Posts by Mick Torres

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

GIRLS SECTIONALS OVERVIEW

Among girls’ sectional champions across Illinois on Saturday, there were five returning state champions who won sectional titles: Kaneland’s Angelina Gochis (110), Hononegah’s Angelina Cassioppi (120), Vandalia’s Sophie Bowers (125), Lockport’s Claudia Heeney (135), and Prairie Central’s Chloe Hoselton (235).

Bartlett’s Emma Engels (120) was a state champion in 2023 at 110.

Another seven girls who place second downstate last year won sectional titles Saturday, in West Aurora’s Kameyah Young (105), Loyola’s Harlee Hiller (115), Hoffman Estates’ Sophia Ball (130), Canton’s Kinnley Smith (130), Collinsville’s Taylor Dawson (140), Plainfield Central’s Alicia Tucker (170), and Lakes’ Josie Larson (190).

Other sectional champs from Saturday who are now aiming to repeat as state medal winners were Montini’s Katelyn Bell (100), DeKalb’s Alex Gregorio-Perez (105), Litchfield’s Rilynn Younker (110), Mt. Zion’s Sydney Cannon (115), Burlington Central’s Tori Macias (115), Glenbrook North’s Ariella Dobin (120), Edwardsville’s Holly Zugmaier (135), Glenwood’s Jenna Tuxhorn (145), Zion-Benton’s Naomi Foote (145), Clifton Central’s Payton Temple (190), Highland’s August Rottmann (170), and Ottawa’s Juliana Thrush (235).

NEW TRIER SECTIONAL

The District 230 team made up of girls from Carl Sandburg, Andrew, and Stagg led the 50-team field with seven state qualifiers at this year’s New Trier Sectional.

District 230 was led by a pair of sectional champions in Jade Hardee (33-4 at 100) and Alyssa Keane (37-3 at 135). Coach Elizabeth Short’s squad out-pointed second-place Marist 147-80, with JS Morton (76) placing third. Marist advanced three girls downstate and Morton advanced two in sectional champions Hope Donnamario (29-7 at 105) and Violet Mayo (37-9 at 155).

Also winning individual sectional titles were Agricultural Science’s Carmen Jackson (36-3 at 110), Loyola’s Harlee Hiller (23-1 at 115), Glenbrook North’s Ariella Dobin (42-1 at 120), Grayslake Central’s Gianna Arzer (42-4 at 125), Lane’s Nyah Lovis (42-5 at 130), Hillcrest’s Christiara Finley (28-0 at 140), Zion-Benton’s Naomi Foote (37-1 at 145), Kelly’s Sara Martinez Lopera (28-0 at 170), Lakes Josie Larson (25-0 at 190) and Rickover Naval Academy’s Jasmine Mejia (35-2 at 235).

Hillcrest’s Finley (28-0), Kelly’s Martinez Lopera (28-0), and Lakes’ Larson (25-0) are all undefeated heading into the state finals, while Loyola’s Hiller (23-1), Glenbrook North’s Dobin (42-1), and Zion-Benton’s Foote (37-1) only have a single loss on their season records.

Among New Trier Sectional champions, Loyola’s Hiller (115) and Lakes’ Larson (190) were both state runners-up last year, while Glenbrook North’s Dobin (4th at 120) and Zion-Benton’s Foote (6th at 145) were also state medalists.

The day’s closest sectional title match at New Trier came at 130, with Lane’s Lovis (42-5) winning a 2-1 decision over Zion-Benton’s Emily Ortiz (35-6).

The sectional also featured two girls ranked nationally by Flowrestling. Lakes’ Larson is ranked No. 2 in the country at 190, while Glenbrook North’s Dobin is ranked No. 30 in the nation at 120.

STATE QUALIFIERS FROM THE NEW TRIER SECTIONAL

100

1st – Jade Hardee (District 230)

2nd – Riley Kongkaeow (Round Lake)

3rd – Ariel Woodfin (Thornton)

4th – Sunny Aitzemkour (New Trier)

105

1st – Hope Donnamario (Morton)

2nd – Tatum De La Vega (District 230)

3rd – Sofia Guerrero (Lane)

4th – Sofia Perez (Shepard)

110
1st – Carmen Jackson (Agricultural Science)

2nd – London Gandy (Homewood-F.)

3rd – Giselle Arambula (Curie)

4th – Dakodia Kelly (Thornton Fractional South)

115

1st – Harlee Hiller (Loyola Academy)

2nd – Ireland McCain (Round Lake)

3rd – Nina Hamm (Homewood-F.)

4th – Sophia Figueroa (District 230)

120

1st – Ariella Dobin (Glenbrook North)

2nd – Mary Minogue (Libertyville)

3rd – Illiana Heredia (De La Salle)

4th – Saja Bader (District 230)

125

1st – Gianna Arzer (Grayslake C)

2nd – Karina Lojowski (Stevenson)

3rd – Nakya Scott (Lindblom)

4th – Raynisha Sims (Lake View)

130

1st – Nyah Lovis (Lane)

2nd – Emily Ortiz (Z.-Benton)

3rd – Jalah Wilson (Thornton)

4th – Mila Rocush (Shepard)

135

1st – Alyssa Keane (District 230)

2nd – Izzy Locascio (Marist)

3rd – Quincy Onyiaorah (Thornton Fractional South)

4th – Zabby Badru (Lane)

140

1st – Christiara Finley (Hillcrest)

2nd – Maggie Zuber (Mother McAuley)

3rd – Jillian Giller (New Trier)

4th – America Cabrera (Phoenix Military Academy)

145

1st – Naomi Foote (Z.-Benton)

2nd – Kennedy Murray of Evanston (Twp.)

3rd – AJ Grant (Phoenix Military Academy)

4th – Iyobosa Odiase (Oak Forest)

155

1st – Violet Mayo (Morton)

2nd – Dana Holt (Highland Park)

3rd – Nola Oben (District 230)

4th – Charvelle Mclain (Community)

170

1st – Sara Martinez Lopera (Kelly)

2nd – Adrianna Vela (District 230)

3rd – Erin Bush of Gurnee (Warren)

4th – Elena Haugh (Agricultural Science)

190
1st – Josephine Larson (Lakes)

2nd – Isabel Peralta (Oak Forest)

3rd – N`Dyia Mahon-Godfrey (Kelly)

4th – Sam Fontaine (Marist)

235

1st – Jasmine Mejia (Rickover Naval Academy)

2nd – Esmeralda Bustamante (Noble/ITW Speer)

3rd – Abby Parker (Marist)

4th – Allison Poole of Grayslake (North)

GENESEO SECTIONAL

Host Geneseo won the team sectional title in the 57-team field, 117-98 over second-place Kaneland, with Lincoln-Way’s co-op team (93.5) a close third.

Geneseo coach Carley Rusk will bring five girls to the state finals in Bloomington, led by a trio of sectional runners-up in Molly Snyder (100), Annibelle Juarez (135) and Mady Mooney (145), plus third-place sectional winners Lydia King (120) and Sophie Bellagamba (155).

Kaneland advanced four girls downstate, led by sectional champions Angelina Gochis (32-0 at 110) and Brooklyn Sheaffer (41-2 at 125). Lincoln-Way advanced four girls to this year’s state finals, led by sectional second-placers Zoe Dempsey (110) and Sadie Sparks (120).

Also winning individual sectional titles at Geneseo were Rockford East’s Saya Hongmoundkhoune (24-0 at 100), DeKalb’s Alex Gregorio-Perez (46-3 at 105), Burlington Central’s Tori Macias (31-6 at 115), Hononegah’s Angelina Cassioppi (28-0 at 120), Canton’s Kinnley Smith (40-3 at 130), Hononegah’s Bella Castelli (23-4 at 135), Morton’s Karen Conchola (26-2 at 140), Rochelle’s Dempsey Atkinson (21-0 at 145), Plainfield South’s Teagan Aurich (36-0 at 155), Plainfield Central’s Alicia Tucker (25-1 at 170), Morris’ Morgan Congo (31-6 at 190) and Ottawa’s Juliana Thrush (33-4 at 235).

Heading into this year’s state finals with unbeaten records are Rockford East’s Hongmoungkhoune (24-0), Kaneland’s Gochis (32-0), Hononegah’s Cassioppi (28-0), Rochelle’s Atkinson (21-0), and Plainfield South’s Aurich (36-0). Plainfield Central’s Tucker (25-1) has only lost once all season.

Among Geneseo Sectional champions, Kaneland’s Gochis and Hononegah’s Cassioppi were state champions last year, while Plainfield Central’s Tucker and Canton’s Smith placed second in Illinois. DeKalb’s Gregorio-Perez (6th at 105), Burlington Central’s Macias (5th at 115), Rochelle’s Atkinson (5th at 145), and Ottawa’s Thrush (6th at 235) were all state medalists last season.

The Geneseo Sectional featured two girls nationally-ranked by Flowrestling in Hononegah’s Cassioppi (No. 8 at 120) and Ottawa’s Thrush (No. 24 at 235). Cassioppi is striving to become the first four-time individual state champion in Illinois girls wrestling history.

The Geneseo field at 170 was stacked. Three girls who won state place-medals last year in Plainfield Central’s Alicia Tucker (2nd), Peoria Notre Dame’s Autumne Williams (3rd) and Burlington Central’s Ryann Miller (5th).

Tucker (25-1) won a 5-3 decision over Williams (14-3) to win Saturday’s Geneseo sectional crown at 170, while Miller (37-2) placed third.

The day’s tightest finish on the title mat came when Kaneland’s Brooklyn Sheaffer won a 1-0 decision over Jacksonville’s Alexis Seymour.

STATE QUALIFIERS FROM THE GENESEO SECTIONAL

100

1st – Saya Hongmoungkhoune of Rockford (East)

2nd – Molly Snyder of Geneseo

3rd – Jade Weiss of DeKalb

4th – Abella Brown of Canton

105

1st – Alex Gregorio-Perez of DeKalb

2nd – Blair Grennan of Sterling (Newman Central Catholic)

3rd – Alisa Carter of Joliet (Central)

4th – Chloe Wong of Joliet (West)

110

1st – Angelina Gochis of Maple Park (Kaneland)

2nd – Zoe Dempsey of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)

3rd – Lily Gwaltney of Streator (Twp.)

4th – Tessa Donaldson of Pekin

115

1st – Victoria Macias of Burlington (Central)

2nd – Chloe Hedges of Canton

3rd – Kiely Domyancich of LaSalle (L.-Peru)

4th – Eliana Juarez of Galesburg (H.S.)

120

1st – Gina Cassioppi of Rockton (Hononegah)

2nd – Sadie Sparks of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)

3rd – Lydia King of Geneseo

4th – Daisy Gil of Beardstown

125

1st – Brooklyn Sheaffer of Maple Park (Kaneland)

2nd – Alexis Seymour of Jacksonville (H.S.)

3rd – Isabella Mottler of Peoria (Richwoods)

4th – Riley Cooney of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)

130

1st – Kinnley Smith of Canton

2nd – Grace Laird of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

3rd – Catalina Pacheco of Seneca

4th – Michelle Naftzger of Erie

135

1st – Bella Castelli of Rockton (Hononegah)

2nd – Annibelle Juarez of Geneseo

3rd – Sammie Greisen of Seneca

4th – Nadia Anderson of Sherrard

140

1st – Karen Canchola of Morton

2nd – Ema Durst of Sycamore (H.S.)

3rd – Kelly Ladd of Macomb

4th – Ella Giertuga of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)

145

1st – Dempsey Atkinson of Rochelle

2nd – Mady Mooney of Geneseo

3rd – Mikaela Mwangong of Macomb

4th – Katelyn Marvel of Canton

155

1st – Teagan Aurich of Plainfield (South)

2nd – Akira Schick of Rock Falls

3rd – Sophie Bellagamba of Geneseo

4th – Caitlyn Manier of Maple Park (Kaneland)

170

1st – Alicia Tucker of Plainfield (Central)

2nd – Autumne Williams of Peoria (Notre Dame)

3rd – Ryann Miller of Burlington (Central)

4th – Layla Spann of Plainfield (South)

190

1st – Morgan Congo of Morris

2nd – Sadie Kinsella of Maple Park (Kaneland)

3rd – Anjanne Haywood of Rockford (Guilford)

4th – Kylie Eilken of Rockford (Jefferson)

235

1st – Juliana Thrush of Ottawa (Twp.)

2nd – Kirsten Kpoto of Moline (H.S.)

3rd – Aarianna Bloyd of DeKalb

4th – Jasmine Enriquez of Sycamore (H.S.)

HIGHLAND SECTIONAL

Edwardsville snared the team sectional crown, 152-105 over second-place Collinsville, with Glenwood (63) placing third. Tigers coach Jon Wagner saw six of his girls advance downstate, led by individual sectional champions Emma Rogers (38-4 at 100) and Holly Zugmaier (38-5 at 135).

Collinsville advanced four girls downstate and had a trio of sectional champions in Londyn Long (35-5 at 120), Addyson Bailey (30-10 at 130) and Taylor Dawson (32-3 at 140). Glenwood advanced two girls, led by sectional champion Jenna Tuxhorn (31-2 at 145).

Also leaving Highland as sectional champions were Roxana’s Chloe Skiles (38-5 at 105), Litchfield’s Rilynn Younker (39-10 at 110), Mt. Zion’s Sydney Cannon (10-0 at 115), Vandalia’s Sophie Bowers (38-0 at 125), Unity’s Anna Vasey (32-4 at 155), Highland’s August Rottmann (32-1 at 170), Clifton Central’s Payton Temple (24-1 at 190) and Prairie Central’s Chloe Hoselton (23-0 at 235).

Highland Sectional champs who won state place-medals last year were a pair of state champions in Vandalia’s Bowers (125) and Plainfield Centrals’ Hoselton (235), and a state runner-up in Collinsville’s Dawson (130). Other sectional champs also placing downstate last year were Litchfield’s Younker (4th at 110), Mt. Zion’s Cannon (4th at 115), Glenwood’s Tuxhorn (4th at 135), Edwardsville’s Zugmaier (6th at 125), Highland’s Rottman (6th at 170), and Clifton Central’s Temple (5th at 155).

Cannon (10-0), Bowers (38-0), and Hoselton (23-0) are all unbeaten heading into this year’s state finals. Bowers and Hoselton were state champions last year while Cannon placed fourth in Illinois at 115.

Highland’s field led all sectionals in nationally-ranked wrestlers per Flowrestling’s rankings in Skiles (10th at 105), Dawson (17th at 140), Rottmann (13th at 170), Hoselton (5th at 235) and Unity’s Phoenix Molina (25th at 235).

Hoselton and Molina were at it again on a Highland Sectional title mat this year, one year after squaring off in last year’s state title match at 235, when Hoselton won a 4-3 ultimate tie-break decision for the title. The two nationally-ranked wrestlers gave the crowd their money’s worth at Highland, as Hoselton (23-0) won another ultimate tie-break against Molina (28-5), this time in a 3-2 decision.

Highland’s other nail-biter on the sectional title mat came when Glenwood’s Tuxhorn (31-2) won a 2-1 ultimate tie-break decision at 145 against Cumberland’s Natalie Beaumont (26-3).

STATE QUALIFIERS FROM THE HIGHLAND SECTIONAL

100

1st – Emma Rogers of Edwardsville (H.S.)

2nd – Madelyn Murphy of Roxana

3rd – Claire Crouch of Troy (Triad)

4th – Nikolette Ronketto of West Frankfort (Frankfort)

105

1st – Chloe Skiles of Roxana

2nd – Zoee Sadler of Anna (A.-Jonesboro)

3rd – Kadi Wilbern of Chatham (Glenwood)

4th – Phoenix Criss of Springfield [Coop]

110

1st – Rilynn Younker of Litchfield

2nd – Jala Singleton of Belleville (West)

3rd – Genevieve Dykstra of Edwardsville (H.S.)

4th – Carlly Ho of Rochester

115

1st – Sydney Cannon of Mt. Zion

2nd – Delaney Measimer of Carbondale (H.S.)

3rd – Delaney Ledbetter of Lawrenceville

4th – Kendall Moss-Smith of Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

120

1st – Londyn Long of Collinsville

2nd – Allie Chong of Edwardsville (H.S.)

3rd – Sophia Bechelli of West Frankfort (Frankfort)

4th – Yurithdzy Vilchis of Fairbury (Prairie Central)

125

1st – Sophie Bowers of Vandalia

2nd – Jocelyn Cobix of Pontiac

3rd – Leonie Dubson of Mattoon

4th – Brooklyn Alldredge of Edwardsville (H.S.)

130

1st – Addyson Bailey of Collinsville

2nd – Ava Beldo of Champaign (Centennial)

3rd – Te`Aja Young of Cahokia (H.S.)

4th – Alicia Dominguez of Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

135

1st – Holly Zugmaier of Edwardsville (H.S.)

2nd – Audrey Barnes of Granite City

3rd – Avery Crouch of Dwight

4th – Scarlett Gentille of O`Fallon (H.S.)

140

1st – Taylor Dawson of Collinsville

2nd – Rickasia Ivy of Urbana (H.S.)

3rd – Maddie Wells of St. Joseph (S.J.-Ogden)

4th – Lillien Roughton of Decatur (Unity Christian)

145

1st – Jenna Tuxhorn of Chatham (Glenwood)

2nd – Natalie Beaumont of Toledo (Cumberland)

3rd – Tashieya Taylor of Collinsville

4th – Avery Schlickman of Gibson City (G.C.-Melvin-Sibley)

155

1st – Anna Vasey of Tolono (Unity)

2nd – Kira Thompson of O`Fallon (H.S.)

3rd – Grace Stratton of Freeburg

4th – Alix Robinson of Pontiac

170

1st – August Rottmann of Highland

2nd – Demi Barnes of Granite City

3rd – Janylah Holman of Cahokia (H.S.)

4th – Summer Nichols of Toledo (Cumberland)

190

1st – Payton Temple of Clifton (Central)

2nd – Vickie White of Edwardsville (H.S.)

3rd – Krista McBride of Goreville

4th – Jaycee Weitekamp of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

235

1st – Chloe Hoselton of Fairbury (Prairie Central)

2nd – Phoenix Molina of Tolono (Unity)

3rd – Cadence Duvall of Normal (Community West)

4th – Lillian Disanto of Urbana (H.S.)

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

When your program was a state champion two years ago and just missed winning another title last season, you usually don’t require any boosts right as the postseason starts to let everyone know that you are well-positioned to be back in the mix for top honors on the final day of competition.

Still, Coal City entered the IHSA Class 1A Herscher Regional ready to show what it’s made of as it kicked off a postseason run that it hopes results in the program’s eighth state trophy since 2015 and its second state championship for 2022 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee coach Mark Masters, who recently joined an exclusive club of coaches who’ve won 500 dual meets.. 

And the Coalers’ first result of the IHSA state series was a complete and dominating success as it finished with 10 champions, 12 finalists and qualified all 14 who took part for the individual sectional that they are hosting this weekend. Only one other team in Class 1A qualified all 14 of its individuals for a sectional, Chicago Hope Academy, which is also at the Coal City Sectional.

Coal City finished with 313.5 points, which was 164 ahead of runner-up Reed-Custer, who scored 149.5 points. Seneca (137) took third and Clifton Central/ Iroquois West co-op (130.5) was fourth while Bishop McNamara (92.5), Wilmington (74.5), Herscher (59), Peotone (45), Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op (34) and Manteno (30) were next in line.

While the Coalers enter the postseason ranked third behind top-ranked Vandalia, who took fourth place last year, and defending Class 1A champion Marian Central Catholic, they’ve right there on two occasions with the Vandals, falling in the final match in the semifinals at ABE’s Rumble and were not far behind them while claiming second place at the Lyle King Princeton Invitational Tournament. 

Beside the fact that all but two of their 11 state qualifiers from a year ago are back, and four of those won medals in Champaign including a champion and runner-up, the team’s bond is very strong since most have been together since starting their careers in the Lil’ Coalers Wrestling Club. 

And the team is proud that its lineup is one of the strongest in Class 1A with a 414-92 (.818 percent) overall record for its regional entrants while facing one of the toughest schedules of any small school in the state. And the team likes the fact that everyone not only has good practice partners, but others also get into the mix, which gives each individual a variety of styles that they can see on a consistent basis.

Add to that a large and veteran coaching staff that most Class 3A and 2A programs would be proud of, and you’ve got a real formidable opponent that is very motivated to capture its second IHSA Class 1A Dual Team title in three years.

Champions for the Coalers were Owen Petersen (37-2 at 113), Culan Lindemuth (31-10 at 120), Cooper Morris (34-5 at 126), Luke Munsterman (34-11 at 132), Brody Widlowski (21-0 at 138), Aidan Kenney (33-10 at 144), Mason Garner (29-6 at 157), Brock Finch (27-7 at 165), Landin Benson (35-2 at 175) and John Keigher (29-1 at 215). Taking second were Cade Poyner (29-6 at 190) and Alec Waliczek (20-5 at 285) while Jason Piatak (30-15 at 106) and Noah Houston (25-12 at 150) were third. 

After taking third place in their first match of the finals, the Coalers won the next six titles before claiming their other third-place finish. Then it was three consecutive championships before going 1-2 in the final three matches on the title mat.

Beside hosting the individual sectional this weekend, Coal City is also the host for the Class 1A Dual Team Sectional on February 25, with the other three teams on hand being Chicago Hope Academy, King College Prep and Northridge Prep.

“They’re having a lot of fun in the practice room,” Masters said. “I know that sounds really cliched, but after practice is over, you can hear the guys chirping at one another about, ‘Hey, I gave you the beating today’, so it’s very competitive. These guys have been together for quite some time and our J-V team is really solid, and  I bet we had seven or eight kids that could have qualified today. Everybody is fighting to get into that lineup, but some guys are sophomores or juniors and they just have to wait their turn. So it’s highly-competitive in the practice room.

“If things go according to plans, we get a chance to wrestle Marian in the semis if we’re able to continue to win, and you get a chance to win that one back, and if we get past those guys, then you get a chance at Vandalia. But you’ve got to stay healthy and you’ve got to be lucky. There’s so many things that have to go your way. We have a handful of guys that can get on the awards stand and everybody wants to be on the top of it. 

“We won my 500th dual, and I’ve been blessed. I’ve had talent, I’ve had great parents, great families and great support at the administration level. The program is only as good as the kids that are in it. You just have to be able to guide the ship and hopefully the kids follow in that direction.”

Seneca coach Todd Yegge recently recorded his 400th dual meet victory and he had two title winners, Raiden Terry (44-1 at 106) and Jeremy Gagnon (44-1 at 285), who both have only lost one match this season. The other regional champion was Wilmington’s Logan Van Duyne (36-4 at 190).

