Dr. Diondre: Rich Township’s Diondre Henry wins by pin in just 39 seconds at Raptor invite but wants more: ‘I’m going to do it.’

As a football player, Rich Township’s Diondre Henry has always been undersized, relying on his speed to succeed at receiver and defensive back.

So, when he was approached about joining a sport that would test his strength, Henry was skeptical. Now, in his second year as a wrestler, the junior is sure glad he gave it a shot.

“I started doing it last year just to keep in shape for football,” Henry said. “But now wrestling is like my main sport. I like wrestling more than football.

“I love putting in the work and just getting better and seeing the results.”

Henry produced one of the best results of his young wrestling career Saturday, winning the 106-pound title at the Raptor Invitational in his home gym.

He pinned Romeoville’s Savion Essiet in just 39 seconds in the championship match.

“My coaches told me to go out there and execute and get it over with, so that’s what I did,” Henry said. “It feels really good to be able to do it at home.”

Rich Township coach Alex Pell, who is also an assistant football coach for the Raptors, persuaded Henry to try wrestling.

“I love that kid to death,” Pell said. “You walk the halls and you see a guy that’s a little bit undersized who was in football.

“I told him, ‘You’re perfect for our sport. You need to come out. Be great at football, but you’re going to find out that you can also be a great wrestler.’”

Pell has seen Henry (11-3) make major strides.

“He’s one of those guys that has a lot of grit and is willing to fight through stuff,” Pell said. “He’s always trying to learn and get better, and I’m seeing that progression day in and day out.

“There are definitely things he still needs to work on and clean up as a young athlete who’s new in our sport, but the transformation he’s made since the start of last season has been phenomenal.”

Henry’s brother, Davion, is a sophomore who is also wrestling for the Raptors. At Saturday’s invite, both competed in the same bracket at 106.

“After football season last year, we both decided to do it together,” Davion said. “We try to push each other.”

Senior Nasir Bailey, who won Rich Township’s first state championship in any sport last season, has put the Raptors’ wrestling program on the map.

Diondre Henry is determined to be the next Raptor to make some noise.

“Nassir teaches us a lot,” Diondre said. “He shows us moves. We learn from him. He makes us want to work hard to get where he’s at.

“My goal is to qualify for state. I have to keep working hard and believing I can do it. I’m going to do it.”

Redemption seeker: Hillcrest senior Latrelle Hall made it to state last season. But after losing his first-round match in Class 2A, he missed weight on the second day of competition and was disqualified from the wrestlebacks.

Hall (7-2), who finished second at 152 at the Raptor Invite, is using that heartbreaking end to push him this season.

“This year, I’m just really determined to get down there and place at state,” Hall said. “This is my year. I know it. I’m going to be top three.

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work, drive, consistency. A lot of things. But I’m going to get there.”

Whitlatch winners: Defending Class 2A state champion Joliet Catholic topped a 25-team field Saturday to win Hinsdale Central’s Whitlatch Invitational behind champions Gylon Sims (120), Mason Alessio (160) and Dillan Johnson (285).

Sandburg also had a strong fourth-place showing behind champions Rocco Hayes (106), Madden Parker (113) and Ryan Hinger (132).

Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.