Marmion’s Whitford aims for state title No. 2
Ben Whitford is three matches away from halfway achieving his primary goal.
The Marmion sophomore, one year removed from his unblemished run to the 119-pound Class 2A state wrestling championship, has one central focus for his prep career.
“His goal is to be a four-time state champion, and here is his chance for No. 2,” said Marmion coach Dean Branstetter. “I would expect him to be ready to go.”
Whitford and nine of his teammates will be gunning for hardware this weekend in Champaign as the University of Illinois’ Assembly Hall is the site for the three-class individual state wrestling tournament.
Marmion had its dreams of a team state championship derailed by Montini — by a single point — at the Yorkville regional, but its double-digit representation at the state meet is one greater than all the area programs combined.
“I’m trying to keep everything in perspective,” Branstetter said. “I’m not putting 2A down, but I don’t think we would get 10 kids down in 3A.”
But the Cadets have a distinct advantage this weekend in the sense that their almost-exclusive competition against Class 3A competition could pay huge dividends.
In addition to Whitford (38-1) at 130 pounds, Marmion had three other Lincoln-Way West sectional champions in Jonny Jimenez (38-4 at 103 pounds), Bryce Brill (36-3 at 135) and Angelo Silvestre (37-7 at 140).
The other Marmion wrestlers to make the state cut were Jered Cortez (14-5 at 112 pounds), George Fisher (34-8 at 119), Eddie Greco (34-11 at 125), Eddie Breen (26-10 at 152), Jon Wolfgram (26-13 at 171) and heavyweight Alex Fritz (29-14).
Branstetter was particularly pleased with the progression of Wolfgram, one of only two senior starters for the Cadets.
“Here’s a kid who had a losing record last year, and now he’s at the state meet,” Branstetter said.
Kaneland had much grander designs for the Class 2A state tournament when it qualified 10 athletes out of the Sycamore regional.
But heavyweight Jimmy Boyle was the sole Kaneland wrestler to make the state grade; the senior (36-6) will be making his second straight state trip.
In the large-school division, there will much focus on the 125-pound division.
West Aurora senior Nicholas Drendel is one of four undefeated competitors vying for the crown.
The lone area Downers Grove North sectional champion has fellow state finalists Danny Sabatello (Stevenson) and Eddie Klimara (Providence Catholic) in the hunt; St. Patrick sophomore Steve Galiardo is 43-0 on the season.
Drendel (38-0) dropped the 112-pound decision to current Nebraska freshman Nick Rubino (St. Charles East) last year; Sabatello (38-0) dispatched Klimara (37-0) for the 119-pound crown last season.
“That’s going to be exciting to watch from a fan’s standpoint,” St. Charles East coach Steve Smerz said of the loaded weight class.
“I like Drendel,” said St. Charles North coach Ken Moromi.
“We all have the same chance,” said Drendel.
West Aurora has three other state qualifiers in Brandon Walz (34-8 at 103 pounds), Miguel Venecia (29-6 at 130) and Greg Jacquez (37-5 at 140).
The Blackhawks also have a chance to earn their first downstate bid as a team with a victory over Neuqua Valley at the Hinsdale South dual sectional Tuesday.
St. Charles East qualifiers Isaiah Vela and Nick Ruffino are headed to state after sectional final losses at 119 and 130 pounds, respectively.
“We’re like brothers,” said Ruffino (39-4), who will face Mundelein junior Matt Ornoff in the first round.
Vela (32-6) is pitted against Elk Grove junior Alex Mertes in his opening match.
Tim Noverini is the first two-time state qualifier in St. Charles North program history.
“Our goal is to get on the podium somewhere,” Moromi said of his prized junior 145-pounder (33-5), who faces off with Wheeling senior Mike Smith in the first round.
Augie Watson is the final area entrant; the Batavia senior 152-pounder (36-4) earned his berth with a runner-up performance at Downers North.
“We like our chances,” Batavia coach Ben Morris said. “I don’t think there is anybody in his weight class who is unbeatable.”
The two-time qualifier drew Fenwick junior Grahman Joss for his opening match.