COLLEGE WRESTLING

GRIFFITH | Some kids raised without a father turn and head the wrong direction.

Angel Escobedo had plenty of reasons to do so, but he also had a loving mother and dedicated uncles who looked out for his every step.

That's why he repaid them last week when he won an NCAA wrestling national title. He did it again Saturday night at Bridges Scoreboard Lounge -- a short walk from where he was raised in Griffith -- to give back to his family, friends, even strangers who wanted a handshake or even just a glimpse of the 125-pound national champion out of Indiana University.

"He knows where he came from," said his uncle David Escobedo, whom Angel calls his father figure to this day. "When he won the title the (Times) picture had him pointing to the family. He's always been so humble. We always told him, 'The way you get better is somebody showing you or teaching you the right way.' That's why he's giving back."

Escobedo, a Griffith native and four-time high school state champion, had his national title trophy in hand while posing for pictures, signing autographs or sharing handshakes and hugs with the crowd.

"The support my family and this community has shown me, I had to do this," said Angel, who was 34-1 this past season and has 73 wins in two seasons for the Hoosiers.

Escobedo is Northwest Indiana's first wrestling national champion in 69 years.

He joins fellow IU alums Chris Traicoff, a Calumet grad, who won in 1939 and Lowell's Ed Belshaw, who won for the Hoosiers in 1932. East Chicago Roosevelt's John Ginay, who wrestled for Illinois, won a national title in 1938.

"He's a great kid and a quality kid," Griffith coach Travis Walls said. "I don't think you get much better than Angel."

Escobedo's family, including mom Antonia, was in attendance Saturday. Most of the family made the trek to St. Louis last weekend to see Angel win the national championship. Escobedo reinjured his left shoulder during the tournament (he wrestled with a harness) and said he was seeing a doctor this week.

He doesn't want to have surgery -- he would be laid up for six months -- and said right now he's leaning on sticking it out and eyeing the Olympics. If he does so, he'd redshirt and head to Colorado Springs to train. Escobedo said he's going to see what the doctor says and he's also going to talk with IU coach Duane Goldman this week.

"My goal has always been multiple NCAA titles and an Olympic gold," Escobedo said.

While Escobedo had most of his family at Bridges -- and in St. Louis -- he also said it was tough winning the ultimate college prize without his grandmother, Apalonia, there to see it. She passed away a year ago this month.

"I shed a few tears last weekend," Escobedo said. "I usually don't get too emotional after my matches, but I know she was looking down on me and looking out for me."