After failing to advance from regionals last season, Lockport’s Abdullah Assaf put his nose to the grindstone.
“I came in every day and worked,” Assaf said. “I worked on fixing my technique and learning different shots. I just tuned things up basically.”
Now Assaf is tuning up the opposition. He’ll head to the state tournament on Thursday as the 113-pound champion of the Class 3A Normal Sectional.
“My offense is starting to open up, which is always nice,” he said. “Everyone is pumped right now.”
Assaf (40-5) has lost only two bouts to wrestlers from Illinois this season, and should be a podium contender in his weight.
He’s not the only Porter who can make that claim.
Shayne Oster (138) and Tyler Johnson (195) also secured sectional championships at Normal, while Trevell Timmons (152) took second and Chris Murino (220) placed fourth.
Johnson (16-0) handled a tough field with a championship win over Plainfield South’s Danny Saracco. In the quarterfinals, Johnson flexed his muscles with a tech-fall victory over Minooka state qualifier Josh Bouie.
“Tyler was a little conservative (Saturday), but he still wrestled solid and was never really in trouble,” Lockport coach Josh Oster said.
Johnson, a North Carolina State recruit, is shooting for a state title after losing in the finals last year.
Lincoln-Way East also had a strong showing coming out of the Normal Sectional. Jason Stokes took second at 126 and Brian Burns placed fourth at 170.
“It might seem like a surprise to some, but it’s not a surprise to us,” East coach Tyrone Byrd said of Stokes’ performance. “He’s a gamer and tough as nails. He gets out there and competes. It doesn’t matter who it is.”
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Without a first-round bye, Stokes navigated a difficult road to the finals. He beat two regional champs before dropping a 4-2 overtime decision to Plainfield North’s Luke Smiley.
“I had to overcome my seed,” Stokes said. “Looking at the bracket, I knew I could beat some ranked and honorable-mention kids and get into the finals.”
Foes to friends
Oak Forest’s Patrick Kristin and Bremen’s Javier Soto shared a few laughs after winning 2A De La Salle Sectional titles on Saturday.
While their respective programs are adversaries in the South Suburban Conference during the season, Kristin and Soto said they prefer to root on their rivals once the postseason starts.
“Everybody’s making the turn,” said Kristin, a Lindenwood recruit. “It’s always sweet to see your friends and buddies do well.”
Kristin topped the field at 170 in an action-packed match with Rich South’s Cody Ralston. In the next match, Soto handed Hubbard’s Brandon Pettis (39-1) the first loss of his season.
“That guy was pounding, pounding, pounding in the first round,” Soto said. “I had to weather the storm and keep on wrestling. It feels pretty good to give him his first loss.”
There were six South Suburban champs at De La Salle on Saturday, including Tinley Park’s Eric Schultz (37-0) and Oak Forest’s two-time state champ, Danny Swan (40-2).
Logan Malloy is a freelance writer.