Wrestling: Hinsdale Central’s Allen places third at State
By Kevin McGavin Contributor February 21, 2012 9:06PM
Hinsdale Central's Juwan Edmond tries to take down Providence Catholic's Eddie Klimara, during a bout at 126 pounds. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 24, 2012 8:50AM
Not only was Brian Allen looking to keep the IHSA Class 3A heavyweight wrestling crown in the Hinsdale Central program, but he also wanted to keep it in his own family.
One year after his older brother, Jack — who was coming off back-to-back state-meet championship losses — secured the heavyweight crown, Brian Allen was primed for consecutive state titles at 285 pounds.
Undefeated during the regular season, Allen fell short of his ultimate goal, dropping his only two matches — to eventual state champion James Buss (De La Salle) and runner-up Rob Bain (Bolingbrook) — in a sectional final and in the state semifinals, respectively.
Allen ended his season in style, winning his final two matches — the last against Neuqua Valley junior Andrew Geers — to place third.
The Red Devils’ sophomore was third last year at 215 pounds.
“I was pretty happy with the way I ended up against (Geers),” Allen said. “I like that I shut him out (6-0). He has been fourth (in State) the last two years and is only a junior. He may be the favorite to win State next year. I wanted to let him know that I would be around.”
Allen opened the three-day tournament at the University of Illinois’ Assembly Hall on Feb. 16 with a win by decision, and cruised into the semifinals with a first-period fall Friday morning.
For the second time in as many weeks, however, Allen dropped a hard-fought overtime match; this time against Bain.
“I didn’t shoot as many times (against Bain) as I wanted to,” Allen said. “I should have opened up a little more in that (match).”
Allen made the progression to heavyweight after taking some lumps in the process.
“It was hard getting used to it at first,” Allen said. “I started wrestling heavyweight last summer and got my butt whipped a lot.”
Added Hinsdale Central coach Jason Hayes: “It’s a tough tournament (the state finals). (Allen’s) losses (during the season) were to the state champion and state runner-up. We think (Allen) has the potential to be a state champion over the next two years.”
Juwan Edmond ended a solid freshman campaign by placing fifth at 126 pounds.
“Juwan could be a promising contender for the program,” Hayes said. “He can go and take it to the next level for the next three years.”
TJ Sally had his wrestling career come to a screeching halt with a season-ending neck injury in the semifinals.
The senior was forced to forfeit his final two matches in placing sixth overall.
Junior George Talbert (113) and senior Justin Katzovitz (220) were the Red Devils’ other State qualifiers.
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