MR TWISTER
01-01-2007, 03:29 PM
As another year draws to a conclusion and a new one begins it is only fair that we look in the rear view mirror one more time at a fantastic 2006 wrestling season. Illinois had a banner year and I took a moment to list thirty-two events that helped shape the 2006 season on all levels. Illinois did so well last year that you tend to forget the accomplishments until you see them listed together as one. I also put a few lows in as well because you need those to have the highs.
Now before you get in a tizzy, they are not listed in any order because in my opinion none was more important than the other.
Every wrestler, fan and coach in the state makes Illinois wrestling what it is.
>> Jimmy Kennedy wins second IHSA title in strong 125 lb. bracket and sets the IHSA All Time wins mark
>> Caitlyn Chase wins third ASIC's Freestyle National title @ 110 lbs.
>> Mario Morgan, Kyle Hutter and Vince Hannon sparkled in a tough 125 lb. bracket at Senior Nationals in Pittsburgh
>> Illinois dominates competition at Junior National Duals to claim the National freestyle title
>> Albert White wins 145 lb. ASIC's Junior National freestyle championship
>> Lucas Roth upsets Albert White for 152 lb. Al Dvorak Memorial title
>> Jimmy Kennedy beats Brandon Precin at Dual State but Sandburg wins it's second Dual State title finishing the season ranked third in the U.S., the highest ranked public school.
>> Mike Polz named National High School Coach of the Year
>> Mario Morgan becomes eighth wrestler in 68 years to win four Chicago Catholic League championships
>> James Oliva and Jeff Harrison follow college wrestling all over the USA and debut The Wrestling Recap video highlights – for free
>> Montini Catholic wins the Dvorak and The Clash V in a one week period
>> John Odeen, Bryan O’Connor, Scott Penny and Zack Taylor sign with Northern Illinois University
>> Eight juniors win IHSA state titles to form strong 2007 AA class
>> Max Nowry wins 91 lb. Asics Cadet Greco National title
>> Mark Hahn inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame
>> Team Illinois Greco comes from behind to finish second in the nation at Fargo
>> Jimmy Kennedy and John Dergo named starters for Illinois as true freshmen, the same for Nathan Everhart at Indiana and Stephen Dwyer at Nebraska - Lincoln, Mark Schultz at Wisconsin - Whitewater, Jon Henslee at Iowa Central, Brandon Precin at Northwestern, Joe Trinka at Eastern Illinois, Kyle Hutter at Old Dominion and Mario Morgan at Nebraska -Omaha
>> Albert White and Jerome Ward commit to Illinois
>> Brandon Precin upsets Mark Moos of Michigan, ranked fourth in the country to start his college career at Northwestern
>> Olympian Joe Williams returns to his home state to coach at Northern Illinois University
>> Mikey Benefiel and Albert White win their third IHSA state titles
>> MacMurray College drops wrestling
>> Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville debates going Division 1 in wresting and plans for a wrestling only facility
>> Jimmy Kennedy and Albert White make Asics All American folkstyle team
>> John Starzyk wins second state title at two different schools in consecutive years - undefeated
>> Seniors Mario Morgan, Vince Hannon, Dalton Bullard and Stephen Dwyer lead 16 Illinois NHSCA folkstyle All Americans
>> John Dergo, Mark Bybee, Zack Taylor, Thomas Webster, Mario Morgan, Mike McAullife, Matt Schemeski, Mikey Benefiel, Sean and Donnie Reynolds suffer major surgery related injuries
>> NHSCA Folkstyle National Champion Tyler Clark transfers to Bettendorf, Iowa, and state champion Jordan Johnson follows
>> Brett Robbins wins Gold Medal at Junior World Trials
>> Illinoismatmen.com recognized by Intermat as most comprehensive state website in the country
>> Mary Kelly places at the World Championships
>> Sons of Thunder kids club represents southern Illinois and wins IKWF senior state title
It can only get better
Happy New Year!
Now before you get in a tizzy, they are not listed in any order because in my opinion none was more important than the other.
Every wrestler, fan and coach in the state makes Illinois wrestling what it is.
>> Jimmy Kennedy wins second IHSA title in strong 125 lb. bracket and sets the IHSA All Time wins mark
>> Caitlyn Chase wins third ASIC's Freestyle National title @ 110 lbs.
>> Mario Morgan, Kyle Hutter and Vince Hannon sparkled in a tough 125 lb. bracket at Senior Nationals in Pittsburgh
>> Illinois dominates competition at Junior National Duals to claim the National freestyle title
>> Albert White wins 145 lb. ASIC's Junior National freestyle championship
>> Lucas Roth upsets Albert White for 152 lb. Al Dvorak Memorial title
>> Jimmy Kennedy beats Brandon Precin at Dual State but Sandburg wins it's second Dual State title finishing the season ranked third in the U.S., the highest ranked public school.
>> Mike Polz named National High School Coach of the Year
>> Mario Morgan becomes eighth wrestler in 68 years to win four Chicago Catholic League championships
>> James Oliva and Jeff Harrison follow college wrestling all over the USA and debut The Wrestling Recap video highlights – for free
>> Montini Catholic wins the Dvorak and The Clash V in a one week period
>> John Odeen, Bryan O’Connor, Scott Penny and Zack Taylor sign with Northern Illinois University
>> Eight juniors win IHSA state titles to form strong 2007 AA class
>> Max Nowry wins 91 lb. Asics Cadet Greco National title
>> Mark Hahn inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame
>> Team Illinois Greco comes from behind to finish second in the nation at Fargo
>> Jimmy Kennedy and John Dergo named starters for Illinois as true freshmen, the same for Nathan Everhart at Indiana and Stephen Dwyer at Nebraska - Lincoln, Mark Schultz at Wisconsin - Whitewater, Jon Henslee at Iowa Central, Brandon Precin at Northwestern, Joe Trinka at Eastern Illinois, Kyle Hutter at Old Dominion and Mario Morgan at Nebraska -Omaha
>> Albert White and Jerome Ward commit to Illinois
>> Brandon Precin upsets Mark Moos of Michigan, ranked fourth in the country to start his college career at Northwestern
>> Olympian Joe Williams returns to his home state to coach at Northern Illinois University
>> Mikey Benefiel and Albert White win their third IHSA state titles
>> MacMurray College drops wrestling
>> Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville debates going Division 1 in wresting and plans for a wrestling only facility
>> Jimmy Kennedy and Albert White make Asics All American folkstyle team
>> John Starzyk wins second state title at two different schools in consecutive years - undefeated
>> Seniors Mario Morgan, Vince Hannon, Dalton Bullard and Stephen Dwyer lead 16 Illinois NHSCA folkstyle All Americans
>> John Dergo, Mark Bybee, Zack Taylor, Thomas Webster, Mario Morgan, Mike McAullife, Matt Schemeski, Mikey Benefiel, Sean and Donnie Reynolds suffer major surgery related injuries
>> NHSCA Folkstyle National Champion Tyler Clark transfers to Bettendorf, Iowa, and state champion Jordan Johnson follows
>> Brett Robbins wins Gold Medal at Junior World Trials
>> Illinoismatmen.com recognized by Intermat as most comprehensive state website in the country
>> Mary Kelly places at the World Championships
>> Sons of Thunder kids club represents southern Illinois and wins IKWF senior state title
It can only get better
Happy New Year!