Althoff’s Anthony Federico hopes to end his career with state wrestling title
Anthony Federico was thrilled and maybe even a little surprised a year ago when he reached the Class 1A 132-pound final a year ago at the IHSA State Wrestling Tournament.
Then reality hit in the form of Noah Villareal of Aurora Christian. One of the top Class 1A wrestlers in the state in any weight class, Villareal handed the Crusaders junior a 12-0 setback.
Now, one year later and wrestling in the 145-pound weight class, Federico is back at the state finals for a fourth straight year. He is ranked second and the Crusaders top hope of bringing home a state title for the fifth year in a row.
That quest begins Thursday at State Farm Center in Champaign.
“I don’t know I’m feeling any pressure. I would say that there are a lot of nerves building up with this being my last chance to get that state title,’’ Federico said. “I know that if I wrestle my match that I can take out that No. 1 guy. But I know its not going to be easy.
“I have a lot of people looking up to me and there are a lot of people to expect me to win this so really its more like everything coming together for this final minute. This last go at it.’’
Sixth in the 132-pound weight class as a sophomore and second a year ago, Federico heads into his first-round match Thursday as one of the favorites along with top-ranked and undefeated Nathan Throne of Rockridge. Throne placed second in the 145-pound weight class a year ago, losing to Althoff’s Max Kristoff in the final.
Currently 34-2, Federico is looking to join Kristoff, twins Danny and Zac Braunagel and Chase Bittle as Crusaders state champions in the past five years.
It has been a year of transition for Federico and the Crusaders wresting program.
Althoff only has 10 wrestlers in the program and longtime assistant Ryne Harris has taken over from Mike Greenfield as the head coach.. One of only a few upperclassmen on the team, Federico has also had to be a leader on an otherwise young Crusaders group.
“Coach (Ryne) Harris has never been a head coach and, being a senior, this is my first year as being a captain so we’ve both had to learn as we’ve gone along here,’’ Federico said. “I know people look up to me and so I want to set a good example for the younger wrestlers on this team.
“I know how hard I’ve worked to get to this point and hopefully the other wrestlers have seen this and see the success I’ve had because of the work I’ve put in.’’
Harris said Federico, who won the 132-pound crown at the Vandalia Sectional last week, will have to wrestle well this weekend. But the goal is to bring home a state title.
“State tournament ... anything can happen. Winning the state championship is a realistic goal for Anthony. It should be his goal,’’ Harris said. “He’s had a great year, placing third at the Dvorak and he’s been able to stay on course all year.’’
Koderhandt, Odom also among favorites
Local Class 3A standouts Luke Odom of Edwardsville and Josh Koderhandt of Belleville West headline a list of several other local wrestlers who could contend for state championships this weekend in Champaign.
Koderhandt (39-0), the 113-pound runner-up last season, is ranked third in the 120-pound class, while Odom (45-1) is a two-time medal winner and three-time state qualifier. Odom is the top-ranked wrestler in the 160-pound weight class.
Other top hopes in Class 3A include Adam Thebeau (145) of Belleville East and Lloyd Reynolds (46-2) of Edwardsville.
In Class 2A, the top area hopes appear to be Garrett Bakarich (39-1) of Triad in the 152-pound class, Zeke Waltz of Jerseyville (40-0 at 160. Caleb Grau (38-4) of Mascoutah at 170 and Arnold Edwards (40-3) of Cahokia at 182.
State finals begin
The 2020 IHSA State Wrestling Tournament begins Thursday at noon with preliminary round matches. Quarterfinals and wrestlebacks start on Friday at 8:30 a.m. with semifinal round matches in all three classes set for 7 p.m.
Wrestlebacks continue on Saturday at 9 a.m. and will be followed b y third and fifth place matches beginning at 1 p.m. Championship matches begin at 6 p.m.
