Tucker tops Antioch's Schoenfelder in 152-pound finale
CHAMPAIGN - In the matchup of the top-ranked Class 2A wrestlers in the state, something had to give.
The showdown came at 152 pounds in the state tournament final at the State Farm Center, where No. 1 Jake Tucker of state power Mount Carmel met the wrestler ranked No. 2 by IllinoisMatmen.com, Patrick Schoenfelder of Antioch.
With a display of first-period efficiency and power, Tucker took the lead and never looked back on his way to a 5-2 decision to win a state title before a big crowd Saturday night.
"Obviously, it wasn't the result I was looking for, and maybe in a few days I'll realize this tournament and season was something to be happy about," said Schoenfelder. "But right now, I'm disappointed in how things ended here for me."
Schoenfelder (47-3), fourth here a year ago, became a feared opponent this season, one who produced a potent attack all season long. That includes each of the attacking performances over three days that helped him advance into the final.
"I had the better of Patrick the first time we met," said Tucker (42-3) who's on his way to Michigan State next fall. "But he was an entirely different opponent this time around, and one that came out guns a-blazing to remind me I would be in for a tough match tonight."
Tucker, who missed all of last season after ACL surgery, defended a quality shot from Schoenfelder, who got in on his left leg. But when Schoenfelder failed to finish, the senior took the lead for good with 30 seconds left in the first period and rode it out until the whistle.
It was more of the same in the second period, with Schoenfelder getting in deep - but Tucker made it 5-0 moments later, applying even more pressure on the Antioch junior.
"Tucker is big and strong and defended well on both of those shots, but you have to finish on the those chances against a opponent like him," said Schoenfelder, who grabbed two third-period stalling points from Tucker. "I came a long way in one year, but a match like this is a reminder of how much more you have to work in order to be atop the podium - and that's the plan for me."
Antioch coach Wilbur Borrero brought four competitors to Champaign, and all left with medals.
George Bessette (195, 33-7) and Nathan Dlugopolski (126, 31-12) each captured their second medal here. Bessette got a second fourth-place finish, while the Dlugopolski, a senior, earned his second consecutive sixth-place finish.
"Obviously the goal was to get in a position to be in the final, but things didn't work out that way this year," said Bessette, who missed most of last season after labrum surgery yet still qualified for the state tournament after returning just before the start of the state series.
Two-time North Suburban Conference champion Jake Gross (41-13) joined his Antioch teammates in celebration with a sixth-place medal at 113 pounds.
"I remembered all season long how I lost my opener here last season in ten seconds to a pin to (Frances) Edelon, so I wanted things to be different this time around," said the Sequoits junior, who lost his semifinal bout to eventual state champion Dack Punke of Washington.
Dylan Geick's (42-5) first season with Stevenson after coming over from Vernon Hills was memorable yet ended on a sour note on the scoreboard. Despite a fourth-place finish overall at 152 pounds, Geick remains thankful he's part of coach Shane Cook's program.
"Shane is a great coach and he runs an unbelievable program, and it's a great feeling to be part of a wrestling program that cares so much about all of the guys in the room, plus the commitment to excellence and improvement with all of us," said Geick after dropping a fiecely contested 3-1 decision to Nick Foster (Belleville West, 44-3).
Foster proved to be a season-long nemesis for Geick, who at one time was ranked No. 2, just behind Foster.
"I came in here to a terrible draw, but this entire bracket was loaded," Geick said. "When you lose your opener, you know your dream of competing for a state title is gone, so you have to turn your attention and focus on finishing as high as you can.
"I was wrestling for myself, but my teammates and program as well, who were all here. And the feeling of having them cheering for my entire match is just amazing."
Geick's tourney-opening loss to Foster eventually led the two back together for a third and final time.
"It's 352 days until the state tournament, and Dylan will be back and better than ever for another run at a state title," said Cook.
Carmel senior Mike Tortorice (39-5) figured he would line up against Austin Macias (Burlington Central) in the 2A final at 120 pounds. Instead, the two met in the consolation semifinals, where Macias edged the Corsairs' top man 8-7.
Tortorice later nabbed a fourth-place finish.
Teammate Riley Palm (106, 32-6) completed a fantastic freshman year when he collected a sixth-place medal for Carmel on Saturday afternoon.
"My goal since I was a little kid was to come down here and win a medal, and I was able to get that started my freshman year," said Palm, who becomes the first in program history to do so as a freshman.
Joe Arroyo (33-10) got better and better as each weekend went by during the postseason, and Grayslake North's 113-pound junior became the second in program history to earn a state medal, his coming at sixth place.
Grayslake Central freshman Alex Cramer (34-11) just missed on a medal at 138 pounds.
Mundelein's Alex Riportella (33-10) showed his mettle and tremendous heart despite competing with an injured labrum and damaged right thumb as he navitaged his way through a high profile 120-pound group at 3A to earn a sixth-place finish.
"I was on my way here last year until I couldn't go anymore with a severe injury to my shoulder, and this year, my other labrum might need surgery," Riportella said. "But I did all I could to hang in there in order to get a medal, and it doesn't matter what it was - I was able to get one in my last year here at Mundelein."
Another senior, Christian Kanzler of Grant, finished a stellar final season and superb career for the Bulldogs by bringing home a sixth-place finish at 126 pounds.
The three-time state qualifier began the day well, winning his wrestle-back quarterfinal to guarantee his first medal. But consecutive losses saw coach Lenny Grodoski's top man fall to Barrrington's Markus Hartman, whom he had beaten in the recent regional and sectional finals.
"Christian's goal coming here this week was to compete for a state title. and although he fell short of that goal, he's still a winner in my eyes, and for the program for which he has stood tall since coming into the Grant program - as a terrific team leader and person, who everyone associated with the program looked up to," Grodoski said.
Kanzler finished with a sparkling 39-5 record this season, giving him 109 in his three varsity. Also on his resume are three NSC and regional titles, plus a pair of sectional championships.
"Should Christian go on and wrestle in college, as I believe he will, he will be a terrific addition to whatever program he lands at," Grodowski said. "But we're sure going to miss him around our room next season."
The evening finals saw several highlights, among them the crowning of a trio of three-time 3A champions - Rudy Yates (Sandburg), Austin O'Connor (St. Rita) and Ohio State-bound Isaiah White from Oak Park-River Forest, who flashed the form of the nation's top 160-pounder with his win over Johnny Mologousis of Lyons Township.