Glenbard North’s Gosinski back to state

Glenbard North senior Joey Gosinski is in familiar territory for this time of year: heading back to Champaign.

The defending Class 3A champion at 125 pounds advanced to his fourth straight state tournament with another convincing performance at the Downers Grove North sectional on Saturday afternoon.

In becoming one of seven qualifiers for the Panthers, Gosinski captured the title at 135 pounds by fall over St. Charles East junior Nick Ruffino.

“I went back to work and continue to work,” Gosinski said in response to having his 73-match winning streak snapped by Marmion sophomore Ben Whitford earlier this season. “That match (against Whitford) taught me a lot, what I need to improve on.”

Glenbard North also received championship efforts from Brayan Gonzalez at 119 pounds and Bryan Murphy at 145 pounds.

“We had a great round of wrestling (Friday) night,” said Glenbard North coach Mark Hahn. “I thought the kids came here and wrestled very hard here.”

Wheaton Warrenville South also enjoyed a banner weekend. Mark Savenok and Sparty Chino had back-to-back championships for the Tigers at 152 and 160 pounds.

“I definitely say that I will be ready for next week,” Chino said. “Today, honestly, I didn’t think I wrestled very well. It’s good to get the close matches, though.”

WW South had three other state qualifiers.

“That’s a new school record,” WW South coach Ryan Ferguson said of his quintet.

Steve Congenie is also hoping to follow the route of Gosinski. The heart and soul of the Willowbrook program, who also had an undefeated run to the state title at 152 pounds last year, was the class of the field at 171 pounds. Congenie had a fall early in the third period to deny Schaumburg senior Pat Felde for the title at 171 pounds.

“When you’re lighter things come at you much faster,” Congenie said of moving up two weight classes this season. “It hasn’t been that big of an adjustment.”

West Chicago freshman Terry Svestka was the surprise of the tournament after he captured the 103-pound crown.

“I am very excited,” Svestka said. “I’m the first freshman state qualifier in 20 years at West Chicago.”

Jack Allen, two-time defending state runner-up for Hinsdale Central, continued his season-long unbeaten streak at heavyweight with a two falls and a technical fall. Naperville Central, Naperville North and Neuqua Valley all had three state qualifiers.

Sebastian Pique of Hinsdale South defeated Glenbard East sophomore Angelo San Juan for the second time this season in the final at 112 pounds. San Juan defeated Pique for his only loss in their first match of the year at WW South.

“He’s awesome on his feet,” San Juan said.

West Aurora senior Nicholas Drendel was one of three athletes to remain undefeated on the season after his cat-like move in the finals at 125 pounds produced a stunningly fast fall.

“I just did a move I do all the time,” Drendel said. “He came out at me strong. My goal is to go out and win every match. Rankings don’t mean anything.”

Drendel enters his third straight state tournament at 38-0. “(Drendel) is wrestling great,” said West Aurora coach Mike DiNovo. “He’s one of the smartest wrestlers I have seen in terms of positioning and technique.”

West Aurora was the area leader on the day. With nine athletes making the sectional cut, Drendel will be joined in Champaign by three teammates. Brandon Walz had a stunning pin over Batavia sophomore Joey Shump to advance via fourth place, and Greg Jacquez and Miguel Venecia will make a second appearance. St. Charles East has two state qualifiers in the persons of Isaiah Vela and Nick Ruffino.

The two both suffered championship losses via pin.

“I think I wrestled this tournament better than any tournament I have this year,” Ruffino said. “Beating Venecia gave me a great shot of confidence.”

The 130-pounder has able company in Vela, who nearly pinned Brayan Gonzalez in the second period of their championship match at 119 pounds.

“I thought I had him, but he got me,” Vela said of the striking turn of events that resulted in Gonzalez negotiating a third-period fall.

Tim Noverini became the first athlete in St. Charles North history to become a two-time state qualifier.

“I was happy about it about an hour ago, but not so much now,” Noverini said of a disappointing third-place loss at 145 pounds. “Next year I’m definitely going for first place.”

None of the three Geneva sectional qualifiers advanced to the state tournament.