Hafner wants another shot at the big time

Max Nowry, Matt Boggess, Mikal Johnson, Peter Zintak, Matt Smith, Evan Hafner.

Evan Hafner?

Yes, the 119-pounder from Schaumburg does belong with the aforementioned elite who have all been regular visitors inside Assembly Hall and, in the case of Nowry, Boggess and Johnson, would be front and center for the Mid-Suburban League as each brought home state medals last February.

While the Saxons' senior was unable to match his conference compatriots' success in Champaign, it was his superb three-week postseason run, including a sensational effort at the star-studded Naperville North sectional which would propel Hafner to his first appearance downstate.

"I guessed I surprised a lot of (guys) in those last three weeks of the season," Hafner would say during a break from training recently.

Of all things, it was a mashing at the hands of eventual state champion Tony Ramos of Glenbard North in Hafner's first bout of last season at the Feutz Classic which would actually inspire the three-year varsity veteran and give him hope for better things to come.

"I was up against a great wrestler in (Ramos) and at a weight (125) I wouldn't be at forever, yet I was still able to go 3 periods with him before he put me away with a technical fall," Hafner said. "Right then and there I knew if I worked hard and improved with each week, I could accomplish a lot before the season was over."

Hafner, who would share a spot in the starting line-up during his rookie season with since graduated PJ Starnes (2008 state qualifier now wrestling at Harper), nearly reached 20 victories in his sophomore season at 119 to help set the table for bigger and better things ahead.

"To have guys like PJ and Sergio Gomez (2008 sectional qualifier now at DePaul) really helped me grow as a wrestler because we each pushed the other guy, especially Sergio," offered Hafner. Hafner, resurgent under second-year head coach Matt Gruszka, finished runner-up to Niles West senior David Robertson at the Krupke Invite and at the Bison Invite, where Hafner would suffer the first of 3 losses to state third-place finisher Nathan Fitzenreider of Wheaton North.

"I got closer to him with each match, which helped build my confidence," said Hafner, who in the sectional final fought Fitzenreider hard in a 5-1 defeat.

"That's the biggest difference in Evan from about mid-season last year all the way through the rest of the season and right now," said Gruszka of Hafner's confidence and attitude he portrays on the mat.

"Evan had a chance to train during the summer at the Pinnacle (club) and was able to wrestle guys like (Glenbard North state champion) Jimmy Chase and find out what it takes to compete at a higher level.

"He really took advantage of the opportunity to be (there) and it has really paid dividends."

Hafner says Gruszka alone has been a difference-maker for the Saxons and in the room as well.

"Coach works us so hard and has improved the attitude of every person in the room with plenty of drills, technique and insisting that our work ethic is at a high level," Hafner said.

Hafner, who will be attending the University of Iowa next fall with the hope of one day being involved in the cinema, perhaps as a director, began his climb to the top after a nondescript third-place finish at the MSL tournament.Then he turned up his engine at the Lake Park regional where he would seperate himself from all others but Fitzenreider, who prevailed 8-1 in the final.

Once inside the Naperville North gym one week later, Hafner booked his place in the final and automatic advancement into the state tournament with strong efforts over Nick Santos (Naperville Central), Jermaine Lee (Dundee-Crown) and Ray Varela (Glenbard North) 7-3 in the semifinals.

In Champaign, Hafner would be victorious in his first match (3-2) against Joeie Ruettinger (Minooka) before falling 4-0 to fourth-place medalist Ryan Jauch of Crystal Lake Central.

Sent into the backdraw, Hafner would be eliminated by three-time state qualifier Adam Sheley (5-1) of Geneseo to end his season at 31-10.

"I felt (so) slow on my feet in that first match, but kind of found myself after that first take-down," Hafner said. "Nerves kind of took over during that first day, but having another year under my belt and the experience of being down on the floor will help me go a lot further this season."

Gruszka feels the sky is the limit for his top wrestler.

"Evan has that college wrestling style," Gruszka said. "He is so hard to get out of position, and wrestles so (tight) that he makes it nearly impossible for an opponent to take him down.

"His off-season work and training will put him in a spot to succeed this winter."