Yorkville senior Ben Alvarez had an existential dilemma to work out.
Entering his final season for the Foxes, the Harvard football recruit had to act as if the greatest individual achievement of his wrestling career had never happened.
“I am just focused on this season, and I am leaving the past in the past,” Alvarez said. “I feel that target on my back because of what I did last season.
“Now, I’m just looking to improve and learn from these experiences that are happening.”
As a junior last season, Alvarez (42-8) captured the Class 3A state championship at 220 pounds with a dramatic escape in overtime. He also powered the Foxes to a fourth-place finish in the dual team state meet.
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Few things stand still in wrestling.
The past and present collided Sunday at the Al Dvorak Invitational at Harlem in Machesney Park with his semifinal match against Loyola sophomore Kai Calcutt.
Alvarez (11-2) lost the rematch of their state championship showdown before finishing in fifth place at 215 in the two-day tournament.
“He’s a young kid, he remembers what happened, and he was probably really hungry for this match,” Alvarez said. “I just have to focus on being the best that I can be this year.
“I definitely have some things to work on. I don’t like losing, but that is part of the sport. I need to learn from the bad experiences and capitalize on them so they don’t happen again.”
at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2023.
The 6-foot-1 Alvarez experienced a similar trajectory last season in making the transition to wrestling after playing defensive line and linebacker for the football team.
He blends the right combination of size, bulk, speed and athleticism. Playing linebacker is crucial in refining his wrestling style and showcasing his abilities at the point of attack.
“I feel like I am pretty athletic for this weight, which is really important as you move up the weight classes and you have to be able to move fast,” Alvarez said. “Having that ability to push the pace is really an advantage.,
“I’m primarily a defensive wrestler, so I am always looking to capitalize on their mistakes. I’m also working on my offensive attacks and getting the opponent into positions that are foreign for them.”
Yorkville coach Jake Oster said Alvarez is coping with the heightened expectations and different emotional dynamics of the new season.
“It is hard to come back and have the same motivation after you achieve your goal of winning a state championship,” Oster said. “Ben has been fine. He has wrestled well, and he has also been a bit banged up from football.
“You’re not always going to be the best. You’re going to lose a match or two. He is going to learn from it and be ready next time.”
Junior Luke Zook finished third Sunday at 175, matching his state place last season at 170.
As a safety on the football team and wrestling partner, he has always been motivated to match the output of Alvarez.
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“I look up to him,” Zook said. “It’s great being on the same team with him in football and wrestling. His preparation and the way he trains and his approach has been really influential.
“I have learned a lot from him.”
At age 6, Alvarez was introduced to wrestling by his mother. The individual and intensely combative nature of the sport contribute to the expressiveness and originality of his nature.
“You get all of your tools and you get to go against another guy,” he said. “You have your own style, and your personality you bring to each match. Football or basketball are also great sports,
“But you just can’t emulate that one-on-one.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.