LaManna the man for Schaumburg
CHAMPAIGN — Joe LaManna is hitting his peak at a crucial stage of the postseason.
The Schaumburg senior roared past a pair of opponents on Friday at the University of Illinois’ Assembly Hall and is now just one victory away from booking his place in the final at 189 pounds at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament.
LaManna (41-1) pinned his way into today’s semifinals and will meet the No. 1 rated Brad Johnson (38-3) of Lockport at 9:30 a.m. today. He will be joined by teammate Josh Marchok (36-0), who continues to mash the field at 215 pounds.
“Yeah, you could say that I am in the shadow of Josh — in fact everyone is because he’s the best at what he does in his weight class,” began LaManna, who last year lost his opener here to eventual state champ Lee Munster from Grant.
“Josh and I have been wrestling each other since middle school, and he’s a great teammate and partner for me in the room, and I hope that I am the same for him — and right now, I cannot wait for tomorrow to come.”
“Joe is just Joe,” said Marchok with a wry smile. “His style is so unique, and right now he is wrestling his match the way he wants, and he looks like he can do whatever he wants.”
LaManna recorded pins over Brendan Brooks (Granite City) and Mid-Suburban League rival Ryan Wilt (31-14) of Barrington — who won his opener in his first-ever state bout.
Marchok had a pair of falls to increase his season total to 32 and will move ahead one more square to meet Shaquille McMurtry (Lockport, 17-4) when today’s second act kicks off this morning.
The top-rated junior will be joined by fellow No. 1s — Luke Smith of Wheeling at 140 and Jeff Koepke of Hersey at 160. They took one more step toward tonight’s Grand March.
“I was a little nervous at the start, which probably led to my slow start in my first-round match, but some nervous energy really is the best thing (beforehand) — because after that first period, I really felt like I dominated by two opponents,” offfered Smith, who did just that against Jim Spangler (Joilet West) and Tim Corse (St. Rita) by a 13-1 major decision.
Smith will continue his quest for a championship ring when he meets Dan Argueta (Sandburg, 41-7) in the semis.
Koepke (46-2) put in another workmanlike effort during his 2 victories. Now he meets Kalvin Hill (Minooka, 24-1) in one of the best semifinals of the day, which features the top-rated Koepke, and the junior Hill, a three-time state qualifier, and the No. 5 rated player at this weight.
“I’ve been cutting a little weight, so I felt a little sluggish in my first match, but against (Angelo Rivera, DeLaSalle) I thought I did a good job to break him down, and in the end, he appeared to be really tired,” said Koepke.
Koepke’s teammate, Stephfon Scales (43-4), was sent into wrestle-backs after dropping a 5-3 overtime decision to Mech Spraggins (Belleville West, 35-4) in the final moments of the first extra period.
Three-time state qualifier and sectional champion, Mike Smith (35-8) saw his superb four-year career end in an instant when the Wheeling senior fell 9-5 to Tim Noverini (St. Charles North, 34-6) in his opener. Then he had to watch with disappointment as Noverini lost his next bout to Nick Fishback of Sandburg
Hersey’s Hunter Rollins (41-6) was stunned in the first round at 152 by East Suburban Catholic Conference champ Nate Jackson (Marian Catholic) who pinned the sophomore sensation. Schaumburg senior Pat Felde suffered the same fate at 171, only in the quarterfinals to Dustin Ventimiglia (44-2), the impressive senior from downstate Belleville West.
Barrington senior Aaron Castagna (40-4) clinched a top-six finish at 285 after a pair of falls sent the Broncos captain into the semifinals, where he will face No. 1 Jack Allen (44-0) of Hinsdale Central.
“Aaron has just been on an amazing run, starting with his championship at the MSL tourney, and right on through to last weekend when he won a sectional title at our place,” said Barrington head coach Al Strobl.
On the rest of the state scene, St. Rita senior Jahwon Akui (26-0) won be defending his 2010 state title this weekend after the reigning 171-pound champ was suspended by school officials. It ended what many had thought would hopefully be one of the best finals between Akui and Willowbrook junior Steve Congenie, who won it all at 152 last season.
The action will begin today at 8:30 a.m. with quarterfinal wrestlebacks, which will be followed immediately by the semifinals. Third- and fifth-place matches are scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start inside Assembly Hall, with the prestigious Grand March set for 6:15 p.m.