CL South’s Fontanetta in semis
CHAMPAIGN — With its who’s who bracket filled with one high profile star after another Cary-Grove sophomore Trent Atkins came this close to joining this special group Friday afternoon at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament at Assembly Hall.
Atkins (28-9) took down one of the 4 undefeated players, Steve Galliardo of St. Patrick with a brilliantly played bout in his opening match at 125 pounds and one round later nearly added another illustrious scalp to his collection only to have Dylon Viglasky (43-3) edge the talented young Trojan 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
Late Friday night, Atkins’ memorable state run would come to an end when Doug Johnson of DeKalb recorded a 5-2 victory in wrestlebacks.
“I guess I was never intimidated by anyone in this weight class, even though there was a lot talent up and down the bracket,” said Atkins, who went up on the Galliardo, the ESCC champ, 4-3 in the second period, only to allow the sophomore to draw even at 5-5 at the close of the second period.
After a scoreless OT period, Atkins would take control when he reversed Galliardo near the end of the second extra session, then held off his opponent 8-6 to book his place opposite the aforementioned Viglasky, who arrived here in Champaign with 112 career victories.
The Belleville West junior would score the only point he would need with a second period escape, then would ride Atkins out for the rest of the way, and all of the third period to seal the deal, and advance into the semifinals, where he will face No. 1 Danny Sabatello (40-0) of Stevenson.
“I am at my best when I am on top and riding, but (Atkins) was really strong, and I had to win that match the hard way,” said Viglasky afterward.
Crystal Lake South junior Nick Fontanetta (41-0) is the lone wrestler from the Fox Valley area still alive in the championship bracket, and comes into today’s action needing just one victory to reach the finals at 112 pounds, following a strong performance over a stubborn Johnny Gosinski (44-3, Glenbard North) 7-4 in the quarterfinals.
The Panthers’ sophomore would break out on top with an early takedown, but Fontanetta would answer just after the start of the second-period with a 5-point surge off a takedown, then 3-point near-fall, to take a 5-2 lead into the final period.
“Nick had a good shot in on him but he missed and Gosinski got the quick lead, but really began to wear him down, and he’s such a good rider on top, and that was the match,” offered Gators head coach Ross Ryan, who will lead Fontanetta against his semifinal opponent, Travon Zabala (39-4) of Joilet Central this morning at 9:30 a.m.
Gators’ senior Kean Loupee (38-6) is just one of two others from the area still alive in the tournament, after the 2010 state qualifier pinned Chase Wilson of Lane Tech in his opening match of the consolation bracket Friday night.
Loupee will hope the third time is a charm in his wrestleback opener today as he meets former No. 2 seed Josh Anthony (Harlem, 33-4), who was thrashed by Malik Thurman (Proviso West, 32-4) in the quarters, and rudely sent into the consolation bracket.
Last weekend at the Barrington sectional, Loupee lost to Anthony for the second time this season.
Teammate Tom Gerszewski (140, 38-8) dropped a heartbreaking 6-5 decision in his first state tournament appearance to Leo Ruettinger, but when the Minooka junior lost his second-round bout, Gerszewski’s time here ended.
The same bad news befell Cary-Grove senior Corey Meyer (29-9) when his first round opponent Jimmy Nehls (Downers Grove North, 41-5) was bounced by Sean Raddatz (3-1) of Marist, while Huntley junior Josh Symbal (34-11) and South Elgin’s Cody Pych (38-4) were both one and done during their initial visit to Champaign.
Pych was in an OT match with Angelo Rivera (DeLaSalle, 38-5) when he was caught and pinned at 6:24.
“It was a bad case of timing for Cory, who tried to force something that wasn’t there, and Rivera took advantage,” said Storm head coach Mark Cameron.
Burlington Central junior Johnny Major (35-10) is still in search of a Class 2A medal at 135 pounds after going 1-1 on his day, which included an opening round victory (6-3) over Tyler Booth (33-11) from Lakes High School in Lake Villa.
“It felt real good to get my first victory down here,” said Major, who was winless here in his rookie season under coach Tony Rigitano, two years ago.
“Johnny has worked real hard to get back to the state tournament, and I’m very happy to see him get that first-round win as well,” said the Rockets’ Rigitano.
Major would later get thumped by No. 1 Chris Williams (Civic Memorial, 43-1) who appears on the fast track to his first state title, after earning a trio of medals in his 3 previous tournament appearances.
Major’s fate now lies in the back-draw, which begins today at 12:30 p.m.
St. Edward junior heavyweight Evan Finnane was defeated by the massive Alex Wilson (Alleman, 32-10) 15-6, during his first state match in his career, and following Wilson’s loss to No. 1 Tanner Crum (Mt. Carmel) in the quarterfinals, Finnane’s season would end at 22-13.