Broncos grind out �another regional title
Marcelle Bright/mbright@dailyherald.com
Glenbard South's Mark Griffin, top, controls Montini's Elliott Hudson in their 140-pound match Saturday at Willowbrook. Griffin won the regional title, improving to 38-0 this season.
Montini's parade of nine wrestlers to the top of the medal stand punctuated its team dominance at this year's Class AA Willowbrook regional, but those titles didn't come easy.
"Last year, we had five or six individuals that were amazing," said Montini's Dan Stelter. "This year we just kind of grind things out and we win the close ones."
Montini outpointed second-place Hinsdale Central 244-115.5, with Hinsdale South third with 108 points.
"Second at this regional? That's not bad, considering the field," said Red Devils coach Jim Zajicek, who saw six of his wrestlers advance to next week's Fenton sectional. Terry Ward (103 pounds), Dimitri Simeakis (171), and Rob Mains (285) all reached the title mat for the Red Devils.
Twelve Broncos advanced, with titles coming first from Sam Brody (103), Colton Rasche (112) and Benny Marti (125). Teammate Jake Gregerson posted a trio of technical falls on the day for the title at 130.
"I went out and tried to control every match," Gregerson said. "It's important to get in a guy's head if you can. It gives you an edge in the match."
Teammate Frank Bear followed with a major decision for the title at 135 pounds.
"Those are two very talented freshmen, and they battle every day in practice," said Montini coach Mike Bukovsky. "They push each other, and they've both got a lot of pride."
Glenbard South's Mark Griffin improved to 38-0 by winning the title at 140 over Hinsdale South's Jon Goldsher, who injury defaulted during the match.
"I've got stronger takedowns this year, and I'm shooting more. I can't wait until next week," Griffin said.
Downers Grove North's Joe Foreman returned from injury to win the title at 145 pounds.
"All I've been able to work on is conditioning," Foreman said. "After a month off I'm pretty happy with how I wrestled."
Downers Grove South's Trevor Wenmouth won the title at 152, before Stelter's third-period takedown gave him the edge over the Hornets' Ryan Garringer at 160.
"I got (the takedown) right on the edge to pull it out," Stelter said. "I just stayed with what I do, and didn't rush anything."
Carl Foreside (171) and Dan Grimes (189) won the next two Montini titles, setting up a battle of unbeatens in the Mustangs' Ben Apland and the Rams' Pat Walker at 215.
Apland fought off a Walker single early on before taking him down and winning by first-period pin.
"I caught him, but I know I'll have to stay on top of my game to beat him again," Apland said.
The most dominant wrestler of the tournament ended the night, as Montini heavyweight Garrett Goebel won his title by posting pins just 48, 16, and 28 seconds into his three matches.