MR TWISTER
10-22-2006, 09:01 AM
Well it is almost "go time" with the start of the wrestling season just around the corner. The wrestlers are starting to come down in weight, new shoes are being ordered and pre-season rankings are popping up all over the place. The other day I was trying to put together my travel calendar since I will be going out to Nebraska almost every weekend. I wanted to see the big matches here yet still see my own son start his collegiate career, too. Two regular season tournaments stood out on that calendar as “don't miss dates,” the first being the 18th Al Dvorak Memorial, December 22 and 23, at Harlem High School, and the second being the 71st Annual Chicago Catholic League (CCL) Championships on Saturday, January 3rd at St. Rita High School.
When I started to think about who would make an impact on the high school season this year there are three wrestlers that stand above the rest, Albert White (St. Rita), Mikey Benefiel (Montini) and John Starzyk (Providence). I have watched these three since they first stepped on the mat and I can't miss the conclusion of their high school careers. I suggest that you don't either. All three are chasing something special and rare in Illinois High School wrestling history. They are in a tight race to eclipse the individual IHSA total wins mark of 187, officially established by Jimmy Kennedy (Grant/Illinois) in 2006 (there is the unofficial mark of 192 wins by Joe Gomez (Glenbard North/Illinois) that many like to also point out, as well). As for White and Benefiel, they are trying to become four-time high school state champions.
All three wrestlers are special in their own way and with Illinois being in the midst of the "Golden Age" of high school wrestling, I am not surprised that these three stand above the rest. Take Albert White for example. His record is sparkling at 148-3 including three state titles, a national freestyle championship and 3 CCL titles, as well. Other than three losses during a terrible week in the middle of his sophomore campaign, White has been close to as perfect as anyone since Mt. Carmel's Joe Williams was dominating Illinois wrestling in the early-1990s. White will continue his quest for greatness at tough tournaments like Barrington, Dvorak and the CCL Championships. The Dvorak was the location of White's first career loss and ever since he has taken a lot of pride in wrestling well there. In addition, he also will be trying to become just the ninth four-time CCL champ in 71 years.
At the Dvorak, I must be there because I get a chance to see all three of these great wrestlers at one time. Not to mention that something exciting always happens there, Illinois’s top in-season tournament. Two years ago, I was sitting about 10 rows up as both White and Benefiel lost at the same time, side by side. You could feel the tension in the air. I remember at that same tournament watching little strong man Matt McNaughton (Oak Lawn/Lindenhurst) wrestle in his first big tournament and the crowd's reaction to his every move. Last year was even worse for me as I really could not enjoy the Dvorak because my own son was competing in it for the first time. More tension was in the air as he squared of against his chief rival, Kyle Hutter (Providence/Old Dominium). Although my son won the Dvorak, I could not relax until we got in the car to go home. This year will be different for me. I will get to see a lot of great wrestlers, some of the best of all-time in one location. I suggest you join me.
In addition to White chasing glory, there is the Mikey Benefiel chapter in the Illinois record books. Quietly, Doctor Benefiel's boy has been putting up some staggering numbers. A 143-4 record, including 66 match win streak, is impressive. Three state titles, two in Class A and one in Class AA, is all you need to know to figure out that this kid is very legit. Posting a 43-0 record last season to win the AA title silenced any critics that did not want to validate his A titles because Montini switched over to Class AA from Class A. Needing only 37 wins to break Conor Bebee's school record, Benefiel will be very focused this season. Last year, although going undefeated on his way to the state title at 152, Benefiel was injured during December and was less than impressive in winning the Dvorak. I am willing to bet he will have at lot of fire this time around. And did I mention he also is in the chase to catch Kennedy's total win's mark? Five wins behind White and 44 behind Kennedy will be nothing for a wrestler that averages 48 wins a season.
The state's top pinner, John Starzyk, is also seeking greatness this season. With a career mark of 149-7, Starzyk is the current wins leader in Illinois. With three CCL championships and two state titles on his wall, Starzyk is one to watch at all times. Averaging 49.6 wins a season and needing 39 wins to pass Kennedy, it is almost a foregone conclusion that he will do just that, barring injury. He also has 98 falls during his career and is looking at besting Eric Seibert's (LaSalle-Peru) state record of 117 pins. Starzyk is a “fan favorite” at every tournament, but may face his toughest challenge this season as he will probably move up to either 125 or 130. But winning is what he does. Look for that to happen at both the Dvorak and the CCL's where, like former teammate White, Starzyk may become a four-time champ, too.
