Another step for Kratz
Senior 220-pounder follows stepbrothers’ lead in powering Lockport past Lincoln-Way West
Lockport senior Jon Kratz had never wrestled until he was pulled into the sport by his stepbrothers Alex, David and Robert Vukobratovich.
Now, all four are competing together for the Porters, and Kratz has developed into one of the top wrestlers on one of the top teams in the state.
“They got me into the sport,” Kratz said. “They were wrestling since they were babies pretty much, and I didn’t start until eighth grade. It wasn’t until we moved in together and they got me into it, and that’s when I started.
“It’s really fun that we’re all wrestling here together now.”
Kratz, Alex Vukobratovich and Robert Vukobratovich each had wins Thursday night as host Lockport rolled to a 53-9 win over Lincoln-Way West in a SouthWest Suburban Conference crossover.
“It was exciting,” Kratz said. “Our parents were here to watch us, too, so it was really fun.”
Kratz improved to 5-0 on the season for the Porters (5-0) with a 10-4 win over Lincoln-Way West’s Evan Dluzak (1-2) at 220 pounds.
“Jon looks awesome this year,” Lockport coach Josh Oster said. “He struggled a lot on the bottom last year. The rest of the things were there for him most of the time.
“He worked a lot on that, and no one’s ridden him this year. He’s been wrestling great and he’s scored a ton of points for us.”
Kratz went 11-5 moving in and out of the varsity lineup last season for a team that reached the Class 3A state quarterfinals.
“Last year, I think I would have had as good of a season as I’m having now except that in the offseason before last year I did nothing,” Kratz said. “This offseason, after COVID pushed back our season, I took the chance to join a club, the Illinois CornStars.
“I went to Myrtle Beach and Wisconsin and competed with them. I’ve been training and working out a lot to get ready for this.”
Alex Vukobratovich pinned Lincoln-Way West’s Sam Yelnick at 120, while Robert Yukobratovich won by forfeit at 113 to complete a big night for the family.
Senior Nate Ramsey, meanwhile, joined Kratz at 5-0 with an 18-6 major decision over Mike Yario at 160.
“The season getting canceled was kind of a reality check,” Ramsey said of the postponed winter session. “I love wrestling, but sometimes the sport takes a toll on you. With the season not happening, I missed it and I wanted to do more. I did a lot of lifting and I joined a travel team. I took advantage of that time.
“I’m glad to be out here for the team aspect. I try to be a leader for the younger guys and keep everyone motivated.”
Aidan Nolting (195), Jad Alwawi (126), Troy Mutz (138) and Paul Kadlec (170) all had wins by pin for the Porters.
Logan Kaminski picked up a major decision at 132, while Mario Herrera won at heavyweight and Shane McEntee won at 145 for Lockport.
Lincoln-Way West’s Javen Estrada beat Keegan Roberson 5-0 in the night’s premier matchup featuring a battle between returning state qualifiers.
Matt Soltis (106) and Justin Cronk (182) were the other winners for the Warriors.
“Lockport has a great team,” Lincoln-Way West coach Brian Glynn said. “This will be, by far, the best team we see all year. We tell the kids you just have to be better than your last match.
“I know the score didn’t look like it, but a lot of our kids did a lot better than their last match.”