Huntley's Spencer completes four-peat
There is still one big week ahead for Sam Spencer, but the memories he will take from sectionals at Barrington will last a lifetime, according to the now four-time state qualifier.
The Huntley senior collected his second sectional title Saturday afternoon, and will join four other Red Raiders on the trip to Champaign this Thursday with the hope of adding a second state medal to an impressive resume.
"Whether in victory or defeat, this sectional has been great to me, but today is especially important to me because of the passing recently of my grandmother, who I look up to before each time I go out on the mat," said Spencer, now 34-3 following his victory over Antonio Alvarado (Belvidere) in his 126-pound final.
The No. 4 rated 26-pounder was fifth two years ago, and, along with reigning state champion David Ferrante (170, 42-2) and No. 7 Jeremy Jakowitsch (138, 39-7), hold the best chance of bringing back more hardware from Champaign next weekend.
This is not to exclude 113-pound champion Jacob Jensen (26-10) who impressed from his opening whistle until the last, when he pinned Brian Beers (37-8) of Barrington.
Ferrante, No. 1 heading into this tournament, met No. 2 Luke Rasmussen (Barrington) in a highly anticipated semifinal that was decided when Ferrante conceded a late take-down in a 5-2 decision.
"Luke is a great opponent, but it was my mistake in those closing seconds that cost me," said Ferrante. "It would have been nice to win here, but the ultimate goal is to win it all next week at state."
The Ferrante-Rasmussen contest was not the only high profile semifinal - the other being No. 1 Joel Vandevere (Warren, 29-1) versus No. 3 Jake Harrier (39-2) of Jacobs.
Harrier, who lost earlier in the season to No. 2 Danny Pucino (Libertyville) - ruled out of the tournament to a concussion - took the lead with a nicely played high single, one of several in which Vandervere would later defend on three other occasions.
Even at 4-4, then 5-5, Vandervere, off a scramble, recorded the match-winning takedown in a 7-5 final.
"Jake is right there with the best, so we're feeling very good about next weekend, when we hope to be in the final with Vandevere again," said Jacobs coach Gary Conrad.
Conrad and his staff celebrated a James Wright (33-10) second-place finish at 106 in addition to a third-place medal from Ryan Golnick (37-4) at 220, and an Alex Epstein (26-6) fourth-place finish.
"Four to state is the best in program history, and we almost added another one or two along the way," said Conrad.
Huntley junior Andrew Lara (132, 29-10) is now a two-time state qualifier, while sophomore Ryder Hunkins (39-8) earned his first at 195.
During his final at 145 pounds with Will Collins (Glenbrook South, 16-0), Dundee-Crown senior Gabriel Scales (15-1) suffered an injury.
The four-time sectional qualifier, who was coming off a regional title last weekend, had to be helped off after a first period scramble, forcing the Chargers star to incure an injury default.