Out of the woodwork, and into the limelight

As expected, when the wrestling star turns and heads farther north of all of its competitors, the lights become brighter, and thus is the feature most discussed.

Others, who whose star might not burn as brightly when the season comes to a dramatic end, still deserve a mention or two before another wrestling season is put to memory.

Here's a brief look at a handful of area players who have made their imprint on their sport thus far, and could make a bigger and deeper step on the competition later this month.

Kalvin Argueta (Barrington): Every wrestling club wants a man like Kalvin Argueta. Never mind the senior has gone from 14 wins last season, to 30 heading into regional play.. it's more than that.

Just ask Barrington head coach Al Strobl, and one of its leaders and stars in Dan Santoro.

"Kalvin has come a long way, and he has often flown under the radar because of state qualifiers (Santoro), Luke Miller and Adrian Gonzalez," began Strobl. "But (Kalvin) genuinely cares about all of his teammates, and it is rare not to see him staying (after) to help a teammate or two.

"When the seniors graduate this year, Kalvin will be one of my greatest success stories."

Strobl says when Argueta first arrived on the scene, he wasn't sure what to make of him or where his future would be with a young and developing club. At the start of this season, Argueta was penciled in to be the Broncos' man at 171, until Santoro decided to drop from 189, and force a couple of wrestle-offs, in which Argueta would lose to the now No. 4-rated wrestler in the state.

"Kalvin didn't complain, he just went to work, training hard everyday, lifting at night, and he has since added 15 pounds of muscle, which has translated to a terrific season for him thus far," offered Strobl.

"Kalvin is the ultimate teammate, and the guy that is always there for everyone, always staying positive and supportive of each other, and one of the big reasons for the success of our team this season," adds Santoro.

Nate Benedetti (Conant): Just a blip on the wrestling radar screen last season, the Conant senior and captain has had a breakout year, highlighted by a command performance on his way to a MSL title in the heavyweight division last weekend at Buffalo Grove.

Benedetti, whose sparkling 26-6 record places him in the Daily Herald weekly honor roll for Cook, Fox and Lake Country wrestling, pinned his way to his title, using just under seven minutes to sweep a trio of opponents, including Tim Schalz (Wheeling) at 0:59 to claim the big prize.

"It just feels really good to win a conference championship after not really competing that much last year as a junior," said Benedetti, who found a few bouts with the junior varsity, with big Nate Johnson in front of him on the big club.

Benedett's deceptive speed on his feet has impressed Cougars head coach Chad Hay, while surprising many an unsuspecting opponent.

"Nate has always been an aggressive wrestler, but he's worked so hard this season at improving his position, and on his discipline on the mat," Hay said. "He is so quick and agile for a big man, and the combination of speed and power has really made him a force to be reckoned with this season."

Benedetti will keep an eye out for MSL rivals Sean Pottow (Schaumburg), Jordan Farnum (Rolling Meadows) and Alex Ochoa (Hoffman Estates) at the Schaumburg regional, as well as Maine West senior Christian Nunez in his quest for a sectional berth next weekend.

Josh Boggess (Prospect): It's not easy following in the footsteps of an older brother who arrived at Prospect with so much hope and expectation, and four years later would reach the podium high above all others to accept a state championship medallion he so richly deserved.

Funny thing about the youngest Boggess, all the records and history-making accomplishments of his brother Matt means little to him. Not that the 112-pound freshman doesn't and didn't respect what his sibling accomplished, to the contrary.

Instead, the affable Prospect rookie says the two are different, and he's eager to begin his own high school career, without and outside of the legend Matt would produce.

"Matt still comes to see me wrestle, and he (offers) advice after I compete, but he knows that I want to be my own person here at Prospect," says Boggess, who has already begun to do so after a superb two days of work at the MSL tournament produced a title as he ran his record to a eye-popping 33-4 record.

"I am not sure if any of us expected (Josh) to have the success that he's enjoyed so far as a freshman, but I can tell you, Josh has matured right before our eyes, and has learned how to wrestle through adversity, while keeping his focus in his matches," said Knights head coach Tom Whalen.

One difference in the two brothers is instantly seen when viewing the long and lanky build on the freshman, who after a growth spurt is nearly 5-foot-7.

"Matt was built for speed and power, and he was so aggressive, it was like all-out war with his opponents," Josh Boggess said. "I think I combine some of those traits, but I think my lanky body allows me to work the legs a little more, and to ride guys out on top."

Nineteen of Boggess' matches have ended either by tech-falls or via the pin.

Joey Caprio (Rolling Meadows): Last year in his rookie season, Caprio won a respectable 24 matches for coach Dave Froehlich at 145 pounds. One year later, the sophomore made a dramatic climb forward by winning the 152-pound championship at the MSL tournament, and perhaps validated his state ranking (No. 12) after defeating the talented senior from Hersey, Sean Bonner.

"There's a reason for Joey's success," begins Froehlich. "(He) is so coachable, and so willing to listen, and isn't against change when our coaching staff suggests different tactical and technical ideas."

