St. Charles East's Benjamin opens state with victory
CHAMPAIGN - With all due respect to Justin Hull, perhaps the most precious jewel in the St. Charles East program currrently is Justin Benjamin.
The four-time state qualifier arrived in Jason Potter's room with immense potential, and wasted little time making an impression on the wrestlng landscape.
Although Benjamin (43-4) went a combined 2-5 in his three trips to Champaign, he still has compiled an astounding 146-30 overall record, while proving to be a lightning quick attacker, with wonderful movement and technique, which he's fine-tuned under the tutelage of Potter, and brother, Chris.
"The Potter 'factor' have been the driving force in my wrestling career, and personal life," said Benjamin, the top seed here at 132 pounds, and easy winner in his tourney opener against Jeremy Jakowitsch of Huntley.
"Between those two guys (Potters) are six state medals, two state titles each, and a world of technical knowledge, the ability to prepare to be your absolute best (both) physically and mentally for your next opponent."
Hull (37-5) will be opposite after his 9-5 win over three-time state qualifier, Josh Ramos (41-5) from Prospect.
The Hull-Ramos first rounder was several high profile bouts on Thursday, which included No. 2 Pat Nolan (Sandburg, 42-3) beating No. 1 Luke Odum (47-2) of Edwardsville, 5-3, one match before Benjamin's victory, and on the same mat.
Nick Termini and David Ferrante continue their sensational seasons, Termini (Burlington Central, 48-0) at 145, and Ferrante, from Huntley in the 170-pound division, where he entered the tournament as the No. 1 man in the state polls.
Termini would start slow, then go on to demolish both opponents to advance into today's 2A semifinals at 11:30, while Ferrante mashed his lone rival to move into the 3A quarterfinals which begin at 8:30 at State Farm Center in Champaign.
Teammate Josue Ferro (36-7) has one foot in the Grand March following a pair of impressive victories at 220, and now will face No. 1 Jacob Bullock (32-0) from Cahokia.
Northwestern-bound Trevor Chumbley (145, 38-2) began his quest for a second consecutive state title with a resounding technical fall victory, but the classy Marmion Academy senior talked more about his teammate, Ryan Fleck (138, 34-6) than himself afterwards.
"It felt good to get this first one out of the way (it) wasn't the prettiest, but, it's all about getting a good six minutes in, and winning to advance winning and advancing through the brackets," said Chumbley.
"But to me, Ryan is a great story, because since he won the CCL title, he's been fantastic, and in my opinion, he just might be the best 38-pounder in the state right now."
No. 3 Christian Olsen (Crystal Lake South, 37-1) looked like one of the best 113-pounders in 2A following two impressive victories to stay alive in the front draw.
"Last year I came here for the first time and I have to admit I got caught up in the noise, and surroundings, but this year I feel real confident. (We've) wrestled some big-name teams and opponents, and I feel like I'm ready to make my move towards a state title," said the Gators sophomore, who will meet No. 1 Kooper Loehr (43-1) of Mt. Zion in the semifinals.
FVC rival Charlie Gruen (Cary-Grove, 38-10) continued his storybook postseason run with a late surge against Jared Gumila (36-9) to defeat the Plainfield North freshmen 14-10.
"Charlie battled back last week at sectionals to get here this weekend, and today, even when he went down early, he never folded (just) stayed with what he does so well, and once again, would just grind out another six minute win," said Trojans coach Will Petersen.
Gruen will face reigning state champion, Fabian Lopez (DeKalb, 31-5) who advanced after his 5-4 win over No. 3 Dominic Zaccone (33-3) of Stagg.
Batavia sophomore Mikey Caliendo (37-6) meets No. 4 Michael Gunther (Libertyville, 40-3) after a workmanlike 7-2 triumph over D'Anthony Hopkins (38-6) of Plainfield East.
Aurora Christian enjoyed a solid first day, advancing five of eight into the semifinals, including No. 1 Joel Mylin (106, 41-5) and Nathan Orosco (40-7) when in the closing moments of his quarterfinal he recorded a take-down.
Mylin, a state qualifier a year ago in his rookie season, looked sharp in both of his matches, particularly against Jarek Wehrle (38-7) of Vandalia in his 10-4 quarterfinal win.
"I felt so much more relaxed coming in here today. (That's) because of being here a year ago, plus having such a great coaching staff, and being in a great room with a couple of state champions, who are always pushing all of us to get better," said Mylin.