West Suburban big men have a very good weekend
CHAMPAIGN - The two divisions of the West Suburban Conference produced a compelling narrative for heavyweight excellence at the individual state wrestling championships last weekend.
Michigan State football recruits Matt Allen and Josh King won state titles only seconds apart for Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South, respectively, in Class 3A and Class 2A.
The two Class 3A consolation finals also produced Silver and Gold all-state athletes as Glenbard West senior Darian Kaufmann, who will continue wrestling at Northern Illinois University, was pinned by Rockton Hononegah sophomore Tony Cassioppi in the third-place match.
York senior Tommy Helton was awarded fifth place when Downers Grove South junior Zach Muller was forced to injury default the other consolation final.
"The DuPage County area is very tough (for heavyweights)," Kaufmann said. "I loved wrestling in it. I thought I wrestled a good (state) tournament. Obviously, I didn't want to end (by getting pinned). One match doesn't determine one's career. I thought I had a good career at Glenbard West."
Hilltoppers on the podium:
It was a season to remember for Glenbard West. Charlie Faber was fifth for the Hilltoppers at 113 pounds courtesy of a 12-6 season-ending win over Grayslake North junior Joe Arroyo.
"It was 1975 the last time we (had two all-state athletes)," Glenbard West coach Nick Posegay said. "I know (Faber) wanted to get on the podium. There are a few seniors (ahead of Faber). We will see how (Faber) fits in next year's scenario."
Finding consolation:
The Tommy Helton-Zach Muller consolation final never materialized, but there were two other Class 3A consolation championships featuring local combatants.
In the third-place match at 145 pounds, Lake Park senior Jackson Schoen, the DuPage Valley Conference champion, outlasted Downers South junior Tyree Johnson with an escape in overtime.
"Tyree is part of my (off-season training)," Schoen said. "We have known each for a long time. It was bound to be a close match. It was all about who wanted it more."
In the 160-pound fifth-place match, Tom Czernek and Devin Donovan met for the third time since the championship of the DVC tournament.
Czernek, the league champion from Glenbard North, defeated the Wheaton North junior for the third time in succession to earn his first all-state recognition.
"We met in the (Conant) sectional semifinals, too," Czernek said after bettering Donovan 6-4 at the State Farm Center on the campus of the University of Illinois. "My goal was to take him down more (in the fifth-place final). (Our first two meetings) gave me motivation to do even better."
Family tradition:
Joe and Austin Gomez have formed an ideal partnership at Glenbard North the last three seasons.
Austin Gomez scored 7 of the final 8 points of his championship match against Oak Park-River Forest sophomore Anthony Madrigal to capture his second straight Class 3A title.
The two are cousins; Joe Gomez captured twin Class AA championships for the Panthers from 2000-04.
The elder Gomez is the principal coach for Austin Gomez.
"(Joe) is like a big brother to me," Austin Gomez said after adding a 126-pound title to his 113-pound championship from a year ago. "(Joe) and my dad (Hector) have been coaching me my entire life. (Joe) gets some of the credit (for my two titles). I look up to him."
Moving on up:
Eighteen of the 20 area all-state wrestlers competed in Class 3A.
Montini, the seven-time defending Class 2A champion, had two all-state performers to augment its three finalists.
Will Lewan and Jimmy Pawelski were third and fourth, respectively, for the Broncos at 126 and 138 pounds.
"We are like a Class 1A school (enrollment-wise) competing in 3A," 106-pound state champion Joey Melendez said of the Broncos' first Class 3A tournament.
Willowbrook sophomore Jack Jesson, like his state-champion teammate at 170 pounds, Matt Rowland, exceeded 50 wins this season in claiming the third-place medal at 182 pounds.