Froehlich says Caprio has a healthy approach to the sport, which should keep him full of vigor for the stretch run this year, and for the next two seasons. "Joey works hard at this sport, but he also takes time away in order to stay fresh, which gives him a good balance (mentally) for whatever he does," Froehlich said.

Teammate and good friend, Marc Herff, suggested Caprio become a member of the gymnastics team, and the move to another sport, where he is an all-around competitor, is just what the doctor ordered.

"I like (being) a part of the gymnastic team, and it has helped me in my primary sport in many

different ways," said Caprio, who this season has a trio of third-place tournament finishes, including one at 160 pounds at the Rockford East tourney.

"Working (in) some Greco wrestling during the offseason, along with gymnastics and all the other extra time in and out of the room has been a big reason for a better sophomore season for me," offered Caprio.

T.J. Hohenadel (St. Viator): It's been quite a transformation for the Lions four-year star, all brought on and inspired by an early exit from the Barrington sectional last season, and a trip

to Champaign to see his peers compete, and then, teammate Danny Sabatello capture a state medal.

"After pinning my first guy at sectionals, it was two quick losses and my season was over," began Hohenadel, who registered 24 wins at 160 for the Lions. "But going downstate, and being in that enviroment, and watching all of the great matches, including (Danny's) was exactly the wake-up call I needed."

Indeed. One year later, Hohenadel has won an astounding 33 matches, and is poised, along with teammates Eric Abrahamian (152, 28 wins) and William Rittmeyer (189, 23 wins) for a long and successful postseason run, which hopefully ends up back inside Assembly Hall and on the big floor competing.

"I totally committed myself to changing with the way that I train, how to mentally prepare for competiton, what I eat, and everything else that is needed to become an elite wrestler in order to make my senior year (here) the best that it can be," said Hohenadel, who spent plenty of time in the offseason in free-style and greco to round out his game, while adding time at the Overtime Club and with the famed Lee Kemp as well.

"T.J. and Eric have really set the pace all year long, and each have put a lot of time and effort in the offseason to make themselves better, and it has reflected in the results that have had this season," said Viator head coach Jeff Kramarczyk. "Their work ethic has really rubbed off on all the other guys, as they have shown to be great leaders for our program."

Travis LaShiava (Fremd): Just as the aforementioned Hohenadel, this Fremd senior only needed to look back to what should have been during the past two seasons as his inspiration to succeed in his last year for the Vikings.

Two short years ago, LaShiava, then a sophomore, was this close to booking his trip to Champaign, if not for a final furious moments in his state qualifying bout with Joe Schwartz which saw the Highland Park sophomore pull out a 9-8 win

to end the hopes and dreams instantly.

Last season, cruising along with an 11-3 record, LaShiava broke an ankle, immediately ending what again, appeared to be another serious run at a visit to Champaign.

"Those (two) things are all the motivation that I needed for this season," said LaShiava, who is showing no signs of letting off the gas pedal following his MSL title at 140 pounds over long-time friend and 2009 state qualifier Mike Smith of Wheeling.

"You know you really begin to wonder if your ever going to have a chance to compete, and stay healthy after the type of back-to-back seasons that I had, but right now, I am happy where I am (at) and able to be 100 percent and ready to go," says the senior, who was a midfielder for Steve Keller and the Vikings soccer club in the fall.

LaShiava (25-4), who has looked at ease while competing in three weight divisions this year (eight matches at 140, 10 at 145 and 11 at 152), has recorded 14 pins and 50 take-downs along the way, and likely earned a 1-2 seed at the Vikings regional, along with Dundee-Crown star Frank Abitua (33-4) who is arrives with a FVC title in his pocket.

Lashon Mejias (Palatine): Except for the memorable results from former Palatine stars Dale Jarosch, Ross Grande, and last year with Tommy Laskowske, things have been a little lean for the Pirates, who currently are undergoing a major rebuiding project under former Pirates star, and two-time state champion Dan Collins.

However, there is hope for another to come from inside the Pirates' room and into the spotlight in senior Lashon Mejias, who last weekend displayed plenty of what it takes to be a champion en route to his MSL title at 125 pounds.

Not bad for a guy who around the holiday, looked to be only around to wear the Palatine colors and cheer on his teammates. Mejias (21-4) would severely injure a tendon in his foot during a bout, and the slow process to heal appeared to be going so slow, that at one time the Pirates' captain feared his final season under Collins would be over sooner, than later.

"Yes, I was worried that I wouldn't come back," said Mejias, a sectional qualifier last season. "But we took a lot of extra time to let things heal, and right now, everything feels great, as I prepare for reaching my goal of going downstate."

During the offseason, Mejias made the trek to Champaign to train at free-style camps, and he says that time, along with all the extra work on the mats has made him a better wrestler.

"We set out a plan for (his) return to competition, but forth that plan, and kept it all in place for the MSL tournament, and as you saw, he was very capable of being a six-minute wrestler, or a guy who can get a pin or two," said Collins, of his best man, who recorded a pair of falls, including one in the final to claim his prize.