Despite missing six weeks of the season due to hand and finger injuries, Evanston’s Ramin Abraham finished fifth in the 220-pound weight class at the Class 3A wrestling state tournament.
“I really wanted to step on the podium,” Abraham said. “It took a lot of hard work to get there.”
Evanston coach Rudy Salinas credited Abraham, a junior, for persevering.
“Once he got back on the mat from his injuries, he got the rust knocked off quickly,” Salinas said. “He’s a very gifted athlete.”
Abraham (26-3) also wrestled at state last year and helped the boys soccer team reach the supersectional as a sophomore.
After scoring a tight 4-2 victory in his opening match over Glenbrook North junior Trent Williams, Abraham was pinned in his quarterfinal match by the eventual state champion, Matthew Hennessey of Plainfield North. Abraham rebounded to register a 7-4 decision over Downers North senior Jim Flavin and 4-3 decision over Lincoln-Way West senior Jimmie Olds in his next two matches.
In the latter match, he scored a takedown with only 11 seconds remaining on the clock.
“He tried to throw me and I reversed him,” said Abraham, who has only been wrestling for three years. “I’m really excited about what I can do next year.”
Abraham lost his next match, in the consolation semifinals, but then won the fifth-place match, earning a 3-2 decision over Glenbard North senior Quintin Terry on Saturday.
He is the first Evanston wrestler to medal at state since Jeffrey Brown won the heavyweight title in 2010.
Evanston had two other wrestlers compete at state. Senior Van Rutter (45-11) won one matche in the 195-pound consolation bracket before he was eliminated. Competing at 285 pounds, senior Kevin Washington (8-3) lost his lone match at state.
Mark Perlman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
