Joliet Catholic’s Luke Foster is back on the wrestling mat with plenty to prove.
Foster missed most of last season with a broken wrist. He wasn’t able to participate in the individual state series, but he did return for team competition to help the Hilltoppers finish third in Class 3A.
“I broke my wrist in the summer and I was just coming back from it when I broke it again in our first tournament last season,” Foster said. “It was very frustrating.”
Foster, though, is back and better than ever for his junior season. The 126-pounder improved to 19-3 on the season Thursday night when he pinned Lincoln-Way West’s Carter DiBenedetto in a nonconference dual meet.
Foster is ranked No. 7 in Class 3A at 126 by Illinois Matmen, while DiBenedetto is at No. 11.
“A lot of it is about the mental state,” Foster said. “A lot of people go into matches thinking, ‘This kid’s tough,’ and they’ll freeze up a little bit. That used to happen to me, but now I know to always stay on your offense and trust your training.”
Although last season obviously did not go the way Foster wanted it to, he still tried to make the most of his time and get better, even when he could not compete.
“It was a very tough time but I was still showing up to practice every day, getting in the most conditioning I could,” Foster said. “You’ve got to stay active. It kind of motivated me instead of bringing me down.”
Senior 132-pounder Jason Hampton, a three-time state medalist who finished third at 126 last season, is Foster’s practice partner.
He has seen Foster’s desire to be great up close.
“It’s great to see him doing well because we work so hard together all year,” Hampton said. “It’s been him overcoming adversity the past couple years, not really having anything to show for all his hard work.
“He’s still coming out here and beating up on kids who qualified for state, placed at state.”
Foster was able to return for the last week of the season last winter, getting a win at the dual team sectional and three victories at team state.
That gave him some momentum heading into his junior year. And more confidence.
“My mentality now is I think I’m the baddest,” Foster said. “I have to prove it. If he’s coming at me, I’m going to come right back at him.”
Joliet Catholic coach Ryan Cumbee believes Foster has the ability to be a special wrestler well beyond high school. He’s just been waiting for the junior to get the opportunity to show that.
“I think he’s one of the best wrestlers I’ve ever coached and I’ve coached 17 state champions,” Cumbee said. “He’s one of the most intelligent wrestlers I’ve been around and he’s so gifted on the mat. Any college that gets him is going to be very fortunate.
“He knows he’s got a short time in the recruiting window and he’s out here to showcase his skills. He’s got something to prove this year.”
The Hilltoppers, ranked No. 2 in 3A, are also chasing another team trophy. Their lineup is deep and the teammates motivate each other. Like Hampton and Foster.
“We’re like opposite wrestlers,” Hampton said. “I’m more of a space wrestler and I try to finish as clean as possible. He likes to create scrambles and wrestles in close.
“We both get each other better by giving the other one that different look.”
Foster hopes that if he can continue to improve in practice, he can finish the season at the top of the podium.
He’s certainly hungrier than ever.
“It’s still a little bit scary thinking about the injuries and everything,” Foster said. “But missing a whole year, it really motivates me to do the best I can this year, don’t take any practices lightly.
“A lot of offense every match, a lot of scoring, just prove what I am.”
