Northwestern wrestling coach Tim Cysewski remembers tracking Jason Erwinski’s high school career from a distance, though he didn’t recruit him because of the team’s depth in the middle weight classes.
But Erwinski’s senior season at Mount Carmel High School changed everything.
Erwinski compiled a 40-0 record, was ranked No. 8 nationally at 149 pounds and captured the state title. In the process, his team finished second at the Illinois state championships. Erwinski soon after became a recruiting priority for Cysewski and NU.
Cysewski quickly got in touch with Bill Weick, Erwinski’s high school coach at Mount Carmel, a wrestling powerhouse. Then Cysewski contacted Erwinski.
“I didn’t really expect (the call) at all,” said Erwinski, who hadn’t given NU much consideration. “I talked to Tim, liked the school and it seemed like a great fit.”
And after a rough two seasons, Erwinski is finally settling in during his junior year. This season he has posted a 7-2 overall record. His performance at last weekend’s Lone Star Duals kept NU competitive — he recorded three wins and two pins at the Texas event.
The reason for his success? Hard work — something Cysewski noticed early on.
“You don’t become a state champ if it is your hobby — you have to work at it,” Cysewski said. “He’s a throwback guy and has a tremendous amount of discipline.”
While Erwinski’s drive propelled him into the starting lineup as a freshman, winning matches didn’t come as naturally. The Cats asked Erwinski to drop down to 149 pounds — one of the toughest weight classes because it consists mostly of strong, athletic upperclassmen.
He finished the season with a 6-17 record which was a tough pill to swallow. Erwinski lost to two top-five wrestlers by a single point, which made the experience only more frustrating. Erwinski described the season as hell.
Through it all, Erwinski and Cysewski said they both felt the season’s lumps would pay long-term dividends.
“He was a true freshman competing as a freshman, and in the Big Ten that is rare,” Cysewski said. “Jason became better because of that. You can gain something from both losses and wins. The key to success in wrestling is experience.”
Erwinski entered the offseason intending to improve his strength and technique. Instead, he found himself in an unusual and uncomfortable position last season: on the sidelines.
Erwinski developed a staff infection in his elbow that caused him immense pain. Bending his elbow was simply unbearable.
“Like any athlete it drives you nuts not to be able to go out and compete,” Cysewski said. “It just drives you crazy.”
Said Erwinski: “It was torture. I was still practicing and everything, so it wasn’t a complete waste of time.”
He redshirted the year and eagerly awaited his opportunity to get back on the mat.
Erwinski rejoined a Cats lineup that had other more experienced and accomplished players. But injuries have taken the team by storm and shifted the leadership responsibility to Erwinski’s shoulders. In addition, he has bulked up and moved up to the 157-pound weight class.
In his first two seasons, Erwinski remembers closely observing former All-American teammates Sam Neider and Scott Schatzman. What Erwinski learned apparently soaked in, because teammate Josh Saul recalls seeing Erwinski routinely defeat Big Ten champion Mark Bybee in practice.
“He sat out his sophomore year, but it’s not like he didn’t do anything,” said Saul, a heavyweight. “No, I wasn’t really surprised.”
NU begins a two-game home stretch against Eastern Illinois (1-2) Friday night. Then Erwinski and the Cats (2-5) face their stiffest test of the season Sunday: The Cats take on defending national champion Iowa (7-1), ranked third in the nation. And Erwinski will meet his former high school teammate — two-time Big Ten champion and current No. 1 T.J. Williams.
It’s a tough matchup, but Cysewski hasn’t been disappointed with Erwinski’s efforts so far. In fact, the coach said Erwinski has come back bigger, stronger and smarter.
“He’s not doing something that I didn’t think he could do,” Cysewski said. “I expect him to do well in the Big Ten and get to the NCAA championships.”
