losses and a default at Districts marred a super sea- son for Jim—17 pins and 3 Major Tournament titles. Highlights of the season were dra- matic victories over Mt. Carmel, 29-23, Buffalo Grove, 3-25, and Notre Dame, 29-28, and strong performances in Tournament competition—6 Sectional qualifiers, a near miss in Catholic League, and a bevy of victories at the talent rich Palatine Tournament and Sectional competition. The Rams opened their season well prepared. The Grapplers, for the third GORDON 39 45 48 50 28 33 60 29 29 45 60 49 29 33 38 29 34 36 41 12 33 29 24 39 year in a row, scalped the Lane Tech Indians and romped Orr with a final score of 48-8. The second week into the season the Rams met up with a tough Lake Park team. After some early trouble in the light weights, things looked dim. Later on in the match, however, John Graczyk turned the tide with a much needed pin. Jim Jensen, following John’s example, did the same. At this point the score was Lake Park 29-GT 24. This put the pressure on heavyweight Ron Plantz who had to pin his man to win the dual for Gor- don. After a real nail biter, Ron had won 10-1 which left the Rams two points short of victory. Learning from defeat, but not accepting it, they bounced right back and beat Buffalo Grove 33-25, thanks to pins by twin brothers Frank and Marty Calkins. The Rams next sent the De LaSalle VARSITY OPPONENT Schurz 16 Lane Tech 23 Orr 8 St. Francis de Sales 10 Lake Park 29 Buffalo Grove 25 De LaSalle 3 Loyola 30 St. Laurence 29 St. Patrick 7 Mendel 6 Luther North 12 Notre Dame 28 Maine West 19 Maine South 18 Mount Carmel 23 Evanston 24 Brother Rice 15 Maine North 17 Hersey 38 Hoffman Estates 37 Holy Cross 14 Marist 31 Ridgewood 15 TIED—1 A familiar sight—Joe Klosinski: Ram’s all time winner.