Illinois wrestling has been on a serious roll since 2005. Once again, the freestyle and Greco-Roman teams were dominant during the summer. Powered by a combination of the recent 2010 graduating class and the 2011 seniors Illinois wrapped up their third consecutive ASICS freestyle national championship along with the first Greco Junior title in Illinois history. In addition, the 2010 Cadet freestyle national title won by Illinois serves notice that future Illinois teams will be strong as well.
Illinois is very proud of their past wrestling legacy and stepping into the No. 1 slot for 2011 is Jahwon Akui (St. Rita) the best multi-sport athlete to come out of Illinois since John Dergo (Morris/Illinois) in 2006. A record setting football running back and multiple-time wrestling All-American, Akui follows Lee Munster (2010), Tony Ramos (2009), Conrad Polz (2008), Albert White (2007) and Brandon Precin (2006) as recent selections.
The 2011 Illinois InterMat Top 10 also enters new territory, as nine of the 10 are preseason ranked in the Top 100. This class has a chance to be compared to the legendary 2006 class which to date has produced five NCAA All-Americans, seven NCAA qualifiers, and one NCAA DII finalist. The 2011 seniors boast seven state champions and three runner-ups. Three of the seven state champs are multiple-time state champs and five have won freestyle or Greco national championships during their careers. In addition, the team also has a USA Wrestling folkstyle champion and FILA freestyle champ as well. There are six current high school All-Americans and a total of eight of the 10 have obtained All-American status during their careers. Without a doubt, the Illinois Top 10 headline a very deep 2011 senior class.
1. Jahwon Akui (St. Rita)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 171/189
Projected College Weight Class: 165
Analysis: Akui's wrestling prowess is often mentioned in the same breath with his football ability. The starting tailback for powerhouse St. Rita is arguably the best running back in the state, in addition to being the best overall wrestler in Illinois. He has amassed 4,359 yards (1,246 on the year), should break his school's record of 4,500 and leads the state with 15 touchdowns heading into the state playoffs. He only needs 150 more yards to own the St. Rita school record. He has amassed 62 touchdowns in his career for 19th in Illinois history.
Jahwon AkuiAkui uses a couple of different wrestling styles but basically is a defensive folkstyle wrestler. He subscribes to the theory that you can't win if you can't score. Very strongly built he uses that strength to tie his competition up and often will have close matches before scoring off of the opponent's mistakes with counter takedowns.
Although the elusive DI football scholarship offer has not come, Akui ranked ninth nationally by InterMat, is leaning towards wrestling for Arizona State. Buffalo, Michigan State, Illinois and Edinboro have also expressed interest in his services.
2. Edwin Cooper (Providence)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 145
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Edwin CooperRanked 17th nationally by InterMat, a three-time All-American, three-time state finalist with a title, three-time Dvorak Invitational champion (Illinois best in season national tourney) and two-time Chicago Catholic League champion, Cooper boast an impressive 115-6 overall record.
Cooper is an attack wrestler who can quickly score a lot of points. While strongest on his feet and solid on top, Cooper is competent in the bottom position. He is very dangerous when scoring first and can be hard to catch up to if you fall behind when wrestling him.
As far as college, he is open and has deferred his college options until after the season.
3. Austin Mardsen (Crystal Lake Central)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 189
Projected College Weight Class: 197
Austin MardsenAn impressive 101-19-career record is bolstered with back to back All-American success for Mardsen at the ASICS Freestyle National Championships.
Mardsen has committed to join legendary Coach John Smith and his third-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys. Former Illinois standouts Mike Benefiel (Montini), Albert White (St. Rita) and Jon Morrison (Sandburg) currently wrestle for OSU.
4. Joey Kielbasa (Crystal Lake Central)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 145
Projected College Weight Class: 149
Joey KielbasaKielbasa enters his senior season seeking his third state title to follow up his titles at 145 (2010) and 140 (2009) in Class AA. A midseason matchup at the Lincoln Tournament against Lane Tech's top-ranked junior Max Schneider, the Class AAA 145-pound champion will be an excellent guage for Kielbasa. Schneider may well be the overall top-ranked Illinois wrestler in 2012.
