Barrington's Hartman, Prospect's Wroblewski keep title dreams alive
CHAMPAIGN - Over the last month of the season, Barrington's Markus Hartman and Prospect's Matt Wroblewski have been untouchable.
That includes Friday night on the big floor of the State Farm Center, where both Mid-Suburban League standouts ran away from the field and straight into the wrestling state tournament finals.
No. 2-ranked Hartman (44-1) will look to avenge his lone loss of the season when he meets No. 1 Will Lewan (39-2) of Montini Catholic in the 145-pound Class 3A state final Saturday evening.
"Markus is all business right now - it's the way he's been from about the middle of the season on, and that's the way he'll be in his final," said Barrington coach Dave Udchik, who watched his junior pound two opponents on Friday, including No. 3 Yahya Thomas (34-5) of Mt. Carmel by pin at 1:50 to advance into the semifinals.
"We have a gameplan going into each match, and it's my job to carry that plan out," said Hartman, who will go after the first state title for the program since Wally Pollard won in 1990.
Both Hartman and Wroblewski will have a nice rest before taking part in the Grand March at 5:30 p.m., which leads into the state final bouts beginning with 152 pounds.
Prior to that, the third and final day of competition begins at 9 a.m. with quarterfinal wrestlebacks, then semifinals, followed by third- and fifth-place matches at 1 p.m.
Wroblewski, looking to redeem himself after a quick exit from last year's tournament, delivered another dominant regular and postseason while earning a third straight state trip and running his record to 34-0 after two wins Friday.
The first came when the No. 2-rated Knight defeated No. 4 Cole Bateman (Sandburg) 8-0 in his quarterfinal.
"It's been one match at a time for me all year long - even this weekend, where I am not taking anyone for granted," said Wroblewski, who last year came into the tournament at 40-0 but was sent packing after going 1-2.
"His commitment to excellence, as well as our program, is first-class, so I am extremely happy that he advanced into the final and now has a chance to get himself a state championship," said Prospect coach Tom Whalen.
The area had five make the quarterfinals on Friday afternoon. But three did not make the semis, including James (Tony) Valentino of St. Viator, who suffered his first loss of the season to No. 2 John Ridgeway of Bloomington.
"He was a head taller than me, but that wasn't the reason I lost - I made the mistake when I hung my arm, and he took advantage of his opportunity," said the St. Viator senior, who was pinned by Ridgeway (36-7).
"It was a tough loss, and it was a little rough to get myself ready for my first match in wrestlebacks - but I'm after that state medal, and I cannot stop now," added Valentino, who is now 1 win away from earning the first medal in program history since 2009.
Fremd's Zach Nemec (285, 39-3) ran into Niko Ivanisevic (Hinsdale Central, 40-3) who after sitting behind 2016 state champion Matt Allen (who's now playing football at Michigan State) has become a heavyweight force. Next for Ivanisevic is No. 1 Anthony Cassioppi (Hononegah, 46-0).
"(Ivanisevic) was a lot to handle, very quick, and a difficult guy for Zach to get in and finish on, but he competed hard, then came back with a strong effort to keep his chances alive for a medal," said Fremd coach Dan Ruettiger, who had plenty to say about another Fremd standout, Adam Kemp. "Adam has gotten better and better with each week, and there's no doubt in my mind, that, along with Zach, that both of them have their best wrestling ahead of them next season in college."
Kemp (30-14) defeated MSL rival Michael Womeldorf (Rolling Meadows) with a terrific all-action effort that ended nine seconds from regulation when the Mustangs senior was injured.
The Womeldorf (25-5) loss, coupled with Jackson Kohlberg's exit at 126, ended two highly successful careers for Meadows wrestlers - Kohlberg in particular, who collected 106 career victories and a No. 4 spot in the state polls before the start of the tournament on Thursday.
Barrington junior Jarit Shinhoster (132, 39-2) ran into No. 1 Jason Renteria in his quarterfinal, and although that contest went the way it was expected, the Broncos junior fired back in grand style in his wrestleback opener and now will meet Gannon Hughes from Oswego after rolling over Noah Price (11-3) from Stagg.
Earlier in the season, Shinhoster edged Hughes (6-5) in overtime.
Some good news came for Prospect senior Alex Koczwara (182, 35-5). He was bounced from the championship bracket on Thursday, then took advantage of his second chance in wrestlebacks with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Montini Catholic standout Peter Christensen.
"My mindset wasn't anywhere near what it needed to be on Thursday, and it wasn't a whole lot better today - but it will be on Saturday," promised the two-time MSL champion, who will face Dundee-Crown senior Chase Raap (42-9).
It wasn't as pleasant for regional champions Conant and Wheeling, who were closed out in wrestlebacks.
"Oh well, I guess it's time for us to focus on our dual-team sectional now," said Conant coach Chad Hay, whose team hosts Notre Dame at 6 p.m. Tuesday.