Boys wrestling: Hersey caps banner season taking fourth at team state
BLOOMINGTON — It's only fitting that Max Mukhamedaliyev wrestled in the last match of the season for the Hersey wrestling team, and for his beloved coach Joe Rupslauk Saturday night in Bloomington.
The three-time state medal winner, who won close to 160 matches during a brilliant four-year career, would give the Huskies their last victory of the night in a 46-22 loss to Joliet Catholic Academy in the 3A third place contest.
"I said last week at state that making down to dual-team state and bringing home a team trophy would be the best thing that happened in my career, and that it was all possible due to (Rup) who has been a terrific coach, and person to be around," said Mukhamedaliyev, who will wrestle in the fall at the University of Chicago.
The Huskies (13-10-0) were at their best on Friday night at Grossinger Motors Arena beating Edwardsville (16-4-0) 40-27 to ensure Rupslauk and his men of their first dual-team state trophy.
"It was a weekend of so much emotion, especially on Friday when the guys, as they have all season long, came together with a gritty effort to guarantee our first state trophy with a big win," said Rupslauk.
"This morning we lost to the eventual state champions from Marmion Academy, but the guys came out tonight with a lot of heart and energy. But Joliet has a first class coach, and a very talented team, and they deserved the third place state trophy with its win."
"When I first came on we only had 4-6 guys on our roster. But we slowly built our program to become something very special, and it's guys like Max and the seniors we have on this roster who have helped turn things around."
There is plenty of tradition in the Huskies program which in its early existence had back-to-back championship seasons (1971, 1972) under Hall-of-Fame head coach Tom Porter.
The Huskies will lose seven starters from their MSL championship club, who during their time under Rupslauk won two regional titles, this season sending 11 into the Barrington sectional and advancing 7 to Champaign.
"(Rup) has been like a father to me. He's the reason that I stayed around when I wanted to quit, and he's the reason for our team becoming so good," said Rodrigo Arceo, whose win in overtime against Edwardsville on Friday inspired an 11-0 run, with teammate Riddick Variano putting the finishing touches on the win with a pin at 126 pounds.
"What a great way to go out for all of us seniors," said Variano.
Mike Levanti would lead his club from Schaumburg to its first dual-team state appearance, and although they ran into state power Marmion Academy in its state opener on Friday, Levanti could not be more proud of his lads even in defeat.
"We knew we would have our hands full (with) Marmion, and that our stay would be short here in Bloomington, but I'd rather have a loss like this happen when we've advanced to state for the first time in program history," said Levanti, whose club finished with a sparkling 22-5-0 overall record.
"(This) season is all because of Levanti," said senior Brady Phelps, who would end his superb four-year career with four state medals, including his second place finish a week ago in Champaign.
"I am really happy for my teammates to make it down this year, but especially happy for (Levanti). He is easily the best coach I've ever had," added Phelps, who finishes with a 140-17 overall record.
Phelps, along with Callen Kirchner, will leave a giant hole in the Saxons lineup next season, along with four other starters, who have been responsible for three straight regional titles.
Kirchner made his third and final trip to Champaign his best when he earned a sixth-place state trophy, and will take with him 143 career victories.
"This has been a great group to have, likely the best that has come through in my 14 years here at Schaumburg," said Levanti, who is closing in on 200 career victories.