Late Geneva run fatal to Kaneland
The one-time double-digit lead Kaneland enjoyed over Geneva had become tenuous when senior 152-pound stalwarts Kyle Davidson and Nick Bradberry collided Saturday afternoon in Maple Park.
Bradberry had a tall order in Davidson, one of two returning Class 2A state qualifiers for the host Knights at their annual quadrangular.
But the Geneva senior had a takedown and 3-point near-fall sequence in the first period and hung on for a 5-3 victory to give the Vikings the lead for good.
Geneva seniors Derek Larsen (160 pounds), Eric Timko (171) and sophomore Alex Kunkel (189) then recorded falls to extend the Vikings' unanswered run to 36 points.
By sweeping the final seven matches against its former Western Sun Conference rival, Geneva improved to 14-3 on the wrestling season with its 46-27 victory over Kaneland.
The Vikings began their morning with a 46-21 loss to Rock Island and turned back Dixon 51-30 in their second dual meet.
Kaneland had the same team results against Rock Island and Dixon to fall to 3-9 on the year.
“Once Bradberry beat Davidson, who is a really tough kid, it set the tone for the rest of us,” said Larsen, who was unbeaten on the day. “We came through with some big pins.”
“I got the 3 points (the near-fall) and I knew I had to keep working my moves,” said Bradberry. “(Davidson) got that (third-period) reversal on me, and I knew I had to hold him off (from there).”
Kaneland raced out to a 27-10 lead on the Vikings after Dan Goress' forfeit victory at 130 pounds.
Earlier, Ben Kovalich had a fall at 215 pounds for the Knights, who also received a 1-0 victory by undefeated heavyweight Jimmy Boyle (11-0) and a first-period pin by sophomore Esai Ponce (5-0 at 119).
Geneva, however, made rapid inroads with a forfeit win at 135 pounds and Brian Favis' first-period fall at 140.
“I don't know if they still have that football fever or what,” said Kaneland coach Monte Jahns. “We just haven't hit our stride yet. I think I have been too nice to them. That's about to change. We have given up way too many pins.”
Boyle, Davidson and Nick Michaels were cornerstones of the Knights' semifinalist football program.
“It was kind of hard getting everybody back,” Boyle said. “We have to stay off our backs to win key matches.”
Goress, the Knights' talented sophomore is a legitimate state medalist, is 17-2 on the year with his three wins.
Ponce is returning to form after failing to make weight early in the season.
“I'm getting more confident with how I've been wrestling,” said Ponce. “It's a real confidence boost to keep on winning.”
In the Knights' 58-15 win over Dixon, Connor Williams (103 pounds), Ponce, Goress, Davidson, Cory Taber (160) and Michaels (171) all had pins.