Wrestling: Highland Park’s Kessler just misses trip to State
By Jon kerr Contributor February 14, 2012 9:48PM
Highland Park's Nate Kessler tries to break free from New Trier's MJ Pritchard during the 113-pound wrestleback semifinals at Saturday's sectional at Barrington. Kessler lost the critical match 6-5. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 17, 2012 10:16AM
Heartbreaking.
Highland Park’s Nate Kessler just missed punching a ticket to the IHSA state tournament.
The Giants junior won three matches at 113 pounds at last weekend’s sectional at Barrington. But Kessler (32-9) dropped a 6-5 decision to New Trier’s MJ Pritchard in the critical wrestleback semifinals.
HP sent three competitors to Barrington. Sophomore Brandon Garcia-Galvan (19-9) won one match at 126, while fellow sophomore Dom Ciancio (24-19) went 0-2 at 138.
“This is a rebuilding year for us,” said HP coach Chris Riley. “It helps that Kessler is a junior and a good leader. We’re still young and have a bunch of guys coming back. I think we have some significant pieces of the puzzle in place.”
At Deerfield
It was a small step for Deerfield coach Marc Pechtel, but a significant moment for the Warriors’ wrestling program.
During the Barrington Sectional, Deefield’s Artie Bess (220 pounds) had just pinned Prospect’s Max Triveline in the third period, winning his second straight sectional title. Walking off the mat, Pechtel — much shorter than Bess — jumped into his arms in a celebratory gesture.
“It was a bear hug,” said Pechtel, the Warriors’ 11th-year coach. “I hope to get one more. I want one more of those Downstate.”
Pechtel will have two opportunities to do so. Joining the powerful Bess at the state meet will be 145-pounder Lenny Bloom (38-1), who earned his second straight trip to the Big Show by winning a title with a 7-4 decision over Buffalo Grove’s Jordan Rathje.
Bloom dispatched of the long, lanky Rathje in similar fashion during their regional final bout on Feb. 4, using his quickness and escape ability to consistently thwart his opponent’s offensive shots. Back-to-back tight wins over Rathje, a State qualifier in 2011, has Bloom believing he can make a deep run in the state tournament this year.
“I did not have close matches last year. I killed everyone coming into sectionals and lost (at State in the first round),” said Bloom, a four-time sectional qualifier. “This year, I’ve had close match after close match. I’m used to being tired. Knowing I can push my body through it, so I’m not tired, is confidence for me.”
Added Pechtel: “He seems to be peaking right now. He’s wrestling really tough kids but he’s getting it done. He’s not winning by a pin, tech or major, but he’s in control. He’s a smart wrestler.”
There was no doubt Bess was in control from the start of his championship match at Barrington. The senior held a wide margin in points before he pinned Triveline with 30 seconds left.
Bess (36-1) returns to Champaign — site of the state meet — with a truckload of hardware from a terrific season: conference champion, regional champion, sectional champion.
So … what’s next?
“State title,” he said. “Go down there, take some names, hopefully be on top of the podium. Going Downstate, I’ll be more prepared. I’ve got a great coaching staff who pushes me through everything.”
And Pechtel believes Bess is ready to back up the lofty expectations.
“To come out like that, he came out on fire (at sectionals). That was awesome,” Pechtel said. “As we get better and better, expectations go up and up. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The state tournament, which will be held at the Assembly Hall, begins on Thursday. The finals will be held on Saturday night.
Recap: Deerfield had four other wrestlers compete in the sectional.
Keven Hoogheem (32-9) finished 2-2 at 113. After the opening the tournament with a pin against Glenbrook South’s Jimmy Binder in 1:58, the senior was unable to get past Libertyville’s Steve Polakowski, falling 7-4. Then, in the wrestlebacks, he picked up another pin over Round Lake’s Danny Arteaga (2:55) but then was eliminated by Highand Park’s Nate Kessler 7-3.
Twin brother Christian Hoogheem (29-9) lost both his matches at 120. Tyler Pohn (21-9) went 1-2 at 170. And Jim Kirby (30-9) lost both of his matches at 195.
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