Big day for Antioch wrestling as Schoenfelder, Borrero share the limelight
CHAMPAIGN - As Wilbur Borrero stood on the edge of the mat, arms extended and with a thunderous expression on his face, he must have been thinking how fortunate he is.
After all, the Antioch coach was recognized earlier in the night for his selection to the Hall of Fame by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches Association. And later, he watched his own Patrick Schoenfelder produce another sensational performance to advance into the 2A finals on Saturday night at the State Farm Center.
The junior ranked No. 2 in the state by IllinoisMatmen.com will face No. 1 Jake Tucker (41-3) of Mt. Carmel in the 152-pound championship match Saturday night, with an eye on securing the first-ever state title in program history.
"It was quite a day for Antioch wrestling," said Schoenfelder, whose high-voltage attack tore apart Ernest Inglam (Hinsdale South) in his quarterfinal and later No. 7 Wylie Allen (38-4) of Hampshire, who until the semifinal round had been nearly flawless in two previous matches.
"The gameplan once I got here was to start strong, then build momentum with each match," said Schoenfelder, who was fourth at state a year ago. "Although its going to be a tough final, this is what I've been working for since the off-season."
Both Schoenfelder and Borrero were hoping to have one more representative in the 5:30 p.m. Grand March. But junior George Bessette (195, 32-6) was unable to get past No. 4 John McKinney (Triad, 19-1) in overtime in the semifinals.
"The difference in that match was conditioning, and this is where that catches up to you," said Borrero after Bessette conceded a takedown in the first extra session.
Jake Gross, a two-time state qualifier, remains alive in wrestlebacks after his semifinal defeat against No. 2 Dack Punke (Washington), who is now 43-4.
At the start of this state tournament, it seemed Carmel senior Mike Tortorice (120) was headed for a spot in the finals. But the No. 1-rated Carmel senior standout was dealt a knockout blow in the quarterfinals by No. 8 Tyler Delaware from 2A power Washington.
The 7-3 defeat stunned Tortorice, who left the mat in disbelief. To his credit, he gathered himself up together in order to pin his first opponent in wrestlebacks, leaving Tortorice 1 win away from the medal round.
Several more Lake County wrestlers remain in the hunt for medals, including Grant's Christian Kanzler, who suffered a heartbreaking loss to No. 2 Anthony Madrigal of Oak Park-River Forest 6-2 in the quarterfinals; Libertville junior Alex Mitchell (106, 36-4); and Joe Arroyo (32-8) from Grayslake North, who gave No. 1 Real Woods of Montini a scare by putting 11 points on the nationally ranked sophomore during a 19-11 loss.
"Anyone can be beat anyone down here, so that's the way I went into my match with him," said Arroyo. "So I've got to use that loss and effort against the top-rated guy and take it with me tomorrow so I can go home with a medal."
Grayslake North's Jake Wright (38-9) had his moments against Tyree Johnson of Downers Grove South but fell short at 5-3. One round later, Nick Catalano of Conant ended a sensational career for Wright.
Mundelein's Alec Riportella (32-8) bounced back from a pin by No. 2 Michael McGee of Plainfield East in the quarterfinals with a pin of his own to start his bid for medal on a high note.
Stevenson junior, Dylan Geick (152, 40-5) was given a second chance when Nick Foster of Belleville West won his next match to keep Geick alive in wrestlebacks, and the No. 3-rated Patriot used the opportunity to defeat Tulga Zuunbayan of Rolling Meadows.
Stevenson's Michael Kordek (38-6) was eliminated after consecutive losses at 182, ending a superb final year under coach Shane Cook which included regional and sectional championships.
Nathan Dlugopolski (126, 28-11) could be the fourth wrestler from Antioch to medal should he repeat his effort from a year ago, when he came all the way through wrestlebacks to earn a sixth-place medal.
Riley Palm (106, 31-5) is still alive, as is the NSC duo of Jose Munoz (Wauconda, 35-11) and Ishmael Velasquez (Lakes, 30-15), who along with Dlugopolski have a wrestleback monopoly at 126 pounds.
Freshman Alex Cramer of Grayslake Central (138, 33-10) is making the most of his first trip here, as he too, is one win from a state medal.
Quarterfinal wrestlebacks begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed immediately by the semifinal rounds. The third- and fifth-place matches will start at 1 p.m.