Barrington's big three roll into quarterfinals
CHAMPAIGN - While it was a difficult first day for some in the 81st annual high school wrestling state tournament, for others the medal dream continues.
Barrington's big three - Markus Hartman, Jarrit Shinhoster and Jake Meyer - ran their combined record to a staggering 122-3 after each demolished their first-round foes at State Farm Arena.
Fremd's Cole Riemer flexed his muscle during a dazzling performance to join them in Friday's quarterfinals.
Barrington's Kai Conway (132, 37-10) also remains in the front draw. Likewise for Prospect senior Ryan Vedner (170) and Jake Wolf, whose dramatic takedown with 10 seconds left in regulation sent the St. Viator senior into the Class 2A quarterfinals.
The two most prominent names at 152 this year and last, Hartman (44-0) and Will Lewan (Montini, 40-2), remain on a collision course to the finals for the second straight time after each won easily.
A workmanline six-minute effort from Shinhoster (34-1) moved the 160-pounder into the quarterfinals against No. 3 Allan Swanson (41-4) of Oswego.
Meyer (195, 44-2) unleashed just about every weapon in his arsenal to pound Drew Gutknecht (25-7) of Minooka during a technical fall thrashing.
"I felt really good out there tonight - maybe the best I've felt in awhile," said Meyer, who next meets Demarco Lee (31-6) of Lake Park.
Riemer (145, 33-4) opened his advantage early against Josh Ramos (Providence Catholic, 40-7). And the state's 10th-rated man couldn't match the offensive onslaught from the Vikings senior in a 16-3 major decision.
"After falling short in my final with Patrick Ryan (of New Trier) last week at sectionals, I wanted to come out firing on all cylinders, and not allow (Ramos) any chance to stay in the match," said Riemer, who next meets No. 2 Kendall Coleman (37-4) of Mt. Carmel.
Wolf, in his first state tournament matchup with Gavin Smith (35-11) of Jacksonville, allowed a third-period escape. But the ESCC and regional champ pulled of a memorable winner as the clock neared zero.
"He rode me out really well in the second period, so I knew I needed to do something in neutral in order to get to the 2A quarters, and I have to say winning felt ten times better when it's in this arena," said Wolf, whose next foes is No. 1 Cody Baldridge (40-0) of Morris.
Things could not have been worse for regional champion Conant and its trio of standouts: Alex Giuliano (120, 32-5), Nicky Amato (138, 28-3) and particularly No. 3 Cormac Kane (29-3), who suffered an injured shoulder in his opener and was forced to default against Jacob Boumans (41-7) of Neuqua Valley.
Arsalan Afshar dropped a heartbreaking 8-7 match to No. 7 Dontrell Johnson (Rockford East, 41-5), but the Maine West captain set the tone for a big finish to his season by winning at conference and regional and finally excelling in the Larkin sectional.
The Warriors four-year veteran dominated in his sectional quarterfinal match, then dropped his semifinal before fending off a late attempt by 40-match winner Aaron Castellanos (Glenbard West) to earn a trip downstate.
"My mental well-being was never where it had to be in order to win important matches to be successful, now my confidence level is so much better, and it allows me to be my best against the best," says Afshar.
Afshar enjoyed a modest prep debut in 2015, winning 18 times - but it was an 18-18 sophomore campaign which ended when he failed to get out of regionals which upped the ante for the Warriors captain.
"The guys look up to him," said Maine West coach Chris Brassell. "He lives the right lifestyle, leads by example, trains relentlessly and loves to compete in all areas of life."
Afshar (35-4) is in the top 10 percent of his senior class and sports a 4.5 GPA on a 5.0 scale. He has both DePaul and Indiana in his sights, while remaining on the wait list at Pennsylvania, his No. 1 choice.
Afshar and others from the area will try to stay alive via wrestlebacks, which follow immediately after Friday's quarterfinals. Semifinal action begins for all three classes at 7 p.m.