Johnson joins the fun
CHAMPAIGN -- No wonder wrestling fans are so keen on the competition at 215 pounds at the Class AA wrestling state tournament.
Arguably one of the most exciting groups here this weekend with the likes of Ben Apland (Downers Grove South, 42-0) and Pat Walker (Glenbard East, 43-2) there appears to be another rising force in Mikal Johnson.
The Rolling Meadows senior finds himself in this morning's semifinal round with a guarantee of a medal already, and the chance for more.
Johnson (38-7) will face No. 2 Walker after recording a fall over Deerfield's Morgan Sanden at 4:55 in a match in which the two-year varsity starter would control from the very beginning.
"I didn't really have a very good start to my varsity career last season because I was so new to the sport that I was learning on the job," said Johnson, who clearly understands now it's not how you start, but how you finish.
"I really do not care that nobody really knows who I am," continued Johnson, "because I am starting to understand the sport a lot more right now and having some success to be proud of."
"Mikal is such a great athlete who can do a lot of special things out there, like bringing the crowd up and around and going ooh and aah when he throws someone," said Meadows coach Dave Froehlich.
Froehlich was referring to Johnson's 16-5 major decision in the first round over Dalton Greenwalt of Dixon. Johnson unloaded a trio of throws that thumped his opponent.
Prospect junior Matt Boggess may have claimed the favorite's role from No. 1 Josh Kratovil (Lincoln-Way Central) after dominating a pair of foes to earn his place in the semifinals against Glenbard North senior Geno Capezio (40-4).
Top-rated Max Nowry of Wheeling joins Boggess as the only other MSL semifinal entrant after methodically going through 2 others at 103 to raise his record to 40-0 and validate his No. 1 status.
Next up for Nowry will be Chris Williams (40-3) of Civic Memorial
Kratovil (36-0) who is looking to become just the fifth wrestler in state history to compete in a fourth straight championship bout, struggled in his opener before recording a major decision.
Kratovil takes on Ryan Lund (Grayslake Central) who proved fearless against 3 others.
Boggess ran his record to a perfect 43-0 after back-to-back major decisions.
"I am just feeling really good this weekend," said Boggess, who was the aggressor in both matches, outscoring Greg Jackson (Edwardsville) and Brian Walsh (Providence) by a combined 20-0.
"I was getting stronger as each match went on, and I accomplished what I wanted to do in each match. I cannot wait until tomorrow."
Boggess' teammate Peter Zintak (42-2) who entered the tournament as the No. 1-rated wrestler at 189 pounds, looked the part in his opening 15-3 major decision victory. But Zintak then fell to Mario Gonzalez of West Aurora 7-0 in the quarters.
Gonzalez, considered by many as the dark horse at 189 pounds, will take on Dundee-Crown senior Mike Lukowski, while Zintak begins the road back to a state medal in the backdraw against Dan Grimes of Montini.
Buffalo Grove junior Kyle Czarnecki, 39-2,160) had victory snatched away from him in the closing seconds and fell to Dan Stelter of Montini 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
Perhaps feeling the effect of an oncoming cold, Wheeling senior Joe Kent (39-4) suffered the same fate as Czarnecki as he dropped a 6-3 decision to Isaiah Gonzales also of Montini.
A single win, albeit an impressive one, was all Ross Grande (152, 42-4) could muster. But it was enough to allow the Palatine star a chance to meet and follow No. 1 Steve Zimmerman of St. Rita to stay alive in the back-draw today.
Others from the area joining Grande in the knock-out phase of the tournament included Bhavik Patel (Leyden, 103); Evan Hafner (119) and PJ Starnes (145) of Schaumburg; and Jon LaPointe (285) of Fremd.