February
15-17, 2018
Central
wrestlers Jackson Punzel and Ben Cianchetti put their talents to the test at
the All-State Arena on the campus of the University of Illinois in Champaign
this weekend. Jackson Punzel finished in
the final 8 with a record of 2-2 in the tournament. Ben Cianchetti was defeated in his only
match.
Jackson Punzel, wrestling in the 182 pound weight classes, defeated Logan Roach of DeKalb to open his efforts. The final score was 10-5 as Punzel scored five takedowns in the match. The win put him against #1 ranked Jack Jessen of Willowbrook in the quarterfinals. Jessen won by technical fall 6-21 and eventually went on to win the weight class. Punzel was pushed to the consolation bracket where he faced Yousif Salah of Lockport. Punzel gave up the first takedown. After Salah was penalized a point for an illegal slam, Punzel scored a reversal to go up 3-2 after the first period. In the second, Punzel scored an escape and a takedown to move up 6-2, then was able to turn Salah to his back for near-fall points. Punzel then pinned Salah with one second remaining on the clock in the second period.
The
win advanced Punzel to the final eight wrestlers in the bracket, one win away
from the podium. Unfortunately, Punzel
was defeated by Danny Benoit of Mt. Carmel by a score of 2-4.
Ben Cianchetti
competed in the 220 pound weight class and was defeated by Josh Anderson of
Edwardsville by fall in the second period.
Cianchetti scored the first takedown on a single leg and was working a
turn when he was reversed to his back in the first period. Cianchetti chose top in the second period,
but gave up an escape and takedown before succumbing to the pin. Cianchetti was eliminated from the tournament
when Anderson was defeated in the next round by Koeppel. Anderson finished in the place round,
finishing in the top 8.
Nine
Redhawk wrestlers and Keley Villanova made the trip to Champaign to support Punzel
and Cianchetti.