December 22 and 23, the Dvorak Tournament; January 20th, the Chicago Catholic League Championships. I have both of those dates circled on my calendar. I guess my boy will have to survive without me in the stands those days because I have to watch Illinois’s best chase history. I hope you join me as this is truly a special season.
When I started to think about who would make an impact on the high school season this year there are three wrestlers that stand above the rest, Albert White (St. Rita), Mikey Benefiel (Montini) and John Starzyk (Providence). I have watched these three since they first stepped on the mat and I can't miss the conclusion of their high school careers. I suggest that you don't either. All three are chasing something special and rare in Illinois High School wrestling history. They are in a tight race to eclipse the individual IHSA total wins mark of 187, officially established by Jimmy Kennedy (Grant/Illinois) in 2006 (there is the unofficial mark of 192 wins by Joe Gomez (Glenbard North/Illinois) that many like to also point out, as well). As for White and Benefiel, they are trying to become four-time high school state champions.
All three wrestlers are special in their own way and with Illinois being in the midst of the "Golden Age" of high school wrestling, I am not surprised that these three stand above the rest. Take Albert White for example. His record is sparkling at 148-3 including three state titles, a national freestyle championship and 3 CCL titles, as well. Other than three losses during a terrible week in the middle of his sophomore campaign, White has been close to as perfect as anyone since Mt. Carmel's Joe Williams was dominating Illinois wrestling in the early-1990s. White will continue his quest for greatness at tough tournaments like Barrington, Dvorak and the CCL Championships. The Dvorak was the location of White's first career loss and ever since he has taken a lot of pride in wrestling well there. In addition, he also will be trying to become just the ninth four-time CCL champ in 71 years.
At the Dvorak, I must be there because I get a chance to see all three of these great wrestlers at one time. Not to mention that something exciting always happens there, Illinois’s top in-season tournament. Two years ago, I was sitting about 10 rows up as both White and Benefiel lost at the same time, side by side. You could feel the tension in the air. I remember at that same tournament watching little strong man Matt McNaughton (Oak Lawn/Lindenhurst) wrestle in his first big tournament and the crowd's reaction to his every move. Last year was even worse for me as I really could not enjoy the Dvorak because my own son was competing in it for the first time. More tension was in the air as he squared of against his chief rival, Kyle Hutter (Providence/Old Dominium). Although my son won the Dvorak, I could not relax until we got in the car to go home. This year will be different for me. I will get to see a lot of great wrestlers, some of the best of all-time in one location. I suggest you join me.
In addition to White chasing glory, there is the Mikey Benefiel chapter in the Illinois record books. Quietly, Doctor Benefiel's boy has been putting up some staggering numbers. A 143-4 record, including 66 match win streak, is impressive. Three state titles, two in Class A and one in Class AA, is all you need to know to figure out that this kid is very legit. Posting a 43-0 record last season to win the AA title silenced any critics that did not want to validate his A titles because Montini switched over to Class AA from Class A. Needing only 37 wins to break Conor Bebee's school record, Benefiel will be very focused this season. Last year, although going undefeated on his way to the state title at 152, Benefiel was injured during December and was less than impressive in winning the Dvorak. I am willing to bet he will have at lot of fire this time around. And did I mention he also is in the chase to catch Kennedy's total win's mark? Five wins behind White and 44 behind Kennedy will be nothing for a wrestler that averages 48 wins a season.
The state's top pinner, John Starzyk, is also seeking greatness this season. With a career mark of 149-7, Starzyk is the current wins leader in Illinois. With three CCL championships and two state titles on his wall, Starzyk is one to watch at all times. Averaging 49.6 wins a season and needing 39 wins to pass Kennedy, it is almost a foregone conclusion that he will do just that, barring injury. He also has 98 falls during his career and is looking at besting Eric Seibert's (LaSalle-Peru) state record of 117 pins. Starzyk is a “fan favorite” at every tournament, but may face his toughest challenge this season as he will probably move up to either 125 or 130. But winning is what he does. Look for that to happen at both the Dvorak and the CCL's where, like former teammate White, Starzyk may become a four-time champ, too.
December 22 and 23, the Dvorak Tournament; January 20th, the Chicago Catholic League Championships. I have both of those dates circled on my calendar. I guess my boy will have to survive without me in the stands those days because I have to watch Illinois’s best chase history. I hope you join me as this is truly a special season.