Runner-up Reed-Custer settled for six second-place finishes and had eight sectional qualifiers while Seneca qualified six, Clifton Central co-op advanced five and Bishop McNamara had four sectional qualifiers. Herscher and Wilmington each had two advance and Dwight co-op is sending one individual to Coal City. 

Herscher coach Austin Headrick was a two-time IHSA medalist at Wilmington for IWCOA Hall of Fame coach Rob Murphy. He and his staff along with Tigers athletic director Joel Huizenga and the administration at the school deserve recognition for doing a fine job in hosting the regional.

Here are the champions of the IHSA Class 1A Herscher Regional and their weight classes:

106 – Raiden Terry, Seneca

Raiden Terry heads into the IHSA Class 1A Coal City Sectional feeling very good about his prospects of making a return trip to state and getting his first medal in Champaign after the Seneca sophomore captured the 106 title at the Herscher Regional with a victory by technical fall in 5:43 over Reed-Custer freshman Colton Drinkwine to improve to 44-1. Top-ranked at 106, he hasn’t lost in 2025 and his lone defeat came to Benton’s Cohen Sweely at ABE’s Rumble.

Terry was one of two champions and three finalists for the Fighting Irish, whose coach Todd Yegge recently got his 400th dual meet victory at Seneca. In his only other match, he also won by technical fall, prevailing in 2:34 over Manteno freshman Carter Webber in the semifinals.He was one of two individuals who claimed two wins by technical fall and did so the quickest.

“I’ve just been getting my weight down and keeping that under control,” Terry said. “Really my mindset is I don’t know how I’m going to lose when I go out there. It’s really fun being out there and I’d like to give all the glory to God. I pray before all of my matches. I always have a ton of confidence in myself when I go out there. Last year I went 1-2 (at state), but I was a freshman and a little under-sized last year. But I’m a lot bigger and I’m coming for gold.”

Drinkwine (40-5), who’s fifth-ranked and was one of six finalists who all took second place for coach Yale Davis’ Comets, won an 8-2 decision over Coal City freshman Jason Piatak in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Piatak became one of the 14 sectional qualifiers for coach Mark Masters’ Coalers when he recorded a fall in 3:45 over Webber (19-17).

113 – Owen Petersen, Coal City

Owen Petersen became the first of Coal City’s 10 champions when the sophomore claimed the title at 113 by recording a fall in 1:12 over Reed-Custer freshman Cole Harris. Petersen (37-2), who took sixth place at 106 in the IHSA 1A Finals in 2024, is ranked fifth and has only lost to two of the top three at his weight class, Vandalia’s Max Philpot and Olympia’s Dylan Eimer. 

Petersen was one of 12 finalists for the Coalers, who won the team championship with 313.5 points, which was 164 points ahead of runner-up Reed-Custer. His only other match was in the semifinals, where he got a fall in 22 seconds over Bishop McNamara freshman Landon Benoit. He was one of four Coalers who tied with two others for fourth place for the most team points with 24.

“We’ve had a couple of injuries, so I’m happy to see them back and giving their all,” Petersen said. “Practices are tough and we work on everything the coaches see and what we need to improve on. And good practice partners are definitely the first step, you have to have someone to push you. I’ve been with them my whole life, so I know a lot about everybody and I know what they like and what they don’t like.”

Harris (31-12), one of the six-second-place finishers for the runner-up Comets, also only had to compete in the semifinals prior to the title match and he won that with a pin in 1:39 over Seneca freshman Chris Thompson (33-12), who advanced with a fall in 2:33 over Benoit for third place.

120 – Culan Lindemuth, Coal City

Culan Lindemuth was the second of six-straight Coalers who won titles at the 1A Herscher Regional when the senior collected a win by technical fall in 4:11 over Reed-Custer sophomore Kaaden Wood in the 120 championship match. Coal City ended up with 10 title winners, 12 finalists and 14 qualifiers for the sectional that it will be hosting this weekend.

Lindemuth (31-10), a three-time state qualifier who hopes to make a fourth trip to Champaign and claim his initial medal at the IHSA Finals, only had to wrestle in the semifinals to reach the title mat and won there when he got a pin in 2:36 over Peotone sophomore Blake Anderson.

“We’re all friends, we bond together, we’re good together and we have good practice partners,” Lindemuth said. “This year, we’ll make another run at it. We still have Marian to handle and still have Vandalia, and they’re two tough teams but I think we can get it done. These past two years I’ve been practice partners with Cooper Morris, he placed last year and I unfortunately, didn’t. But we make each other better and we find ways to win. He’s a great practice partner and he has a great attitude and he’s very aggressive.”

Wood (32-10), one of six second-placed finishers as well as eight qualifiers for the Coal City Sectional for the runner-up Comets, won his only other match when he captured an 11-3 major decision in the semifinals over Herscher sophomore Owen Bollino (30-9), who went on to claim third place with a fall in 3:34 over Anderson (28-17). Bollino and Seneca’s Raiden Terry were the only individuals to get two wins by technical fall and he ranked second in match points with 45.

126 – Cooper Morris, Coal City 

Cooper Morris joined Owen Petersen with quality freshmen seasons at Coal City as the both placed at state with Morris finishing fifth at 113 in the IHSA Finals in 2024. He was one of its 14 sectional qualifiers and became the third of 10 champions at the Class 1A Herscher Regional when he won by fall in 1:47 in the 126 title match over Reed-Custer junior Jayden Sanchez.

Morris (34-5), who’s ranked third at 126 behind Vandalia’s Tyson Waughtel and Althoff Catholic’s Dawson Hawthorne, became one of the 12 Coalers to reach the title mat when he got a pin in 1:05 over Clifton Central/ Iroquois West freshman Owen Robinson in the semifinals. He tied for fourth place with 24 team points, making him one of eight Coalers who ranked in the top 10 in that category. 

“We’re just as good as last year,” Morris said. “And I think even better than last year since we only had one senior in the lineup and we filled that spot. We’re solid 106 to heavyweight so I think this is our year. We have great practice partners and we’re always pushing each other, it’s just a great room. And we have a lot of great coaches. We’re family and we’ve been wrestling together since we were four and five. We started in Lil’ Coalers and have just been a team ever since. There’s great team bonding and we play other sports together.”

Sanchez (35-10), the fourth of six Comets who claimed second-place finishes and one of their eight qualifier for the Coal City Sectional, opened with a first-minute pin before claiming a victory by technical fall in 4:46 in the semifinals over Herscher sophomore Everett Osenga (19-7), who bounced back from that defeat to finish third after getting a pin in 3:04 over Robinson (23-23).

132 – Luke Munsterman, Coal City

Luke Munsterman was the only one of Coal City’s 10 champions at the Class 1A Herscher Regional who had the go the whole six minutes in his title match and he did that after needing less than a minute in each of his first two matches. The Coalers junior captured a 6-5 decision over Bishop McNamara junior Blake Arseneau in the 132 title match to be part of a run of six-straight championship wins from 113 to 144.

Munsterman (34-11), who’s ranked tenth and hopes to qualify for the IHSA Finals for the first time this year, got a pin in 0:48 in his opener and needed 0:43 to win by fall in the semifinals over Clifton Central co-op sophomore Everett Bailey to become one of the Coalers’ 12 finalists.

“Two years ago, we won state and the team performed really well,” Munsterman said. “And last year, we lost by one match, so this year, we’re hoping to get another one. We only lost two seniors from last year. We all love the sport, and if you love the sport, then you’ll succeed.”

Arseneau (22-12), the lone finalist and one of four qualifiers for coach Jacob Kimberlin’s Fightin’ Irish, won his opener by technical fall and then recorded a pin in 3:29 over Seneca’s Ryker Terry in the semifinals. For third place, Bailey (7-2) won by fall in 5:51 over Wilmington sophomore Oakley Rivera (22-13) to become one of the five sectional qualifiers for Clifton Central co-op.

138 – Brody Widlowski, Coal City

Brody Widlowski found himself in a unique spot at the end of the IHSA Class 1A Herscher Regional as he was the lone unbeaten champion when the Coal City junior improved to 21-0 after handing Reed-Custer senior Jeremy Eggleston just his second loss in 43 matches with a win by technical fall in 5:58 in the 138 finals to become one of his team’s 10 title winners.

Widlowski is ranked second to Rockridge’s Jude Finch, who is 35-0 and won the IHSA 1A title at 132 last season and is a two-time state medalist. The Coaler junior took second place at 126 last season after placing fourth at 113 in 2023.  After opening with a pin in 55 seconds, he got another fall in 1:36 in the semifinals over Bishop McNamara junior Alex Kostecka. He ranked third in team points with 27.5, 0.5 points behind teammates Landin Benson and John Keigher.

“We’re trying to get better and get that title this year,” Widlowski said. “We all try to put work in to make everyone better every day, and we have a good, solid lineup. We have like seven coaches and a lot of them focus on J-V, too, so if there’s a gap in there, someone steps right up and is ready to go. We’re all a family, we’ve all been in the same program from Lil’ Coalers to high school, so we’ve all been buddies and we all hang out, outside of wrestling, too, so we do it for each other more than anything.”

Eggleston (41-2), a senior who is ranked fifth and was one of six second-place finishers and eight sectional qualifiers for coach Yale Davis’ runner-up Comets, hopes to get back to state, which he qualified for in 2023, and also win his first medal in Champaign. He followed a pin in the first minute with a fall in 1:54 in the semifinals over Seneca junior Avery Phillips. In the third-place match, Kostecka (28-17) captured a 12-4 major decision over Phillips (37-11).

144 – Aidan Kenney, Coal City

Aidan Kenney capped a run of six-straight championships for Coal City from 113 to 144 at the Class 1A Herscher Regional and eventually he was one of 10 title winners, 12 finalists and 14 qualifiers for coach Mark Masters’ Coalers for the sectional that they will host this weekend. He claimed top honors at 144 when he recorded a fall in 3:08 over Clifton Central/ Iroquois West junior Evan Cox.

Kenney, a 2023 state qualifier who is ranked eighth, hopes to get back to Champaign this year and also to win a medal for the first time. He recorded a first-minute pin in his opener and followed that up with a 12-0 major decision over Herscher’s Alex Mendez in the semifinals.

“It starts in the wrestling room with our coaches,” Kenney said. “They really push us and all of our practice partners are also great, so we can switch around and get different styles of wrestling. We have a bunch of coaches and they’re really good at multiple things so we get a mix of knowledge. We’re all friends so we can push each other in the wrestling room and that really helps us.”

Cox (39-9) one of three finalists and five sectional qualifiers for Clifton Central co-op, got a pin in 56 seconds in his first match and then earned his spot in the 144 finals with another fall, this one in 4:44 over Peotone senior Dalton Sala in the semifinals. Bishop McNamara junior Cole Kimberlin (18-11) got pinned by Sala in the quarterfinals but then won three-straight matches to claim third place, avenging his defeat earlier in the day by capturing a 17-7 major decision over Sala.

150 – Dylan Crouch, Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington

Dylan Crouch claimed fifth at 138 in the IHSA Class 1A Finals last season to give him his first medal in three state appearances. Now the senior for the Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op team hopes to finish higher on the awards stand in Champaign and join Anthony Bauer, who won medals in 2013 and 2014, as the only two-time all-staters in the Trojans’ history. He made some history on Saturday by winning his fourth-straight regional championship when he claimed a 7-2 decision over Clifton Central/ Iroquois West senior Gianni Panozzo in the 150 title match.

Crouch (42-3), who’s ranked fourth, hopes to become his program’s all-time leader in victories this weekend at the Coal City Sectional. He was the lone finalist and sectional qualifier for coach Jim Gussman’s Trojans. He opened with a first-period fall before winning another close match in the semifinals, rallying from an early deficit to capture a 9-7 decision over Peotone senior Connor Pasch.

“In my semifinal match I was down 6-2 and that hasn’t happened much to me this year,” Crouch said. “I wanted it more than that kid, that’s all that it comes down to. There have been quite a few records I’ve broken this year and I’m still chasing one. I think I’m three wins away from the all-time school win record. I grind it out in the practice room every single day. I go in there with the mindset that I want to get better and I just work on stuff that I need to work on. Coming from Dwight, we don’t have a very big room now so you’ve got to make do with what you’ve got.”

Panozzo (41-5), who is ranked sixth and is a two-time state qualifier, hopes to get his first state medal this year. Only nine Comets have ever reached the awards stand in Champaign and the last one to do that was Thomas Konetski in 2019. He claimed a victory by technical fall in his first match and then won a 13-5 decision in the semifinals over Coal City junior Noah Houston (25-12), who won by fall in 5:28 over Pasch (29-11) to become one of the Coalers’ two third-place finishers.

157 – Mason Garner, Coal City

Mason Garner started a run of three-straight titles for Coal City at the Herscher Regional after his teammates had earlier won six championships in a row when he captured top honors at 157 with a fall in 1:29 over Clifton Central/ Iroquois West junior Giona Panozzo. The Coalers junior qualified for the IHSA Finals last season and hopes to make a return trip to Champaign and pick up his first medal there.

Garner (29-6), who’s ranked fifth, was one of 10 champions, 12 finalists and 14 qualifiers for the sectional that coach Mark Masters’ Coalers are hosting this weekend. He only had to compete in the semifinals and he wasn’t on the mat for long since he needed 24 seconds to record a fall over Manteno freshman Lucas Hetman.

“We’ve been putting  in a lot of work in the wrestling room,” Garner said. “We’ve got depth at every weight, including our J-V guys. (The coaches) They’re really good in the practice room for us. We’ve been together since Lil’ Coalers wrestling, we’ve been all together the whole time. It’s definitely the goal to get back in the team state finals and individual state finals, too. I like the hard work and dedication in our practice room.”

Panozzo (33-12), who also qualified for state last season, opened with a first-minute fall and he assured that Clifton Central co-op would have three-straight matches on the title mat when he won by fall in 2:57 over Seneca’s Ryan Flynn in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Reed-Custer freshman Reed Newbrough (26-16) claimed a 6-3 decision over Hetman (14-14), avenging a 9-5 quarterfinal loss, in what proved to be Manteno’s best hope to get a sectional qualifier. 

165 – Brock Finch, Coal City

Brock Finch hopes that the third time’s the charm this season as the Coal City junior seeks a third state trip but also an initial medal there. He became the Coalers’ eighth champion at the Herscher Regional when he won the 165 title with a fall in 2:57 over Seneca senior Nick Grant.

Finch (27-7), who’s ranked fifth, got his first match in the semifinals and only needed 0:51 to pin Herscher sophomore Brayden Crews. He was one of the 10 champions and 14 Coalers who advanced to their own sectional, which includes individuals from the Chicago Hope Academy, Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville and the Walther Christian Academy regionals.

“It really helps with the momentum coming from everyone winning,” Finch said. “We’ve been going through a lot of hard work at practice to prepare us for team state and normal state. We definitely are a lot better because we’ve been working way harder lately and just been putting in the work. Our team, we really don’t have any holes at all, so we come in prepared and think that we’re going to win at every single weight and every dual. Our whole group has been together since Lil’ Coalers, the wrestling club we have, and we’ve been good ever since then.”

Grant (34-13), one of three finalists and six sectional qualifiers for coach Todd Yegge’s Fighting Irish, was a winner by technical fall in his opening match and then he earned his spot on the 165 title mat by claiming a 5-1 decision over Reed-Custer junior Aiden Schultz, who bounced back from that setback to claim third place and qualify by recording a fall in 5:23 over Crews (20-14).

175 – Landin Benson, Coal City

Landin Benson is a man on a mission and he needs to be considering that he was the IHSA champion at 165 in 2024 and is top-ranked at 175 in a bracket that features two 2024 state finalists, Lena-Winslow/ Stockton’s Eli Larson and Tremont’s Bowden Delaney, as well as a fourth-place medalist from a year ago, Hoopeston Area/ Milford’s Angel Zamora. The Coalers senior became his team’s ninth champion at the Herscher Regional when he won the title at 175 with a fall in 1:22 over Wilmington sophomore Will Wilson.

Benson (35-2), who hopes that a third state appearance is as productive as his second one was, needed 44 seconds to get a pin in the quarterfinals and then only required 28 seconds to wrap up his semifinal victory over Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington junior Gavin Bafia. Nine individuals recorded three falls and he only used 2:34, which was about half of the time that it took the next-best in the most pins in the least time category. He also tied teammate John Keigher, who took first at 215 to become the Coalers’ tenth champ, for the most team points with 28.

“We have a great team and we’ve been working hard all year, and we have the coaches in the room and we have the talent,” Benson said. “So we just needed some hard work and it’s paying off right now and we’re just hoping that we will carry that on to team sectionals and team state. It’s all coming together right now so we’ll see how it turns out. We’ve got Joey Breneman in the room and he was on the state championship team, so he’s coaching now and he’s been working us. You want to win both team state and individual and when you win both, it’s kind of motivational to keep going and want more.”

Wilson (24-9), who was the first of two finalists and also one of two sectional qualifiers for coach Nick Dziuban’s Wildcats, won his opener with a first-minute fall and then earned his spot on the 175 title mat against Benson with a pin in 5:24 over Reed-Custer’s Nathan Vogler in the semifinals. Seneca sophomore Alex Gagnon (26-11) dropped a 12-10 decision in the quarterfinals to Bafia (24-20), but he responded with two falls and then won 15-6 over Bafia to claim third place.

190 – Logan Van Duyne, Wilmington

Logan Van Duyne already has experienced one of the joys of high school sports, and that’s being a member of a state championship team and that’s what the Wilmington junior was able to be a part of in 2023 when the Wildcats lost to Seneca in their first game and then won 13 in a row, capped by a 28-3 victory over Athens in the IHSA Class 2A championship game. Now the defensive lineman this past fall on another successful team for longtime coach Jeff Reents hopes to experience a higher level of individual success as he not only looks to get back to the state finals but he’d like to make it to the awards stand in a second trip to Champaign.

Van Duyne (36-4), who’s ranked seventh, won the 190 championship at the Herscher Regional with a fall in 5:43 over Coal City junior Cade Poyner, who had beaten Van Duyne twice this season. One of two finalists and sectional qualifiers for coach Nick Dziuban’s Wildcats. He also won his other two matches with pins, needing 1:06 in his opener before he got a victory in the semifinals by recording a fall in 4:47 over Bishop McNamara senior Ethan Pfeiffer. He finished in a six-way tie for fourth place in most team points with 24.

“Some of our coaches are from that group, the golden era of Wilmington, and I’m just grateful to have them in there,” Van Duyne said. “It was definitely something special there with them. I love wearing Wilmington on my chest, it’s something to try to live up to that legacy that they set. People definitely think of Wilmington as a football town but wrestling is not too far from it. There’s definitely a strong sense of community and we have some of our club here watching us wrestle and it’s fun to put on a show for them. I definitely hit the offseason hard, going to Joliet and wrestling there and in club. Doing Freestyle has definitely been pretty cool and I qualified for Fargo. There was a lot of social networking and I met a lot of good people.”

Poyner (29-6), a first-time state qualifier in 2024 who was ranked fifth, was one of 12 finalists and 14 sectional qualifiers for the champion Coalers. He followed a first-minute pin with a win by technical fall in 2:42 in the semifinals over Seneca junior Landen Venecia (32-9), who bounced back from that loss to claim third place after winning a 13-4 major decision over Pfeiffer (23-13).

 215 – John Keigher, Coal City

John Keigher is ranked ninth at 215 but one reason for that may be that everyone above him has competed in the IHSA Finals while he has not. The Coal City senior hopes to cap a great final season by joining several of his teammates with an initial state trip and maybe even claim a medal in Champaign. He improved to 29-1 and became the Coalers’ tenth champion at the Herscher Regional when he won by fall in 5:50 over Reed-Custer junior Dominic Alaimo in the 215 finals.

Keigher, unbeaten since falling in the semifinals at Princeton’s Lyle King PIT to Mt. Zion’s Keller Stocks, who’s ranked third, the senior made quick work of his first two opponents, getting a pin in 0:38 in his opener and then needing just 0:42 to wrap up his semifinal match against Seneca’s Colton Angeloff and make him one of 12 finalists for the champion Coalers. He and teammate Landin Benson led everyone in the regional with the most team points with 28.

“We definitely expected this,” Keigher said. “I’d say It’s because of the partners that we have in the room. Everyone is just super hard-working. We lost a few people from last year, including our two seniors who qualified for state. But everyone just works so hard, so it’s easier to replace some guys. When you have good kids on the team, it just makes higher expectations for kids that might not be in the same spot as them, forcing them to work harder to build for these tournaments.”

Alaimo (39-5), who’s ranked fourth and made his first trip downstate last season, was one of six Comets who reached the title mat and took second place. He followed a quick fall in his opener with a pin in 5:24 in the semifinals over Clifton Central/ Iroquois West junior Brody O’Connor (29-13), who took third place after getting a pin in 5:33 over Wilmington junior Memphis Iwen (11-11).  

285 – Jeremy Gagnon, Seneca

Jeremy Gagnon is quick to point out that even though he’s won every match this season but one, part of his success is due to him competing in an unlikely sport for a heavyweight where he regularly was near the back of the pack. The Seneca senior improved to 44-1 after getting a fall in 3:35 over Coal City senior Alec Waliczek in the 285 finals. He ran cross country in the fall so that he could help with his endurance, and based on how he’s been doing, that seems to have been a good game plan.

Gagnon, who’s unranked and whose lone defeat came against Chicago Hope Academy’s Roy Phelps in the semifinals of Reed-Custer’s Comet Classic, joined 106-pounder Raiden Terry as a regional champion for Seneca, whose coach, Todd Yegge, recently collected his 400th career victory. Gagnon needed 0:21 to get a pin in his opener and won by fall in 1:10 in the semifinals over Clifton Central/ Iroquois West sophomore Josh McCurry to become one of three finalists for the Fighting Irish.

“On senior night, our coach got his 400th win, we have a great coaching staff,” Gagnon said. “There’s a great culture there, everyone’s like ‘go sports, go sports, go sports’. I did cross country this year and I finished last every time but it definitely helped. I’ve always said, they remember the first and the last place, and I was the last place. I remember running along the I & M Canal with my team and they always were a mile ahead of me. I look forward to the sectional in Coal City.”

Waliczek (20-5) was one of 12 finalists and 14 qualifiers for the Coalers, who hope that being at their school pays off with numerous individuals earning trips to the IHSA 1A Finals. The Coal City senior opened with a fall and won a 9-1 major decision in the semifinals over Bishop McNamara junior Kian Bramer (25-14), who became one of four qualifiers for his school after he won by fall in 2:32 over McCurry (23-23). 

