Domination for Montini's heavyweight
Montini's heavyweight used three pins to reach the title mat in Champaign's Assembly Hall and improved to 52-1 with a 5-0 decision over St. Rita's Kevin Galeher for his second straight state title.
"To come through like he has with expectations as high as they were -- he's done a great job this year," said Montini coach Mike Bukovsky.
In all Goebel has left 42 of his opponents this year with the worst possible view of a gymnasium ceiling.
"Last year was my first year at heavyweight," said Goebel, who will play football next fall at Ohio State. "This year I came out of football feeling really confident and strong. I wanted to pin guys as fast as I can, and basically that was my mentality the whole year."
Goebel was joined by four other area wrestlers to bring home a state title Saturday: Downers Grove South's Ben Apland (215 pounds); and Glenbard North's Tony Ramos (125), Jimmy Chase (130) and Vince Ramos (145).
Junior Tony and senior Vince Ramos became the sixth pair of brothers in Class AA history to win individual titles in the same year.
"I'm speechless," Vince Ramos said. "I can't even describe it. The whole experience -- I'm speechless."
The elder Ramos placed fifth once and third twice the last three years before closing the deal with a 3-1 title decision win over Montini's Isaiah Gonzalez.
Tony Ramos won his second consecutive title and improved to 39-1 with a decision win over Grant's Izzy Montemayor, and Chase topped Montini freshman Jake Gregerson by decision in their title match.
Chase also experienced the blaring music and spotlights of the Grand March into Assembly Hall for his first time.
"Once they turn the lights out, it's adrenaline. It's exciting," Chase said. "It feels great to win it."
Apland topped Glenbard East senior Pat Walker by 2-1 decision to cap a 44-0 year, becoming the first Downers Grove South wrestler to win a state title since Kip Hennelly.
"I worked hard all season to get here and win it," Apland said. "It feels great to accomplish that goal."
"He's a great kid, and he has worked his butt off," said Mustangs coach Rick LeBlanc.
Twenty years from now, Driscoll sophomore Tom Randich can tell his kids that he made wrestling history, becoming the first wrestler in his third-year Class A program's history to win downstate hardware. He placed fourth at 189 pounds.
"It's a little overwhelming," Randich said. "My goal was just to qualify this year, so to place feels great."
A total of 10 DuPage Class AA wrestlers reached the title mat in Champaign, with Montini's Carl Foreside (171) and the Panthers' Danny Monaco (140) also earning second-place medals.
Foreside gave unbeaten and top-ranked Jordan Blanton of Richmond-Burton all he could handle in an 8-6 decision loss, and Monaco did the same in an 8-7 loss to Rock Island's Reese Taylor.
Five Class AA wrestlers placed third: Wheaton North's Nate Fitzenreider (119) and Eric Terrazas (140); and Neuqua Valley's Nick Proctor (145), Jimmy Duffy (152) and Chris Spangler (171).
The Panthers' Geno Capezio (135) and Montini's Dan Stelter (160) placed fourth, while the Panthers' Joe Gosinski (103) and Montini's Dan Grimes (189) finished sixth in their divisions.