Burlington Central's Macias, Termini fly into state title bouts
CHAMPAIGN - Like a meteor falling from the sky and landing somewhere on planet earth, Austin Macias and Nick Termini landed on top of their opponents at 126 and 145 pounds Friday to send the Burlington Central duo into Saturday night's Class 2A state finals at State Farm Center.
The Rocket teammates, who have been in red-hot form ever since stepping inside the State Farm Center booked their place in the Grand March, along with four others from Marmion Academy, two of whom - Brad Gross and Nate Jimenez whose late season return to the lineup proved successful.
The reigning 2A state champion (Macias, 33-3) and No. 1 rated 126-pounder will face No. 2 Ethan Harsted (39-2) from Ottawa, while No. 2 Termini (33-7) faces No. 1 Blaize Punke (41-2) from Washington.
"Each time I saw Austin in the tunnel walking out to my next match he was always smiling these past two days, now I have something to smile about along with Austin," said Termini, who in the quarters and his semifinal, opened things up and didn't allow either opponent to get anything going against the junior.
"This is what Austin and I have been talking about since I came to BC as a freshman - both of us in a state final, and tomorrow we both get the chance to win."
There never seemed to be any pressure put upon the SIU-Edwardsville bound Macias, who has hardly been scratched in his three bouts here, opening with a pair of falls, then a 12-1 major over North Chicago's Jeremiah Duty (45-7) who despite the loss, will give his program its first state medal in 39 years in wrestlebacks.
"Last year I felt that I had a lot to prove to myself and others while I was looking to get a college scholarship, while also winning the first state title in Central history, but this year, it's all about having fun, getting in quality matches and of course, winning a second state title," said Macias.
Diego Sotello (106, 41-6), No. 1 Trevor Chumbley (138, 47-2), Gross and Jimenez earned their place in the spotlight - Sotello and Chumbley with ease, not so with their two mates.
Marmion Academy head coach Donny Reynolds only saw a glimpse of his sixty and seventy pounders with each missing most of the regular season, until finding their form in time to make a difference in their respective state fields.
"We were never really sure if either would get back and into our lineup in time to compete in regionals and in fact, I was a little worried both weren't really ready to go, but each of them showed what hard work, experience and the desire to succeed can get them, and now Brad and Nate are both in the finals," said a proud Reynolds.
Jimenez (22-3) was a state runner-up a year ago, while Gross (11-1) was third overall last season.
Sammy and Zach Spencer (45-9) of Huntley are poised to collect state medals, the sophomore (Sammy, 113, 44-6) a guarantee after advancing into the semifinals, only to lose to No. 2 Noah Surtin (52-1) of Edwardsville, 5-0.
His brother needs one more victory in Saturday's wrestlebacks to win his first medal in four visits here, which will come at 126 pounds should he defeat Luke Odom (Edwardsville, 50-3) who lost a thriller to Fabian Lopez (DeKalb) in the semifinals.
avid Ferrante (160, 35-5) is in search for a second straight state medal, as is the 2017 fifth place state medalist, Zeke Marshall (Aurora Christian, 45-5) at 138.
The sophomore will cheer for teammates: Cameron Johnson (120, 40-6) who goes for his second state title, as well as Noah Villarreal (46-3) at 126 pounds.
Dundee-Crown senior Isiah Ziegler (285, 45-6) insured a sixth consecutive state medal for the Chargers' program when he won his quarterfinal bout over Nick Skentzos (Lincoln-Way West) with a 4-1 decision.
"I had maybe my worst weekend of wrestling last week at sectionals, so this past week all I did was to put the extra time in with every part of my game in order to put myself in possession to win a state medal and me doing so is my gift to my parents for all of their support and belief in me," said Ziegler, who could finish as high as third overall.
Fellow heavyweight Justin Hull (St. Charles East. 41-4) bowed out of the front draw following his loss to Jeff Griffin (Homewood-Flossmoor, 43-1) in the semifinals, so it's off to wrestlebacks for the senior, as it is for Cary-Grove's Cadin Koeppel (39-6) who was unable to defeat Tom Gustafson (Plainfield Central) in his 220-pound semifinal.
Quarterfinal wrestlebacks will begin Saturday at 9 a.m., and that's were Crystal Lake South freshman Christian Olsen (44-3) at 106 pounds finds himself. Should he continue to win, the Gators' rookie star will be a part of the 3rd and 5th place matches - the precursor to the Grand March.