Dozen Fox wrestlers in finals
CHAMPAIGN - The number of guys who advanced into the state finals Saturday night in Champaign offers a reminder of just how good the sport of wrestling has been in the area this season.
One dozen will be a part of the Grand March this evening at 5:30 inside State Farm Center - all of them confirming their lofty status all across the three classes in the state.
You would be hard pressed to pick the three or four who are the best, but starting with good friends Justin Benjamin (138, 45-4) and David Ferrante (170, 44-2) of Huntley is a good place.
The two are in the championship match for their first time - Ferrante looking at making history as the first ever in program history to lift the championship trophy.
The junior will face Jake Boumans (40-3) of Neuqua Valley, while Benjamin has the task of taking on Marmion Academy senior Ryan Fleck (36-6) who has been on a tear ever since winning the CCL crown a few weeks back.
"I cannot tell you how excited I am right now about being in that Grand March tomorrow night with coach Jason Potter, who has been there with me right from the start of my high school career," said Benjamin following his hard fought 5-2 decision over Michael Gunther (41-4) of Libertyville.
Fleck, just as Benjamin, has beaten the best in a high profile 138-pound division, including No. 2 Pat Nolan (Sandburg, 43-4).
"I always felt I could be the best 38-pounder in state, but it wasn't until our conference tournament when I felt it was all coming together for me, both physically and mentally," said Fleck, who beat Nolan 4-2 in his semifinal.
Teammates Diego Sotello (106, 44-3) returns after finishing second a year ago, while Trevor Chumbley (145, 40-2) is back in the final once again, this time looking to capture his second straight.
To do so, the Cadets star will need to beat rival Fidel Mayora (Montini Catholic, 41-7) for a third time this season.
Ferrante, looking toward a famous finish for himself, and the program he is so proud of, earned a comprehensive 10-0 victory over Quinn Nelson of Wheaton North.
"It's been all about getting better each time out here, but never looking past any one opponent while doing so," said Ferrante.
Cameron Johnson (Aurora Christian, 126, 33-6) is after a third consecutive title in 1A, Noah Villarreal (132, 42-4) his second, while teammate Joel Mylin (42-5) goes from state qualifier a year ago to state finalist at 106.
No. 3 Christian Olsen (38-1) sent Crystal Lake South fans into orbit when the sophomore executed a late two-point reversal to stun No. 1 Kooper Loehr (Mt. Zion, 43-2) to win his semifinal and advance into the first final for the Gators since current Illinois star Eric Barone won it all in 2015.
"In the closing moments (I) turned to my assistant and said Christian has a reversal coming, and he hit it," said an elated Gators coach Ross Ryan, who caught Olsen in his arms in midflight after the final whistle.
"Last year he wasn't really tested, but this year, our improved schedule, and some real first class opponents have prepared Christian for just his moment."
Olsen will face Miles Trahey (41-3) of Oak Forest.
St. Charles East senior Justin Hull (38-5) joins his aforementioned teammate Benjamin in the finals after his 5-4 win over No. 1 Andrew Bejarano (45-3) of Plainfield East.
This semifinal had everything: two takedowns near the edge called, then erased for both men, and a late takedown by Bejarano taken away when officials agreed there was no time left on the clock.
Nick Termini (49-0) drew closer to a second consecutive 2A state title after his third straight major decision victory here, this time over Peter McCusker (43-6) from nearby Rantoul.
The Burlington Central senior would join his good friend Austin Macias on board in the Rockets room should he dispatch No. 2 Anthony Turner (41-1) of Danville this evening.
"That's been the goal ever since the start of this season, but I've never underestimated any of my opponents, including here at the tournament, and tomorrow night will be the same thing because it's important to respect whomever your up against," said Termini.
The terrific one-two punch of Jake Harrier (42-3, 132) and John Ridle (37-9, 145) moved one step closer to claiming a state medal when each earned second round victories in wrestle-back action, as did Sam Spencer (41-5) who rebounded nicely from his quarterfinal defeat at the hands of No. 1 Dylan Ragusin from Montini Catholic.
Mikey Caliendo (Batavia, 138, 39-6), Tommy Schroeder (St. Charles East, 160, 37-12) and Dzhabrail Khurshidov (West Aurora, 195, 41-13) are there also, as is Crystal Lake South junior Jason Burburija (220, 27-6) who is looking to make his first 2A appearance here memorable.
Quarterfinal action begins at 9 a.m., semifinals immediately afterward, with third and fifth place matches scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.