Marist junior Will Denny is not shying away from his No. 1 ranking by Illinois Matmen.
He wants opponents to come at him with all they’ve got at 150 pounds.
“It feels great to have a target on my back,” Denny said. “I know I’m going to get the best out of every single kid I face, and that’s what I love.”
So far, it has been hard for anyone who tries to knock Denny off his perch.
That was as true as could be Saturday in the Illini Classic at Lincoln-Way Central. Denny pinned all four of his opponents to win the 150-pound title in dominant fashion.
“It feels great,” Denny said. “It’s more of a statement. We wanted to come here, get good matches, and that’s what we got. I feel like I definitely made a statement.”
Denny (29-3) had a narrow lead over St. Charles East’s Gavin Connolly in the championship match before pinning him late in the third period to make it a perfect day with four pins.
“The kid in the finals doesn’t want to wrestle me,” Denny said. “His whole game plan was to kind of keep it close, so I’m happy I got that pin.”
Denny recently committed to North Carolina State. He’s thrilled to be headed to a major Division I program — and to have the decision out of the way.
“I went down there on a visit, and the coaches were very welcoming, and every single part of it was what I wanted,” Denny said. “It’s definitely a big weight off my shoulders. I can just go out and compete now.
“It’s cool to be able to leave it all out on the mat.”
Marist coach Brendan Heffernan believes Denny has found a good future home.
“He’s excited,” Heffernan said. “It’s a good fit for him and a great program. He can just relax and focus on his wrestling now. And he’s also being a great leader, helping the kids on the team get better, so that’s good to see.”
One of those teammates Denny is helping is fellow junior Michael Esteban, who won the 126-pound title Saturday.
George Marinopoulos (120) also was a champion for the RedHawks, who finished third in the 21-team tournament that was won by Clovis from California.
“I really look up to Will Denny,” Esteban said. “I’d wrestle him when I was younger and he’d always beat me. I love him, though.
“His confidence, dedication and sacrifices are what’s making him successful, and that’s what I’m working up to getting myself.”
Last season, Denny finished fourth at 145 in Class 3A.
“It was a steppingstone in the right direction,” Denny said. “Now we just have to do better this year.
“There’s been a lot of work put in with all my coaches and training partners. Having fun with it, knowing it’s just a game but it’s our favorite game.”
Heffernan has seen Denny up his game in a big way since last season.
“Will has really changed the way he trains and the purpose he trains with,” Heffernan said. “He’s really matured a lot mentally over the last summer, and he’s worked his butt off.
“It’s good to see it paying off because he’s really jumped some levels and improved.”
Denny credits his uncle, Bob Bernard, with introducing him to wrestling 10 years ago. The sport quickly grew on him.
“It’s a gutsy sport, and it’s a one-man sport, and I love that,” Denny said. “Either you’re going to leave it all on the mat or the other guy’s going to take it from you. I love it.”