Coal City Sectional qualifiers from the Herscher Regional

106

1st Place – Raiden Terry of Seneca

2nd Place – Colton Drinkwine of Reed-Custer

3rd Place – Jason Piatak of Coal City

113

1st Place – Owen Petersen of Coal City

2nd Place – Cole Harris of Reed-Custer

3rd Place – Chris Thompson of Seneca

120

1st Place – Culan Lindemuth of Coal City

2nd Place – Kaaden Wood of Reed-Custer

3rd Place – Owen Bollino of Herscher

126

1st Place – Cooper Morris of Coal City

2nd Place – Jayden Sanchez of Reed-Custer

3rd Place – Everett Osenga of Herscher

132

1st Place – Luke Munsterman of Coal City

2nd Place – Blake Arseneau of Bishop McNamara

3rd Place – Everett Bailey of Clifton Central/ Iroquois West

138

1st Place – Brody Widlowski of Coal City

2nd Place – Jeremy Eggleston of Reed-Custer

3rd Place – Alex Kostecka of Bishop McNamara

144

1st Place – Aidan Kenney of Coal City

2nd Place – Evan Cox of Clifton Central

3rd Place – Cole Kimberlin of Bishop McNamara

4th Place – Dalton Sala of Peotone

150

1st Place – Dylan Crouch of Dwight/ Gsardner-South Wilmington

2nd Place – Gianni Panozzo of Clifton Central

3rd Place – Noah Houston of Coal City

157

1st Place – Mason Garner of Coal City

2nd Place – Giona Panozzo of Clifton Central

3rd Place – Reed Newbrough of Reed-Custer

165

1st Place – Brock Finch of Coal City

2nd Place – Nick Grant of Seneca

3rd Place – Aiden Shultz of Reed-Custer

175

1st Place – Landin Benson of Coal City

2nd Place – Will Wilson of Wilmington

3rd Place – Alex Gagnon of Seneca

190

1st Place – Logan Van Duyne of Wilmington

2nd Place – Cade Poyner of Coal City

3rd Place – Landen Venecia of Seneca

215

1st Place – John Keigher of Coal City

2nd Place – Dominic Alaimo of Reed-Custer

3rd Place – Brody O`Connor of Clifton Central

285

1st Place – Jeremy Gagnon of Seneca

2nd Place – Alec Waliczek of Coal City

3rd Place – Kian Bramer of Bishop McNamara

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

Roundups of the regionals that feed into the Oregon Individual Sectional

Oregon qualifies 12 in regional title triumph at Byron

Oregon heads into this weekend’s sectional tournament that it hosts featuring 11 of the state’s top 25 teams in Class 1A on a huge high as it qualified a sectional-best 12 individuals after scoring 251 points, placing it well ahead of runner-up Lena-Winslow/ Stockton (210.5) while host Byron (179) claimed third place, with both of those teams sending eight to the sectional.

Top performers for coach Justin Lahman’s first-place Hawks were champions Isaiah Perez (35-7 at 120), Preston LaBay (27-5 at 126), Nelson Benesh (38-6 at 132) and Levi Benton (19-4 at 138) while Josiah Perez (113), Andrew Young (175) and Seth Rote (190) claimed second place. Turning in third-place finishes were Jordan Lowe (106), Jackson Messenger (144), Jayden Berry (150), Ethan Mowry (157) and Briggs Sellers (285) while Landen Elder (215) was fourth. According to IHSA records, Oregon hasn’t won a regional title since 2008, which was the same year that it also made its last appearance in the IHSA Dual Team Finals, when it placed third in Class A.

“We had a great day of wrestling.” Lahman said. “The focus was on getting the bonus points and for every wrestler to just go out and do their job. We knew it was going to be a battle and it was fun to watch the team rise to the occasion. This is a great first step but we have more goals to accomplish in the coming weeks.”

Runner-up Lena-Winslow/ Stockton joined Oregon with four title winners. The PantherHawks’ champions were Arrison Bauer (40-5 at 144), Eli Larson (42-2 at 175), Oliver McPeek (40-4 at 190) and Jeremiah Luke (39-5 at 215).

The other champions came from three schools, Byron, Dakota/ Orangeville and Stillman Valley. Stillman Valley’s champions were Michael Pannarale (34-6 at 106) and Henry Hildreth (36-4 at at 150), Dakota co-op’s title winners were Brandon White (30-9 at 113) and Randy McPeek (34-6 at 285) and Byron got firsts from Will Julian (38-3 at 157) and Brody Stien (39-5 at 165).

Oregon Sectional qualifiers from the Byron Regional

106

1st Place – Michael Pannarale of Stillman Valley

2nd Place – Cam Whitehead of Winnebago

3rd Place – Jordan Lowe of Oregon

113

1st Place – Brandon White of Dakota/ Orangeville

2nd Place – Josiah Perez of Oregon

3rd Place – Noah Rannow of West Carroll

120

1st Place – Isaiah Perez of Oregon

2nd Place – Jackson Norris of Byron

3rd Place – Jack McIntyre of West Carroll

126

1st Place – Preston LaBay of Oregon

2nd Place – Chase Whitehead of Winnebago

3rd Place – Damien Palacios of Byron

132

1st Place – Nelson Benesh of Oregon

2nd Place – Sam Sikora of Lena-Winslow/ Stockton

3rd Place – Hunter King of Byron

138

1st Place – Levi Benton of Oregon

2nd Place – Mauricio Glass of Lena-Winslow/ Stockton

3rd Place – Dylan Dach of Byron

144

1st Place – Arrison Bauer of Lena-Winslow/ Stockton

2nd Place – Connor Knop of West Carroll

3rd Place – Jackson Messenger of Oregon

150

1st Place – Henry Hildreth of Stillman Valley

2nd Place – Jonner Smith of West Carroll

3rd Place – Jayden Berry of Oregon

157

1st Place – Will Julian of Byron

2nd Place – Mark Detwiler of Lena-Winslow/ Stockton

3rd Place – Ethan Mowry of Oregon

165

1st Place – Brody Stien of Byron

2nd Place – John Mensendike of Lena-Winslow/ Stockton

3rd Place – Ethan Waugh of Stillman Valley

175

1st Place – Eli Larson of Lena-Winslow/ Stockton

2nd Place – Andrew Young of Oregon

3rd Place – Dameon Polton of Galena

190

1st Place – Oliver McPeek of Lena-Winslow/ Stockton

2nd Place – Seth Rote of Oregon

3rd Place – Ryon Bland of Dakota

215

1st Place – Jeremiah Luke of Lena-Winslow/ Stockton

2nd Place – Jarett Ross of Byron

3rd Place – Avery Bowers of Dakota

285 

1st Place – Randy McPeek of Dakota

2nd Place – Jared Claunch of Byron

3rd Place – Briggs Sellers of Oregon

Sandwich takes top honors at St. Bede Academy Regional

Sandwich had four champions, nine finalists and 11 sectional qualifiers at the Class 1A St. Bede Academy Regional in Peru and that helped it to claim top honors by a 209.5-176.5 margin over Princeton while Marquette Academy claimed third place with 134.5 points. The 11 qualifiers tied Marian Central Catholic for second-most in the sectional with the host school leading with 12.

Top performers for coach Derek Jones’ first-place Indians were title winners Jaxson Blanchard (27-13 at 138), Cooper Corder (32-4 at 144), Josh Lehman (29-11 at 157) and Kai Kern (18-8 at 175). Finishing in second place were Dom Urbanski (113), Colten Stone (132), Joshua Kotalik (150), Kaden Clevenger (190) and Devon Blanchard (215) and capturing third place were Hunter Whitecotton (106) and Jakob Gruca (126). Sandwich repeated as a regional champion.

“Sandwich won the St. Bede 1A Regional with a strong showing,” Jones said. “We have 13 wrestlers and 11 qualifiers. We had two kids take third and the other nine were in the Regional Finals. I thought we wrestled at or above expectation at all of our weights. We barely wrestled as a full varsity team throughout the season due to illness, injury, or other reasons. However, today they were able to pull together and wrestle as a team all day and get the job done.” 

Runner-up Princeton also had four champions and six sectional qualifiers. Winning titles for the Tigers were Augustus Swanson (25-7 at 120), Kane Dauber (43-2 at 132), Casey Etheridge (42-2 at 165) and Cade Odell (29-1 at 285). 

Other St. Bede Academy Regional champions were Marquette Academy’s Brysen Manly (31-14 at 150) and Alex Schaefer (32-8 at 215), St. Bede Academy’s Michael Benge (28-15 at 113) and Garrett Connelly (22-16 at 190), Lisle’s Alexander Ferari (32-5 at 126) and Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille/ Ohio’s Aden Spinelli (30-7 at 106). Beside its two title winners, Marquette Academy qualified five other individuals to the Oregon Sectional.

Oregon Sectional qualifiers from the St. Bede Academy Regional

106

1st Place – Aden Spinelli of Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille/ Ohio

2nd Place – Sebastian Lara of Lisle

3rd Place – Hunter Whitecotton of Sandwich

113

1st Place – Michael Benge of St. Bede Academy

2nd Place – Dom Urbanski of Sandwich

3rd Place – Jacob Paull of Princeton

120

1st Place – Augustus Swanson of Princeton

2nd Place – Koby Clark of Marquette Academy

3rd Place – Vince Hefke of Aurora Central Catholic

126

1st Place – Alexander Ferari of Lisle

2nd Place – Max Moreno of St. Bede Academy

3rd Place – Jakob Gruca of Sandwich

132

1st Place – Kane Dauber of Princeton

2nd Place – Colten Stone of Sandwich

3rd Place – Komen Denault of Mendota

138

1st Place – Jaxson Blanchard of Sandwich

2nd Place – Beau Thompson of Marquette Academy

3rd Place – Joshua McKendry of Amboy co-op

144

1st Place – Cooper Corder of Sandwich

2nd Place – Ace Christiansen of Princeton

3rd Place – Caiden Heath of Amboy co-op

150

1st Place – Brysen Manly of Marquette Academy

2nd Place – Joshua Kotalik of Sandwich

3rd Place – Jose Lopez of Amboy co-op

157

1st Place – Josh Lehman of Sandwich

2nd Place – Andre Pineda of St. Bede Academy

3rd Place – Gavin Evans of Mendota

165

1st Place – Casey Etheridge of Princeton

2nd Place – Reily Leifheit of Marquette Academy

3rd Place – Jordan Coventry of St. Bede Academy

175

1st Place – Kai Kern of Sandwich

2nd Place – Landyn Mcemery of Marquette Academy

3rd Place – Corbin Furar of Mendota

190

1st Place – Garrett Connelly of St. Bede Academy

2nd Place – Kaden Clevenger of Sandwich

3rd Place – Alex Tucker of Putnam County/ Hall

215

1st Place – Alex Schaefer of Marquette Academy

2nd Place – Devon Blanchard of Sandwich

3rd Place – Evan Flanagan of Amboy co-op

285

1st Place – Cade Odell of Princeton

2nd Place – Angil Serrano of Mendota

3rd Place – Adrian Schaefer of Marquette Academy

Marian Central Catholic qualifies 11, wins Marengo Regional

Defending IHSA Class 1A champion Marian Central Catholic claimed top honors at the Marengo Regional with 239.5 points while Richmond-Burton took second with 186.5 points, Wheaton Academy was third with 135.5 points and Johnsburg finished fourth with 126 points. The second-ranked Hurricanes had 11 qualifiers for the Oregon Sectional, which ties it with Sandwich for second in the sectional, with only the hosts having more qualifiers with 12.

The champion Hurricanes, who are coached by Ryan Prater and Jordan Blanton, were led by first-place finishers Austin Hagevold (36-7 at 113), Brayden Teunissen (28-5 at 120), Andrew Alvarado (19-9 at 138), Vance Williams (34-5 at 150), Jimmy Mastny (46-1 at 190) and Dan French (30-13 at 215). Taking second place were Camden Spiniolas (106), Nick Marchese (126) and Nic Astacio (165) and finishing third were Connor Cassels (157) and Josh Gawronski (175). It was the Marian Central Catholic’s third-straight regional championship.

Runner-up Richmond-Burton had 10 sectional qualifiers, which is the fourth-best total in the Oregon Sectional. Champions for the Rockets were Lelan Nelson (38-3 at 106), Emmett Nelson (38-1 at 144) and Blake Livdahl (38-4 at 175).

Wheaton Academy also had three regional champions, Lincoln Hoger (41-6 at 132), Chasen Kazmierczak (40-5 at 157) and Tyler Jones (35-4 at 165) in addition to three other qualifiers. 

The other two Marengo Regional title winners were North Boone’s Gavin Ekberg (35-5 at 126) and St. Francis’ Jaylen Torres (25-2 at 285). Johnsburg had six qualifiers but no champions.

Oregon Sectional qualifiers from the Marengo Regional

106

1st Place – Lelan Nelson of Richmond-Burton

2nd Place – Camden Spiniolas of Marian Central Catholic

3rd Place – Kai Surdick of Johnsburg

113

1st Place – Austin Hagevold of Marian Central Catholic

2nd Place – Chase Vogel of Johnsburg

3rd Place – Drew Patel of North Boone

120

1st Place – Brayden Teunissen of Marian Central Catholic

2nd Place – Adam Glauser of Richmond-Burton

3rd Place – Gabe Marella of North Boone

126

1st Place – Gavin Ekberg of North Boone

2nd Place – Nick Marchese of Marian Central Catholic

3rd Place – Clayton Madula of Richmond-Burton

132

1st Place – Lincoln Hoger of Wheaton Academy

2nd Place – Hayden Beebe of Marengo

3rd Place – Micah Klos of Johnsburg

138

1st Place – Andrew Alvarado of Marian Central Catholic

2nd Place – Landon Johnson of Johnsburg

3rd Place – Joey Guidi of Wheaton Academy

144

1st Place – Emmett Nelson of Richmond-Burton

2nd Place – Max Mulhearn of Harvest Christian Academy

3rd Place – Paul Coco of St. Francis

150

1st Place – Vance Williams of Marian Central Catholic

2nd Place – Chase Siguenza of St. Francis

3rd Place – Dalton Youngs of Richmond-Burton

157

1st Place – Chasen Kazmierczak of Wheaton Academy

2nd Place – Maxwell Martin of Richmond-Burton

3rd Place – Connor Cassels of Marian Central Catholic

165

1st Place – Tyler Jones of Wheaton Academy

2nd Place – Nic Astacio of Marian Central Catholic

3rd Place – Jackson Hjorth of Johnsburg

175

1st Place – Blake Livdahl of Richmond-Burton

2nd Place – Duke Mays of Johnsburg

3rd Place – Josh Gawronski of Marian Central Catholic

190

1st Place – Jimmy Mastny of Marian Central Catholic

2nd Place – Breckin Campbell of Richmond-Burton

3rd Place – Logan Crowell of Alden-Hebron

215

1st Place – Dan French of Marian Central Catholic

2nd Place – Shane Falasca of Richmond-Burton

3rd Place – Jeremy Johanik of Wheaton Academy

285

1st Place – Jaylen Torres of St. Francis

2nd Place – Hezekiah Garcia of Wheaton Academy

3rd Place – Colin Kraus of Richmond-Burton

Newman Central Catholic captures title at Riverdale Regional

Newman Central Catholic turned in a strong performance to claim the title at the Class 1A Riverdale Regional in Port Byron when it finished with 197 points, which was 27.5 points better than runner-up Kewanee (169.5) while host Riverdale (146) took third. The champion Comets qualified seven individuals while the runner-up Boilermakers will have six in the sectional.

Coach Brian Bahrs’ first-place Comets had seven finalists with four of them capturing titles. Taking first place for Newman Central Catholic were Landon Near (37-3 at 106), Javen Reyes (27-13 at 113), Zhyler Hansen (39-7 at 126) and Daniel Kelly (34-2 at 165) while Landon Blanton (132), Briar Ivey (157) and Jacob Newberry (190) all finished in second place. It was the program’s first regional title since 2022.

Regional host and third-place finisher Riverdale had three champions, Dean Wainwright (40-2 at 132), Kolton Kruse (42-4 at 150) and Blake Smith (30-0 at 157) and runner-up Kewanee had two title winners, Kingston Peterson (20-7 at 120) and Alejandro Duarte (34-3 at 215).

Other first-place finishers in the Riverdale Regional were Fulton’s Skylier Crooks (37-10 at 175) and Daniel Holman (35-12 at 285), Rockridge’s Jude Finch (35-0 at 138), Morrison’s Caleb Modglin (40-7 at 144) and Orion’s Maddux Anderson (45-2 at 190).

Oregon Sectional qualifiers from the Riverdale Regional

106

1st Place – Landon Near of Newman Central Catholic

2nd Place – Cael Wright of Morrison

3rd Place – Nate Lower of Rockridge

113

1st Place – Javen Reyes of Newman Central Catholic

2nd Place – Tyson Currie of Kewanee

3rd Place – Tennyson Hampton of Alleman

120

1st Place – Kingston Peterson of Kewanee

2nd Place – Tyler Olson of Orion

3rd Place – Triton Pulfrey of Riverdale

126

1st Place – Zhyler Hansen of Newman Central Catholic

2nd Place – Adan Oquendo of Rock Falls

3rd Place – Clayton Blumenstein of Rockridge

132

1st Place – Dean Wainwright of Riverdale

2nd Place – Landon Blanton of Newman Central Catholic

3rd Place – Logan Thome of Rock Falls

138

1st Place – Jude Finch of Rockridge

2nd Place – Logan Williamson of Rock Falls

3rd Place – Lain Taylor of Kewanee

144

1st Place – Caleb Modglin of Morrison

2nd Place – Aidan Jepson of Erie/ Prophetstown

3rd Place – Thomas Sowards of Rockridge

150

1st Place – Kolton Kruse of Riverdale

2nd Place – Ben Taylor of Kewanee

3rd Place – Tristan Hovey of Erie/ Prophetstown

157

1st Place – Blake Smith of Riverdale

2nd Place – Briar Ivey of Newman Central Catholic

3rd Place – Wyatt Goossens of Erie/ Prophetstown

165

1st Place – Daniel Kelly of Newman Central Catholic

2nd Place – Brady Anderson of Morrison

3rd Place – Joey McGuire of Kewanee

175

1st Place – Skylier Crooks of Fulton

2nd Place – Noah Stout of Morrison

3rd Place – Jordae Crow of Erie/ Prophetstown

190

1st Place – Maddux Anderson of Orion

2nd Place – Jacob Newberry of Newman Central Catholic

3rd Place – Mason Kuebel of Fulton

215

1st Place – Alejandro Duarte of Kewanee

2nd Place – Aiden Fisher of Orion

3rd Place – Tanner McKeag of Rockridge

285

1st Place – Daniel Holman of Fulton

2nd Place – Caleb Reymer of Erie/ Prophetstown

3rd Place – Jake Baustian of Riverdale

Regionals that feed into the Coal City Individual Sectional

Northridge Prep wins first regional title at Walther Christian Academy

The 2024-2025 sports season will certainly go down as an historic one for Northridge Prep, which is in Niles. Beginning with the all-boys school’s first-ever IHSA championship in the Class 1A Cross Country Finals in Peoria and then later in November it advanced to the final eight in soccer to capture its first sectional title in that sport. And this past Saturday, the Knights made more history as their six-year old wrestling program won its first regional title when it scored 200.5 points to easily claim top honors at the Class 1A Walther Christian Academy Regional in Melrose Park. Westmont (142) took second and Rickover Naval Academy (105.5) was third.

Coach Joseph Rhee’s champion Knights qualified all 11 individuals they brought to the regional for this weekend’s Coal City Sectional. Winning championships were Joe Kopecky (26-5 at 126), George McShane (22-6 at 150), Adam Haddad (33-2 at 165) and Mason Wagner (21-12 at 175) while Javi Rodriguez (144) and Thomas Suter (285) finished second. Taking third place were  Patrick Manio (113), Noah Echavez (138), Mikey Carney (157), Nick Belcore (190) and Lev Reszczynski (215). The 11 sectional qualifiers ranks Northridge Prep third behind Coal City and Chicago Hope Academy, who both advanced 14 individuals to the sectional.

“The Knights, in just their sixth season of wrestling as an IHSA team, took home the regional title, the first in program history,” Rhee said. “The Knights filled 11 of the 14 weight classes, with all 11 wrestlers finishing in the top three of their brackets and moving on to sectionals.”

Westmont had eight sectional qualifiers, which was second-highest in the regional and tied King College Prep and Reed-Custer for the fourth-best total in the entire sectional and it also had four champions. Claiming first-place finishes for the runner-up Sentinels were Ardan Baglaev (31-9 at 120), Sean Patterson (26-18 at 157), Vincent Willkommen (11-7 at 190) and Rafael Castrejon-Tello of (29-9 at 285).

Other Walther Christian Regional champions were Nazareth Academy’s Emilio Fortiz (8-4 at 113), James Furlong (6-4 at 138) and Sam Swais (20-5 at 215), Rickover Naval Academy’s Justin Chogllo (13-5 at 106) and Justin Hernandez (29-4 at 132) and Walther Christian Academy’s Caleb Peterson (30-10 at 144).

