State Wrestling: Ruettiger pins down quick win
By Logan Malloy For Sun-Times Media February 14, 2013 10:18PM
Updated: March 17, 2013 6:18PM
CHAMPAIGN — It might have been Valentine’s Day, but Lincoln-Way West’s Josh Ruettiger set out to break a heart.
The 152-pound senior downed Fenwick’s Tony Triggiano a mere 10 seconds into their first-round match Thursday at Assembly Hall. It would have been the fastest pin in state tournament history if his cousin Dan Ruettiger hadn’t secured a fall in nine seconds for Providence in 2004.
“I’m not concerned with records. I’m just happy I won,” Ruettiger said. “Last year was tough going back to the hotel with a loss, hoping your kid would win the next day (to get a spot in the consolation bracket). It’s great to know it’s in my hands now.”
Ruettiger (32-12) and Jake Bohne (38-10), a winner at 170, were the only two of Lincoln-Way West’s 10 qualifiers with state finals experience. But the lack of seasoning didn’t hinder the Warriors from advancing seven to the next round, the second-best total in Class 2A behind Montini’s 10 quarterfinalists.
In Class 1A, Coal City showed the lighter weights are tough to beat. The Miners advanced four of their five qualifiers to the quarterfinals, with returning state-placers Cody Minnick (106) and Casey Brown (120) cruising to victories and Corey Jurzak (113) and Jake Czaja (145) also winning.
“The practice room is very intense with us lower weights,” Minnick said after improving his record to 45-0. “We push each other to the limits every day, so it definitely helps (in big matches).”
Wilmington sent four to the quarterfinals after qualifying 10. Sean Liaromatis (170) and Derrick Romano (285) had pins for Wilmington.
Lincoln-Way Central and Lockport led the area with seven Class 3A qualifiers apiece.
The Knights pushed four to the quarterfinals, led by Brendan Ditchman (182) and the Porters sent three, including 195-pounder Luis Montoya.
In possibly the day’s biggest shocker, Lemont’s Chris Giatras, a state medalist last season, fell to Washington’s Colin Carr 8-4.
