Huntley High School junior David Ferrante became the school’s first state champion in wrestling after claiming the Class 3A 170-pound state championship in Champaign on February 16.
Ferrante, who earlier this year announced his commitment to attend and wrestle for Northwestern University, added the individual championship to an already-impressive resume including a prior 4th-place finish at State. In reverence to his coach B.J. Bertelsman, Ferrante spun a cartwheel on the mat after finishing the match’s final pin. Bertelsman had done the same thing after claiming a state championship as a wrestler for Belleville West High School in 1998.
“Coach Bertelsman pours his heart out for every single kid on this team,” Ferrante said. “He sacrifices a lot to give us truly his all and more. I wanted to honor him in the final match and thank him for everything he’s done for me.”
.@HHS_Athletics1’s Ferrante with a pin, and a cartwheel. He is Huntley’s first state champion. pic.twitter.com/Kfpfc3d9Tr
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) February 17, 2019
Bertelsman said the program’s first state champion never lost confidence over the weekend.
“True dominance,” Bertelsman told the Northwest Herald. “No one touched him this weekend.”
Ferrante was among eight HHS wrestlers to qualify for state, including: Sam Spencer (126), Andrew Lira (132), Gannon Kosowski (152), Jake Jensen (106), Jeremy Jakowitsch (138), Joaquin Miranda (145), and Aj Henkle (195).
Spencer and Lira each finished in 8th place in their respective weight classes over the weekend.
The team next competes against Mt. Prospect in the IHSA Dual Team Sectionals held on February 19 at 6:00 p.m. at McHenry High School’s West Campus.
Congratulations to all!