Coal City Sectional qualifiers from the Walther Christian Academy Regional

106

1st Place – Justin Chogllo of Rickover Naval Academy

2nd Place – Mason Ponce of Westmont

3rd Place – Izat Yousef of Universal

113

1st Place – Emilio Fortiz of Nazareth Academy

2nd Place – Luke Jimenea of Westmont

3rd Place – Patrick Manio of Northridge Prep

120

1st Place – Ardan Baglaev of Westmont

2nd Place – Aiden Butler of Rickover Naval Academy

3rd Place – Rich Gulli of Nazareth Academy

126

1st Place – Joe Kopecky of Northridge Prep

2nd Place – Alek Ramos of Nazareth Academy

3rd Place – Christian Rosa of Westmont

132

1st Place – Justin Hernandez of Rickover Naval Academy

2nd Place – Ismail Ayash of Universal

3rd Place – Lawrence Walker of Westmont

138

1st Place – James Furlong of Nazareth Academy

2nd Place – Avi Chen of Ida Crown Jewish Academy

3rd Place – Noah Echavez of Northridge Prep

144

1st Place – Caleb Peterson of Walther Christian Academy

2nd Place – Javi Rodriguez of Northridge Prep

3rd Place – Aidan Zukerman of Ida Crown Jewish Academy

150

1st Place – George McShane of Northridge Prep

2nd Place – Adam Farsi of Universal

3rd Place – Antonio Gonzalez of Walther Christian Academy

157

1st Place – Sean Patterson of Westmont

2nd Place – Kevin Gomez of Walther Christian Academy

3rd Place – Mikey Carney of Northridge Prep

165

1st Place – Adam Haddad of Northridge Prep

2nd Place – Moshe Tarshish of Ida Crown Jewish Academy

3rd Place – Steven Rodriguez of Walther Christian Academy

175

1st Place – Mason Wagner of Northridge Prep

2nd Place – Terrel Washington of Foreman

3rd Place – Tyler Schoessow of Walther Christian Academy

190

1st Place – Vincent Willkommen of Westmont

2nd Place – Mustafa Hanash of Chicago Academy

3rd Place – Nick Belcore of Northridge Prep

215

1st Place – Sam Swais of Nazareth Academy

2nd Place – Ayden Starck of Ida Crown Jewish Academy

3rd Place – Lev Reszczynski of Northridge Prep

285

1st Place – Rafael Castrejon-Tello of Westmont

2nd Place – Thomas Suter of Northridge Prep

3rd Place – Waleed Fuqaha of Universal

Chicago Hope Academy wins own regional tournament

Only two teams in Class 1A were able to advance 14 individuals to a sectional and both of them will be at this weekend’s Coal City Sectional with one of those teams being the host Coalers and the other one being Chicago Hope Academy, which won its seventh regional title in the last 10 seasons and this championship was not only won at their school but it was also achieved in impressive fashion as the Eagles scored 272 points while De La Salle Institute claimed second place with 167.5 points and Noble Golder College Prep took third place with 115.5 points. 

Seven Eagles won championships for coach Dan Willis’ team title winners. Claiming first-place finishes were Indigo Berg (35-11 at 106), Nolan Callahan (37-8 at 113), Josiah Willis (37-9 at 132), Dylan Galvez (31-13 at 144), Santori Knight (32-15 at 150), Tony Jones-Blakely (25-14 at 157) and Arkail Griffin (43-3 at 165). Taking second place for Chicago Hope Academy were Jonny Amador (126), Ismael Martinez (175), Mastewal Evely (215) and Roy Phelps (285) while Josef Rios (120), Anthony Oyola (138) and Ismael Montero (190) finished third.

“Seven champs, 14 sectional qualifiers, over 100 points more than second place,” Willis said. “It was a complete unit effort. Even our tough losses left us inspiration to chase those guys down next week and the next week.”

Other Chicago Hope Academy Regional champions were De La Salle Institute’s Jeremiah Lawrence (12-1 at 120), Vincent Arvetis (22-9 at 126), Marquis Mays (20-5 at 175) and David McCarthy (25-2 at 285), Noble Golder College Prep’s Liam Drysch (20-3 at 138), Horizon Science Academy Southwest Chicago’s Sami Marrero (29-0 at 190) and Phoenix Military Academy’s Kaleb Abney (23-3 at 215).

Coal City Sectional qualifiers from the Chicago Hope Academy Regional

106

1st Place – Indigo Berg of Chicago Hope Academy

2nd Place – Mohammed Zia Nadre of Sullivan

3rd Place – Cristian Tirado of Phoenix Military Academy

113

1st Place – Nolan Callahan of Chicago Hope Academy

2nd Place – justin forbes of De La Salle Institute

3rd Place – Samuel Cruz of Clemente

120

1st Place – Jeremiah Lawrence of De La Salle Institute

2nd Place – Moneeb Alsakka of Sullivan

3rd Place – Josef Rios of Chicago Hope Academy

126

1st Place – Vincent Arvetis of De La Salle Institute

2nd Place – Jonny Amador of Chicago Hope Academy

3rd Place – Elijah Torres of Phoenix Military Academy

132

1st Place – Josiah Willis of Chicago Hope Academy

2nd Place – Damian Gomez of De La Salle Institute

3rd Place – Alejandro Salas of Noble Golder College Prep

138

1st Place – Liam Drysch of Noble Golder College Prep

2nd Place – Mohsen Maliky of Sullivan

3rd Place – Anthony Oyola of Chicago Hope Academy

144

1st Place – Dylan Galvez of Chicago Hope Academy

2nd Place – Lorenzo Harris of Marshall

3rd Place – Alexander Vazquez of Phoenix Military Academy

150

1st Place – Santori Knight of Chicago Hope Academy

2nd Place – Jose Cristian Lagunas of Phoenix Military Academy

3rd Place – Noah Fields of Intrinsic Charter-Downtown Campus

157

1st Place – Tony Jones-Blakely of Chicago Hope Academy

2nd Place – Abobaker Stanikzai of Sullivan

3rd Place – Amir Carruthers of Horizon Science Academy Southwest Chicago

165

1st Place – Arkail Griffin of Chicago Hope Academy

2nd Place – Jose Puga of Noble Golder College Prep

3rd Place – Noah Sherrod of Intrinsic Charter-Downtown Campus

175

1st Place – Marquis Mays of De La Salle Institute

2nd Place – Ismael Martinez of Chicago Hope Academy

3rd Place – Aldo De Paz of Noble Golder College Prep

190

1st Place – Sami Marrero of Horizon Science Academy Southwest Chicago

2nd Place – Terrelle Jackson of De La Salle Institute

3rd Place – Ismael Montero of Chicago Hope Academy

215

1st Place – Kaleb Abney of Phoenix Military Academy

2nd Place – Mastewal Evely of Chicago Hope Academy

3rd Place – Marcell Trice of Bogan

285

1st Place – David McCarthy of De La Salle Institute

2nd Place – Roy Phelps of Chicago Hope Academy

3rd Place – Anthony Spivey of Michele Clark Academic Prep

King College Prep edges Corliss to win CMA-Bronzeville Regional

King College Prep captured its first regional title since 2012 when it edged Corliss Early College STEM 114-111 for top honors while Perspectives Charter Schools took third place with 102.5 points at the IHSA Class 1A Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville Regional in Chicago. The first-place Jaguars only had one title winner but five individuals claimed second and two others finished in third place to give them eight qualifiers for this weekend’s Coal City Sectional.

Leading the way for coach Anthony Burton’s first-place Jaguars was champion Alexander Robinson (20-3 at 215) while Alpha Kamate (106), Damarcus Washington (113), Mohammed Mohammed-Gazal (120), Moses Pittman (132) and Jacob Jackson (150) all finished second and 

Brandon Chamas (165) and Devin Fields (285) claimed third-place finishes.

“The KCP Jaguars team victory at regionals was a true testament to our collective effort, with every wrestler giving their best both on and off the mat,” Burton said. “From training sessions to unwavering support for one another, it was the unity and determination of the entire team that led us to this championship win. We’re looking forward to continued success from this young group and excited to bring that same energy and teamwork to our upcoming competition.” 

Top performers for coach Stacy Douglas’ runner-up Trojans were title winners Deangelo Willis (7-4 at 144), Laquaris Moore (15-6 at 157) and Grant Smith (20-3 at 165) and second-place finishers Lorenzo Flower (126), Nakia Smith (138) and Christopher Russel (175). Six of the team’s seven individuals who competed in the regional got to the title mat and advanced to the Coal City Sectional. Champions for Perspectives Charter Schools were Kenye Flanagan (25-7 at 106), Donald Bunton, Jr (27-5 at 120) and Nicario Bella (28-6 at 138).

Other Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville Regional champions were Wendell Phillips’ Andrew Price (22-7 at 126) and James Hill (27-4 at 132), Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville’s Ryan Singleton (26-2 at 150) and Caleb Gordon (23-2 at 175), Hyde Park Academy’s Amari Frankiln (13-3 at 113), South Shore International College Prep’s Christopher Simmons (25-4 at 190) and Leo’s Nicholas Armour (28-5 at 285).

Coal City Sectional qualifiers from the CMA-Bronzeville Regional

106

1st Place – Kenye Flanagan of Perspectives Charter Schools

2nd Place – Alpha Kamate of King College Prep

3rd Place – Demond Smith of Fenger

113

1st Place – Amari Frankiln of Hyde Park Academy

2nd Place – Damarcus Washington of King College Prep

3rd Place – Daveon Farmer of Perspectives

120

1st Place – Donald Bunton, Jr of Perspectives

2nd Place – Mohammed Mohammed-Gazal of King College Prep

3rd Place – Christopher Smith of Fenger

126

1st Place – Andrew Price of Wendell Phillips

2nd Place – Lorenzo Flower of Corliss Early College STEM

3rd Place – Elijah Bell of DuSable

132

1st Place – James Hill of Wendell Phillips

2nd Place – Moses Pittman of King College Prep

3rd Place – Vandell Dudley of Leo

138

1st Place – Nicario Bella of Perspectives

2nd Place – Nakia Smith of Corliss

3rd Place – Dakhari Esters of South Shore International College Prep

144

1st Place – Deangelo Willis of Corliss

2nd Place – Jaymar Beard of DuSable

3rd Place – Ayden Bright of Leo

150

1st Place – Ryan Singleton of Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville

2nd Place – Jacob Jackson of King College Prep

3rd Place – Cory Underwood of DuSable

157

1st Place – Laquaris Moore of Corliss

2nd Place – Roderick Johnson of Wendell Phillips

3rd Place – Oscar De La Cruz of CMA at Bronzeville

165

1st Place – Grant Smith of Corliss

2nd Place – Jamion Simmons of Bowen

3rd Place – Brandon Chamas of King College Prep

175

1st Place – Caleb Gordon of CMA at Bronzeville

2nd Place – Christopher Russel of Corliss

3rd Place – Jayden Scott of Perspectives

190

1st Place – Christopher Simmons of South Shore

2nd Place – Mivontae Russell of Perspectives

3rd Place – Jubril Kannike of Leo

215

1st Place – Alexander Robinson of King College Prep

2nd Place – Charleston Rice of Wendell Phillips

3rd Place – Steven Prince of Bowen

285

1st Place – Nicholas Armour of Leo

2nd Place – Justin Powell of Hyde Park Academy

3rd Place – Devin Fields of King College Prep

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

Class 1A regionals that feed into the Carterville Individual Sectional 

Althoff Catholic gets past hosts at Roxana Regional

Three champions, three runners-up and five third-place finishers led Althoff Catholic as it claimed top honors in the IHSA Class 1A Roxana Regional by a 185.5-175 margin over host Roxana to give the Crusaders their first regional title since 2018 when they took fourth in Class 1A and they denied the Shells of competing in the Vandalia Dual Team Sectional after they finished in third place in Class 1A last season. Salem scored 161.5 points to claim third place.

Leading the way for coach Emanuel Brooks’ champion Crusaders were title winners Jason Dowell (27-0 at 285), Dawson Hawthorne (26-0 at 126) and Jacobi Cobbs (28-5 at 106) and  runners-up were Brenden Rayl (132), Liam Bundt (120) and Karson Fowler (113). Finishing in third place were Enrique Morales (215), Matthew Marshall (175), Jakobi Tow (165),Ryan Hogue (150) and Robbie Schallert (138).

“The harder we work, the luckier we get,” Brooks said. “We got very lucky this weekend to bring home the regional championship. But we were only able to capitalize on the fortunate opportunity that presented itself because of the hard work we put in to be ready. The boys earned it the hard way and I’m super proud of them. Now it’s time to get ready for next week!”

Winning titles for the Roxana were Brandon Green Jr. (34-0 at 132), Kaden Carilsle (26-14 at 138), Logan Riggs (33-11 at 144) and Lyndon Thies (39-2 at 165) and coach Rob Milazzo’s Shells advanced five others to the sectional. 

Capturing championships for Salem were Kris Schicker (17-19 at 113), Rylan Moore (36-8 at 120), Keyton King (41-2 at 150) and Killian Merrill (29-13 at 175). The Wildcats, who are led by co-coaches Brian Camp and Rob Ring, had four other sectional qualifiers. The other regional champions were East Alton-Wood River’s Drake Champlin (36-1 at 215), Red Bud’s Danny Jackson (38-5 at 190) and Breese Central’s Matthew Walsh (33-9 at 157).

Carterville Sectional qualifiers from the Roxana Regional

106

1st – Jacobi Cobbs of Althoff Catholic

2nd – Aden Doolen of Salem

113

1st – Kris Schicker of Salem

2nd – Karson Fowler of Althoff Catholic

120

1st – Rylan Moore of Salem

2nd – Liam Bundt of Althoff Catholic

3rd – Savion Hall of Roxana

126

1st – Dawson Hawthorne of Althoff Catholic

2nd – Lleyton Cobine of Roxana

3rd – Miles Dennis of Metro-East Lutheran

132

1st – Brandon Green, Jr. of Roxana

2nd – Brenden Rayl of Althoff Catholic

3rd – Lukas Quartz of Freeburg

138

1st – Kaden Carilsle of Roxana

2nd – Zach Manning of Red Bud

3rd – Robbie Schallert of Althoff Catholic

144

1st – Logan Riggs of Roxana

2nd – Kade Orrell of Salem

3rd – Tyler Adams of East Alton-Wood River

150

1st – Keyton King of Salem

2nd – Gavin Watson of Sparta

3rd – Ryan Hogue of Althoff Catholic

157

1st – Matthew Walsh of Breese Central

2nd – Alex Wolter of Red Bud

3rd – Trevor Gihring of Roxana

165

1st – Lyndon Thies of Roxana

2nd – Granger Motch of Salem

3rd – Jakobi Tow of Althoff Catholic

175

1st – Killian Merrill of Salem

2nd – Rylee McClellan of Roxana

3rd – Matthew Marshall of Althoff Catholic

190

1st – Danny Jackson of Red Bud

2nd – Robert Watt of Roxana

3rd – Carson Osborne of Salem

215

1st – Drake Champlin of East Alton-Wood River

2nd – Dane Olmstead of Freeburg

3rd – Enrique Morales of Althoff Catholic

285

1st – Jason Dowell of Althoff Catholic

2nd – Jack Amann of Freeburg

3rd – Michael Soto of East Alton-Wood River

Murphysboro wins Carmi White County Regional title

Murphysboro had five champions and 11 qualifiers for the IHSA Class 1A Carterville Sectional after winning the title of the Carmi White County Regional with 250 points while Benton/ Sesser-Valier co-op took second with 183 points and Frankfort was third with 136.5 points. This was Murphysboro’s first regional championship since 2018 and the team hopes to get back to IHSA Dual Team State for the first time since 2016, when it finished third in Class 1A.

Leading the way for coach Shea Baker’s first place Red Devils were champions Kaiden Richards (33-9 at 120), Aiston Holt (25-16 at 132), Bryce Edwards (36-4 at 144), Maxon Stearns (35-10 at 165) and Julien Tanner (27-3 at 285) while Paxton Pyatt (113), Sergio Garcia (126),

Lemar Treshansky (138) and Caybren Hubbard (215) claimed second place and Sayvair Williams (150) finished third. Patrick Dover (157) also advanced as an alternate.

“The Murphysboro wrestling team has put in a lot of work this past offseason and throughout the season,” Baker said. “It’s great to see that dedication pay off. We’ve made significant improvements from last year and look forward to competing as a team in the postseason.”

Winning titles for coach Aaron Robinson’s runner-up Rangers were Cohen Sweely (40-3 at 113), Kaden Blades (19-5 at 138), Tiffin Kouzoukas (38-6 at 150) and Kobe Cali (20-3 at 157) while three others also advanced to the sectional.

Frankfort also had three title winners, Hudson Anderton (37-6 at 106), Conner Henson (43-0 at 190) and Brandon Turner (35-3 at 215) while the other two champions were Anna-Jonesboro’s Drew Sadler (41-7 at 126) and Trico/ Elverado’s Colin Hughey (34-4 at 175). Carterville had no champions but qualified seven individuals for the sectional tournament it hosts this weekend.

Carterville Sectional qualifiers from the Carmi White County Regional

106

1st – Hudson Anderton of Frankfort

2nd – Braxton Tittle of Benton

3rd – Isaac Wood of Carterville

113

1st – Cohen Sweely of Benton

2nd – Paxton Pyatt of Murphysboro

3rd – Ramiro Sebastian of Carterville

120

1st – Kaiden Richards of Murphysboro

2nd – Zane Stanley of Benton

3rd – Brawnsen Bloodworth of Carterville

126

1st – Drew Sadler of Anna-Jonesboro

2nd – Sergio Garcia of Murphysboro

3rd – Matt Crim of Goreville

132

1st – Aiston Holt of Murphysboro

2nd – Landyn Flood of Carterville

3rd – Jase Holshouser of Anna-Jonesboro

138

1st – Kaden Blades of Benton

2nd – Lemar Treshansky of Murphysboro

3rd – Gavin Slack of Carterville

144

1st – Bryce Edwards of Murphysboro

2nd – Derek Wilkey of Benton

3rd – Benjamin Harris of Johnston City

150

1st – Tiffin Kouzoukas of Benton

2nd – Jerry Tate of Johnston City

3rd – Sayvair Williams of Murphysboro

157

1st – Kobe Cali of Benton

2nd – Garrett Ray of Herrin

3rd – Michael Minor of Frankfort

Alt – Patrick Dover of Murphysboro

165

1st – Maxon Stearns of Murphysboro

2nd – Kolby Coffey of Herrin

3rd – Trevor Fath of Pinckneyville

175

1st – Colin Hughey of Trico

2nd – Clayton Dent of Frankfort

3rd – Carter Jones of Carterville

190

1st – Conner Henson of Frankfort

2nd – Brendan Hicks of Harrisburg

3rd – Johnny Ramaker of Trico

215

1st – Brandon Turner of Frankfort

2nd – Caybren Hubbard of Murphysboro

3rd – Braxton Welge of Harrisburg

285

1st- Julien Tanner of Murphysboro

2nd – Matt Brown of Harrisburg

3rd – Jeremiah Bouchard of Carterville

Vandalia easily claims title at Litchfield Regional

Vandalia, top-ranked in Class 1A, kicked off its postseason in impressive fashion at the IHSA Class 1A Litchfield Regional where it scored 295.5 points, which was 141.5 points ahead of runner-up Mt. Zion, who had 154 points and Shelbyville claimed third place with 127.5 points. 

Coach Jason Clay’s Vandals, who took fourth place in Class 1A last season, had 10 regional champions and three second-place finishers, giving them 13 qualifiers for this weekend’s Carterville Sectional. Vandalia has won regional titles each season since 1995, except for 2023, when it lost a tournament in Auburn to the hosts by 1.5 points. Clay, who is being inducted into the IWCOA Hall of Fame on April 27, has taken 13 teams to the IHSA Dual Team Finals and has had five teams win trophies, including four of the last five teams that have competed there.

“I’m proud of our team’s dominating performance at Litchfield,” Clay said. “This was our 30th regional title in the last 31 years. Thirteen wrestlers in the regional finals is the second-most we have ever had and 10 champions ties our previous record for individual champs in one regional. We are excited for the team series ahead but for the next couple of weeks we will focus on our individuals and the high goals they have for themselves. We had a couple of guys beat opponents they had lost to multiple times earlier in the season. That growth is awesome to see and helps our guys realize what they can do this next couple of weeks.” 

Regional champions for the Vandals were Aiden Evans (36-9 at 106), Max Philpot (40-0 at 113), Preston Waughtel (45-1 at 120), Tyson Waughtel (47-0 at 126), Cole Yarbrough (34-9 at 138), Keagan Turner (34-8 at 144), Dillon Hinton (45-2 at 150), Ross Miller (37-10 at 175), Kaden Tidwell (43-2 at 215) and Dominic Swyers (32-15 at 285) while Brody Matthews (132), Parker Ray (157) and Artan Mustafa (165) claimed second place finishes.

Other Litchfield Regional title winners were Shelbyville’s Bodee Fathauer (28-7 at 132) and Ryne Peavler (33-6 at 165), Litchfield/ Mt. Olive co-op’s Braxton Kieffer (32-10 at 157) and Sacred Heart-Griffin’s Casen Lyons (36-10 at 190). Mt. Zion had seven sectional qualifiers but no champions.

Carterville Sectional qualifiers from the Litchfield Regional

106

1st Place – Aiden Evans of Vandalia

2nd Place – Eli Hill of Auburn

3rd Place – Kohl Fuller of Hillsboro

113

1st Place – Max Philpot of Vandalia

2nd Place – Vincent Baker of Mt. Zion

120

1st Place – Preston Waughtel of Vandalia

2nd Place – Vincent Moore of Litchfield

3rd Place – Colin Wells of Shelbyville

126

1st Place – Tyson Waughtel of Vandalia

2nd Place – Sammy Toth of Mt. Zion

3rd Place – Johnathan Kirkbride of Shelbyville

132

1st Place – Bodee Fathauer of Shelbyville

2nd Place – Brody Matthews of Vandalia

3rd Place – Drayven Hamm of Auburn

138

1st Place – Cole Yarbrough of Vandalia

2nd Place – Trey Boston of Auburn

3rd Place – Travon Street of Mt. Zion

144

1st Place – Keagan Turner of Vandalia

2nd Place – Gaven Vollintine of Hillsboro

3rd Place – Ronald Laplante of Carlinville

150

1st Place – Dillon Hinton of Vandalia

2nd Place – Jayden Brown of Auburn

3rd Place – Ryan Crowley of Mt. Zion

157

1st Place – Braxton Kieffer of Litchfield

2nd Place – Parker Ray of Vandalia

3rd Place – Jovonis Lunford of Sacred Heart-Griffin

165

1st Place – Ryne Peavler of Shelbyville

2nd Place – Artan Mustafa of Vandalia

3rd Place – Waylon White of Pittsfield

175

1st Place – Ross Miller of Vandalia

2nd Place – Carson Thornton of Mt. Zion

3rd Place – Jayden Ellinger of Litchfield

190

1st Place – Casen Lyons of Sacred Heart-Griffin

2nd Place – Tucker Cook of Pittsfield

3rd Place – Kaden Becker of Mt. Zion

215

1st Place – Kaden Tidwell of Vandalia

2nd Place – Tristan Staggs of Litchfield

3rd Place – Keller Stocks of Mt. Zion

285

1st Place – Dominic Swyers of Vandalia

2nd Place – Andre Townsend of Shelbyville

3rd Place – Devin Hansel of Litchfield

Oakwood/ Salt Fork takes first at Lawrenceville Regional

Oakwood/ Salt Fork co-op finished well ahead of the field at the IHSA Class 1A Lawrenceville Regional when it scored 238 points while Lawrence County co-op, consisting of Lawrenceville and Red Hill, took second place with 163.5 points and Cumberland finished third with 140 points. The champion Comets claimed titles at the first six weight classes and also had two other qualifiers for this weekend’s  Carterville Sectional.

