Wrestling: Some spaces have new faces

Bill Normand has had the opportunity to be head coach at his alma mater, Romeoville, in both boys and girls golf.

But after serving as a wrestling assistant to coach John Arlis for the past nine years, the 1997 graduate got the chance to take over the Spartans this year.

The new position means a great deal to Normand, who wrestled in the program along with his four brothers, and also coached his sister in girls golf.

“Any time you can get back to what got you to where you are, it’s nice,” Normand said. “To be able to give back to this program is something special.

“Coach Arlis did a lot for me to help me to be able to wrestle in college at Millikin. He’s been a good mentor to me and we’ve had a great partnership.”

Normand is one of five new coaches who have taken over a varsity program in the Joliet area this season.

Another individual who took over at his alma mater is Lockport’s Josh Oster, who replaced longtime coach Joe Williams, who isn’t coaching this year.

Oster, a 2002 graduate and former Porters assistant, is the oldest of the four brothers who have been among the program’s all-time winners.

At Minooka, longtime assistant Paige Schoolman took over for Bernie Ruettiger, who retired after last season.

The duo helped lead the Indians to three straight Class 3A state final appearances, capped by a title in 2010.

Plainfield North has one of the more interesting arrangements of any area teams this season involving new coach Clinton Polz.

Polz, son of longtime Sandburg coach Mike Polz, takes over the Tigers and is being assisted by his grandfather, John Polz.

The other first-year coach at an area school is Greg Goberville, who takes over the top spot for Peotone.

Chances better in 3A

Hopes for the area getting two teams to the state dual meet finals in Class 3A increased when squads were assigned to three regionals.

With four teams ranked among the top 10 in Class 3A, the Joliet area could send a pair of teams to state for the fourth time since 2004.

All of the 13 area schools in the state’s largest class are in the Lincoln-Way Central individual and Joliet Central dual team sectionals.

Five squads will participate in the Andrew Regional: Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way East, Lockport, Providence and Romeoville.

The four area teams that will take part in the Joliet Central Regional are Joliet Central, Joliet West, Minooka and Plainfield South.

Four other squads will compete at Neuqua Valley: Bolingbrook, Plainfield Central, Plainfield East and Plainfield North.

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