Big day for Kaneland at sectionals

STERLING - While it wasn't a flawless performance from Kaneland's wrestling team Saturday at the Sterling Class 2A sectional, it turned out to be a record-setting one.

Spearheaded by runner-up finishes from seniors Riley Vanik (26-3) at 182 pounds and Colin Gussman (35-5) at 220, the Knights pushed five individuals through to the Class 2A state tournament in Champaign for the first time in school history.

Senior Austin Kedzie rebounded from a semifinal loss to top-ranked Dack Punke from Washington to capture third place at 120 pounds for Kaneland while Knights' sophomore Nathan Orosco (106) and senior Hayden Patterson (170) also placed third.

Burlington Central advanced three as Austin Macias (120), Nick Termini (126) and Erick Hansen (195) all claimed second place finishes while Hampshire senior Max McGowan placed third at 160 pounds and Pawel Barnes took fourth at 285.

"The more guys we get down there the better," said Kaneland coach Joe Orosco. "The guys work hard and they'll get a solid week of practice in and we'll be ready to go on Thursday."

"I know it will be fun," said Gussman, who qualified for state at 170 pounds two years ago. "It will be the last go-around for this group and I know I'm going to leave it all out there and I think all the other guys will do the same."

The Knights had their sights set on securing two or three titles and top seeds, but ran into some stiff competition.

After handing Morris standout Cody Baldridge his only loss of the season in the Northern Illinois Big 12 final, Baldridge (36-1) evened the score with a narrow 3-2 decision in the title match.

Vanik was in the process of completing a potential match-winning takedown when the final buzzer sounded.

"One second more and I would have had it, but it's something you have to deal with and work on for next time. Don't let it get that close," said Vanik, who earned his third trip to state.

"Last time I had a lot more movement and that was a big key there. I have to work on my movement, my shots, and slicing everything up for next week and get it right."

Gussman cruised to a 13-6 win in the semifinals and was favored against Geneseo's Zach Humphrey (25-4), but dropped a disappointing 1-0 decision.

"Downstate I have to open up," Gussman said. "I paused a lot and hesitated and didn't trust what I do. I know I'm better than that. I was comfortable and didn't go after it."

"These guys are down by one, two points and they can score, but they have to be more aggressive in their wrestling," Orosco said.

Nathan Orosco (29-14) collected his second pin of the season in a third-place win over Ottawa's Luke Flemming.

Kedzie (30-3) won his third place match by forfeit after notching a state-clinching pin over LaSalle-Peru's Trevor Samolinski while Patterson (32-10) also notched an 8-4 decision over Sycamore's Artimus Cunningham

"Nathan's been wrestling real well the last month. Austin's tough, he just has to maintain that focus and Hayden, when he's committed to what he needs to do out there, I don't think anyone can beat him," Orosco said.

Macias (32-2) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 126-pound championship match against last year's 120-pound state champ Tyler Delaware from Washington (30-6), but Delaware came up with a third period reversal and notched a 3-2 win.

"It was a one mistake kind of match, but I needed that because going into next week I know not to make that dumb mistake," said Macias, last year's third place finisher at 120.

Termini (38-2) also ran into a buzz saw in two-time state medalist Savion Haywood (41-1) as Haywood collected a fall at 2:17.

"Haywood's probably going to be in the state final match and you see the best of what 132 has to offer and you work from there and try to improve," Termini said.

After pulling out a 3-1 overtime semifinal decision, Hansen (28-11) was pinned by Washington's Jacob Warner just 29 seconds in.

"The finals were tough, but it happens," said Rockets coach Vince Govea. "We wrestled well overall in a tough sectional and we'll fix our mistakes for next week."

After a surprising loss to Sterling's Elias Edmondson (31-11) by fall in his opening 160-pound match Friday, Hampshire's McGowan (35-6) displayed hit mettle by ripping off four straight wins, including a revenge pin at 1:30 over Edmondson for third place.

"I came out really hesitant and flat-footed yesterday and it went against me, but today I was ready to go," McGowan said.

Barnas (25-11) punched his ticket to state with a fall at 5:05 over Ottawa's Teegan Gregor. Whips junior Casey Allen (36-11) fell one match short of advancing to state for a second straight year, dropping a 6-4 decision to Sandwich's Tommy Dale in a tiebreaker.

"We get our two seniors out," said Hampshire coach Brian lossi. "Max had a rough day yesterday, but he fought back all day and had a great series of matches and Pawel's work ethic is unbelievable and he's a great kid. He's that kid that you coach for."