Burlington Central sends 2 to state
A pair of Burlington Central wrestlers are headed downstate next weekend, but a third Rocket came oh so close to joining in.
Freshman Johnny Major (103 pounds) and junior Shane Burke (125) each prevailed in clutch third-place bouts at Saturday's Class 2A Fenton wrestling sectional. With the victories, the two earned berths to the individual state finals beginning next Friday in Champaign.
But 171-pounder Tim Maroder gave his all only to come up just short in a 6-5 decision with Montini's Alex Saunders in the third-place match. With the win, Saunders takes his 34-12 record downstate, while Maroder closes out the year 29-10 after the heart-breaking defeat. Saunders took a quick 4-0 lead in the first period only to find himself in a 5-5 tie early in the third following a takedown from the Burlington Central sophomore.
Saunders - one of 13 Broncos to qualify for state - used an escape for a 6-5 lead and then fought off Maroder's late attacks to hang on to the one-point margin.
"It's tough here," Burlington Central coach Tony Rigitano said of a Fenton sectional featuring strong programs like Montini and Fenton, as well as numerous top-notch individuals. "I thought our kids were prepared and our 103, who was out injured a bit, has come back strong, and Shane has earned it too. I'm proud of him. Everybody wrestled tough. We had five alive today and everyone wrestled like they wanted to place.
"I'm pleased, I just wish I could have gotten Timmy through."
For Burke, knocking off Glenbard South's Pat Williams 11-2 in the third-place bout was a great way to end the tourney. Coming in with a 31-4 record, Burke pinned Grayslake 's Dylan Hay in the quarterfinals before Broncos eventual champion Stephen Robertson pinned him in the semis.
"I felt real good and I was excited," Burke said of his do-or-die third-place match with Williams. "I just rolled with it and stayed positive. I felt confident here but I knew I'd have to meet some good kids. I knew Robertson would be tough and I wish I had done a little better, but I'm really excited about Friday. This gives me great confidence and I just want to wrestle next week."
Major entered the sectional with a 17-3 mark and promptly recorded a pin to reach the quarterfinals. But Montini's Kevon Powell outlasted the Rocket 9-4 and went on to claim the crown at 103. Major, however, regrouped with a 10-0 win in the wrestlebacks and then beat Belvidere's Greg Adkins 6-4 to claim the all-important third-place victory.