Bartlett's Annoreno in contention for title
CHAMPAIGN — Bartlett wrestling coach Karl Bratland has been saying for the past three weeks that Sal Annoreno had finally come around to believing he could win a state title.
Friday night the Hawks' senior took his biggest step yet to realizing it when he stormed into the 132-pound finals of the Class 3A tournament at Assembly Hall after a 10-0 thumping of yet another state-ranked opponent, this time Robbie Mikenis of Lincoln-Way Central, sent him into the final, the first for Bartlett since 2004.
“Sometimes I think I've been dreaming during these past three weeks,” said Annoreno, who usually stoic after a victory, cracked a wry smile after Bratland and his assistant gave him a big bear hug at matside just moments after his commanding performance.
“As I have from our conference tournament on I've tried to take the early lead, build on it, then just go to work, making sure not to allow any of my opponents to even think they're in the match,” offered Annoreno, who hounded and hammered Mikenis from all quarters, before a big 5-point swing, fueled by a takedown, then near-fall blew open a close 3-0 match halfway through the second period.
“I am very fortunate to have coach (Bratland) in my corner, and on my side. He has changed the way of thinking for Bartlett wrestling, and he's been a big part of my success this season.”
The Hawks' captain will face Cullen Cummings (20-2) of Downers Grove North, who first shocked No. 1 Mike Mizaur (Mt. Carmel) in the quarters, then Johnny Gosinski of Glenbard North 4-3 to book his place across from Annoreno tonight at 7 p.m.
A one-point escape held up in a 1-0 loss by Cary-Grove freshman Mike Cullen (42-3) in his semifinal with upstart Kris Williams (20-2) from Thornton to begin the semifinal round.
“He was long and stronger than I thought, and I just couldn't get anything going against for 6 minutes,” said a heartbroken Cullen, who falls into the consolation bracket as he makes his bid to garner a state medal in his first visit here.
“I was hoping this would be maybe the first of many state titles, but I'll have to regroup, go for a third-place medal, and come back next season in peak form.”
It was a tough round of semifinals for several from the Fox Valley. Crystal Lake South's Tom Gerszewski, Nick Gil and Mike Romanelli fell into the consolation bracket, where they have been joined by Josh Symbal (182, Huntley) and the Burlington Central pair of Omar Awad and Johnny Major.
Symbal (39-2) was bounced from the championship bracket when Jordan Ellingwood (Plainfield Central) ended his hopes for a title run with a fall, but he wasted little time getting started on a top 6 finish with a victory in wrestle-backs over Luke Roth of Naperville Central.
Gerszewski (42-1) survived a pressure-packed OT win in the quarters, but had no answer for No. 2 Max Schneider (39-0) of Lane Tech in the semifinals.
Gil and Romanelli are still in it despite quarterfinals losses — Gil (42-7) to Oake Park-River Forest freshman Larry Early, who was awarded a questionable point at the buzzer in a 6-5 victory.
Award (37-4) fell short in his bid to join Annoreno in the Grand March, losing in the semifinals 10-5 to Nathan Jackson (Marian Catholic, 38-1).
Major (30-6) is on course to collect a medal late tonight after his Friday afternoon wrestle-back victory, which sent the Rockets' senior into the next round against Xavier Montalvo of Montini.
Elgin senior Jorge Zavala saw his marvelous career end for the Maroons when he lost his wrestle-back opener to Bill Gore of Sandburg.