Update: Bloom, Bess Take Openers

(Update at 10 p.m.) Lenny Bloom and Artie Bess won their opening round matches today in the State Wrestling Tournament to move into Friday’s quarterfinal round.

Bess dominated Greg Cameron of Plainfield Central, 12-0, whole Bloom downed Steve Meyers of Plainfield North, 11-5.

Bess held a 3-0 lead at the end of the first period, nearly pinned his foe in the second and cradled him twice more in the third for the 12-0 victory.

(Earlier at 5:50 a.m.) Wrestling practice at Deerfield High School Tuesday looked like it does any other time of the year even though only two athletes—Artie Bess (220) and Lenny Bloom (145)—are still competing.

Bloom and Bess were getting ready for the State Meet which opens today in Champaign but the rest of the Warriors were there practicing like they were heading to the finals as well. Most of them are though they will not be wrestling.

“If they come to practice every day and they’re grades are good they come along (to the State Finals),” Warrior Coach Marc Pechter said. “They’re there to support (Bloom and Bess). They’re all pulling for them. It’s good for them to see what happens there.”

As for Bess and Bloom, they are thrilled to have the company at practice and in Champaign. They think it will help their quest for a championship.

“For me it’s great to have people there,” Bloom said. “They help me prepare better,” he added referring to the added competition he gets from having the rest of the Warriors present in practice. Bess echoes his teammate’s position.

“All the guys who come in help us with different style and technique to get better prepared for the stuff we’re going to see.”

Bloom, Bess Are Both No. 2 Seeds

Bess, who has a 36-1 record for the season, and Bloom, who is 38-1, are both seeded second in their weight class and have their eyes focused on nothing short of a state championship. This is their second trip to the State Finals.

The only wrestler to top Bess this year is undefeated Mike Swider (41-0) of Wheaton North, who outpointed the Warrior, 6-3, earlier in the year. He knows what he felt went wrong and is poised to correct it.

“A big part was my fault,” Bess said. “I got all cautions for jumping out. I gave him three points,” he added explaining he started to wrestle before the whistle making the margin of victory penalty points. “I want him more than anything in the State Finals.”

Pechter Will Keep Wrestlers Focused

While Bess and Bloom are pointed to the top step of the victory stand Saturday night, it is Pechter’s job to look ahead while keeping the wrestlers focused on the match at hand.

“They go one match at a time,” Pechter said. “I don’t. I’ve done my homework and know about who will be next. There will be plenty of time after each match to watch film and get ready for the next.”

Another thing Pechter has done this year is schedule the stiffest competition he could for his team when they fought foes outside the Central Suburban League as he explained to Patch in December. The strategy has paid dividends, according to Bloom.

“Last year I had it pretty easy,” Bloom said. “It was pin, tech (a lopsided match ending early by referee decision), pin, tech. This year the competition was harder. I’m better prepared,” he added about the wrestlers he will face in Champaign.

Bloom’s one loss came last month and he credits it with making him a better wrestler as he heads into the State Meet. “I made changes in my technique, small things that make a big difference,” he said.

The two Warriors know the meaning of bringing Deerfield its first individual state wrestling title in 48 years since Ted Parker won in 1964. “It would mean the world,” Bess said.

“The world, end quote,” added Bloom.