Marmion claims pair of state titles
CHAMPAIGN — Marmion's Johnny Jimenez snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, taking down Rock Island junior Barlow McGhee with one second remaining to break a 2-2 deadlock in the Class 2A 113-pound wrestling state championship Saturday night at the University of Illinois' Assembly Hall.
The Marmion sophomore became the second two-time state champion in program history, duplicating the twin Ben Whitford accomplishments as an underclassman.
In the final half-minute of the match, McGhee, who entered with a 40-1 record, had Jimenez in a vulnerable position.
But in a dramatic change of events, with McGhee attempting a single-leg takedown, Jimenez reversed his fortune by taking the Rocks' junior to his stomach.
“I knew I worked way too hard for him to take me down,” Jimenez said. “I knew, no matter what, (to) keep wrestling. Defending my state championship was my main goal this season.”
“I was trying to get a takedown,” McGhee said of his intent to trip Jimenez while he held his left foot off the ground. “I knew if I could get the takedown that I would win.”
Instead it was Jimenez, who vanquished all state foes in ending a truncated year with a 23-1 record.
“The thing about Johnny is he doesn't panic,” Marmion coach Dean Branstetter said.
The athletes' styles could not have contrasted in a greater fashion.
“We don't want to wrestle that match again,” Branstetter said.
The Jimenez win only served to frame what has been a familiar theme the last three years for the Cadets' ascendant program: Marmion once again produced multiple champions.
One year after leading all programs, regardless of class, with five state champions, Marmion crowned a second champion when Angelo Silvestro exorcised two heart-wrenching tournaments in as many years.
Pitted against Crystal Lake Central senior Clayton Lutzlow for the middle-tier championship at 138 pounds, Silvestro penned a majestic third period.
Knotted 2-2 entering the final two minutes, Lutlow intentionally allowed Silvestro to escape in hopes of securing a takedown.
But it was the Cornell-bound Silvestro who went to the offensive, taking down the perennial standout twice in authoring a 7-3 victory.
Silvestro (38-4) avenged a loss to Lutzow — his last of the season — at the famed Dvorak tournament over winter break.
“I didn't want that feeling again,” Silvestro said.
“I guess if you're going to place once (in your career), make it the big one,” Branstetter said.
George Fisher, though, failed in his bid to repeat for the Cadets.
The St. Charles native had his quest fall short with a 6-3 loss to suburban St. Louis Bethalto Civic Memorial senior David Pearce at 126 pounds.
“He came prepared, and I didn't,” Fisher said of Pearce scoring the first 6 points on a takedown, reversal and 2-point near fall. “I just couldn't get my shots going.”
But Fisher said the Jimenez and Silvestro triumphs softened the blow.
“It's bittersweet,” he said.
Anthony Bosco won the major-consolation prize with his third-place win at 106 pounds for the Cadets.
West Aurora 138-pounder Greg Jacquez closed out his career with the same result to become the highest finisher among the eight local Class 3A state qualifiers.
Tim Noverini also had his prep career at St. Charles North; the only multiple state qualifier in program history was fifth at 152 pounds.