Top performers for Mike Glosser’s first-place Comets were champions Steven Uden (37-4 at 106), Weston Frazier (17-2 at 113), Mason Swartz (39-4 at 120), Devin Ehler (6-0 at 126), Tyler Huchel (37-7 at 132)  and Pedro Rangel (38-7 at 138) while Carter Chambliss (144) took second place and Kade Fleming (285) finished third. Oakwood/ Salt Fork won its third-straight regional title but fell just short of a state trip last year after finishing fourth in Class 1A in 2023.

Winning titles for Westville/ Georgetown-Ridge Farm co-op were Gabriel Kiddoo (36-7 at 150) and Ethan Miller (39-6 at 190), capturing championships for Richland County were Carson Bissey (14-1 at 157) and Zander Schrader (37-7 at 215) and finishing in first place for Fairfield were Talan Keoughan (32-6 at 175) and Bentley Rogers (34-6 at 285)

Other Lawrenceville Regional champions were Lawrence County co-op’s Hudson Meek (33-9 at 144) and Paris’ Joshua Lamore (32-5 at 165). Lawrence County had seven sectional qualifiers while Cumberland, who had no regional champions, qualified six for the Carterville Sectional..

Carterville Sectional qualifiers from the Lawrenceville Regional

106

1st Place – Steven Uden of Oakwood/ Salt Fork

2nd Place – Kyler Guercio of Lawrence County

3rd Place – Hayden Hazel of Richland County

113

1st Place – Weston Frazier of Oakwood/ Salt Fork

2nd Place – Peyton Groves of Cumberland

3rd Place – Cole Dulumback of Effingham

120

1st Place – Mason Swartz of Oakwood/ Salt Fork

2nd Place – Kaiden Stewart of Effingham

3rd Place – Drew Seitzinger of Lawrence County

126

1st Place – Devin Ehler of Oakwood/ Salt Fork

2nd Place – Sawyer Welbaum of Cumberland

3rd Place – Jedd Wellen of Fairfield

132

1st Place – Tyler Huchel of Oakwood/ Salt Fork

2nd Place – Dylan Aten of Lawrence County

3rd Place – Logan Aaron of Cumberland

138

1st Place – Pedro Rangel of Oakwood/ Salt Fork

2nd Place – Broady Kelly of Robinson

3rd Place – Cale Seitzinger of Lawrence County

144

1st Place – Hudson Meek of Lawrence County

2nd Place – Carter Chambliss of Oakwood/ Salt Fork

3rd Place – Jaxson Dukeman of Cumberland

150

1st Place – Gabriel Kiddoo of Westville

2nd Place – Daniel Kiser of Lawrenceville

3rd Place – Garret Rigdon of Paris

157

1st Place – Carson Bissey of Richland County

2nd Place – Owen McGinnis of Cumberland

3rd Place – Ben Mullins of Robinson

165

1st Place – Joshua Lamore of Paris

2nd Place – Kahne Hyre of Robinson

3rd Place – Gage Emmerich of Effingham

175

1st Place – Talan Keoughan of Fairfield

2nd Place – Lenox Parker of Robinson

3rd Place – Max Strader of Cumberland

190

1st Place – Ethan Miller of Westville

2nd Place – Malikye Williams of Lawrence County

3rd Place – Logan McDonald of Richland County

215

1st Place – Zander Schrader of Richland County

2nd Place – Keegan Bare of Fairfield

3rd Place – Bleighten Irelan of Westville

285

1st Place – Bentley Rogers of Fairfield

2nd Place – Carter Pyatt of Mt. Carmel

3rd Place – Kade Fleming of Oakwood/ Salt Fork

Class 1A regionals that feed into the Clinton Individual Sectional

PORTA edges host Peoria Notre Dame for regional title

After getting edged by Canton at the end of the regional tournament that it hosted last season, PORTA was determined not to fall short again when it competed in the IHSA Class 1A Peoria Notre Dame Regional. The Bluejays won three head-to-head title matches over the host Irish and got several decisive victories on both the first- and third-place mats to eke out a 211-210 advantage for top honors as they won their first regional since the 2021 IWCOA Open and their first IHSA regional title since 2015, when a 15-year run of titles ended. They also denied Notre Dame of repeating as regional champions, a feat that it accomplished for the first time in 2024.

The winning formula for PORTA in securing a Clinton Sectional-best 12 qualifiers came in fours as it had four champions, four second-place finishers and four who took third place for a team that’s coached by 2011 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Hill, the IHSA’s all-time leader in dual meet wins. Champions for the Bluejays were Coyt Rademaker (33-14 at 106), Kainin Fillbright (36-10 at 113), Zach Bryant (38-10 at 132) and Justin Zimmerman (38-8 at 157). 

PORTA, a co-op that includes A-C Central, Greenview and Havana, got second place finishes from Ryan McCoy (120), Mike Minor (144), Logan Baker (150) and Dane Jiannoni (190) while Max King (126), Hunter King (138), Jamarion Thomas (165), and Drayden Mayfield (175) took third place. Rademaker, Fillbright and Zimmerman all beat Notre Dame competitors on the title mat and of the Bluejays’ eight victories in first- and third-place matches, there were five pins, two victories by technical fall and a close decision.

“The key was winning the three finals matchups we had with Peoria Notre Dame at 106 with Coyt Rademaker, at 113 with Kainin Fillbright and at 157 with Justin Zimmerman,” Hill said. “Additionally, we had a big win in the semifinals with Ryan McCoy defeating his Peoria Notre Dame wrestler. Last year the regional came down to the last match and if Canton won they would win the title and they did.”

Leading coach Danny Burk’s runner-up Irish were champions Ian Akers (42-3 at 126), Sie Couri (29-18 at 165), Joe Culp (37-9 at 215) and Brady Mullens (30-14 at 285) while Tomie Couri (106), Josh Stedwill (113), John Couri (157) and Tyler Miller (175) claimed second place and Freddie Couri (120), Remi Joesting (132) and Bobby Stickelmaier (190) finished in third place.Notre Dame’s 11 qualifiers was the second-highest total for the Clinton Sectional.

Other Peoria Notre Dame Regional champions were Illini Bluffs’ Jackson Carroll (46-0 at 150) and Barret Speck (40-5 at 120), Farmington/ Cuba’s Bradlee Ellis (39-3 at 144) and Chase Frye (37-11 at 138), Illinois Valley Central’s Owen Moser (36-8 at 175) and Knoxville’s Brydon Walters (27-6 at 190).

Clinton Sectional qualifiers from the Peoria Notre Dame Regional

106

1st Place – Coyt Rademaker of PORTA

2nd Place – Tomie Couri of Peoria Notre Dame

3rd Place – Jayden Schmider of Farmington/ Cuba

113

1st Place – Kainin Fillbright of PORTA

2nd Place – Josh Stedwill of Peoria Notre Dame

3rd Place – Parker Zerfass of Farmington/ Cuba

120

1st Place – Barret Speck of Illini Bluffs

2nd Place – Ryan McCoy of PORTA

3rd Place – Freddie Couri of Peoria Notre Dame

126

1st Place – Ian Akers of Peoria Notre Dame

2nd Place – Nathan Owens of Illini Bluffs

3rd Place – Max King of PORTA

132

1st Place – Zach Bryant of PORTA

2nd Place – Gavyn Stevens of Knoxville

3rd Place – Remi Joesting of Peoria Notre Dame

138

1st Place – Chase Frye of Farmington/ Cuba

2nd Place – Gage Fox of Knoxville

3rd Place – Hunter King of PORTA

144

1st Place – Bradlee Ellis of Farmington/ Cuba

2nd Place – Mike Minor of PORTA

3rd Place – Devon Stone of Illinois Valley Central

150

1st Place – Jackson Carroll of Illini Bluffs

2nd Place – Logan Baker of PORTA

3rd Place – Matthew Miller of Williamsville

157

1st Place – Justin Zimmerman of PORTA

2nd Place – John Couri of Peoria Notre Dame

3rd Place – Evan Cannon of Illinois Valley Central

165

1st Place – Sie Couri of Peoria Notre Dame

2nd Place – Preston Schroeder of ROWVA/ Williamsfield

3rd Place – Jamarion Thomas of PORTA

175

1st Place – Owen Moser of Illinois Valley Central

2nd Place – Tyler Miller of Peoria Notre Dame

3rd Place – Drayden Mayfield of PORTA

190

1st Place – Brydon Walters of Knoxville

2nd Place – Dane Jiannoni of PORTA

3rd Place – Bobby Stickelmaier of Peoria Notre Dame

215

1st Place – Joe Culp of Peoria Notre Dame

2nd Place – Jayden Cantu of Knoxville

3rd Place – Anthony Beckman of Williamsville

285

1st Place – Brady Mullens of Peoria Notre Dame

2nd Place – Curnell Williams of Manual

3rd Place – Liam Dodsworth of Williamsville

Unity prevail over LeRoy/ Tri-Valley at Monticello Regional

In the unusual situation where two teams that qualified for the IHSA Dual Team Finals one year are in the same regional in the following year, Unity had six champions and nine sectional qualifiers to help it claim first place at the Class 1A Monticello Regional with 221 points while LeRoy/ Tri-Valley co-op took second place with 197.5 points and Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op finished third with 184.5 points. The runner-up Panthers, who also qualified nine individuals for this weekend’s Clinton Sectional, advanced to the IHSA Dual Team Finals in 2023, as well. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher had the most sectional qualifiers with 10.

Leading the way for coach Logan Patton’s first-place Rockets were champions Hunter Shike (28-9 at 132), Taylor Finley (44-4 at 138), Kaden Inman (42-5 at 144), Holden Brazelton (42-6 at 150), Abram Davidson (42-5 at 165) and Hunter Eastin (45-2 at 190). Ryan Rink (175) placed second while Keegan Germano (157) and Chason Daly (215) finished in third place. 

“I thought the guys wrestled real well and for each other.” Patton said. “We have a great family bond and are excited to host team sectionals.” 

Winning titles for coach Brady Sant Amour’s second place Panthers were Brady Mouser (36-3 at 120), Brock Owens (40-8 at 157) and Tate Sigler (41-5 at 285). Hoopeston Area/ Milford had two first-place finishers, Charlie Flores (44-3 at 106) and Angel Zamora (45-1 at 175). 

The other three Monticello Regional champions were St. Joseph-Ogden’s Jackson Walsh (39-8 at 113), Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher’s Landen Lage (36-3 at 126) and The High School of Saint Thomas More’s James Schmidt (28-6 at 215).

Clinton Sectional qualifiers from the Monticello Regional

106

1st Place – Charlie Flores of Hoopeston Area/ Milford

2nd Place – Ben Wells of St. Joseph-Ogden

3rd Place – Austin Pacha of LeRoy/ Tri-Valley

113

1st Place – Jackson Walsh of St. Joseph-Ogden

2nd Place – Jake Baughman of LeRoy/ Tri-Valley

3rd Place – Aiden Komnick of Monticello

120

1st Place – Brady Mouser of LeRoy/ Tri-Valley

2nd Place – Aiden Bell of Hoopeston Area/ Milford

3rd Place – Gage Martin of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

126

1st Place – Landen Lage of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

2nd Place – Noah Davis of Pontiac

3rd Place – Nick Litchfield of Monticello

132

1st Place – Hunter Shike of Unity

2nd Place – Nolan Lowe of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

3rd Place – Will Osborne of Monticello

138

1st Place – Taylor Finley of Unity

2nd Place – Hunter Brandon of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

3rd Place – Jimmy Chaon of LeRoy/ Tri-Valley

144

1st Place – Kaden Inman of Unity

2nd Place – Ethan Lowe of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

3rd Place – Landen Butts of St. Joseph-Ogden

150

1st Place – Holden Brazelton of Unity

2nd Place – Kobe Brent of LeRoy/ Tri-Valley

3rd Place – Hudson Babb of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

157

1st Place – Brock Owens of LeRoy/ Tri-Valley

2nd Place – Lucas Maier of Pontiac

3rd Place – Keegan Germano of Unity

165

1st Place – Abram Davidson of Unity

2nd Place – Ayden Larkin of Hoopeston Area/ Milford

3rd Place – Cooper Miller of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

175

1st Place – Angel Zamora of Hoopeston Area/ Milford

2nd Place – Ryan Rink of Unity

3rd Place – Bo Zeleznik of LeRoy/ Tri-Valley

190

1st Place – Hunter Eastin of Unity

2nd Place – Jaxon Wright of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

3rd Place – Gannon Pinkerton of LeRoy/ Tri-Valley

215

1st Place – James Schmidt of High School of Saint Thomas More

2nd Place – Cohen Kean of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

3rd Place – Chason Daly of Tolono Unity

285

1st Place – Tate Sigler of LeRoy

2nd Place – Cam Wagner of St. Joseph-Ogden

3rd Place – Carson Sexton of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

Canton claims championship at own regional

After securing a regional title in its final match a year ago over the hosts at PORTA, Canton was understandably pleased that there was no late drama necessary as it won its own regional tournament to give it three-consecutive regional championships. It finished with 214 points while Beardstown finished second with 146 points and Macomb took third place with 125 points.

Coach Zach Crawford’s first-place Little Giants had seven title winners and qualified 10 individuals for this weekend’s Clinton Sectional. Leading the way for Canton were champions Jaxsun Owens (26-9 at 106), Jacob Hardesty (31-6 at 120), Dyllan Steele (29-2 at 126), Jack Jochums (30-7 at 138), Alex Carrier (27-11 at 144), Grady Smith (21-19 at 150) and Connor Williams (32-0 at 285) while Daniel Kees (157) and Garrett Sego (190) took second place and Gus Lidwell (175) finished third.

“Seven champs, two runners-up and a third,” Crawford said. “It was a great day for Canton. They all wrestled really well and competed as a team, cheering each other on throughout the whole tournament matside.” 

Quincy Notre Dame had three champions while Mercer County had two first-place winners. Claiming top honors for Quincy Notre Dame were Oliver Moore (27-6 at 132), Bradi Lahr (40-5 at 157) and Ryan Darnell (41-6 at 215) and Mercer County got title wins from Eli Burns (17-3 at 165) and Bodie Salmon (24-6 at 190).

Also winning Canton Regional championships were Beardstown’s Bryan Islas (27-12 at 113) and Illini West’s Shawn Watkins (33-4 at 175). Macomb had no title winners but did qualify seven individuals for this weekend’s Clinton Sectional.

Clinton Sectional qualifiers from the Canton Regional

106

1st Place – Jaxsun Owens of Canton

2nd Place – Paxton Buehler of Camp Point Central

3rd Place – Elliot Adamson of Mercer County

113

1st Place – Bryan Islas of Beardstown

2nd Place – Jackson Buehler of Camp Point Central

3rd Place – Jairon Royer of Macomb

120

1st Place – Jacob Hardesty of Canton

2nd Place – Ethan Hoyt of Macomb

3rd Place – Landon Peterson of Monmouth-Roseville

126

1st Place – Dyllan Steele of Canton

2nd Place – Case Hughes of Camp Point Central

3rd Place – Kellen Brown of Beardstown

132

1st Place – Oliver Moore of Quincy Notre Dame

2nd Place – Nic Parkins of Macomb

3rd Place – Josh Collins of Camp Point Central

138

1st Place – Jack Jochums of Canton

2nd Place – Kai Humphry of Warsaw

3rd Place – Austin Shull of Quincy Notre Dame

144

1st Place – Alex Carrier of Canton

2nd Place – Luis De La Cruz of Beardstown

3rd Place – Cale Hilbing of Quincy Notre Dame

150

1st Place – Grady Smith of Canton

2nd Place – Paul Schenk of Camp Point Central

3rd Place – Excequiel Ocampo of Mercer County

157

1st Place – Bradi Lahr of Quincy Notre Dame

2nd Place – Daniel Kees of Canton

3rd Place – Cohen Green of Macomb

165

1st Place – Eli Burns of Mercer County

2nd Place – Gunner Looker of Beardstown

3rd Place – Atsard Aplogan of Macomb

175

1st Place – Shawn Watkins of Illini West

2nd Place – Keegan Smith of Monmouth-Roseville

3rd Place – Gus Lidwell of Canton

190

1st Place – Bodie Salmon of Mercer County

2nd Place – Garrett Sego of Canton

3rd Place – Kyler Cheatham of Macomb

215

1st Place – Ryan Darnell of Quincy Notre Dame

2nd Place – Alex Gandarilla of Monmouth-Roseville

3rd Place – Malachi McKune of Warsaw

285

1st Place – Connor Williams of Canton

2nd Place – Chunk Dailey of Beardstown

3rd Place – Alex Brown of Macomb

Olympia captures title at its own regional

Olympia looks to be putting things together at the right time as it easily grabbed top honors in the IHSA Class 1A Olympia Regional in Stanford when it scored 208 points, placing it well ahead of runner-up Clinton (117.5) as well as El Paso-Gridley (109) and Heyworth (106.5).

Coach Josh Collins’ champion Spartans had five title winners, seven finalists and eight qualifiers for the Clinton Sectional. Winning regional championships for the hosts were Brandon Gaither (37-8 at 106), Dylan Eimer (37-4 at 113), Austin Kisner (36-12 at 144), Kelton Graden (19-5 at 157) and Darian Holloway (39-7 at 285). Claiming second-place finishes were Kinzer Burrell (132) and Cooper Phillips (138) while Isaac Warnock (175) placed third. Olympia won its first regional title since 2017, when it last made a trip to the Dual Team Finals and took third in 1A.

Unity Christian/ Argenta-Oreana co-op received title wins from brothers Garrett VerHeecke (38-1 at 132) and Clinton VerHeecke (37-0 at 138) and Heyworth got first-place finishes from Logan Stout (27-21 at 150) and Brody Simons (32-13 at 175).

The other Olympia Regional champions were Warrensburg-Latham/ Maroa-Forsyth’s Logan Roberts (37-2 at 120), University High’s Ruben Rivera (35-8 at 126), Tremont’s Bowden Delaney (45-2 at 165), Clinton’s Kristan Hibbard (32-8 at 190) and El Paso-Gridley’s Ryden Barker (41-3 at 215). Clinton qualified six individuals for the sectional it hosts this weekend.

Clinton Sectional qualifiers from the Olympia Regional

106

1st Place – Brandon Gaither of Olympia

2nd Place – Kole Petta of El Paso-Gridley

3rd Place – Cayden Bostic of Clinton

113

1st Place – Dylan Eimer of Olympia

2nd Place – Briley Carter of Clinton

3rd Place – Tom Erwin of El Paso-Gridley

120

1st Place – Logan Roberts of Warrensburg-Latham

2nd Place – Josh Butler of University High

3rd Place – Henry Watson of Eureka

126

1st Place – Ruben Rivera of University High

2nd Place – Kaden Roberts of Warrensburg-Latham

3rd Place – Harrison Lott of Riverton

132

1st Place – Garrett VerHeecke of Unity Christian

2nd Place – Kinzer Burrell of Olympia

3rd Place – Josiah Rokey of Eureka

138

1st Place – Clinton VerHeecke of Unity Christian

2nd Place – Cooper Phillips of Olympia

3rd Place – Finn Hoffman of Eureka

144

1st Place – Austin Kisner of Olympia

2nd Place – Hayden Washum of University High

3rd Place – Charlie Wittmer of Warrensburg-Latham

150

1st Place – Logan Stout of Heyworth

2nd Place – Caleb Berg of Unity Christian

3rd Place – Josh Caraballo of University High

157

1st Place – Kelton Graden of Olympia

2nd Place – Sam Hoffman of Eureka

3rd Place – hunter Bockelman of Heyworth

165

1st Place – Bowden Delaney of Tremont

2nd Place – Braden Gibson of El Paso-Gridley

3rd Place – Logan Thoms of Clinton

175

1st Place – Brody Simons of Heyworth

2nd Place – Aaron Eastman of Eureka

3rd Place – Isaac Warnock of Olympia

190

1st Place – Kristan Hibbard of Clinton

2nd Place – Dominic Ricconi of El Paso-Gridley

3rd Place – Jarrod Fulcher of Heyworth

215

1st Place – Ryden Barker of El Paso-Gridley

2nd Place – Bryan Alejandro of Clinton

3rd Place – Ethan Kinsey of Tremont

285

1st Place – Darian Holloway of Olympia

2nd Place – Joey Humphries of Deer Creek-Mackinaw

3rd Place – Dawson Thayer of Clinton

By Chris Walker – for The IWCOA

The names Lobrillo and Leidig may not be the first two that come to mind when you think about St. Charles East wrestling, but without wrestlers like Rocco Lobrillo and Abe Leidig, the Saints would have a much harder time remaining as one of the premier teams in the state each winter.

Those two along with 10 other Saints advanced to championship matches during Saturday’s IHSA Class 3A St. Charles East Regional.

They all advanced to next weekend’s Conant Sectional along with a third-place finisher as the Saints qualified 13 individuals while also winning the regional title as a team with 247 points. Glenbard North took second with 171.5 points and was followed by DeKalb (132.5), Wheaton North (128.5), West Chicago (83), Bartlett (65), Geneva (56) and St. Charles North (18.5).

“Lobrillo and Leidig don’t have a lot of experience wrestling,” Saints coach Jason Potter said. “Most of the guys on the team have been wrestling since they were five, six and seven years old. So to see them buy in and get themselves in the mix and not only be very high contributors but to come out here in the postseason and do damage and advance themselves and put themselves in position to get down to the individual state tournament. Once you’re down there your credentials don’t mean anything. Anything can happen.”

Potter, who will be inducted into the IWCOA Hall of Fame on April 27, said advancing 12 to the regional title match may be a school record.

“Might be a record, to be honest, I’m not sure, so it’s pretty good,” he said. “We’re pretty excited. And we felt we had one of the tougher regionals inside our sectional so for us to put 12 in the finals shows how good of a morning we had rolling into that.”

Dom Munaretto (120), Gavin Woodmancy (138), Anthony Gutierrez (165), Leidig (175) and Cooper Murray (215) won regional titles for the Saints. It was the first for all of them, except for Munaretto, who won this title with a pin while Gutierrez and Murray got victories by technical fall, Leidig captured a major decision and Woodmancy claimed a decision.

“We challenged the guys today to wrestle better than they did at the conference tournament last week,” Potter said. “Some of this competition was the same but we also drew some really tough kids from Bartlett and West Chicago.”

At last year’s regional at DeKalb, Woodmancy, Gutierrez and Murray lost title bouts while Leidig was competing at the JV level.

“I’ve been JV the last three years so for me it’s just been next match, next match and it doesn’t matter what seed I get or who I wrestle,”’ Leidig said. “It’s just been the next match and if you think too far ahead you get in your head.”

Leidig earned a 14-4 major decision against Glenbard North’s Joseph Fitak in the 175 final. Most recently, Fitak defeated Leidig in the DuKane Conference.

