Wrestling: White a standout for Maine South — on and off the mat

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Maine South's Tony Mastrolonardo shoots on New Trier's Arah Ghafouri in the 126 lb. weight class at the Central Suburban League conference tournament on Jan. 21, 2012, at Maine East High School in Park Ridge. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:34AM

Maine South’s Michael White drew a contentious stalling call in the 195-pound title match during the CSL tournament that turned the tide toward Glenbrook South’s country-strong JJ BaMaung, whom White had beaten six weeks earlier.

BaMaung (24-2) literally held on for a 4-1 win, but the way in which White (25-7) conducted himself afterward spoke volumes about his character.

Though denied a conference championship in his last try, the Hawks’ senior co-captain held his head high, made direct eye contact as he shook everyone’s hands, and warmly responded to any and all questions. It’s not always about the wrestling.

“Mike’s character is off the charts. He’s a great leader and represents everything we want our kids to be,” praised Hawks head coach Craig Fallico.

White carries a 3.7 grade-point average and intends to become an orthopedic surgeon. He was a tough right guard on the football team, deliberately asking to wear No. 51 in honor of former Chicago Bear Dick Butkus, the bone-crushing legend. White took his lumps last winter on the wrestling mat, going just 14-16 in his initial varsity campaign but learning along the way.

“It’s OK. It was close,” White said after Saturday’s match. “My goals were all-conference, place in regionals and sectionals, and qualify for state. I can still reach all of those. Our theme this year was, ‘Earn it.’ That’s what all of us want to do.”

Maine South (16-4, 4-1), not as loaded with seniors as last season, fell from first place to fourth in the 12-team conference tourney, held at Maine East Friday and Saturday. New Trier, which ended the Hawks’ five-year run of regular-season South titles, won the crown with 259.5 points to 247.5 for CSL North champ Deerfield. Senior-laden Maine West finished third with 213.5 points, ahead of Maine South’s 154.5.

“We didn’t take a step down, but it was not a step up either,” said Fallico, who had just three Hawks advance to championship matches, compared to seven a year ago.

Senior co-captain Dan Brewster (24-8) beat a ranked opponent to claim Maine South’s only title. Brewster prevailed 4-2 over Maine West’s Jake Korbecki (30-3) at 138.

“He’s a ranked kid, so it looks like an upset on paper. But if you’ve seen me wrestle this season, I’m a great wrestler, too,” said an exhilarated Brewster. “I kept wrestling so I wouldn’t get hit with penalty points for stalling. I lost a couple of matches that way this year.”

Like White, junior Terry Calkins (29-4) also experienced payback from a familiar opponent. New Trier’s lanky Chris Alcock (20-7), avenging a previous loss to Calkins, got a late takedown on the Hawks’ lone returning state-meet qualifier and won 9-6 in a stirring 120-pound finale.

Senior co-captain Tony Mastrolonardo (25-10) — and everyone else in the 126 ranks — ran into a buzzsaw in the suddenly hot Arah Ghafouri of New Trier. Besides that 7-5 defeat, Mastolonardo collected three strong wins to place third at 126.

In one of the toughest brackets (138), sophomore Tommy Brewster (28-6) also went 3-1 to earn third place. Junior Zach Taalman (21-11) bounced back from an initial defeat with four straight wins in the wrestlebacks to take third at 160.

Senior heavyweight Nick Schaefer (20-10) and 106-pound junior Jomari Lanzi (19-14) both finished fifth. Junior Oley Yager won twice to place sixth at 182, and 113-pound freshman Jimmy Kasch also finished sixth.

Juniors Matt Williams (17-14, 132) won one of three matches. Mike Garvey (152) and Stefan Barac (220) each went 0-2. Andrew Dyer stepped in at 170 and notched one victory.

Maine South will have its hands full against Maine West for the overall title in the IHSA Class 3A Niles West Regional on Feb. 4. But both squads will be in a favorable position for individual advancements in the eight-team field. The top three wrestlers from each class will qualify for the Glenbard North Sectional.