Huntley takes down Dundee-Crown
To say Huntley 160-pound sophomore David Ferrante has a bright future is certainly an understatement.
Ferrante, fourth in Class 3A at 152 last season, disposed of Dundee-Crown's Nick Diaz in 20 seconds and was a main cog in the Red Raiders' 52-30 victory over the host Chargers in Fox Valley Conference wrestling action in Carpentersville Thursday night.
"My main goal is to win state at 160," said Ferrante. "My experience last season at the state meet has really helped motivate me for this season. I always look for a quick pin. Tonight, I got the head pull and cradle right away and got the quick pin. I like the way I have started this season against some very good wrestlers. I still have a lot to work on but it is early in the season."
Huntley coach RJ Bertelsman is impressed with Ferrante's talent and maturity for such a young wrestler.
"David is a very talented and hard working kid," said the Huntley coach. "He is a veteran as a sophomore and has very high expectations. He is an awesome wrestler and has a very bright future."
Ferrante was one of seven Huntley (6-0, 1-0) wrestlers to register pins.
Picking up pins for the Red Raiders were Grant Hockmouth (106, 3:08), Jim Pellegrino (113, 31 seconds); Andrew Lira (120, 1:13); Zach Spencer (132, 1:11); Joe Kofka (195, 38 seconds) and Matt Burba (220, 50 seconds).
Luke Loprieno at 145 won by decision over D-C's Jesus Medellin 11-3 and Joe Pawlak (170) won by forfeit.
"We are saving matches for kids and experimenting with lineups," said Bertelsman. "Our job every year is to win conference."
All five of D-C's wins were by pins. Gabriel Scales (126, 3:12), Colin Mays (138, 3:19), Callan Schmeiser (152, 4:35), Wyatt Griggel (182, 2:57) and Isiah Ziegler (285, 50 seconds) all posted pins for the Chargers (2-4, 0-1)
After Ziegler's pin, Huntley held a narrow 4-point 34-30 lead after 11 matches.
The Red Raiders closed out the match with pins by Hockmouth, Pellegrino and Lira.
"I liked the way we competed and the way we are improving every match," said Dundee-Crown coach Tim Hayes. "We wrestled very well tonight against a very good Huntley team. All the kids who got pins Gabriel, Colin, Callan, Wyatt and Isiah wrestled very well. Even the kids who lost really competed and gave a great effort against some good wrestlers from Huntley."