Following two seasons as second best in the state, Bishop McNamara High School's Ryan Kimberlin can be called the best wrestler in all of Illinois. The Irish senior swept through the post-season and rumbled to state Saturday, Feb. 22 in the 119-pound class as McNamara enjoyed two other state titles and a second place achievement at Assembly Hall.

Kimberlin's quest for the Class A state championship began with a first round bye following his sectional title Saturday, Feb. 15. Quick work in the quarterfinals meant a semifinal match-up with Traver Johnson of Stillman Valley (27-9). The 22-4 technical win at 4:12 pushed Kimberlin into the finals against Andrew Nelson of Newman Central (37-3). It was there that Kimberlin displayed the technique that earned the senior a 42-2 record by building a 5-0 lead on the way to a commanding 15-7 victory.

McNamara's other title achievements started Friday, Feb. 21 with preliminary round matches. Senior Randy Murray (37-11) cruised through David Pratt of Macomb (32-7) with a pin just 54 seconds into the 171-pound meeting. Winning in the quarterfinals over Gary Cox, Jr. of Vandalia (32-3), Murray rushed into the semifinals of the championship bracket facing Clayton Norberg of Sterling.

Posting a 39-0 record, Norberg was the favorite, but his title quest was ended at the hands of Murray. The win by pin at 4:25 meant a title shot which Murray made good with an 11-6 decision over David Gleissner of Franklin Grove (35-4).

Freshman Mike Ryan also battled through the preliminary round for the 103-pound championship. Pinning Ben VonBehren of Tolono Unity in 3:55, Ryan moved on to face sophomore Brent Howard of Durand (26-5). The quarterfinal win sent Ryan into the championship bracket and a semifinal meeting with Roxana's Tom Hill. A previously unbeaten Hill (39-0) was taken down by Ryan to gain a 2-1 win. Finishing the season with a 39-6 record, Ryan's championship match meant a meeting with freshman Jesse Milks of Dakota (38-5) and a 10-8 decision.

Ben Murray endured the competition for a state title match in a memorable season for the 43-2 senior. A first round bye at 160 pounds, Murray worked through the quarterfinals challenge to face Dustin Wiley of Macomb (33-4). The pin at 3:32 meant a semifinals win and something only a very select few ever get to do. The Grand March of Finalists is an event most wrestlers remember, and others wish they could experience. Murray took that march to the title mat where Nate Demus from Byron (41-3) escaped with a 7-6 win, meaning a second place achievement for Murray.

Ryan Kimberlin handles an opponent much the same way the senior did all season long while getting a Class A state title.
Herald file photo by Brendan Olszewski

Ben (l.) and Randy Murray enjoyed great success this season and at the Class A state tournament where Randy earned the 171-pound title and Ben took second at 160 pounds.
Herald file photo by Brendan Olszewski