“I beat him early in the season but it was nothing that I wanted it to be and then lost to him two weeks ago at conference,” Leidig said. “Today I had to clear my mind. Some people feed off the emotion and I just need to calm down and focus. Normally I’m a little more passive and just sit upper body and really had to get that moving and get that moving. 

“Before the match the goal was just a takedown a period, one takedown a period, and I just kind of stuck to that mentality. When you really lock in you kind of just forget if you’re tired or not. I was just going and moving and moving. I wanted it so bad. I could’ve just gone on top and rode him out that last period but wanted to go up again. I wanted that last takedown. I wanted to win that not just to win it, but because last time never should’ve happened in the first place.”

Wrestling for a program that took third in the state last year and sharing the same gym as state champions like Ben Davino, Jayden Colon and Munaretto has certainly inspired Leidig this year as he transitioned in the fall from playing soccer to wrestling in the winter.

“After Ben (Davino), Jayden (Colon) and Tyler (Guerra), the standard is just set through the roof,” Leidig said. “And you can take it as if it’s pressure, but it’s encouraging. It really pushes us, especially in the room everyday. It’s like this is what you want to be, you see these kids at the next level on TV. That’s really what’s motivating and with coach Potter there’s no going wrong there.”

Fitak had beaten Leidig, 3-2, in the DuKane Conference semifinal at St. Charles North on January 25.

“To finally win something feels cool,” Leidig said. “I took eighth at Cheesehead, took third at conference, but this, to finally win something like this, this is a cool moment.”

Kaden Potter (106), Declan Sons (113), Liam Aye (126), Logan Tatar (144), Ryan McGovern (157), Lobrillo (190) and Matt Medina (285) each took second and advanced for the Saints, as did Payton Lee (132), who finished third. 

Potter’s return was a big one as the sophomore had been sidelined for the past two months.

Thanks to an opening bye, Potter’s first and only match came in the 106 semifinals as he pinned DeKalb’s Jaden Bradley in 3:37. To be cautious going forward, knowing that Potter had already advanced, the Saints kept him sidelined for the finals match against Glenbard North freshman Vannak Khiev.

“Since he got into the finals it was one of the weird father/son moments of hey buddy you’re not wrestling this,” Jason Potter said. “So he’s smart enough to understand it. We look forward to another week of practice. I think he can get his timing back, really get his conditioning back and more importantly his confidence back after taking eight weeks off the mat.”

Jason Potter thought that his son’s season may have been over so the fact that he’s back in action is big news for the Saints.

“He’s been out eight weeks so we thought his season was over or that we could get him back for postseason,” Jason Potter said. “He’s healed up a little bit faster than we thought. We just got him cleared two days ago so he had two days of practice, and out of respect for (Vannak) Khiev and the situation of not being 100 percent yet and a couple more days in practice would put him in a better position, so we tried to weigh the risk/rewards.”

After getting a pin in his return, there was no doubt that Kaden Potter wanted to wrestle for the title, but more importantly, the Saints need Potter at his best next week.

“He’s not excited about forfeiting and not going out, but as a coach I thought that was the right decision,” Potter said. “The goal was winning as a team and advancing. After taking eight weeks off the mat, stepping out and going against high-level competition and your confidence isn’t quite there yet. That was the main concern. I need him confident so he doesn’t get himself hurt.”

Junior Trey Thompson was one of Glenbard North’s four regional champions, earning a 6-4 decision against Bartlett’s Nick Barton in the 132 final.

“I haven’t won a tournament since freshman year,” Thompson said. “I started wrestling in the eighth grade so I’m pretty new to it so I’m just getting that first place feeling. It’s hard falling short often so just getting that victory, getting a bracket, getting a first place medal. It feels real nice.”

While Thompson had an older sibling who wrestled years ago, it didn’t inspire him to give the sport a shot until recently.

“It was always football, baseball and basketball and doing those sports,” he explained. “Wrestling seemed too weird and gritty for me. After falling short because of not being fast or big enough, I tried wrestling to get better at football and just fell in love with it right away. I started doing good and just wanted to be the best that I could.”

And he wanted to be on the wall.

“My coaches and our team, we have a wall in our school and if I won this match my coach was going to put me on it so it meant a lot to me to go out there,” he said. “It’s exciting. I love wrestling and I was happy to be out there. The guys, we all work hard. Every morning, every day, it’s a grind. I’m just excited. Our goal coming out here was to win the regional and obviously with a team like St. Charles East it’s hard to get a victory as a whole team, but we work hard every day to just be the best us and it showed out pretty well.”

Thompson’s growth between seasons has been phenomenal. 

“Last year I went 1-2 in this tournament,” he said. “I didn’t qualify and was unseeded with six wins on the year. This was my 32nd win this year. I’ve closed a very big gap working with programs like Team EL1TE Wrestling. It just inspires me to work harder and do better everyday.”

As Thompson walked past the bleachers shortly after his victory a huge smile formed as he lifted his left arm and gave a fist bump to some of his biggest supporters in the stands. He was in love with the moment.

“I love to come out here,” he said. “A lot of wrestlers don’t love it, but I love to come out here. I love wrestling. I take inspiration from Iowa. I like how they work, that mindset of keeping that pressure, keeping it going.”

His teammate, Julian Holland, joined him as a regional champion for the Panthers. Holland earned an 11-6 decision over St. Charles East’s Lobrillo in the 190 final.

‘Third match we’ve wrestled all year so I knew he was really amped up about the match thinking about it a lot,” Holland said. “I was trying to stick, to stay sticking to my set of moves, stay in my box, keep working my things I knew I was good at. And coaches were telling me to stay in good position and you got it.”

“This is pretty big to me. This means I get my photo up in the wrestling room, which was a big goal of mine, so it’s nice to make my next week easier and get me closer to state. I’m just happy.”

Holland’s come a long way.

“Last year I got last at conference but qualified for sectional, but I’ve gotten so much better,” he said. “I just keep on working. In the summer I kept getting better. I’ve noticed so many improvements since I started wrestling freshman year.”

Vannak Khiev (106) and Kalani Khiev (126) also won titles for Glenbard North, with Kalani winning by fall. Isaac Velasco (120), Richard Morales (138), Xavier Smiley (157) and Tyler Hvorick (215) took third to give coach Travis Cherry’s Panthers nine sectional qualifiers.

Geneva senior Joe Pettit is well aware that the end of his wrestling career could be nearing.

“Hard to imagine only two weeks left of this, and we’ll see if I wrestle in college or not,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to the next two weeks, being in the moment, going as hard as I can at practice. These big matches are the best part of wrestling because they’re pressure-free really going into better opponents and whatever happens, happens, wrestle hard and let the cards fall.” 

The two-time state qualifier defeated St. Charles East junior Matt Medina, 4-0, for the 285 regional title .

“He is a tough opponent, but I knew he was going to come after me after the last two times we wrestled,” Pettit said “He made me work, but I’m just excited for what’s to come with sectionals because it’ll be more big matches.”

It was the third time in as many weeks that the two DuKane Conference big men met.

“He came out strong,” Pettit said. “I got a takedown and just rode him out from there.”

Geneva’s Sam Sikorsky (113) also won a regional title, earning an 11-3 major decision over St. Charles East’s Declan Sons.

“I kind of came back this year and wrestled my heart out,” Sikorsky said. “That was the goal. Being regional champion will help me out going into sectionals for sure.”

Sikorsky said he’s feeling pretty good these days, not battling any injuries but continuing to battle the scales.

“The hardest part about wrestling for me is just about making weight,” he said. “I’m injury free right now. I don’t have knee pain or anything, basically just making weight every day is a little bit of a struggle, but I do it.”

Last year Sikorsky lost a 7-4 decision to Sons in the 106 semifinals of the Class 3A DeKalb Regional. Not this time.

“I wrestled him three times last year and I beat him at conference and then lost to him at regionals and a dual,” he said. “So I’m just coming back and getting my get-back. I like when it’s competition like that. Like when I wrestle (Batavia’s Kai) Enos. I beat him and then lost to him and wished the best for him. I like the competition, knowing I have something to go for when I lose someone is catching up to me so I got to train my heart out.”

Wheaton North’s Thomas Fulton captured the 157 title after a 4-2 victory over St. Charles East’s Ryan McGovern. Fulton has now won back-to-back regional titles.

Rocco Macellaio (120) took second for Wheaton North while Falcons teammates Ryan Rosch (150), Julian Flores (165) and Nikolas Schaafsma (175) fought back to win their respective third place matches to also move on to sectional competition. 

DeKalb’s Mike Hodge isn’t afraid of blood. In fact, the senior is used to it as bloody noses are not uncommon when he’s battling on the mat.

“I’m a bloody guy,” he said. “Going into practice every day, I get bloody noses. I think this one started in the second period and the loose plugs kept falling out and it kept getting worse.”

Hodge beat St. Charles East’s Logan Tatar, 5-3, to win the title at 144.

“This is really big, especially since last year I got fourth and it didn’t live up to what I wanted to do,” he said. “So this year I just came back improved, so this was huge for me.”

Also for the Barbs, Hudson Ikens (150) and Sean Kolkebeck (165) finished second while Jaden Bradley (106) and Jeremiah Piniera (285) each took third.

“I thought they all wrestled really hard,” Hodge said. “They wrestled a lot to the best of their ability and sometimes you just don’t come out on top, but coaches teach win, lose as long as you give the best effort you have, they’re happy.”

Knowing the stakes of a regional and the talent of such a competition, wrestlers will look to gain even the slightest edge over their opponents.

Sometimes that advantage somehow lands right at their feet, such as when it was time for West Chicago’s Leo Rosas to battle DeKalb’s Hudson Ikens for the 150 title.

Prior to it, Rosas watched as teammates Emanuel Rangel (113), Ryan Alvarado (126) and Santino Milazzo (144) won crucial third-place matches to qualify for next weekend’s Class 3A Conant Sectional. Rosas defeated Ikens, 5-2, to give West Chicago its lone regional champion.

“I had the comfort of knowing I had made it next week so in the finals I just had to go out there and give it my all and if I lose, I lose, I’m still going to wrestle next week,” Rosas said. “So it’s nervous watching your teammates wrestle for third place and everything and it’s nervous competing for that regional title, but at the end of the day I still made it to next week.”

“I went in knowing it was going to be a tough match. Whenever I know I’m wrestling someone tough I never let it get to my head, I take the nerves as like energy. So when I got in there, you know, he was pretty heavy on the clubs but I knew what I’ve been working on all week in practice and I used that and that’s how I was able to get the win. Everything I’ve been working on paid off.”

Bartlett had no regional champions but received second-place finishes from Nick Barton (132), Cameron Engels (138) and James Smrha (215).

Conant Sectional qualifiers from the St. Charles East Regional

106

1st Place – Vannak Khiev of Glenbard North

2nd Place – Kaden Potter of St. Charles East

3rd Place – Jaden Bradley of DeKalb

113

1st Place – Sam Sikorsky of Geneva

2nd Place – Declan Sons of St. Charles East

3rd Place – Emanuel Rangel of West Chicago

120

1st Place – Dom Munaretto of St. Charles East

2nd Place – Rocco Macellaio of Wheaton North

3rd Place – Isaac Velasco of Glenbard North

126

1st Place – Kalani Khiev of Glenbard North

2nd Place – Liam Aye of St. Charles East

3rd Place – Ryan Alvarado of West Chicago

132

1st Place – Trey Thompson of Glenbard North

2nd Place – Nick Barton of Bartlett

3rd Place – Payton Lee of St. Charles East

138

1st Place – Gavin Woodmancy of St. Charles East

2nd Place – Cameron Engels of Bartlett

3rd Place – Richard Morales of Glenbard North

144

1st Place – Mike Hodge of DeKalb

2nd Place – Logan Tatar of St. Charles East

3rd Place – Santino Milazzo of West Chicago

150

1st Place – Leo Rosas of West Chicago

2nd Place – Hudson Ikens of DeKalb

3rd Place – Ryan Rosch of Wheaton North

157

1st Place – Thomas Fulton of Wheaton North

2nd Place – Ryan McGovern of St. Charles East

3rd Place – Xavier Smiley of Glenbard North

165

1st Place – Anthony Gutierrez of St. Charles East

2nd Place – Sean Kolkebeck of DeKalb

3rd Place – Julian Flores of Wheaton North

175

1st Place – Abraham Leidig of St. Charles East

2nd Place – Joseph Fitak of Glenbard North

3rd Place – Nikolas Schaafsma of Wheaton North

190

1st Place – Julian Holland of Glenbard North

2nd Place – Rocco Lobrillo of St. Charles East

3rd Place – Carlo Saenz of Wheaton North

215

1st Place – Cooper Murray of St. Charles East

2nd Place – James Smrha of Bartlett

3rd Place – Tyler Hvorick of Glenbard North

285

1st Place – Joseph Pettit of Geneva

2nd Place – Matt Medina of St. Charles East

3rd Place – Jeremiah Piniera of DeKalb

By Mike Garofola – for the IWCOA

Mark Jolcover likes to remind anyone who will listen to a prediction he made back in November, that his Grant Bulldogs could challenge for its first regional title in nearly 10 years.

After a third place finish at the Rus Erb, followed by a second place trophy at the Berman Holiday Classic, Jolcover thought the chances for his club to reach the summit might happen at the County, otherwise known as the Lake County Invite.

A long, full day of wrestling at that Lake County Invite ended with the Bulldogs scoring 223.0 overall points, 41.5 more than runner-up Stevenson to grab the big trophy, and set the wheels in motion for bigger and better things ahead.

“Stevenson, Warren, and Wauconda are so tough, but we were able to get a complete team effort with bonus points, and big wins when we needed them to win the Lake County Invite,” began Jolcover.

“That win at the County was so big, and it sent the right message to all of our guys that the hard work and extra time they have been putting in was beginning to pay off.

“Warren has a great lineup, Libertyville is Libertyville, and there were a lot of great wrestlers here but there was no excuse for us to use at this point. We could win this thing if we wrestled for each other, get those bonus points when we can, and if we lose, we come back strong in wrestle-backs, and do whatever we can to stay alive, and get more bonus points when they are there.”

“All of the guys today did just that and more, and to win at home before our friends, families and the community is something they can all be proud of.”

The Bulldogs had a lead of 22.5 points (130.5-108.0) over Warren during the late stages of the morning, forcing the Blue Devils and the rest of the field to chase for the rest of the day until time ran out inside the Benedetti Center in Fox Lake.

The home side captured its first regional title since 2016 with 229.5 total points, 30 more than runner-up Warren (195.5). Libertyville (152.0) was third, followed by Mundelein (138.5).

“Mark has done an amazing job since taking over,” said former Grant coach Ryan Geist. “His commitment to excellence, rapport with the boys, work ethic, and desire to make Grant wrestling what it once was is the driving force in the success of this program.” 

Geist took five Grant teams to the dual team state tournament and was one of many former coaches and wrestlers on hand to cheer on the Bulldogs to victory.

Individual regional champions and their weight classes:

106 – Christian Saucedo, Mundelein

Christian Saucedo could hardly contain himself after his terrific day-long effort at 106 ended with the top seed from Mundelein recording a pin at 1:31 over Grant sophomore Andrew Ocampo (20-15) to give the sophomore the biggest win of his young career.

“This is just an amazing feeling that I have right now,” beamed Saucedo, now 28-13, who with his victory earned a first round bye at sectionals.

Saucedo, fourth recently at the Lake County Invite, points to a less than dazzling ending to his rookie season a year ago that saw him go 15-15 on the year, which included a blood-round defeat at regionals.

“Last year my record wasn’t very good, I didn’t even qualify for sectionals, so I knew it would be important to dedicate myself entirely to the sport, and do all of the little things during the offseason to get better,” he said.

Saucedo would pay close attention to his doubles, the No. 1 item he looked at to fine tune in his game, as well as his jump-backs.

“I wanted to make my 2024-2025 season the best it could be,” added Saucedo.

Zion-Benton freshman Brayden Sroka beat Warren’s Walter Thomas for third place.

113 – Caleb Noble, Warren

Reigning 106-pound state champion Caleb Noble (37-2) had far too much firepower for his rivals at 113, who were steamrolled by the Warren sophomore on his way to a second straight regional crown, and first-round bye at sectionals.

“This is the fun time of the year at so many levels,” opined Noble. “One of the things I enjoy about the postseason is going against top-level guys from here on out, and having each match mean so much more than the regular season.”

Noble would start fast in his final with Grant sLarry Quirk, recording a take-down at 30 seconds and then building a lead with pace and purpose up until 4:40, when the No. 13 man in the nation (according to Flo Wrestling) finished off Quick with a 16-1 technical fall.

“I am fortunate to be in a great room, a room that motivates all of us everyday, and being able to work with great teammates who are at a different weight than me but can still help me hone my skills,” said Noble.

Libertyville’s Riggs Mitran won 6-4 over Round Lake’s Orlando Gonzalez for third place.

120 – Jonathon Marquez, Warren

Jonathon Marquez put points on the scoreboard on Saturday as if he was playing on a pinball machine, first with a 18-3 tech-fall (5:41) in his tournament opener and ending with another barrage in his final with Neftali Cernas (Mundelein, 28-10) in which the Warren senior won with ease.

The two-time state qualifier registered an impressive 17-2 tech fall (4:00) victory to give him the perfect stepping stone to make it downstate where he fully expects to find himself on the podium in Champaign.

“My confidence is so much better than a year ago, as is my fitness, mental approach, pace, and taking shots with more of a purpose,” said Marquez, No. 8 in the state, and now 31-9 on the season.

“I like to go after my opponents, and be more physical, which I really felt like I was today, and being able to work against bigger guys in the room like Royce (Lopez, 165) helps me so much, even with the size and strength difference,” Marquez said.

Libertyville sophomore Tyler Wuh won 7-4 over Grant’s Breiydyn Hoffman for third place.

126 – Vince Jasinski, Grant

Vince Jasinski has come a long way in two short years for the regional champion Bulldogs.

The junior was a sectional qualifier in his rookie season with a 33-14 record. A year ago Jasinski made it to state at 33-15, however this winter has been a breakout year, with his 40-6 overall record. He also has an eye on the single-season record for pins set by the brilliant three-time state champion Lee Munster.

Jasinski pinned Libertyville’s Jake Shafer on the regional title mat.

“There is a real purpose in the way Vince works in, and out of the room, and when he competes, he truly has come a long way, and just gets the most out of his time when he’s training,” Bulldogs head coach Mark Jolcover said.

“Winning a regional title for the first time ever means a lot to me, and especially here at home, and when we win the team title at the same time it doesn’t get much better than this,” admitted Jasinski, who runs 3 1/2 miles each day after practice.

Shafer and Warren’s Luis Calderon, who took third, each qualified for sectionals for the first time. Calderon won a 17-14 decision over Mundelein’s Max Cordova in the third-place match.

132 – Ryan Hanson, McHenry

Ryan Hanson remains confident and quietly optimistic of his chances of a return visit downstate after falling just short a year ago.

The McHenry senior opened up with two wins last year at the Barrington sectional, only to see a blood-round defeat put a dagger in the heart of the two-time regional champion, who as a sophomore went 36-12 and qualified for Champaign at 106 pounds.

“That loss last season was difficult to take, but it made me focus more on my training during the offseason, and this year I feel like all parts of my game, including my high-crotch shots, and confidence are so much better,” said Hanson, who pinned his way into his final where a workmanlike effort in a 8-1 decision over Grant’s Sammy Mendez (20-10) gave him his title.

“When you win in the postseason like I did today, it helps remind you that the hard work pays off,” added Hanson (37-8) who in both the second and third periods would ride Mendez hard to ensure victory. Hanson will continue to wrestle in the fall at UW-Oshkosh.

Zion-Benton’s Luis Medina (25-9), who was the second-seed, finished third after defeating Libertyville’s Alexander Osborne.

138 – Erik Rodriguez, Grant

No. 10 Erik Rodriguez, a key figure in the rebuilding project of Mark Jolcover and his club from Grant, earned himself a well-deserved second consecutive regional title after his 16-2 major decision over Dylan Solesky, now 25-13, when he outscored the Zion-Benton freshman 8-0 in the third period.

“This is such a special day for our team and our regional champions Nathan Flores, Casey Gipson, and Vinnie (Vince Jasinski), my partner in the room who has helped me get to where I am right now,” said a gracious Rodriguez, who now owns a sparkling 42-5 record.

“Vinnie and our coaching staff have helped me be all that I can. My singles and ability to finish are so much better than last season, and like Vinnie I’ve made it a goal for each of us to get downstate and on the podium.”

Rodriguez, who cruised to victory two weeks ago at the Lake County Invite, made his first appearance in Champaign a year ago with a 36-15 record.

Warren’s Evan Glowinski (21-15), who was the second-seed, took third place after winning a 6-5 decision over Libertyville’s Elliott Hibbard.

144 – Ethan Banda, Mundelein

Ethan Banda looked well on his way to earning his first trip downstate a year ago after pinning his way to a regional title at 138 pounds, only to see his hopes dashed by a blood-round loss at the Barrington Sectional.

The loss would inspire a strong offseason work rate, but the Mundelein junior would have never expected to be side-swiped by an injury this season that would keep him out of action for a month.

“I was wrestling with a chipped vertebrae for quite a while, I dealt with the pain and discomfort until it was too much,” recounted Banda after he registered a pin at 1:17 over Waukegan’s David Brown (23-10) to claim his second straight regional title.

“I literally could not do anything for a month, no fitness or cardio stuff at all, which made coming back a little tough at the start, but it feels great to be back,” added Banda, who had the quickest tech fall on the day at just 52 seconds. Banda, now 13-2, finished third recently at the Lake County Invite.

Grant senior Adrian Khi finished third after winning 7-3 over Libertyville’s Jacob Whisenand.

150 – Nathan Flores, Grant

The Lake County Invite did not go well for Grant senior Nathan Flores, who despite his sixth- place finish at County still was able to earn the top-seed at 150 pounds.

The Bulldogs’ four-year veteran took full advantage of his lofty status when he opened with a pin and followed up with a major decision victory in his semifinal contest before putting the finishing touches on his championship effort in high fashion against McHenry’s Myles Wagner (17-9).

Flores (28-18) led from the early stages and never let up, scoring nine points in the third period en route to a 20-5 technical fall at 5:38.

“This is a great way to end the tournament for me, with a regional championship and team title at home, and in my senior year,” said Flores, who is still exploring his collegiate options with the knowledge he would like to eventually be a physical education teacher.

“After my season did not go as well as I wanted it to last year, I realized I just wasn’t as strong as I needed to be in order to really compete at a higher level this season,” admitted Flores.

