Luke Roth finishes 2-2, Ben Williamson gets two matches
February 14-15, 2013
Luke Roth and Ben Williamson displayed their wrestling talents on the floor of the Assembly Hall on the campus of the University of Illinois this weekend. Senior Luke Roth finished with a record of 2-2 and in the top eight of his weigh class. Ben Williamson competed in two matches.
Luke Roth completes his high school wrestling resume in impressive fashion. A three-time state qualifier, Luke just missed getting on the podium. Luke defeated John Benson of New Trier by a score of 8-5 in the opening round of the tournament. Luke was taken down in the first period but scored a takedown in period two to even the match. Luke then scored two takedowns in the final frame to pull away 8-5.
In the quarterfinals, Luke faced Vince Ambrose of New Lenox Providence. After a scoreless first period, Ambrose scored first with an escape in the second period. Roth answered with an escape in the third and the two wrestlers went into overtime tied at 1-1. A minute of sudden-death in neutral position did not decide the match, so each wrestler begins a 30 second period in the down position. Luke Roth looked to gain a reversal in his 30 seconds, but just missed as the period ended with no score. Ambrose escaped with just 10 seconds in his half and added a takedown as Roth lunged for a takedown as the time expired.
Roth took on Wes Pasholk of St. Charles North in the first round of the wrestle-backs. Again both wrestlers scored escapes with Luke scoring in the second period and Pasholk scoring in the third period. In overtime, Roth scored the winning takedown in the final ten second to come away with a 3-1 win.
In round two of wrestle-backs, Luke Roth met Tremont Davis of Bellville West. Davis scored a takedown in the first and second period s to take a 2-4 lead. After an escape by Roth and an escape by Davis (to start the third period), Roth scored a big takedown on the edge of the mat to tie the score at 5-5. Luke Roth allowed an escape to try to get the winning takedown, but Davis scored late. Roth escaped and attempted a takedown to tie, but just missed as time expired.
Ben Williamson saw action in the first round against the number two seeded Doug Johnson of DeKalb. Ben was pinned at 4:55. Ben received a wrestle-back match after Johnson won in round two. Ben’s opponent was Johnny Gosinski of Glenbard North. Gosinski scored a takedown in each period to defeat Williamson 0-7.
Officially the 2012-2013 wrestling season has concluded. Many of NCHS’s freshman and sophomores will be competing at IWCOA Freshman-Sophomore Regionals next weekend at Lyons Township High School. This is a well organized and well attended state tournament series that Redhawk wrestlers have been successful in the past.
Naperville Central will be recognizing the team’s efforts at our award banquet on Tuesday, February 26 in the aux. gym starting at 6:30.
GO REDHAWKS!