Newcomers, veterans have fun on state mats
CHAMPAIGN - Willowbrook freshman Steve Congenie clearly dedicated himself to having fun this weekend on the mats inside the University of Illinois' Assembly Hall.
Congenie (41-3) posted a pair of decisions Friday at 140 pounds to guarantee himself a medal, and he intends to continue wrestling free and loose today.
"I'm just going out there calm," Congenie said. "I've got nothing to lose, and for these seniors it's their last year so they feel more pressure."
Wheaton Warrenville South sophomore Spartacus Chino rolled through the quarterfinals at 135 on Friday, capped by a 7-0 decision over Mike Grice of Shepard to become the first Tiger to ensure a medal since Joe McHale placed sixth in 2005.
"I could have opened up more against (Grice), but I rode him out for a period and I'm real happy with how I'm wrestling right now," Chino said.
Neuqua Valley's Adam Stine (36-6) also reached the semifinals at 135, and he takes on Lane Tech freshman Max Schneider (40-3) in today's semifinal round.
At 125 pounds Tony Ramos (46-2) is two steps away from history. The Glenbard North senior, a four-time state finalist and two-time state champion, is two wins away from becoming the Panthers' first three-time state champion.
He won't have it easy, with Oak Park's Chris Dardanes (33-5) waiting in a semifinal match and possibly fellow defending champion Jon Morrison (42-1) on the title mat. Ramos has beaten both in head-to-head competition this year.
Neuqua Valley's Nick Proctor is in the Final Four after posting an 11-6 quarterfinal decision, one year after placing third at 145 pounds. Proctor (39-3) takes on top-ranked Jahwon Akui in his semifinal.
Proctor's game plan is uncluttered going in against Akui.
"I'm not anticipating anything from (Akui)," Proctor said. "I'll just go out and wrestle."
In Class 2A Montini sends nine wrestlers to the semifinal round. Broncos senior Isaiah Gonzalez improved to 44-6 with his quarterfinal win at 160. Gonzalez is chasing his first state title after placing second on a Champaign title mat last year.
Gonzalez didn't take the mat for his first match until almost 9 p.m., but he managed an 11-5 decision over Rochelle's CJ Navarro.
"I give credit to him, but I definitely felt sluggish out there," Gonzalez said. "I need to stay focused for two more matches, and I'll get it done."
Top-seeded Josh Castellano of Fenton dominated his quarterfinal foe, winning by technical fall at 145 pounds.
"I was ready to wrestle, and I'm feeling good," Castellano said.
Glenbard South heavyweight Austin Teitsma stayed unbeaten at 36-0 and reached the semifinals with a pin of Springfield's David Casper. In Class 1A Driscoll's Jake Randich advanced to the quarterfinals at 189 pounds.
Other 3A semifinalists from DuPage include Downers Grove North's Joe Foreman, Downers South's Trevor Wenmouth, Hinsdale South's Ryan Garringer, and Hinsdale Central's Jack Allen.