Panthers' Soko fulfills dream, qualifies for state
Glenbard North's Charleston Soko hit the heights of happiness on Saturday afternoon.
"I'm the first one in my family to get downstate. I just want to call my mom right now," Soko said, after winning his semifinal match at 171 pounds to punch his ticket to next week's Class 3A finals in Champaign.
A total of 33 wrestlers from DuPage County advanced through Leyden's sectional. Glenbard North led all teams with five state qualifiers.
One of Saturday's biggest stories came courtesy of Naperville Central heavyweight Joe Widman. Widman entered the sectional with a record of 17-20, but his pin in the consolation semifinals earned him a downstate berth.
"Joe's catching fire here at the end. He's wrestling aggressive, and a lot of it has to do with his conditioning," said Redhawks coach Rob Porter.
"I give any success I have to coach Porter," Widman said. "He's a great coach."
The Redhawks' Andy Kovalsky (135 pounds) and Adam Gebner (152) also advanced, while Glenbard North's Bryan Gonzalez (103), Joe Gosinski (119), Tony Ramos (125) and Jimmy Chase (130) joined Soko on the awards stand.
Returning state champs Ramos and Chase both won sectional titles, with Chase posting a quick pin over Batavia's Charlie Ryan to cap his day.
Chase wrestled as high as 140 pounds this year, but he feels best at 130.
"I just feel stronger than anyone I wrestle at 130," Chase said. "And it's special because it's only the second sectional title I've won."
The area's other sectional champions included Wheaton Warrenville South's Spartacus Chino, who topped a pair of highly touted 135-pounders in Maine South's Joe Brewster and Lane Tech's Max Schneider en route to a title.
Chino pinned Schneider in a title match that saw a few wild moments.
"(Schneider) is a scrambler, like me," Chino said. "People told me not to scramble with him, but that's what I'm good at."
The Tigers' Tim Savenok (145) and Mike Olp (189) also advanced. Lake Park's Mike DeSario was dominant throughout the two-day sectional, staying unbeaten and winning a title with a pin of Downers Grove North's Jimmy Nehls.
Lancers heavyweight Devon Smith also advanced, while the Trojans' Joe Foreman pinned his way to a sectional title at 152 pounds.
"I've just laid it all on the line this year," Foreman said. "I let it all go."
Willowbrook's Steve Congenie had an overtime takedown on the title mat at 140 to become a sectional champion in his freshman season.
"Coming into this season, I hoped this was possible," Congenie said. "I just had to out-technique guys, because I was giving up strength."
Hinsdales South and Central each had a pair of sectional champs. The Hornets' Jake Schramm (103) and Ryan Garringer (189) won titles, as did the Red Devils' Jack Allen (215) and Pat Clegg (285).
The Hornets' Jon Nelson (215), and the Red Devils' Tim Knowles (140) and Tom Jung (145) also advanced.
York saw a pair of wrestlers get through, in Pat Hamill (145) and Dale Lewis (160), while Naperville North's Frank McKeown (103) and Adam Hankin (140) also advanced.
Other area wrestlers to advance were: Glenbard West's Sam Littlehale (112) and Ethan Knowlton (130); Downers Grove South's Trevor Wenmouth (152); Glenbard East's Parker Settecase (215); and Addison Trail's Arber Bebo (171).