St. Charles East's Rubino wins 112- pound title

CHAMPAIGN - The contrast between Brandon Rubino and Nicholas Drendel could not have been more pronounced in the aftermath of their ultimate rubber match.

Rubino, the St. Charles East senior, was a picture of elation as he raised his hands triumphantly following his 5-1 victory over Drendel in the Class 3A 112-pound state championship on Saturday night at the University of Illinois' Assembly Hall.

Drendel was crestfallen as he walked toward Illinois' famed tunnel.

Rubino became the Saints' first state champion since Christopher Potter defended his Class AA 171-pound title six years ago.

"It's one of the greatest days in my life," the Nebraska-bound Rubino said.

First blood often defines showdowns, and Rubino had a takedown 34 seconds into the match to set the tone.

"The key in any match, especially in the state finals, is to get that first takedown," St. Charles East coach Steve Smerz said. "Brandon went out there and took him out of the match."

Rubino prevented Drendel from escaping for the last minute of the opening round to take a 2-0 lead, and the senior then followed a Drendel second-period escape with another takedown to lead 4-1.

"Last time (at Glenbard North) he took it to me," Rubino said. "I knew he wasn't going to throw me."

Drendel was seeking to give the Blackhawks a second state championship in as many years after Mario Gonzalez claimed the 189-pound title last winter.

Drendel had his most promising opportunities to score points derailed by the out-of-bounds marker.

"(Rubino) was able to score early, and it gave him momentum for the whole match," Drendel said. "He was very aggressive with his shots. He wrestled a better match this time."

Rubino opened the third period with an escape to conclude the scoring.

"We stuck to our game plan," West Aurora coach Mike DiNovo said. "(Drendel) had an inspirational season."

Marmion had cause to celebrate after Ben Whitford and Nico Jimenez captured the first state titles in program history.

Whitford, the dominant freshman sensation, was never threatened in his Class 2A title match, ending the dreams of Troy Triad sophomore Kyle Graumenz with a third-period technical fall.

The 119-pounder racked up points like a pinball machine; Whitford had nine takedowns en route to his 22-7 verdict.

"I just keep going and going," Whitford said. "I never go defensive. I'm really glad. My whole family is here. Undefeated season (42-0) - that's great."

Jimenez had a much greater task after he found himself deadlocked with Burlington Central senior Taylor Shuck 1-1 after regulation in the 171-pound division.

Double overtime was beckoning, but Jimenez had perfect timing: the senior brought down Shuck with three seconds in the extra session to snare the 3-1 victory.

"It's probably one of the best feelings I've ever had," Jimenez said. "I couldn't have asked for a better senior year."

Pat and Eddie Greco shattered the glass ceiling for the program last year when they became the first state qualifiers in program history.

Pat Greco, the Cadets' 145-pound Northwestern-bound leader, closed out his prep career by winning the top consolation prize.

"Pat and Nico are the two kids who put us on the map," Marmion coach Dean Branstetter said.

Logan Arlis' decorated career at Batavia also came to an end on a positive note.

The senior rebounded from his quarterfinal loss to eventual state runner-up Eddie Klimara by not allowing an offensive point in winning third place at 119 pounds.

"You have to beat the best to be the best," Arlis said. "I'm pretty proud of the way the year ended."

"He had a rough time mentally to come back," Arlis' father, Tom, the Batavia coach, said. "Losing was not in any of the plans."