Bonin battles to reach quarterfinals at Midlands

EVANSTON, Ill. - University of Northern Iowa's David Bonin owns a simple, yet effective, approach to competition.

The 157-pound sophomore David Bonin keeps battling to the end and it showed Wednesday.

Bonin scored two come-from-behind victories and added a decision to advance to the quarterfinals of the 48th Midlands Championships at Northwestern's Welsh-Ryan Arena.

“I just went out there and wrestled. That was it,” Bonin said. “I stuck to my guns and stayed confident in myself.”

Bonin trailed Missouri's Nick Gregoris 9-4 then scored a takedown and a pin in 4:49. He followed that with a pin of University of Iowa's third-seeded Derek St. John. Bonin trailed 4-1 in the first and tied the score 6-6 in the final seconds, placing St. John on his back for the 6:58 fall.

“I took him down and caught him on his back with a couple seconds left and held him there,” Bonin said.

Bonin avenged a loss to St. John in a dual earlier this month. He said he gained confidence from that loss.

“That's a big win for him,” UNI Coach Doug Schwab said.

Bonin might have been an underdog, but he wasn't let that determine his outcome. He expected to advance deep into the winners bracket.

“Yeah, why not? Anything can happen,” Bonin said. “I never count myself out of anything no matter what the score is or what day of the week it is, I keep going.”

Schwab said Bonin has been living the lifestyle conducive to success, eating, sleeping and training properly. Schwab referred to him as a good example for his other wrestlers.

“That's what he's trained for from Day 1,” Schwab said. “Since I took over the job there's been one guy in the room almost every single day and it's showing.”

Bonin has dropped down to 157 from 165 a year ago, where he was 1-2 at the Midlands. He said he was dwarfed in size and strength at 165 last year, but he can tell a difference on the mat now.

“I feel comfortable,” Bonin said. “I feel strong and quick.”

Schwab cautioned giving too much praise. There is a lot of work left to do and bigger things to accomplish this season than just reaching the quarterfinals.

“We can't pat ourselves on the back too hard,” Schwab said. “What we're after is improvement and going out and wrestling each match the way you're capable and getting your hand raised.”

Daryl Cocozzo of Rutgers beat Bonin in the quarterfinals, 6-2.