In big rematch, it's Hartman
CHAMPAIGN - For many fans in the packed State Farm Center on Saturday night, it was the showpiece match of the 81st state wrestling championships:
Will Lewan of Montini against Markus Hartman of Barrington - No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the state.
Both had reached the zenith of the 152-pound weight class and were left inches apart from one another as the referee's whistle started the rematch of last year's 145-pound final, which Lewan won 3-1.
Both Barrington coach Dave Udchik and his assistant, John Murphy, figured these two standouts could wrestle 100 times, with each winning 50 times.
After waiting nearly 12 months to avenge last year's disappointing loss, Hartman held his nerve through a tense final stretch to defeat his rival 2-0.
"It's obviously something I've been thinking and talking about ever since (Lewan) beat me here a year ago," said Hartman, a senior. "And to get back in the final with him and win a state title is something that almost indescribable right now."
"With all due respect to a truly amazing group of seniors we have in our progam, Markus is a once-in-a-lifetime type of young man and athlete," said Udchik.
The Barrington coaches, and Hartman himself, couldn't help watching the clock tick down. In the latter stages, Hartman took Lewan off the edge to all but close out his top-flight foe.
Hartman's tactical excellence has served him well, particularly in the last two seasons as his ability to break down an opponent has been staggering.
"The plan was to try to limit Lewan on his feet, where he's so strong, and for me to wrestle as much as I could on the mat - my strength," said Hartman. "As far as that second-period reversal which won the match, it's always important to be patient at times as you wait for an opportunity. And when I felt it, I made my move, and it was all that I would need to win."
"That power-half on that reversal did the trick," said Udchik.
Barrington now has seven first-place trophies in program history. Hartman's is the first since Wally Pollock won in the 1989-1990 season.
"Look at all of the coaches from the state, and the peers of Markus coming up to him after this win," said Udchik. "It shows just how much respect he has, and how many people appreciate the type of kid he is."
Hartmans' 47th win of the season without a loss is the 152nd in his career, a Barrington record.
Mid-Suburban League standouts Jake Meyer and Jarrit Shinhoster (37-2) of Barrington and Adam Kemp (36-10) and Cole Riemer of Fremd were among the state's elite all season long. And each confirmed that esteem with their downstate efforts.
Shinhoster collected a third-place medal. Meyer (46-4) was fourth at 195, while Riemer (145) and Kemp (160) collected their first state medals, both fifths.
Shinhoster's ascent came after opening his senior year with a loss and then spending nearly two weeks on injured reserve. After that, the senior won his next 34 matches before Brad Gross (Marmion Academy) ended the streak with a 2-0 decision in the semifinals.
"I've come a long way since I was a skinny freshman who had a record way below .500 that year," said Shinhoster, who along with Meyer has reached 100 career victories. "So to have a senior year like I've had, both individually and with our team, is the best thing to be a part of."
Meyer has had a remarkable season, and one which erased a disappointing ending to his junior campaign.
The three-sport star found himself in a semifinal with Peter Christensen (Montini) on Friday evening. The eventual state champion shut down Meyer 5-0.
"He was long and strong, but when I got in on his legs in that first period, I should have finished," said Meyer. "When I didn't, it ended up costing me. This has been an amazing year, and for many of us, we're looking to extend our senior year one more week and get downstate and hopefully come away with a trophy."
Riemer (145, 36-6) jump-started the memorable final few weeks of his career by winning in the MSL and regional tournaments, followed by a sparkling two days at sectionals.
And in Champaign, the four-year starter and two-time state qualifier showed he belonged with the best.
"After qualifying last year but not being able to compete because of an illness, this weekend and my state medal are gratifying for me, and a great way to end my high school career," said Riemer, who finished with 126 victories and will wrestle next fall at the University of Chicago.
"We have been very fortunate to have two great young men like Cole and Adam in our program," said Fremd coach Dan Ruettiger. "I'm just thrilled both got their state medals, because now I can finally exhale and breathe a little easier."
Kemp's chances for a medal appeared dim following his opening night loss to Brad Gross of Marmion. Fortunately, the eventual state runner-up kept on winning to allow Kemp his chance in wrestlebacks.
Kemp won his first two wrestlebacks, then dropped a 5-0 decision to Shinhoster before earning his fifth-place medal with an impressive 7-2 win over No. 2-ranked Cole Smith from Providence Catholic.
Kemp said he first did not enjoy the sport despite the exploits of his father, Lee Kemp - a three-time World wrestling champion.
"In time," said Adam Kemp, "I came around to really enjoying wrestling, and during these past two years I've really committed myself to getting better and better. Now I feel like my best years in the sport lie ahead of me."
MSL champion Ryan Vedner (Prospect, 170, 41-6) saw his brilliant senior year come to an end with a loss in a bout Saturday afternoon.
The same result befell Elk Grove senior heavyweight Anthony Greco, who was one victory from earning the first state medal in 10 years for the Grens. The three-year starter ends his final season with a record of 28-8.
St. Viator senior Jake Wolf reached a qualifying contest, only to have his run end one victory short of earning what would have been only the sixth state medal in program history.