A win for Drew

Bailey wins conference at 220 pounds to highlight Merrillville’s team title

Merrillville senior Drew Bailey almost quit.

But moments like the one at Saturday’s Duneland Athletic Conference meet in Michigan City reminded the 220-pound wrestler he made the right decision.

“I had to learn how to deal with adversity,” Bailey said. “I thought about quitting and never wrestling again, but it was worth it to come back.”

It took four seasons for Bailey to crack Merrillville’s varsity lineup for the DAC meet. He responded by winning the title at 220, the Pirates’ only champion.

As a junior, Bailey was frustrated about not being a regular on the varsity.

He nearly walked away from the sport.

Since deciding to remain with the team, though, Bailey has flourished. He has a 29-1 record this season, and is ranked No. 13 at 220 by IndianaMat.

The gains have been immeasurable.

“It’s more than just a sport,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot more from wrestling that has helped me get through other things.”

Although Bailey was Merrillville’s only champion, the Pirates still took the team title with 210 points. They finished just ahead of Crown Point (202) and Portage (190.5).

Bailey’s long journey to the top was similar to Merrillville’s struggle to win this meet, as Pirates coach David Maldonado explained.

“We’ve had quite a few (second-place finishes),” Maldonado said. “It’s always been us behind Crown Point or us behind Portage. We just had a better overall team this season.”

Crown Point’s runner-up finish was sparked by a trio who drill together at every practice.

Sophomore Stephen Roberson won at 106, junior Riley Bettich placed first at 120, and freshman Jesse Mendez is now 27-0 after a perfect day at 126.

Roberson said that practice group stretches back to their days in grade school in club, adding the intensity of those practices is vital to their success at meets.

“We know each other so well that it imitates a live match like the one that just happened out there,” Roberson said.

“My technique is improving a lot because I have great matches in the room with my teammates.”

LaPorte had just one champion at the meet in junior Tyson Nisley, who’s now 29-4 after winning the title at 138.

That first-place finish served as validation that Nisley’s extra dedication in the offseason wasn’t a waste.

“I had a lot of close matches last season against really good guys,” Nisley said.

“I felt like I was right under all those people, and if I put in the work, I’d be better than them.

“That’s what it comes down to: if I’m working harder than them, there’s no reason I should be losing.”

Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.