While not much of a freestyle or Greco wrestler, Kielbasa did capture the 152-pound USA Wrestling folkstyle national title last season. Tough on top with a good motor, Kielbasa likes to hand fight and is very comfortable in all tie up situations. His sparkling 125-10 overall record is testimony to his dominating style of wrestling.
Ranked by InterMat as the 59th senior prospect, Kielbasa has committed to sixth-ranked Central Michigan.
5. Luke Smith (Wheeling)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 140/145
Projected College Weight Class: 149/157
Luke SmithPrimarily a defensive-style wrestler, Smith is comfortable when he is free of the tie-ups, often looking to counter his opponent's attack. His matches are high scoring, building points while on top or off his opponent's mistakes.
An All-Conference free safety for the football team, Smith is also an excellent student with a 4.2 GPA and a 24 ACT score. Interested schools include Old Dominium, Central Michigan, and Northwestern.
6. Joey Gosinski (Glenbard North)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 130
Projected College Weight Class: 133
Analysis: Gosinski concluded a banner 2010 season with an undefeated record (52-0) en route to the 125-pound state title.
Joey GosinskiWhen on the mat he likes to control the tempo of his matches, and prefers to work for takedowns on his feet.
Gosinski's battles with Jameson Oster (Lockport) are starting to be legendary in Illinois. He beat Oster for the state title in 2010 and Oster sent Gosinski to the wrestle backs as sophomores en route to his title. Their wrestling wars date back to the kids level and will possibly renew in the state finals of their senior year.
With a 26 on the ACT, Gosinski has drawn the attention of Missouri, Purdue and Indiana for his wrestling services.
7. Jameson Oster (Lockport)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 130/135
Projected College Weight Class: 133
Jameson OsterHe comes from a family where excellence has preceded him. His older brother, Jake Oster, shocked the state of Illinois in 2004 when he upset the favored returning champ Nick Fanthorpe. Jake went on to become a two time All-American at Elmhurst College and national champion in 2009 at 125 pounds.
Jameson's 129-10 career record and his 29 ACT score coupled with his 3.7 GPA have made him an attractive recruit for Northwestern and Illinois. The pre-medicine major has a style of wrestling that is best described as extremely funky. Much like his brother, he can score from any position and is very dangerous in any scramble situation.
Oster is ranked by InterMat as the 77th national senior recruiting prospect.
8. Trevor Jauch (Crystal Lake Central)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 135
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Trevor JauchAn offensive wrestler that uses lots of single leg shots, high crotches and generally attacks whatever is open to score upon. He is very explosive off the bottom.
Ranked 87th by InterMat, the future elementary education major hopes to coach and has committed to Missouri.
9. Jack Allen (Hinsdale Central)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 285
Projected College Weight Class: 285
Jack AllenAllen, who also plays center on the Red Devils football team, looks to score off his shot and is very active for a heavyweight. He is strong getting off the bottom and is very offensive with his style of wrestling.
Ranked by InterMat 91st in the country, he has committed to wrestle for the Spartans of Michigan State.
10. Michael Sojka (Winnebago)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 215
Projected College Weight Class: 197
Michael SojkaSojka is aggressive and likes to wear his competition down. He uses good movement and is solid on both top and bottom positions.
His desire to be a pre-medicine major along with a combined 29 ACT/3.89 GPA has attracted Stanford. In addition, University of Pennsylvania, Northern Iowa, Navy, and Old Dominion want his wrestling skills,
Honorable Mention (No Particular Order):
Wes Cathcart (Geneseo)
Stephen Robertson (Montini)
Sam Brooks (Oak Park River Forest)
Mike Avelar (Brother Rice)
Malik Taylor (Brother Rice)
Nick Drendel (West Aurora)
Danny Sabatello (Stevenson)
Derek Elmore (Harlem)
Tyler Argue (Mt. Carmel)
Chris Williams (Bethalto)
Spatacus Chino (Wheaton-Warrenville)
Blaise Butler (Boyland)
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