“I spent a lot of time during the offseason getting in better shape, and stronger at RTC (Relentless Training Center) and with the help at club, and my high school teammates and coaching, I was able to get myself ready for my final year here at Grant,” added Flores.

Warren’s Simon Castillo took third place following a win over Libertyville’s Ruben Quintero.

157 – Justice Humphreys, Warren

The trio of Justice Humphreys, Royce Lopez and Aaron Stewart has struck fear into the hearts and minds of their rivals this season, it’s a dangerous triple threat that many clubs desire to have.

Humphreys (21-5) would be at the start of three-consecutive victories amongst his teammates when he recorded a 7-2 decision over a NSC rival, Mundelein senior Kevin Hernandez ( 33-7), who is now twice a regional runner-up.

“The main difference with me compared to last year is my mindset, I am totally tuned into being as strong as I can be mentally, which I feel is a big reason for me falling short at sectionals last year,” suggests Humphreys, who was 25-12 in 2023-2024.

The Blue Devils senior would lose his blood round contest to Hononegah star Kurt Smith, 2-1 in a tiebreaker, and it would stay with him all throughout the offseason.

“(That) loss forced me to pay closer attention to everything, my doubles, high-crotch shots, and overall approach, which included, as I said, getting mentally stronger,” added Humphreys, who will play football at Carroll College in Kenosha, after his all-NSC season last fall as a running back and defensive-back for a Blue Devils team that lost in its 8A quarterfinal to eventual state runner-up York.

Libertyville junior Pierce Adams won 12-9 in sudden victory over Zion-Benton’s Demar Dixon to claim third place.

165 – Royce Lopez, Warren

No. 2 Royce Lopez left little doubt as to who was the best 165-pounder here after the Blue Devils junior squashed the competition to capture his third-straight regional title.

Lopez (26-5) would build an insurmountable 12-1 advantage at three minutes before going on to a 18-3 tech fall (3:38) victory over McHenry senior Aiden Schuldt (28-11), who advanced to his second sectional appearance in as many seasons.

“(My) offseason was five days a week, twice a day workouts, working on just about everything to give myself the best possible chance to make it into the state final where I can go for a state championship,” said Lopez, a two-time state qualifier, whose late interception against Barrington would help seal the Blue Devils’ 35-26 victory in its 8A second-round contest.

“Having guys like Justice, (Aaron) Stewart, and even our heavyweight Anthony Soto in the room gives me a real boost in my confidence and ability to handle a lot of different situations that I might have, and I feel the extra work I’ve put in to be better in my position(s), shots and set-ups has really helped my overall game improve.”

Grant’s Aaden Arroyo took third place with a win over Libertyville’s Ethan Trowbridge.

175 – Aaron Stewart, Warren

It was another masterclass performance from No. 1 Aaron Stewart (36-2) who brushed aside his opponents with a pair of tech falls in just over six minutes to earn his third-straight regional title, and a first-round bye in sectionals next weekend at Barrington.

“It’s all about staying healthy, eating right, fine-tuning things, and just getting myself ready for these last three weeks of the season,” said Stewart, the reigning 157-pound state champion, and 2023 third place medal winner who recently committed to the University of Illinois to play football and also to wrestle for head coach Mike Poeta.

Stewart was an All-State running back last fall and has run for over 4000 yards already, with 55 touchdowns to his credit.

No. 6 in the nation at 175 pounds, the Blue Devils junior is a two-time Cheesehead and Fargo champion as well.

“Everything felt right for me at Illinois, so that’s why I would commit to the program in January, now I can just concentrate on my academics and wrestling,” said Stewart after his tech fall (21-5) victory over Grant senior Christian Wittkamp (15-3) who earlier defeated Libertyville’s James Scanio (30-14) in his semifinal. 

Scanio went on to claim third place with a victory over Mundelein’s Danny Hernandez.

190 – Casey Gipson, Grant

The 2024 campaign would end far too quickly for Grant’s Casey Gipson, who pinned his way to his first- ever regional title.

“I didn’t even qualify for sectionals last year after going 0-2 at regionals,” began Gipson, who finished with a 25-19 record a year ago, but is now a sparkling 36-10 this season following his pin over Zion-Benton’s Tyson Poyer (30-12), who nonetheless earned his first sectional appearance.

“I decided to be totally committed to the sport, and my teammates this year, it was the only way to be if I wanted to go much further this year, and to get myself downstate,” said the Bulldogs junior, who had a tourney-high three pins on the day.

Gipson would concede an early takedown to Poyer, execute an escape to make it 3-1 after one period and another after starting down in the second period.

Gipson finished a nice ankle shot to go up for good at 5-3 at three minutes before his strong effort at the edge resulted in his pin at 3:16.

“I got off to a little bit of a slow start in my final, but there was no way I was going to lose my chance to win my first regional championship here in our home gym,” said Gipson.

Waukegan senior Lamero Ceaser took third when Libertyville’s Jack Treutelaar injury defaulted.

215 – Caleb Baczek, Libertyville

No. 6 Caleb Baczek added a third-consecutive regional crown to his impressive resume, and now it’s on to sectionals where the Libertyville senior will find himself on the opposite side of the bracket from his good friend, Loyola Academy’s Kai Calcutt, the No. 1 man in the state at 215, and reigning state champion, who, just as Baczek, is a star on the football field, as well.

“Kai is a really good friend of mine, he’s just unbelievable as a wrestler and football player, and in the sport of wrestling, it’s like he’s not human,” said Baczek with a smile.

The Wildcats senior, who will play football in the fall at Valparaiso, is as determined as ever to erase a heart-breaking end to his 2024 campaign, which appeared to be on course to finish with a spot on the podium in Champaign.

“After making downstate as a sophomore, and advancing to sectionals, it all came to a disappointing end for me,” said Baczek, who was an all-NSC inside linebacker for a Wildcats football team that would qualify in the 6A state tournament.

Baczek (30-1) would drop a 5-4 blood-round match to Jeremiah Hixson at sectionals, however he would be an important piece in the Wildcats’ fourth-place finish at dual team state.

“It’s been all upper body attacks for me, but I’ve been working on more of a well in my attack, and my shots,” said Baczek, who was 36-9 a year ago.

Mundelein’s Aiden Devine 215 took third place with a win over Warren’s Caleb Vanleer.

285 – Anthony Soto, Warren

That earthquake that rattled around inside Benedetti Center on Saturday was a result of the thunderous roar from the Warren faithful who just watched their favorite heavyweight Anthony Soto deliver a hard fought 4-2 victory over Round Lake’s William Cole, who’s ranked second.

In a heavyweight division which featured Cole (43-3), Mundelein’s Abisai Hernandez (No. 6, 36-4) the aforementioned Soto, and additional quality in Libertyville’s Erich Walldorf and Zion-Benton’s Isaiah Tellado, it would be Soto’s winning effort in the final contest of the day that would end the day on a high note for all.

“William is a great guy, and a great wrestler and opponent, so I expected a real tough match, and when I saw (he) was a little slow, and lazy with his footwork, I went for my double and was able to finish it,” recounts Soto, now 40-5, and surely on the way up from his current No. 8 spot in the state.

“That first period was just a lot of hand fighting, I was just cautious, and careful because William is one big dude,” continued Soto, who is a lightweight at 237 pounds in this big mans’ field compared to the rest of his rivals.

Cole would earn an escape moments into the second period, in which Soto answered at five minutes to go level with the Round Lake senior.

With 30 seconds from time, Soto executed a first-class double, and takedown to take the lead for good at 4-1, making an escape with six seconds to go meaningless.

“This was a great weight class here at Grant, and a real exciting ending for me and my teammates, but now it’s back in the room to get ready for sectionals,” Soto said.

This terrific trio will likely meet again at Barrington next weekend, Soto is alone on the bottom half of the bracket, while Hernandez and Cole could meet in the semifinals if all goes according to plan. Hernandez, sixth a year ago at state, finished third after he pinned Tellado.

Barrington Sectional qualifiers from the Grant Regional

106

1st Place – Christian Saucedo of Mundelein

2nd Place – Andrew Ocampo of Grant

3rd Place – Brayden Sroka of Zion-Benton

113

1st Place – Caleb Noble of Warren

2nd Place – Larry Quirk of Grant

3rd Place – Riggs Mitran of Libertyville

120

1st Place – Jonathon Marquez of Warren

2nd Place – Neftali Cernas of Mundelein

3rd Place – Tyler Wuh of Libertyville

126

1st Place – Vince Jasinski of Grant

2nd Place – Jake Shafer of Libertyville

3rd Place – Luis Calderon of Warren

132

1st Place – Ryan Hanson of McHenry

2nd Place – Sammy Mendez of Grant

3rd Place – Luis Medina of Zion-Benton

138

1st Place – Erik Rodriguez of Grant

2nd Place – Dylan Solesky of Zion-Benton

3rd Place – Evan Glowinski of Warren

144

1st Place – Ethan Banda of Mundelein

2nd Place – David Brown of Waukegan

3rd Place – Adrian Khi of Grant

150

1st Place – Nathan Flores of Grant

2nd Place – Myles Wagner of McHenry

3rd Place – Simon Castillo of Warren

157

1st Place – Justice Humphreys of Warren

2nd Place – Kevin Hernandez of Mundelein

3rd Place – Pierce Adams of Libertyville

165

1st Place – Royce Lopez of Warren

2nd Place – Aiden Schuldt of McHenry

3rd Place – Aaden Arroyo of Grant

175

1st Place – Aaron Stewart of Warren

2nd Place – Christian Wittkamp of Grant

3rd Place – James Scanio of Libertyville

190

1st Place – Casey Gipson of Grant

2nd Place – Tyson Poyer of Zion-Benton)

3rd Place – Lamero Ceaser of Waukegan

215

1st Place – Caleb Baczek of Libertyville

2nd Place – Matthew Longabaugh of Grant

3rd Place – Aiden Devine of Mundelein

285

1st Place – Anthony Soto of Warren

2nd Place – William Cole of Round Lake

3rd Place – Abisai Hernandez of Mundelein

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

Just like it is for any team winning a regional title, Wheeling’s Class 2A title win Saturday came thanks to contributions far and wide.

There were comeback wins on the title mat from Wheeling’s Frankie Katz and David Perez. Wheeling heavyweight Pablo Morales won a title. Five more Wheeling wrestlers reached the finals and placed second, and on the gut-wrenching third-place mat, three of four Wheeling wrestlers won to become sectional qualifiers. 

All of the above was pivotal to Wheeling’s team title win at Deerfield. But in one of the closest team races anywhere in Illinois, the poster boy for Wheeling’s 196-189.5 win over Wauconda was senior Jonny Dominguez.

With Wheeling and Wauconda locked in a dogfight, Dominguez lost by major decision to Wauconda’s 6th-ranked Mike Merevick in the finals at 190 pounds. But the way Dominguez finished that match perfectly illustrated what Wheeling coach Charlie Curran loves about his team.

Dominguez suffered an eye injury against Merevick and with his right eye quickly swelling shut, Dominguez and Curran met at the trainer’s table to assess the injury.

“The trainer said ‘I don’t think he can go back out there’,” Curran said, “and (Dominguez) just says ‘ah, I’ll be fine’. Then he goes out and finishes the match. And that was big for the team, for him to not give up a fall there to one of the toughest wrestlers in the tournament.”

Afterwards, with wrestling mats being rolled up behind him as one of 11 sectional qualifiers for Wheeling, Dominguez looked like a battered boxer who couldn’t escape a left jab. So it was with a wide grin and a wicked black eye that he happily explained what propelled his side to its first regional team title since 2017, and its 13th in program history.

“I just have to give thanks to coach Curran and all the coaches,” Dominguez said. “They helped build us up to where we are now, they push us every day in practice. (Curran) just wants what’s best for us. And we’re a family. We call each other brothers. And thanks to all of our families, too, because they also built us up and gave us the support we needed.”

After individual place medals were handed out and Wheeling was announced as team champion inside Deerfield’s fieldhouse, Curran’s boys went predictably wild as they hoisted their regional plaque.

After they settled down, they all scaled the awards stand for the obligatory team photo, as parents three rows deep held up cell phones and snapped away. 

Then came one of the day’s best moments. Wheeling is a hard-working, blue-collar town. Its high school competes in a Mid-Suburban League loaded with bigger Class 3A schools; among the MSL’s 12 wrestling programs, Wheeling is the only one small enough to wrestle in Class 2A.

After team photos were taken, Curran gathered his wrestlers, their parents, and their friends together so he could address them. He gave his wrestlers’ parents a grateful earful, but he might have well been speaking to wrestling parents everywhere:

“Your support and the community’s support for these fourteen kids, and our girls’ team, our freshmen — it just means the world,” Curran said, “It took that support to get something like this done. People are congratulating me but I didn’t really do anything today but sit there and be scared, so I’m very thankful for all of you. Thank you very much for everything you’ve done for this program and for your children. Because I guarantee you it’s going to pay dividends as they become adults. I’m so proud of them. So thank you all.”

All individual qualifiers will wrestle at the 2A Crystal Lake Central Sectional beginning on Friday,

A Wheeling loss here and a bonus point given up there would have been enough to give Wauconda the team title. But starting with Katz’s 7-4 comeback win in the finals at 106 against Vernon Hills’ Charles Dominguez, Wheeling’s script began to play out.

Katz (30-7) trailed Dominguez (27-10) 3-0 after two periods, escaped to start the third to make it 3-1 and went up 4-3 on a takedown with only 40 seconds remaining. One more takedown in the waning seconds gave the sophomore his regional title.

Next came Perez (22-10), who fell behind 3-0 in the first period of the 113 finals to Deerfield’s Jorey Becker (30-16). Perez escaped and tied the match 4-4 with a takedown in the final seconds of the second period. A Perez escape point midway through the third provided the final 5-4 decision win.

“I knew I needed to get one more. Last year I took second so that motivated me to try even harder,” Perez said. “And to see us take first here, it’s really great to see how much we’re improving as a team. This summer we were all wrestling at clubs and getting better. I’m excited for the sectional.”

Curran was happy to see his two lower-weight champs stay the course in the face of a deficit.

“We try to preach all the time not to worry about the score, just go and get the next points, and not to get down on yourselves if you’re losing,” Curran said. “Those two guys did a great job of that today. Frankie had to come out and get two takedowns late and he found a way to get it done in regulation. David had to go get (a takedown) too, and then he hung on at the end and got the escape there. It’s what we talk about all the time — just keep wrestling. Don’t stop.”

One of Illinois’ best wrestlers snared the title at 120. Wauconda’s Gavin Rockey has placed second in Illinois twice at 106 and he used two pins to win a regional title on Saturday in Deerfield. His pin in the finals against Deerfield’s Danny Martinez upped Rockey’s season record to 39-7.

“I feel good. This is when I start to peak,” Rockey said. “This is when I start to perform my best. You’ve got to be thinking about it 24-7, slowly tapering down in the room, and then just honing in on your technique.”

Rockey placed second in state at 106 twice in the last two years.

“At first it was a little tough to get used to the jump from 106 to 120 this year but I found out pretty quickly that I could hang with these guys,” Rockey said. “I focused in on what I was doing badly last year, like diving on a kid’s legs. I focused on technique and what I needed to do better. I know it’s my last ride so I’m nervous but excited for it. I feel better than in years past. Last year the cut to 106 was tough, for sure. This year I feel healthy.”

The first of Deerfield’s four regional champions came next at 126. 5th-ranked Adrian Cohen (38-8) had the lone takedown of the title match against Wheeling’s Joey Romano in winning a 4-0 decision. Next came teammate Jackson Palzet, ranked 6th in Illinois at 132 pounds.

Palzet’s second-period fall against Wheeling’s Max Katz gave him a 43-1 record heading into the sectional meet. Palzet is a senior with a star-crossed past, seeking his first state finals appearance. Palzet broke his arm last season as a junior, then healed up and got back at it.

“I’ve always been injured in the high school season and couldn’t perform,” Palzet said.
“After last season I put in a lot of preseason work. I was a freestyle state finalist and a Fargo qualifier. I also did a lot of research on nutrition in the offseason and how to cut weight the right way because last year, I’d work really hard and then not recover, and then I’d get hurt. So a lot of this year has been about nutrition and recovery.”

Two wrestlers at the Deerfield Regional went in ranked 2nd in Illinois in their weight classes and both won regional titles. The first was Deerfield’s Jordan Rasof (44-2) at 138, who in his career has placed 5th and 6th in Champaign. Top-seeded senior Rasof won by fall at 3:28 in his title match against Carmel’s 6th-ranked Matthew Lucansky (34-7).

Wrestling fans saw one seriously dissatisfied wrestler leave the title mat at 144, when Wauconda’s Brian Hart (33-12) stomped away after winning a regional title by tech fall against Deerfield’s Alex Shvartsman (33-14) at the 4:00 mark.

The Wauconda sophomore may have won the first regional title of his career, but didn’t feel as though he met the standard he has set for himself.

“That should have been a first-period tech,” Hart said. “I had a sour taste in my mouth after that match, and even after my first match when I didn’t wrestle how I wanted to. But last year at regionals I took second (at 132). I lost to (Antioch’s) Edgar Albino by decision. And at sectionals I lost to (St. Patrick’s) Olin Walker by major and to (Montini’s) Kam Luif by decision.”

Luif went on to finish 3rd in state and Albino placed 6th in Champaign.

Hart knows a sectional showdown with Antioch’s Chase Nobiling might be in the making, and he’d like another shot at the Sequoits’ junior after two barnburners this season between the two 144-pounders. 

“The first time I wrestled him I was a point away from a tech and he threw me to my back for a pin,” Hart said. “Then I saw him at Lake County and I was up on him by a point with 20 seconds left and he got a takedown and I lose by two. I hope we get to wrestle again.”

Nobiling is ranked 8th in Illinois and Hart is also listed in the state’s top 20.

The title match at 150 featured Wauconda junior Wyatt Roland (32-16) and a senior who will not only turn pro as a boxer after he graduates, but also hasn’t wrestled since his freshman year: Carmel’s David Farjado.

Farjado improved to 17-1 in winning the title via major decision against Roland, then talked about his journey back to wrestling.

“I’m a boxer at heart and I’ll turn pro this upcoming year, but I just decided to wrestle because I’ve been wrestling since I was six and I love it,” Farjado said. “My mom kept saying she missed me wrestling and it’s been pretty cool to come back. I’ve always had an aggressive mindset in whatever I’m doing so it’s good to be back in the sport. Coming back, I have a statement to make and I feel great.”

Deerfield senior Charlie Cross (37-9) at 157 may have expressed the best mindset of all when it comes to wrestling in the regional, sectional and state tournament: “I’m the predator,” Cross said.

Cross was a wounded predator in his title match Saturday, suffering an ankle injury but gutting it out to win a major decision against Wauconda’s Brody McKenna (27-16).

“He did a switchover and I heard my ankle pop,” Cross said. “I knew I had to finish the match and win the regional. It was tough but I got it done. You just have to stay tough, not let him take advantage of you, stay in the zone and finish the match. And I was (mad) I didn’t get the number one seed. (The ankle) is okay and I’ll be fine by the sectional. I’ll just keep wrestling my match.”

Vernon Hills junior Ilia Dvoriannikov (37-4) is ranked 2nd in Illinois at 165, and one year after placing second in Champaign, he added another regional title to his resume this season. Dvoriannikov won by major decision in the finals against Wheeling’s Nicholas Montesino (31-11), but not before needing a little blood time to deal with some cramping.

Two of Dvoriannikov’s four losses came when he wrestled up a weight at 175. He feels like a different wrestler this season.

“I’m better in neutral and on bottom. You have to be explosive on bottom,” Dvoriannikov said. “And in neutral I’ve been more aggressive, wrestling with more technique.”

Wauconda senior Christian Cendajez (19-10) was seeded third at 175 but knocked off second-seeded Jonathan Martinez (13-7) of Wheeling in a semifinal match and then won a 10-4 decision in the finals against Vernon Hills’ top-seeded Timur Arzumanov (24-14) to become a regional champion.

The title match at 190 between Wheeling’s Jonny Dominguez (32-8) and Wauconda’s Mike Merevick (38-8) came next. Merevick led 3-1 after a period and escaped to go up 4-1 to start the second. The Wauconda senior scored again off a scramble to go up 10-2 to end the second period, then managed a takedown in the third en route to victory over Dominguez in a valiant one-eyed effort.

Lake Forest junior Yaree Sandifer (34-5) won his first-ever regional title at 215, winning a 21-8 major decision in the finals against Wheeling’s Eddie Juarez (28-8). Sandifer also won a tournament title at Richmond-Burton to start the season.

After placing third in regionals as a freshman and second in last year’s regional round but failing to get through the sectional, Sandifer is ready to make a run downstate.

He also had a few good thoughts on how to do it.

“Probably listen to my coaches more,” Sandifer said. “And I do a lot of running and I eat right but I have to try to get better conditioned. This is my third time at sectionals so hopefully the third time’s the charm. And I don’t just want to get to state, I want to place at state.”

Wheeling’s Pablo Morales (30-10) finished off the day by finishing off Wauconda’s Loomis Finnegan (21-17) with a tech fall in the finals at 285 pounds, which is not Morales’ usual way.

“Pablo probably has thirty wins and probably twenty-five pins, so he’s real dominant when he wrestles,” Curran said. “That he actually got a tech fall in the finals —  I don’t think he’s had one of those in his life. But he got a bunch of takedowns today. He’s done a phenomenal job.”

In addition to Wheeling’s regional champs, also becoming sectional qualifiers for the Wildcats were Joey Romano (126), Max Katz (132), Austin Berger (144), John Scanlon (157), Nicholas Montesino (165), Jonathan Martinez (175), Jonny Dominguez (190) and Eddie Juarez (215).

“We got a lot of pins in that wrestleback round and on that third-place mat,” Curran said. “Every little point counted today, so that was huge. Nicholas Montesino took second to an absolute stud (Dvoriannikov). He’s the heart and soul of our team and I’m super proud of the way he competed against a really tough kid from Vernon Hills. John Scanlon is another pinner at 157 and he got us two falls in the wrestlebacks and qualified for the sectional.

“Austin Berger was not having his best day but he found a way to get himself out. He was down in a bunch of matches today but he came back and even got some pins in a couple of those. Eddie Juarez getting a pin in the semi’s was huge, too.

 “You can take all fourteen kids and every single kid has helped our team, all year.”
Every coach in every regional bleeds for his wrestlers who don’t advance to sectionals, and Curran’s experience was no different.

