DuPage County's Gosinski, Congenie: Just perfect

CHAMPAIGN - Joey Gosinski and Steve Congenie were up to the task.

The two were seeking perfect seasons, and they were rewarded in a big way Saturday night at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament at the University of Illinois' Assembly Hall.

Gosinski iced his first state championship with a third-period takedown at the buzzer from a 5-2 victory over Lockport junior Jameson Oster.

The Glenbard North junior became the 16th state champion in the Panthers' storied history; Gosinski finished the year at 48-0.

"I knew he was going to try a throw," Gosinski said of the waning seconds. "That (the takedown at the horn) was great. I didn't let him do his stuff."

Congenie, a 152-pound sophomore from Willowbrook, became the third wrestler to complete an unblemished season when he used an early reversal and takedown as the foundation of his 4-2 triumph over Barrington senior Luke Miller.

"I went out there and I was myself," Congenie said after putting the finishing touches on his 48-0 season. "I was riding him out very well. I knew if I could get ahead that I might be able to break his spirits."

Unfortunately for the remainder of the large-school contenders, top-notch competition prevented a greater state-champion output.

In the 171-pound championship finals, Neuqua Valley senior Andy Spangler met St. Rita junior Jahwon Akui.

Replicating many of the low-scoring matches that are commonplace in the finals, Akui had a third-period escape and clung on for a 3-2 victory.

A similar fate befell Hinsdale Central teammates Joe Strocchia and Jack Allen.

Strocchia, a 160-pound senior, was victimized 5-3 by Oak Park sophomore Sam Brooks, one of three champions from the defending Class 3A team state champions.

Jack Allen, the Devils' imposing heavyweight, had his chance for a state championship evaporate as Evanston senior Jeffrey Brown had a takedown at the buzzer for a 3-1 victory.

There were three local athletes who captured the top consolation prize with their third-place finishes: Downers Grove North 125-pounder Jimmy Nehls, Glenbard North 130-pounder Brian Murphy and Neuqua Valley 160-pounder Nick Proctor.

Montini, the defending team state champion in the middle tier of the three-class tournament, had four champions and a pair of runners-up.

Steve Robertson was crowned a champion for the second straight year; the junior had few problems in claiming the 135-pound division with his 13-6 victory over Crystal Lake Central senior Taylor Servant.

"It's kind of hard to describe," Robertson said of his back-to-back state titles. "I was seeded first and wanted to win. It feels good. I wrestled like I have been all year."

It was a much better conclusion to the individual state series for Colton Rasche.

The Montini senior was determined to climb a step higher on the podium after finishing runner-up last year.

Rasche did just that at 130 pounds to eke out a 3-2 triumph over Bethalto Civic junior Chris Williams.

"It's what I have been looking forward to my whole life," Rasche said. "I knew what I had to do."

Sophomore Kevon Powell started the Montini night off with near perfection: following a scoreless first-period championship match at 103 pounds, the sophomore dominated the second to secure a fall in three minutes, 31 seconds.

Brandon McBride, a transfer from Idaho, claimed the Broncos' fourth championship at 152 pounds with yet another hard-fought 3-1 decision.

Three area athletes had their shot a state championship derailed by competitors who added titles to their achievements from last year.

Lemont senior Matt Leibforth concluded a 41-0 season by turning back Montini sophomore Eric Powell.

Montini had a run of five consecutive finalists, but Crystal Lake Central Joey Kiebasa also captured a second title with his 8-4 win over Frank Baer at 145 pounds.

Austin Teitsma and Angel Cabral were the last competitors when their heavyweight battle went into overtime.

Cabral defended his 285-pound title, denying Teitsma an unblemished season in the process when he escaped in triple overtime.

Teitsma, a Glenbard South senior, ended the year 28-1.