For 28 seasons, Dale Eggert has served as Libertyville’s wrestling coach. He’s won more than 500 career dual meets and a season ago, coached four sectional champions.
Despite all that success, Saturday night’s Class 3A 160-pound state final between Wildcats senior Joey Gunther and Oak Park-River Forest’s top-ranked Matt Rundell was just the fourth time a Libertyville wrestler has competed for an individual state title.
“It’s really hard,” Eggert said.
It’s even harder to come away with a championship. Rundell earned a 3-2 victory, and Gunther claimed a second-place medal.
Gunther, a medal winner at 152 pounds last season, entered Saturday’s state meet in Champaign with a sterling résumé. His 36 wins (against two losses) included North Suburban Conference, regional and sectional championships along with a No. 2 ranking from illinoismatmen.com.
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He breezed into Friday night’s semifinals with decisions in the preliminary and quarterfinal rounds.
“He did what he was supposed to do,” Eggert said. “[Gunther’s mindset was], ‘If you are going to beat me, you are going to have to come at me.’ He was not going to make a mistake.”
Waiting for Gunther in the semifinals was a career nemesis, Marmion junior Trace Carello. In 2013-14, Carello defeated Gunther three times, all in overtime. Earlier this season, at the Harlem Tournament in December, Gunther squeaked out a 3-2 decision over Carello.
As expected, the match was a fierce dual. A 2-2 tie at the end of three periods sent the match to overtime. A stalemate in the extra session forced an ultimate tie-breaker. In the do-or-die period, Gunther did not allow Carello to escape, earning one point and the 3-2 victory.
“No one was going to make a mistake by being overly offensive,” Eggert said. “There was a lot of banging, chopping and moving. Joey rode him out.”
Up next in Saturday night’s final was Rundell. Like Carello, Rundell is defensive-minded. Scoring would be at a premium. After a scoreless first period, Gunther, given the option, chose the down position.
“We felt confident [Rundell] wasn’t going to get turned,” Eggert said. “[Gunther said], ‘Let’s see if I can get away.’ “
An escape would earn Gunther one point — and the lead. But he couldn’t elude Rundell’s grasp, and the match entered the third period scoreless.
On bottom, Rundell escaped for one point. He then added two more points for defending a shot attempt by Gunther. Down 3-0, Gunther escaped for one point and was awarded another when Rundell was called for stalling. But Gunther could not tack on another point. The third-period clock ran out and for Gunther, that meant a 3-2 loss.
It’s the second year in a row a Wildcat wrestler came up short in the title match. Last season, Steve Polakowski lost in the 120-pound championship bout.
“[Gunther’s] a pretty level-headed, down-to-earth guy,” Eggert said. “He understands you did your best and if you do, you have to live with the results. He’s disappointed with the finish, but I know he feels pretty good to have gotten that far.”
Libertyville’s other state participant, senior Mark Dunsing, earned an all-state medal with a fourth-place finish at 220.
Eggert credits assistant coaches Jeff Keske and Vinnie Sapienza for their work all season with Gunther and Dunsing.
“I’m very pleased [Gunther and Dunsing] could experience [the state meet] and perform so well,” Eggert said.
Jon Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.