''He told me, 'You're going to be up there twice,''' said Schoen, a senior. ''I never imagined being all-state.''

After getting knocked out of the sectional as a sophomore, Schoen began a power-lifting program to increase his strength. Another boost came when former Marist placer Brendan Heffernan joined the staff and became his workout partner.

''He's the fastest big guy I know,'' Schoen said. ''Wrestling him, with that intensity in practice, just made it easier going against anybody else.''

Said Heffernan: ''We knew he could be this good. His work ethic's outstanding. He's very physical, which will suit him well at the next level.''

A mishap almost sidelined Schoen last season. The night before preliminaries, Marist wrestlers watched a show about the White Sox. Schoen decided it was time to turn off the TV, but Ryan Blake blocked him, and Schoen got caught on the metal bed frame and tore the skin off the ball of his foot. He was barely able to walk.

''We were too scared to tell the coaches because we thought they would kill us,'' Schoen said.

Before his first match, Schoen told the trainers he broke a blister. His attacking style paid off with a 2-1 decision over Granite City's Scott Penny in the semifinal. St. Rita's Jerome Ward beat Schoen 7-2 for the championship at 189.

An ordinary wrestler for the Orland Pioneers, he qualified for state as an eighth- grader and was eliminated in the first match.

He doesn't carry a traditional Big Ten resume, but his high motor, explosive shots, athleticism and 4.9 GPA merited an offer from Northwestern. Schoen, who weighs 205, began his assault on the 215 class.

''I like to attack and not let up,'' Schoen said. ''I think this is the perfect weight. I don't get outmuscled, and they can't stop my double leg.''