Nowry leaves no doubt
CHAMPAIGN -- With the word "brilliant" attached to his name all season, senior Max Nowry was able to add state champion to that moniker.
The Wheeling star captured the Class AA 103-pound state championship Saturday night before a huge crowd at the Assembly Hall in Champaign.
The nation's No. 1-ranked wrestler at his weight class dominated throughout the weekend, including his toughest match of the four when he defeated Providence freshman and No. 2 Ed Cooper (43-1) -- who managed to keep Nowry (42-0) from his third technical fall victory in a row.
"It was vintage Max out there tonight," said Wheeling coach Neal Weiner, who accompanied Nowry during the traditional March of Champions to open the 35th AA state tournament and then helped Nowry celebrate the Wildcats' first state wrestling championship.
"When you hear former Olympic champions asked what the highlight of their career is after winning a medal, they always seem to answer by saying winning a high school title," Weiner said. "With Max, who has won so much away from high school including two national championships, I know that getting a title here was very important to him."
"It is very rewarding to win," said Nowry, who took third last year. "It's also great to win an individual championship for the school and coach who has had so many terrific wrestlers and teams, but never a first-place finisher."
Weiner said the usually conservative Nowry really opened things up in his two matches prior to meeting Cooper, scoring at will, and showing just how dangerous he can be.
"The thing about Max is he never talked about the state tournament or winning a state title until he (kind) of mentioned it the week before we headed down here," said Wheeling assistant J.P. Akouri, a state medalist in 2005.
"Max just handles himself so well and with a lot of class, and you would never know he was the top-rated kid in the country or the state by talking with him. It's just one more thing to like about him."
On the mats, Nowry is a cold-hearted finisher who attacks with the punch of a heavyweight and the persistence of an IRS agent looking to nab a tax evader.
"We saw enough of Max and his matches where we knew that he is so strong and dynamic on top that in an instant he can turn guys and quickly you're down by 6-8 points," said Providence coach Keith Healy, who thought Cooper defended well against Nowry but was unable to manifest any type of attack.
"I remember four years ago Jamie Smith (now wrestling at Northwestern) was ridden out during the final period in the championship match to finish second," Nowry said, "so I knew when I was able to get that takedown to go up 3-0 (late in the second period), that I wouldn't let that happen to me in my final."
Nowry said perhaps his biggest challenge was waiting through several prematch announcements and introductions of honored guests, forcing him to escape back into the tunnel prior to his bout with Cooper.
"This (state) championship is a big deal for Max, our program and the entire school, and no doubt a proud day for everyone who has and is around Max," Weiner said.
Mid-Suburban League fans thought they would witness a pair of championship victories when Prospect junior Matt Boggess strode onto the big mat for his match against three-time state medalist Josh Kratovil of Lincoln-Way Central at 135 pounds.
Instead, most stood in disbelief and concern when a Kratovil takedown just six seconds into the match resulted in an injury and subsequent default by Boggess (44-1), who was taken to an area hospital after medical personnel were asked to stabilize his neck and head area.
"Instead of coming here thinking he could reach the finals, as he did last year, Matt arrived downstate this season knowing he belonged (there) and wanting nothing else but a first-place medal," said Prospect coach Gary McMorrow, who said that his co-captain was alert and not in much pain before heading off to meet Boggess and his family at the hospital.
Rolling Meadows senior Mikal Johnson (39-8) ended on a high note, dropping No. 5 Paul Rands of Cary-Grove to win the third-place match 10-4 at 215 pounds.
"What Mikal has accomplished and done this weekend is truly amazing when you consider that his weight class is filled with guys who have 300-plus matches under the belt and so much more experience, yet with his 70-75 matches, he earned a third-place state medal," said Mustangs coach Dave Froehlich.
In one of most highly anticipated matches of the tournament, No. 1-ranked Chris Spangler of Neuqua Valley met No. 2 Jordan Blanton of Riverside-Brookfield in the 171 semifinals.
The big Assembly Hall crowd rained down roars from the rafters as Blanton took down Spangler to go up 8-7 en route to a 10-8 win. Blanton, a senior, won his third state championship.