Montini’s Mikey Benefiel and St. Rita’s Albert White stepped off the mat and into the history books after their fourth individual state wrestling championships Saturday night at Assembly Hall.
Both used aggressive early flurries to get the job done. A five-point move put Benefiel in immediate control against two-time Class A champion Jordan Blanton of Richmond-Burton and led to an 8-2 win.
“He stepped forward really hard with his right leg right at the start,” Benefiel said. “I got that leg and shot in. I tried to finish it, but he’s a real strong, real athletic kid. The plan was to get points and slowly build up.”
Benefiel (52-0) increased his state-record win total to 195 and moved into fourth all time with his 118th consecutive win. Blanton suffered his first high school loss in 112 matches but won a championship for class. He raised Benefiel’s hand in triumph in the center of the mat with six seconds left. Benefiel returned the gesture.
White (45-1) never trailed and held on late for an 8-7 victory. He thrust both hands in the air with four fingers raised to both sides of the stadium.
“Opening up, that was my strategy–win the fight, that’s my style of wrestling,” said White, who collected his 194th career victory and avenged a 1-0 Dvorak tournament finals loss earlier in the season. “I let up a bit. I shouldn’t have. This is what you work for.”
Providence’s John Starzyk (38-1) looked like he had the state pin record in the 125-pound final against Lincoln-Way Central’s Josh Kratovil. But the senior, who had his opponent on his back the final 36 seconds of the match, was more than happy with his 11-4 victory and third straight championship.
“It was really, really, really close,” said Starzyk who defeated the returning champion and three-time state finalist for the third straight week. “I’m just happy I won. It was a brawl to the end, and I caught him.”
———-
dsurico@tribune.com
