CHAMPAIGN — It takes a lot to make the normally reserved Josh King excited.
But the Hinsdale South junior could finally crack a smile Saturday after the awards ceremony at the Class 3A state wrestling meet.
The top step belonged to King, who beat Plainfield South junior Eric Johnson 9-6 to win the 220-pound title at the State Farm Center.
“It’s awesome,” King said. “Everyone in the bracket was very talented. Coming down here, it feels fantastic coming out on top. It’s a feeling you will never live down.”
King (45-1) opened the final with a takedown against Johnson (46-4), who responded with a reversal and two near-fall points before King had a reversal of his own in a flurry of action in the first period. King led 9-4 early in the third period and held on to become the Hornets’ first state champion since Sebastian Pique won at 112 in 2011.
King is Hinsdale South’s fifth champion, joining Bill Castans in 1977, Kurt Bednar in 1985 and Scott Wallace in 2005.
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“This is fantastic,” first-year Hinsdale South coach Kevin Formanski said. “It’s great to end this season (this way). We’ve had our ups and downs (as a team). This is the ultimate to end it with Josh as a state champion.”
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