Libertyville senior Josh Knudten appeared to get the easy road Saturday.
The Michigan commit recorded two pins and a major decision in his three matches at 182 pounds at the Class 3A Barrington Sectional. He won the title in just 18 seconds.
But that’s not to say Knudten isn’t simply dominant at times, which he hopes to make more clear at the state meet that begins Thursday at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
“I think I have some unfinished business at state,” said Knudten, who finished fifth at 170 pounds in the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association’s state meet last year.
“I didn’t wrestle as well as I could have in the quarterfinals, and it cost me a chance to win it all. I don’t want to make those mistakes this time.”
Knudten (33-4), ranked No. 4 in his weight class in 3A by the IWCOA, is seeded second in the 16-wrestler field at 182 for the state meet. The top seed is DeKalb’s Bradley Gillum (27-2), who won the state title at 170 last year.
“I think Josh has a great shot at winning state,” Libertyville coach Dale Eggert said. “Josh is a kid who has put in all the work needed to become one of the best in the state.”
Knudten started that work in sixth grade at Highland Middle School before embarking on a high school career that will include three state meets.
“I think I have improved every season,” he said. “I still can improve, of course, but heading into state, I really want to concentrate on what I need to do well and not my opponents.”
Knudten wants to lean on his experience.
“I’ve wrestled against most of these guys, so I know how good they are,” he said. “I need to make sure I’m mentally prepared to compete against the best.
“I have competed (at state) in Champaign before, so I hope I can use that experience to my benefit. It’s still going to be a thrill to wrestle there again, but I hopefully will be ready for it.”
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Knudten isn’t making the trip without teammates. He will be joined by senior Caelan Riley (35-6) at 120, sophomore Matt Kubas (20-14) at 152, junior Austin Gomez (31-10) at 170 and junior Cole Matulenko (31-10) at 195.
Then they will compete against Huntley in the Stevenson Team Sectional on Tuesday.
“It’s good that we have five guys going to individual state to keep their competitive juices flowing, but we also need our other wrestlers to stay ready for Tuesday’s sectional,” Eggert said.
Knudten said they will be prepared to compete on any mat.
“We have been in more of a routine this season than last year because of COVID,” he said. “I like a more regimented routine with classes and practice. I think it helps me become a better wrestler.”
Knudten will continue his wrestling routine when he competes at Michigan while majoring in biochemistry.
“We have a couple of kids at Illinois and at some Division II and III schools, and we are thrilled for Josh that he’s going to Michigan,” Eggert said. “I know it means a lot for our program too.
“He could have taken the easy road and not wrestled in college. But he knows he has a chance to develop even more as a person and wrestler, and he wants that opportunity.”
Darren Day is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.