Baysingar, Jackson lead MSL contingent at state
CHAMPAIGN - The Mid-Suburban League's wrestlers would have a difficult time advancing into the championship bracket on the first day of action at the 83rd IHSA state wrestling tournament here Thursday.
But that's not to take anything away from the MSL's high profile athletes who came ready to wrestle inside State Farm Center.
Top-rated Will Baysingar (Prospect, 106 pounds, 45-0) and Gio Jackson (Buffalo Grove, 220, 39-1) were lethal on the big mats Thursday, each advancing into Friday's quarterfinals with ease.
The same could be said for No. 1 Luke Rasmussen (170, 43-0), who was untouched during his technical fall victory, as was Prospect junior Jack Milos (44-0), who continues to roll over his rivals at 138.
"It felt good to get this first one out of the way," admitted Jackson, who figures the nerves he struggled with a year ago during his first state appearance were long gone when play opened Thursday.
Jackson's friend, Rasmussen, says his mindset is far greater than it was last season.
"In my head I know that I can be the best this weekend, so now it's time to show it on the mat," Rasmussen said.
His Barrington teammates: Kai Conway (160, 43-3) and Evan Roper (220, 31-5) earned hard-fought first-round victories, but No. 2 Jack Hartman (182, 37-6) could not escape a 6-4 defeat in overtime to Jared Dowell (38-4) of Pekin.
The junior will now go in search of his first state medal through wrestlebacks.
No. 4 Isiah Pettigrew (Fremd, 195, 35-2) roughed up Riley Elam (30-12) from Belleville West to move into the quarterfinals against Marist sophomore, Ghee Rachal, now 42-5.
Day No. 2 will open at 8:30 a.m. Friday with the Class 3A quarterfinals, followed by wrestlebacks for all three classes until there's a break in the action at 4:30 p.m.
Semifinals are set to begin at 7 p.m.