Congenie, Chino, Gosinki lead the DuPage parade
CHAMPAIGN — Steve Congenie was the beside himself with joy.
Jack Allen was in another hemisphere.
Spartak Chino said he would be hesitant to go to sleep.
“In case I find out it’s a dream,” said the first state wrestling champion in Wheaton Warrenville South history.
Sebastian Pique won his last 44 matches of the season to hoist the title at 112 pounds.
For Joey Gosinski, though, his second straight state championship was only the beginning of what he hopes is a big final week.
“We have team state next week,” said the Glenbard North senior two-time champion. “That’s even more important.”
The Class 3A individual state wrestling finals produced as much drama as its benefactors were grateful.
Congenie, who captured the 152-pound crown last year, was yet another athlete in what would become a common theme at the University of Illinois’ Assembly Hall: multiple career championships.
The weight class featured three former state champions.
That is until defending champion Juwan Akui was suspended by St. Rita.
“It’s not my fault he got in trouble at school,” Congenie said when asked if his championship over Oak Park senior Sam Brooks would be tarnished.
Congenie built up a 10-1 lead over Brooks, the 160-pound champion from a year ago, and had a brilliant reversal to put the finishing touches on his 15-8 win.
He became the first repeat state champion from Willowbrook since Mike Behnke won the 215-pound and heavyweight titles in 2001 and 2002.
“I just go in there and try my hardest,” said Congenie, whose only loss the last two years was by a questionable disqualification.
Gosinski, meanwhile, scored the lone point in his 130-pound championship over Lyons’ Drew Bates.
The Panthers’ standout, still uncommitted, was an undefeated state champion at 125 pounds last year.
‘I wanted to get more off my feet,” said Gosinski. “I had a couple of good shots but was unable to complete them.”
Mark Savenok took the championship mat at 145 pounds for WW South, only to fall victim to Providence standout Edwin Cooper, who won his second career title with a first-period fall.
“There is no shame in finishing state runner-up,” said WW South coach Ryan Ferguson.
Chino more than attuned for his senior teammate.
The 152-pound senior, a main cog in the Tigers’ back-to-back state football championships, was never in doubt in securing the 16-8 victory.
“I have made so many sacrifices,” said Chino. “I have had broken fingers, a broken pelvis; the blood, the sweat, the tears: it is all worth it now. I really don’t know how to describe it.”
Allen certainly remembered last year.
The Hinsdale Central 215-pounder was vanquished in the championship.
“The one from last year still haunts,” said Allen.
But the Michigan State football recruit completed his prep career in style: running the table at 285 pounds to become the first state champion in program history.
The Devils’ star ended the year 46-0 with his 5-2 win over Sandburg senior Chris Lopez.
Sebastian Pique became the final area champion in the large-school division with his triumph at 112 pounds.
The Hinsdale South sophomore, who never lost after dropping his first match of the season, had a takedown with nine seconds remaining to win 3-1.
In addition to Savenok, Glenbard North sophomore Brian Murphy was the other local runner-up: he fell to undefeated Wheeling senior Luke Smith.
In Class 2A, Montini had three state champions.
Marmion, with Naperville residents Ben Whitford (130), Bryce Brill (135) and Jered Cortez (112) all winning titles, led the way with five state champions.
Crystal Lake Central had four champions.
Montini senior Stephen Robertson had his bid for a third career title denied in overtime by three-time champion by Joey Kielbasa.
Frank Baer won his first career title, with a 6-0 victory over Crystal Lake Central junior Jason Fugiel.
“I had to have a clear mind out there,” said Baer.
Dimitri Willis won his second career championship with a 10-4 win over Lemont senior Derek Nagel, and heavyweight Ross Ferraro defeated Jeremy Brazil of Vernon Hills.