Marmion sets new standard
CHAMPAIGN — Three years ago, Marmion had never even had a state qualifier in its history.
How times have changed.
Saturday night on the second day of the Class 2A individual state wrestling tournament at the University of Illinois’ Assembly Hall, Marmion stunned the tremendous crowd with championships in five of the first seven weight classes in the middle-tier division.
Marmion, fellow Suburban Christian power Montini and Crystal Lake South dominated the tournament with 12 combined champions.
“That’s not too bad,” said Marmion coach Dean Branstetter after Bryce Brill walked off with the last of the Cadets’ top awards. “It was just one of those nights. We controlled the matches as well as I have seen them individually. I don’t think we were ever behind, except when Ben (Whitford) gave up that early takedown, which he got right back with a reversal, near fall.”
Johnny Jimenez set the tone with a 3-0 victory at 103 pounds over Richmond-Burton sophomore Cameron Kennedy.
Jimenez ended a scoreless match with a third-period escape and takedown.
“I had a really good match in my semifinal match,” said Jimenez. “We have all worked so hard this season.”
Jered Cortez came right behind and made it two in a row at 112 pounds by avenging a sectional final defeat to Montini junior Kevon Powell.
“Being around greatness will make you great,” said Cortez, a freshman. “I had to close the gap (on Powell) and score.”
George Fisher followed suit.
The St. Charles native turned back Sandwich junior Alphonso Vruno, a defending state champion, 5-2 at 119 pounds.
“I could actually see myself winning (state before the season began),” said Fisher. “The key was just to keep going. Whoever wanted it more was going to win it.”
Whitford put together yet another clinic to become the first athlete in school history to win consecutive state titles.
The sophomore was unstoppable in a dominant performance for the title at 130 pounds.
“I’m happy for the guys,” said Whitford. “It’s a good feeling to get to the halfway point (a four-time state champion).”
Brill then became another freshman state champion with a 14-5 major-decision win over Yorkville senior Connor Bass.
In the large-school division, West Aurora senior Nicholas Drendel had his dream of a state championship denied by Providence junior Eddie Klimara in a 7-2 semifinal loss at 125 pounds.
It was the first defeat for Drendel, who was the reigning state runner-up last year at 112 pounds last year.
The Blackhawks’ leader came back strong win two wins to close out his career with a 42-1 record.
Drendel defeated Rockton Hononegah senior Colin Dodd 3-0 to win third place.
“I knew I was going to have to ride him hard on top,” said Drendel. “(The victory over DeKalb sophomore Doug Johnson) was a nice bounce-back victory after my first loss.”
St. Charles East freshman Isaiah Vela also finished third, turning back Joliet Central’s Carlos Garcia in the finals.
Batavia 152-pound senior Augie Watson was sixth at 152 pounds.
Jimmy Boyle became the first Kaneland athlete to win a medal in Class 2A with his fourth-place verdict at heavyweight. He denied Marmion sophomore Alex Fritz to get to the finals.