The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Geneva senior posts 100 career victories
Braden Bilicic wasn’t happy with where he was at following a 16-win season as a freshman with the Geneva wrestling team. His solution? Listen to his coaches. A new attitude and a new work ethic under his belt, Bilicic — now a senior — earned his 100th career victory on Jan. 10 during his team’s 66-17 win at Jefferson.
“As a freshman when I won 16 matches, I definitely didn’t think I’d get 100 wins in high school,” Bilicic said. “As a freshman, I didn’t really listen. I just thought I was better than everybody. I just tried to hip-toss everybody. I figured out fast that didn’t work. I started to listen to my coaches and I got better.”
Fans came to Jefferson armed for the big night, with multiple signs and even a UFC-type of championship belt toted into the stands in anticipation of Bilicic’s milestone win.
Bilicic looked to be in a little trouble against Jefferson’s Lucas Woodworth in the 152-pound bout when Woodworth got Bilicic in a headlock. But Bilicic rolled through before Woodworth could get any nearfall points and got the pin.
Bilicic rose to his feet and acknowledged the big fan base in the upper corner of the gym cheering wildly and holding up the signs they brought.
“I wrestled (Woodworth) before at the Riverside Rumble,” Bilicic said. “He definitely put up a better fight this time.”
Of the fan support, Bilicic grinned and said, “I definitely have a good fan base with my family up there.”
Bilicic heads into the
“As a freshman when I won 16 matches, I definitely didn’t think I’d get 100 wins in high school.”
Braden Bilicic, senior, 152-pound Geneva wrestler
weekend with a 26-4 record. Twenty-one of his wins have come by pin. But as good as the season is going, he has higher goals.
A year ago, Bilicic advanced to the Division II district tournament in Alliance and went 1-2. That was an improvement over his first two years when he went 0-2 at the district level.
In his final season of wrestling with the Eagles, he doesn’t want the train to stop anywhere short of Columbus.
“My first two years I went two-and-out,” he said. “Last year I finally won one. It felt good to get closer (to state), but this year I want to go all the way.”