Marian Catholic freshman Vincent Robinson has a straightforward mentality.
“I like to get my first takedown,” he said. “The first takedown is usually going to determine the match. I like to go first and go fast.”
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Robinson delivered a breakthrough performance Saturday in the Class 3A state meet at the University of Illinois.
Facing undefeated Josh Koderhandt of Belleville West in 120-pound championship match, Robinson secured two takedowns for a 4-2 lead before Koderhandt rallied in the final second of overtime for a 6-4 win.
Even in defeat, Robinson emphatically showed that he belonged among the state’s best.
“I am just a freshman, but I came in with the attitude that there is nobody out here better than me,” Robinson said. “I already felt coming in I was underrated, so I felt like I had to prove everybody wrong.”
Robinson (27-4) showcased dazzling quickness, athleticism, balance and strength.
Even though he does not have formal training in gymnastics, he typically performs front flips and backflips as part of his training and workout regimen.
Robinson dominated Mount Carmel’s Colton Drousias, the reigning 3A 113-pound state champion, 11-5 in the quarterfinals.
“It was just mind-blowing,” Robinson said of the title bout. “I never thought I was going to make it that far. It was just heartbreaking for the match to come down to the last second.”
Robinson is the latest in a family dynasty. His father, Vasil, an assistant coach at Marian, was a standout at Mendel.
His older brother, Travis Ford-Melton, a four-time state placewinner, went 154-18 at Marian. Ford-Melton finished 47-0 and won the 2A 113-pound state title as a freshman in 2015-16. He’s now a freshman at Purdue.
Another brother, Jaydon, is set to join the program next year as a freshman.
“Travis told me to come out here and be myself,” Robinson said. “He told me to wrestle my match and not get caught up in the hype.”
Robinson played on the varsity as a running back and safety in football.
“I don’t even look at what he has done in wrestling,” Vasil Robinson said. “He’s very intelligent. He’s holding a 3.7 grade-point average.
“He’s just a good kid, and does everything right from training to eating and living right. His future is very bright.”
Undefeated run: Senior Drew Nash suffered a broken thumb in Lemont’s final football game. It delayed his wrestling season until January.
“I think it was a blessing in disguise,” Nash said. “Last season, I had two torn labrums and I had knee injuries. I think it was just a factor of being burnt out.”
Revitalized and with his body fully healed, Nash (18-0) won the 2A state title at 126 after Washington’s Joey Cape suffered an injury.
“I am very physical,” Nash said. “I am fast, very quick and explosive.”
The rundown: Lockport senior Mikey Kaminski reached the 3A championship match at 126, where he finished second.
Kaminski improved to 44-5 and had the Porters’ best individual finish. Senior Kaleb Thornton (24-3) finished fifth at 113.
Also for Lockport, sophomore Andrew Blackburn-Forst (44-10) recorded a pin to finish fifth at 195. Sophomore Keegan Roberson (34-10) reached the quarterfinals of the wrestlebacks at 132.
At 138, Lincoln-Way West junior Javen Estrada (41-4) also reached the quarterfinals of the wrestlebacks. Senior Payton Geigner (41-9) took fifth at 160.
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Marist junior Bobby Gaylord (31-13) was sixth at 170.
Providence sophomore Ryan Boersma finished 45-5 with his fifth-place finish at 285.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.