Villanueva. Moreno, Schuck on to semifinals
CHAMPAIGN - Despite his predictions of victory and confident demeanor, Miko Villanueva admitted he may have been lacking one of his most treasured resources before his quarterfinal match with No. 2 AJ Juarez of Joilet Friday at the Class 3A IHSA state wrestling meet at Assembly Hall.
However, in a time of need, Villanueva would rediscover his strength, and it would inspire the talented Dundee-Crown senior just when he needed it - in overtime - to defeat Juarez 3-1 to advance into today's 112-pound semifinal against Nicholas Drendel (38-6) of West Aurora.
"I am not going to lie to all of you - I was beginning to think that I wasn't going to get past (Juarez) in that match," said a relieved Villanueva (40-5), who made short work in his opening match with Bob Gavrick (Lyons) to set up a terrific second round contest that went into extra time equal at 1-1.
The Chargers' staff thought the star had scored a takedown at 41/2 minutes to go on top 2-1 but it wasn't until Juarez was given a penalty point for stalling that Villanueva began to believe things might be turning in his favor.
"I knew he was getting tired after he was called for stalling late in the match, so when I threw that single in OT, there was no way that I was going to let go, because I knew he was gassed," Villanueva said.
On the top half of the bracket, No. 1 Derek Elmore (Machesney Park, 38-2) was upset by St. Charles East senior Brandon Rubino (39-6) 3-2 in an intense encounter, setting up his semifinal bout with No. 3 Frankie Campos (28-5) of Bolingbrook, who bumped off Villanueva earlier in the season 8-5.
Bartlett senior Eric Moreno (38-3) gave the Fox Valley area its second of three players in the semifinals after defeating No. 3 Jeff Koepke (Hersey, 48-6) 6-4 in OT to move the Hawks' sublime leader one step closer to the first state medal for the program since 2006.
"Oh wow, hearing that I am one match away from the final kind of makes me nervous," said Moreno with a wry smile.
The affable Hawk was superb on Friday, pounding Boston Jacobs of Pekin 8-2, before topping Koepke just 18 seconds into the first extra period with a takedown.
Prior to the OT Moreno began to push the pace during the final 90 seconds of regulation, leading to his eventual, and memorable match-winning takedown.
"(Koepke) was so strong, and so good, but I really believe all of that extra work in the room, and out, was the difference in the end, because it was my conditioning that likely led to my victory," said Moreno, who now faces No. 2 Sam Brooks (Oak Park-River Forest, 34-6) this morning.
Burlington Central senior Taylor Schuck (30-2) had to wait long into the evening to wrestle his first match of the tournament, but it was all worth it as the regional and sectional champ subdued Sandwich junior Tim Schmitt 7-3. Next up is Brandon Ward (Champaign Central, 34-6), who came here rated No. 9 in recent state polls.
The news around the area could have been better for the Crystal Lake South duo of Nick Fontanetta and Kean Loupee, as well as South Elgin star Jake Randich (44-3), who took a lead into the second period against Tom Kelly (Loyola) only to have his dream of a state medal dashed when Kelly caught the unsuspecting Randichat 3:58.
The same fate fell upon No. 2 Fontanetta, who was stunned by Mech Spraggins (Belleville West, 41-1) in his quarterfinal and was sent into the consolation bracket after pinned in just 2:21.
"Nick was so incredibly upset, so we took both he and Kean to the mall, had some lunch, and tried to lighten up the conversation for awhile to help him settle down," said South coach Ross Ryan, who would then watch both wrestlers win their first wrestleback match to help keep both alive in the medal hunt.
Huntley junior Lucas Rogers (36-10) made his first match ever in Champaign a thrilling one when he avenged an earlier loss to Tim Noverini (37-9) and sent the St. Charles North sophomore out of the tournament after a fall at 2:31.
"I saw (Sterling Hecox) last week surprise Lee Munster at the Barrington sectionals, and it kind of inspired me to do the same against a guy who had beaten me before," offered Rogers, who would drop his quarterfinal bout with No. 11 Drew Bates (Lyons) 10-4 before being eliminated in wrestlebacks by Blake Montella to end a brilliant season nonetheless.