Heartache for Conant's Alexander
CHAMPAIGN - Having gone into his state semifinal wrestling match on a record 41-match unbeaten streak, Conant senior Bobby Alexander started as the favorite - not only advance into the 138-pound final Saturday night, but to eventually secure a state championship for himself and coach Chad Hay.
But sophomore Anthony Cheloni, the No. 4 seed, had ideas of his own. And when their six-minute bout was whistled over, it was Cheloni earning a spot in the Grand March at 5:30 p.m. Saturday to honor those who will compete for a state crown.
Cheloni (34-11) delivered a 3-0 victory, sending the top-ranked Alexander to his first loss of the season.
Hay struggled to find the right words following the stunning loss to his four-year standout.
"I just don't know what to say," said Hay a lengthy consolation session with Alexander, who was left to regroup before an attempt at what would be a third state medal."We knew going in that Anthony was a very good opponent, but we felt if we could get an early lead, that he wouldn't be able to stay with Bobby, or in this instance, when he took the 'down' position in that second period - his real strength - it would be only a matter of time before he turned (Cheloni) and he'd be on his way to the finals."
The Conant corner felt Alexander had earned 2 points on a tilt in that fateful period, but the only opinion that counts is the referee, and the chief didn't see it that way. So when Cheloni recorded an escape, then a 2-pointer in the waning moments, it was over for Alexander.
"Bobby is exceptional on the bottom, but we've felt all along that Anthony is pretty good as well," said Marmion coach Ryan Cumbee. "So we didn't see it to be an disadvantage when he went down in that period, and to be honest, we've been telling him for awhile that just because he's a sophomore doesn't mean he has to wait his turn to be a state champ. Maybe it happens for him tomorrow night."
The chances at a state championship are over for Mid-Suburban League competitors, but there are plenty of contestants still in the running for a state medal.
Hazen Rice (Schaumburg, 40-5) also got close to reaching the final, but the Saxons junior fell just short after a 6-1 defeat to Michael McGee (38-2) of Plainfield East.
The win by McGee will give his program its first-ever state medal.
"That takedown in the second period after my escape made a big difference in our match - things could have maybe been different if I had not allowed it," said Rice, who will meet the winner of the Kirk Johansen (Glenbard North, 42-2)/Marcus Povlik (Plainfield North, 38-5) in a wrestleback match.
The Prospect trio of Alex Preissing (120, 41-8), Matt Wroblewski (170, 37-5) and James Ford (220, 38-6) look to give the Knights three medals on Saturday, while Dan Andress (160, 40-5) and Michael Meier (220, 35-11) of Conant, and Julius Smith (170, 37-7) and John Depersia (195, 36-15) of Barrington are also in the medal hunt.
After a tough loss in the quarterfinals to Tyler Harrington of Stevenson, Maine West senior Joey Vogeney (46-2) roared back for a hard-fought 3-1 victory in wrestlebacks. He's now 1 victory away from his first state medal, which would be the Warriors' first since 2004, when Tim Paulsen won the heavyweight title.
Hersey senior Tyler Cooke (39-10) has managed to stay within striking distance of a medal, and should he win his 40th today, he will do just that in the heavyweight division.
St. Viator sophomore James Valentino is still alive and well and hopes to come up big in the Class 2A heavyweight wrestleback competition. He lost his quarterfinal to Nick Czar of Highland 7-0, then came back and won his wrestleback opener to improve to 31-11.
Wrestleback action will resume Saturday morning, with two more additional rounds slated to round out the contestants for the third- and fifth-place matches, which will begin at 1 p.m.
The always entertaining festivities surrounding the Grand March will start at 5:30, with the championship bouts scheduled shortly thereafter.