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Weekend rewind: DeKalb’s Matthew Frykman surging into postseason, even up a weight class

DeKalb’s Matthew Frykman controls Sycamore’s Chase Cook during their 106 pound match Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Sycamore High School.

Even jumping up a weight class couldn’t slow down DeKalb wrestler Matthew Frykman.

The Barbs’ sophomore had won seven of his last 10 matches and was 23-11 at 106 pounds this year. But on Friday at the DuPage Valley Conference Tournament, he moved up to 113.

He picked up a pair of victories to take the conference crown and helped the Barbs take third. He’ll take his 23-11 record into the Class 3A DeKalb Regional on Saturday.

DeKalb coach Sam Hiatt said Frykman will be sticking at 113 in the postseason.

“Matthew has been really coming strong for us at the end of the season,” Hiatt said. “He’s put in a lot of hard work and has really stepped up for the team. It was great to see him win his first conference title.”

The top three finishers in each weight class advance to the Barrington Sectional on Feb. 13. The top team will advance to the Grant Dual Team Sectional on Feb. 5.

Indian Creek, Hinckley-Big Rock set for quick rematch

Indian Creek girls basketball lost to Serena on Friday in the Little Ten Conference Tournament championship game 43-22. But the No. 3 Timberwolves earned their spot the day before with a convincing win over No. 2 Hinckley-Big Rock.

Indian Creek beat the Royals 53-33. It didn’t help H-BR that leading scorer Anna Herrmann rolled her ankle and missed most of the game, scoring just two points. Mia Cotton (18 points), Payton Murphy (13) and Herrmann were the only Royals to score.

Now the teams are set to play one week after that meeting. Herrmann played Friday in the Royals’ 46-43 loss to Somonauk in the third-place game, finishing with 19 points and nine rebounds.

Sycamore boys, girls score big conference wins before rivalry showdown

The Sycamore boys and girls basketball teams hosted Rochelle on Friday, and each team completed the season sweep of the Hubs.

The girls held on for a 64-61 win thanks in part to two late free throws from Cortni Kruizenga, who finished with 10 points and four rebounds. Sadie Lang finished with 17 points, four steals, four assists and three rebounds. Quinn Carrier chipped in 12 points and six assists.

The boys played in another shootout, with Sycamore again winning 94-82 after an 84-78 victory in December in Rochelle. On Friday, Marcus Johnson scored 33 points to lead the Spartans. Isaiah Feuerbach added 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Neither team plays until they face DeKalb in a doubleheader Friday at the NIU Convocation Center. The Barbs swept the doubleheader last year.

Other top performances

Ema Durst, Frankie McMurtry and Winter Beard won titles for Sycamore at the Interstate 8 Conference Tournament on Saturday at Ottawa, taking fourth as a team. Angelina Gochis, Chloe Cervantes and Sadie Kinsella won titles for Kaneland, which took third as a team.

The Sycamore dance team finished third at the Class 2A Geneva Sectional with a score of 90.57 to reach the state tournament in Bloomington next week.

It wasn’t just Frykman who came up big for the Barbs at the DVC wrestling meet Friday. Julian Hartwig won his first conference title, and Cam Matthews won his third.

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Eddie Carifio

Eddie Carifio

Daily Chronicle sports editor since 2014. NIU beat writer. DeKalb, Sycamore, Kaneland, Genoa-Kingston, Indian Creek, Hiawatha and Hinckley-Big Rock coverage as well.