Wrestling at 189 pounds had become too weighty a matter for St. Patrick’s Joe Fagiano.
So he returned to the 215-pound class, and Friday night at the state individual tournament at Assembly Hall, he moved to within two matches of a repeat title.
Fagiano handed Glenbard East’s Pat Walker his first loss, dominating the quarterfinal match by cruising to a 7-1 first-period lead.
“He kept trying an outside single. I thought I could shut him down on that pretty good,” said Fagiano (42-2), who moved back to 215 in December. “Stuff just started opening up. He was scared of my inside trip. That opened up drop singles.”
In a battle of two-time state placers at 135, Plainfield Central’s Ryan Prater (40-1) beat St. Rita junior Steve Zimmerman (34-1).
The senior overcame a 1-0 deficit with an escape and takedown near the 5-minute mark.
“I’m ready, man. This is right where I want to be. It’s not going to shut down tomorrow,” said Prater, the 2006 125-pound runner-up who avenged his only loss. “I was smart this time. I watched film at the hotel from our match at the Dvorak [Invitational in late December].
“He’s tough. I’m just glad to get this one over with.”
Montini’s Garrett Goebel recorded a 16-second quarterfinal pin at the new 285-pound weight class–the second-fastest heavyweight pin in individual state history and eighth quickest overall. He also defeated Sandburg’s Eric Rettke (44-2) 2-0.
“He’s a big, strong, tough guy, but he’s kind of a defensive wrestler,” Goebel said. “I figured . . . I’d be able to capitalize on his mistakes.”
Teammate Mikey Benefiel (51-0) kept moving toward a fourth state title and improved on his state career record with his 193rd victory. Fellow unbeaten Jordan Blanton of Richmond-Burton advanced to a finals showdown with his 39th and 40th wins.
St. Rita’s Albert White (43-1) got closer to his fourth title with two wins. His lone conqueror, Lucas Roth (43-0) of Lockport, advanced after overcoming back points in the quarterfinals.
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dsurico@tribune.com