 “I hurt for Miguel Lopez (120), who has been one of our all-stars for two years,” Curran said. “He’s done a phenomenal job. He wasn’t able to qualify today and he’s a senior, so that hurt me. I’ll be hurting for him for a long time.”

 Lopez will live to fight another day, however, when host Wheeling squares off at this year’s team sectional meet on Feb. 25.

 SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE DEERFIELD REGIONAL

106: 1st – Frankie Katz of Wheeling; 2nd – Charles Dominguez of Vernon Hills; 3rd – Troy Rotter of Deerfield 

113: 1st – David Perez of Wheeling; 2nd – Jorey Becker of Deerfield; 3rd – Tony Lopez of Vernon Hills

120: 1st – Gavin Rockey of Wauconda; 2nd – Danny Martinez of Deerfield; 3rd – Rie Hermsen of Carmel

126: 1st – Adrian Cohen of Deerfield; 2nd – Joey Romano of Wheeling; 3rd – Charlie Biddle of Lake Forest
132: 1st – Jackson Palzet of Deerfield; 2nd – Max Katz of Wheeling; 3rd – Liam Harris of Wauconda

138: 1st – Jordan Rasof of Deerfield; 2nd – Matthew Lucansky of Carmel; 3rd – Andrew Diaz of Vernon Hills

144: 1st – Brian Hart of Wauconda; 2nd – Alexander Shvartsman of Deerfield; 3rd – Austin Berger of Wheeling

150: 1st – David Farjado of Carmel; 2nd – Wyatt Roland of Wauconda; 3rd – Darius Jackson of North Chicago

157: 1st – Charlie Cross of Deerfield; 2nd – Brody McKenna of Wauconda; 3rd – John Scanlon of Wheeling

165: 1st – Ilia Dvoriannikov of Vernon Hills; 2nd – Nicholas Montesinos of Wheeling; 3rd – Jonathan Weissmueller of Deerfield 

175: 1st – Christian Cendajez of Wauconda; 2nd – Timur Arzumanov of Vernon Hills; 3rd – Jonathan Martinez of Wheeling

190: 1st – Mike Merevick of Wauconda; 2nd – Jonny Dominguez of Wheeling; 3rd – Shane Blumberg of Vernon Hills

215: 1st – Yaree Sandifer of Lake Forest; 2nd – Eddie Juarez of Wheeling; 3rd – Brody Rudolph of Wauconda

285: 1st – Pablo Morales of Wheeling; 2nd – Loomis Finnegan of Wauconda; 3rd – Noah Breckenridge of Carmel

REGIONALS THAT FEED THE JOLIET CENTRAL INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

NORMAL COMMUNITY REGIONAL

Joliet Catholic ensured that it would continue competing as a team this winter after winning the Class 3A Normal regional on Saturday.

The Hilltoppers scored 244.5 points to outdistance themselves from runner-up Lockport’s 201. Normal was third with 142.

Joliet Catholic Academy produced six regional champions in Kane Robles (29-12 at 106), Maddux Tindal (31-8 at 120), Jason Hampton (34-10 at 126), Elias Gonzalez (28-17 at 144), Luke Hamiti (19-7 at 165) and Nico Ronchetti (32-6 at 190).

“This win was sweeter than regional championships in the past,” Hilltoppers coach Ryan Cumbee said. “This year has been a constant struggle to get our lineup healthy for a more realistic showing of what we’re capable of. Looking forward to focusing on the individuals for the next two weeks and use that momentum into dual team sectionals.”

Other individual regional champions at Normal were Lockport’s Liam Zimmerman (36-7 at 132), Naseem Jaber (18-9 at 138), Justin Wardlow (39-3 at 150) and Jaedon Calderon (29-12 at 157), Normal Community’s Caden Correll (42-0 at 113) and Jaren Frankowiak (38-8 at 175), Joliet Central’s Charles Walker (43-2 at 215) and Minooka’s Robbie Murphy (27-11 at 285).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE NORMAL COMMUNITY REGIONAL

106

1st – Kane Robles of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

2nd – Jackson Soney of Normal (Community)

3rd – Pedro Hernandez of Romeoville (H.S.)

113

1st – Caden Correll of Normal (Community)

2nd – Jakob Crandall of Joliet (West)

3rd – Anthony Sutton of Lockport (Twp.)

120

1st – Maddux Tindal of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

2nd – Timmy O`Connor of Lockport (Twp.)

3rd – Noah Avina of Monicker

126

1st – Jason Hampton of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

2nd – Isaac Zimmerman of Lockport (Twp.)

3rd – Cole Gentsch of Normal (Community)

132

1st – Liam Zimmerman of Lockport (Twp.)
2nd – Adrian Hernandez of Joliet (West)

3rd – Brayden Manning of Normal (Community)

138

1st – Naseem Jaber of Lockport (Twp.)

2nd – Dawson Mack of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

3rd – Mason Vogt of Minooka

144

1st – Elias Gonzalez of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

2nd – Anthony Diorio of Lockport (Twp.)

3rd – Tremaine Cooper of Joliet (Central)

150
1st – Justin Wardlow of Lockport (Twp.)

2nd – Carson Weber of Joliet (West)

3rd – Nolan Vogel of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

157

1st – Jaedon Calderon of Lockport (Twp.)

2nd – Carter Mayes of Normal (Community)

3rd – Vince Tindal of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

165

1st – Luke Hamiti of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

2nd – Chris Miller of Lockport (Twp.)

3rd – Kaden Meyer of Minooka

175

1st – Jaren Frankowiak of Normal (Community)

2nd – Issac Clauson of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

3rd – AJ Frescura of Minooka

190

1st – Nico Ronchetti of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

2nd – Drew Silzer of Lockport (Twp.)

3rd – Santino Capodice of Minooka

215

1st – Charles Walker of Joliet (Central)

2nd – Mason Caraway of Normal (Community)

3rd – Derrick Pomatto of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

285

1st – Robbie Murphy of Minooka

2nd – Jamir Thomas of Romeoville (H.S.)

3rd – Elijah Watt of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

MOLINE REGIONAL

Yorkville, last year’s Class 3A state runner-up, is sending 14 wrestlers onto sectionals, including 10 champions, after winning Saturday’s Class 3A Moline regional.

The Foxes were dominant with 307.5 points. Oswego was a distant second with 131, just ahead of third-place Moline’s 127.5.

Yorkville reached double digits in champions as 10 Foxes won regional titles: Nolan Chrisse (15-9 at 120), Vince Konecki (26-15 at 132), Dominic Recchia (25-9 at 138), Van Rosauer (39-7 at 150), Jack Ferguson (44-2 at 157), Caleb Viscogliosi (34-13 at 165), Luke Zook (43-2 at 175), Ryder Janeczko (32-5 at 190), Luke Chrisse (38-8 at 215) and Xavion Ulloa (20-13 at 285).

Other individual regional champions at Moline were Plainfield North’s Maddox Garbis (302 at 106) and Aidan Durell (31-10 at 126), Moline’s David McDermott (14-11 at 113) and Oswego’s Brayden Swanson (36-7 at 144).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE MOLINE REGIONAL

106

1st – Maddox Garbis of Plainfield (North)

2nd – Drew Ritchie of Plainfield (South)

3rd – Ramsey Barton of Yorkville (H.S.)

113

1st – David McDermott of Moline (H.S.)

2nd – Landon Jenkins of Yorkville (H.S.)

3rd – Brian Tejeda of Plainfield (East)

120

1st – Nolan Chrisse of Yorkville (H.S.)

2nd – Collin Ledbetter of Moline (H.S.)

3rd – Raynen Ruffin of Oswego (H.S.)

126

1st – Aidan Durell of Plainfield (North)

2nd – Nathan Craft of Yorkville (H.S.)

3rd – Aiden Ortiz of Oswego (H.S.)

132

1st – Vince Konecki of Yorkville (H.S.)

2nd – Housseyn Ndiaye of Moline (H.S.)

3rd – Nathan Alli of Plainfield (North)

138

1st – Dominic Recchia of Yorkville (H.S.)

2nd – Braeden Grisham of Oswego (East)

3rd – Jack Bowen of Plainfield (Central)

144

1st – Brayden Swanson of Oswego (H.S.)

2nd – Donncha Souza of Yorkville (H.S.)

3rd – Kyle Mccormick of Plainfield (South)

150

1st – Van Rosauer of Yorkville (H.S.)

2nd – Dillon Griffin of Oswego (H.S.)

3rd – Muhammad Hasib of Plainfield (East)

157

1st – Jack Ferguson of Yorkville (H.S.)

2nd – Kayden Marolf of East Moline (United)

3rd – Hassan Ndiaye of Moline (H.S.)

165
1st – Caleb Viscogliosi of Yorkville (H.S.)

2nd – Chase Pierceall of Plainfield (South)

3rd – Jaxson Soliz of Moline (H.S.)

175

1st – Luke Zook of Yorkville (H.S.)

2nd – Colin Bickett of Plainfield (South)

3rd – DeAnthony Simpson of Moline (H.S.)

190

1st – Ryder Janeczko of Yorkville (H.S.)

2nd – Ty Sabin of Plainfield (Central)
3rd – Hugh Callaghan of Plainfield (East)

215

1st – Luke Chrisse of Yorkville (H.S.)

2nd – Anthony Minnito of Plainfield (Central)

3rd – Josh Edwards of Oswego (East)

285

1st – Xavion Ulloa of Yorkville (H.S.)

2nd – Jakub Kowal of Plainfield (South)

3rd – Liam Corona of Plainfield (North)

EDWARDSVILLE REGIONAL 

Edwardsville won its own Class 3A Edwardsville regional with 244 points on Saturday to advance to the dual team competition.

The Tigers finished with 244 team points to second-place Belleville East’s 157.5. Quincy was third with 129.5.

Edwardsville received eight individual regional titles from Michael McNamara (36-5 at 106), Bryson Nuttall (32-10 at 113), Levi Wilkinson (27-11 at 126), Tyler Perry (16-5 at 132), Ryan Richie (30-8 at 138), Brendan Landau (28-10 at 175), Simon Schulte (28-10 at 190) and Roman Janek (31-3 at 215).

“The Edwardsville wrestling team wrestled well at the regional,” Tigers coach Eric Pretto said. “11 out of 14 guys qualified for the sectional tournament. Our regular season schedule helped prepare them for this time of the year.”

Other individual regional champions at Edwardsville were Belleville West’s Rocky Seibel (26-3 at 120) and Aiden Colbert (30-10 at 144), Belleville East’s Terence Willis (31-6 at 165) and Jonathan Rulo (28-0 at 285), Alton’s Brayden Drew (37-10 at 150) and Quincy’s Brody Baker (24-10 at 157).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE EDWARDSVILLE REGIONAL

106

1st – Michael McNamara of Edwardsville (H.S.)

2nd – Jackson Schadegg of Belleville (East)

3rd – Connor Castens of Collinsville

113

1st – Bryson Nuttall of Edwardsville (H.S.)

2nd – Clayton McClelland of Quincy (Sr.)

3rd – Dashun Caldwell of Granite City

120

1st – Rocky Seibel of Belleville (West)

2nd – Corbin Zeisset of Belleville (East)

3rd – Jace Brown of Granite City

126

1st – Levi Wilkinson of Edwardsville (H.S.)

2nd – Wyatt Boeing of Quincy (Sr.)

3rd – Delane Mosley of Belleville (East)

132

1st – Tyler Perry of Edwardsville (H.S.)
2nd – Mason Hare of Collinsville

3rd – Adrian Mendez of Granite City

138

1st – Ryan Richie of Edwardsville (H.S.)

2nd – Braden Kelly of Belleville (East)

3rd – Cooper Kamm of Quincy (Sr.)

144

1st – Aiden Colbert of Belleville (West)

2nd – Blake Mink of Edwardsville (H.S.)

3rd – Marshall Skelton of Alton (Sr.)

150

1st – Brayden Drew of Alton (Sr.)

2nd – Xander Goodwin of Belleville (West)

3rd – Logan Hiller of Edwardsville (H.S.)

157
1st – Brody Baker of Quincy (Sr.)

2nd – Killian Rauch of Belleville (East)

3rd – Logan Thomas of O`Fallon (H.S.)

165

1st – Terence Willis of Belleville (East)

2nd – Gunnar Derhake of Quincy (Sr.)

3rd – Alex Ramo of Belleville (West)

175

1st – Brendan Landau of Edwardsville (H.S.)

2nd – Eli Miller of Granite City

3rd – Payton Chanerl of O`Fallon (H.S.)

190

1st – Simon Schulte of Edwardsville (H.S.)

2nd – Scott Snyder of Collinsville

3rd – Ethan Hofmeister of Belleville (West)

215

1st – Roman Janek of Edwardsville (H.S.)

2nd – Justin Riley of Belleville (West)

3rd – Gavin Gentille of O`Fallon (H.S.)

285

1st – Jonathan Rulo of Belleville (East)

2nd – Riley Steinkuehler of Edwardsville (H.S.)

3rd – King Johnson of Quincy (Sr.)

RICH TOWNSHIP REGIONAL

Lincoln-Way East won the Class 3A Rich Township regional, getting past some familiar foes in order to do it.

The Griffins finished with 246 team points to second-place Lincoln-Way West’s 203. Homewood-Flossmoor was third with 151.

Lincoln-Way East got six individual regional titles from JT Theis (22-19 at 126), Tyson Zvonar (36-6 at 132), Kaidge Richardson (30-11 at 144), Connor Schultz (16-12 at 150), Colton Zvonar (29-6 at 190) and Gage LaDere (18-3 at 285).

“We have preached all year about wrestling our best at the end of the season,” Griffins coach Collin McPhillip said. “As an entire team we did that on Saturday and are looking forward to continuing that trend this weekend. We still have team and individual goals to go after.”

Other individual regional champions at Rich Township were Homewood-Flossmoor’s Davion Henry (30-6 at 106), Chazz Robinson (34-5 at 120), Jovan Vukajlovic (25-5 at 157) and RJ Robinson (34-6 at 175), Lincoln-Way West’s Brady Glynn (35-9 at 113) and Nate Elstner (37-4 at 215), and Lincoln-Way Central’s Jadon Zimmer (40-7 at 138) and Jalen Byrd (41-5 at 165).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE RICH TOWNSHIP REGIONAL

106

1st – Davion Henry of Flossmoor (Homewood-F.)

2nd – Nathan Powers of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

3rd – Evan Johnson of Bradley (B.-Bourbonnais)

113

1st – Brady Glynn of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)

2nd – Noah Ciolkosz of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

3rd – Ethan Hamilton of Flossmoor (Homewood-F.)

120

1st – Chazz Robinson of Flossmoor (Homewood-F.)

2nd – Nadeem Haleem of Tinley Park (Andrew)

3rd – Max Munn of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)

126

1st – JT Theis of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

2nd – Shane Stream of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)

3rd – Roan Dukes of Flossmoor (Homewood-F.)

132

1st – Tyson Zvonar of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

2nd – Carter Dibenedetto of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)

3rd – Connor Richardson of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)

138

1st – Jadon Zimmer of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)

2nd – Jakob Siwinski of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)

3rd – Brayden Mortell of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

144

1st – Kaidge Richardson of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

2nd – Jack Strezo of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)
3rd – Tristin King of Richton Park (Rich Township)

150

1st – Connor Schultz of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

2nd – Haden Anderson of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)

3rd – Ethan Harvey of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)

157

1st – Jovan Vukajlovic of Flossmoor (Homewood-F.)

2nd – Alex Lizak of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

3rd – Caden Harvey of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central
165

1st – Jalen Byrd of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)

2nd – Christian Darnell of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

3rd – DJ Freeman of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)

175

1st – RJ Robinson of Flossmoor (Homewood-F.)

2nd – Jackson Zaeske of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

3rd – Kayden Roach of Bradley (B.-Bourbonnais)

190

1st – Colton Zvonar of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

2nd – Jimmy Talley of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)

3rd – Brayden O`Connor of Bradley (B.-Bourbonnais)

215

1st – Nate Elstner of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)

2nd – Justin Powers of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

3rd – Logan Wooten of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)

285

1st – Gage LaDere of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

2nd – Aiden Hennings of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)

3rd – Brandon Bavirsha of New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)

REGIONALS THAT FEED THE HINSDALE CENTRAL INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH REGIONAL

Marist overpowered the field during the Class 3A Downers Grove South regional.

The RedHawks scored 320 points well in front of runner-up Lyons which finished with 212. The host Mustangs placed third with 145.5.

All 14 wrestlers for the RedHawks advanced to the regional final with 11 winning titles, including: Elio Gil (24-11 at 106), Joe Bronske (18-18 at 113), Michael Esteban (30-6 at 126), George Marinopoulos (33-6 at 132), Jonathan Fields (16-11 at 138), Donavon Allen (24-5 at 144), Tommy Fidler (19-9 at 150), Ethan Sonne (30-9 at 157), Will Denny (35-1 at 165), Ricky Ericksen (30-7 at 190) and Tommy O`Brien (22-10 at 215).

Other individual regional champions at Downers Grove South were Lyons’ Louie King (18-16 at 120) and Downers Grove South’s Noah Greene (28-7 at 175) and Jacobi Spraggins (25-4 at 285).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH REGIONAL

106

1st – Elio Gil of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Tanner Stone of Downers Grove (South)

3rd – Andy Casmiro of Burbank (Reavis)

113

1st – Joe Bronske of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Javier Corral of Palos Hills (Stagg)

3rd – Kenny Banks of Palos Heights (Shepard)

120

1st – Louie King of LaGrange (Lyons)

2nd – Caden Campo of Chicago (Marist)

3rd – Juan Najera of Palos Hills (Stagg)
126

1st – Michael Esteban of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Roger Martinez of LaGrange (Lyons)

3rd – Lucas Zhao of Downers Grove (South)

132

1st – George Marinopoulos of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Griff Powell of LaGrange (Lyons)

3rd – Anthony Mayen of Hinsdale (Central)

138

1st – Jonathan Fields of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Jack Kutchek of LaGrange (Lyons)

3rd – Jonathan Martinez of Hinsdale (Central)

144

1st – Donavon Allen of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Samer Suleiman of Palos Hills (Stagg)

3rd – Drew Woolsey of Downers Grove (South)

150

1st – Tommy Fidler of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – TaVayris Howard of Palos Heights (Shepard)

3rd – Owen Smott of Downers Grove (South)
157

1st – Ethan Sonne of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Charles Shane of Oak Lawn (Community)

3rd – Mickey Ahrens of LaGrange (Lyons)

165

1st – Will Denny of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Cornell Fennessee of LaGrange (Lyons)

3rd – Jihad Suleiman of Palos Hills (Stagg)

175

1st – Noah Greene of Downers Grove (South)

2nd – Kevin Tomkins of Chicago (Marist)

3rd – Aidan Hill of Palos Heights (Shepard)

190

1st – Ricky Ericksen of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Zachary Kruse of Hinsdale (Central)

3rd – Ryker Czubak of Downers Grove (South)

215

1st – Tommy O`Brien of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Nicky Arquilla of LaGrange (Lyons)

3rd – Daniel Mensah of Downers Grove (South)

285

1st – Jacobi Spraggins of Downers Grove (South)

2nd – Jack Watson of Chicago (Marist)

3rd – Jimmy Hillmann of LaGrange (Lyons)

NAPERVILLE NORTH REGIONAL

Sandburg is sending 11 individuals to the Hinsdale Central sectional as well as keeping its team season alive after winning the Class 3A Naperville North regional on Saturday.

The Eagles scored 208.5 points. Naperville Central was second with 155 and Glenbard West placed third with 147.

Sandburg received regional championships from four of its wrestlers. Winning titles for the Eagles were Rocco Hayes (39-1 at 113), Madden Parker (34-8 at 132), Brady Ritter (33-9 at 138) and Ryan Hinger (38-3 at 144). 

“We’re looking forward to the rest of the post season individually and as a team,” Eagles coach Clinton Polz said. 

Other individual regional champions at Naperville North were Glenbard West’s Aidan Ortega (34-5 at 106), Carson Prunty (29-6 at 126) and Brandon Watson (31-13 at 157), Naperville Central’s Henry Rydwelski (40-3 at 175), Paul Peradotti (34-4 at 190) and William Erbeck (36-1 at 285), Naperville North’s Tyler Sternstein (33-7 at 150) and Tavfik Ibragimov (33-6 at 215), Bolingbrook’s Tommy McDermott (32-6 at 165) and Glenbard East’s Ismael Chaidez (40-2 at 120).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE NAPERVILLE NORTH REGIONAL

106

1st – Aidan Ortega of Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)

2nd – Dalton Meluch of Naperville (Central)

3rd – Lorenz Rios Loud of Lombard (Glenbard East)
113

1st – Rocco Hayes of Orland Park (Sandburg)

2nd – Adam Beedon of Naperville (North)

3rd – Aris Neal of Villa Park (Willowbrook)

120

1st – Ismael Chaidez of Lombard (Glenbard East)

2nd – Tyler Tiancgo of Downers Grove (North)

3rd – Oscar Kalman of Orland Park (Sandburg)

126

1st – Carson Prunty of Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)

2nd – Jacob Cochran of Naperville (Central)
3rd – Alex Hengles of Downers Grove (North)

132

1st – Madden Parker of Orland Park (Sandburg)

2nd – Ulises Rosas of Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)

3rd – Vince Bern of Naperville (Central)

138

1st – Brady Ritter of Orland Park (Sandburg)

2nd – Alejandro Aranda of Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)

3rd – Caden Chiarelli of Downers Grove (North)

144

1st – Ryan Hinger of Orland Park (Sandburg)

2nd – Aaron Camacho of Bolingbrook

3rd – Aidan Cummings of Downers Grove (North)

150

1st – Tyler Sternstein of Naperville (North)

2nd – CJ Bierman of Naperville (Central)

3rd – Vince Tortoriello of Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)

157

1st – Brandon Watson of Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)

2nd – Liam O`Sullivan of Downers Grove (North)

3rd – Adnan Askar of Orland Park (Sandburg)

165

1st – Tommy McDermott of Bolingbrook

2nd – Tallis Taylor of Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)

3rd – Wyatt Hochgraber of Orland Park (Sandburg)

175

1st – Henry Rydwelski of Naperville (Central)

2nd – Ahmad Alomari of Orland Park (Sandburg)

3rd – Jack Lasota of Downers Grove (North)

190

1st – Paul Peradotti of Naperville (Central)

2nd – Orlando Hoye of Lombard (Glenbard East)

3rd – Chris Davis of Orland Park (Sandburg)

215

1st – Tavfik Ibragimov of Naperville (North)

2nd – Malic Breish of Orland Park (Sandburg)

3rd – Nate Olona of Downers Grove (North)

285

1st – William Erbeck of Naperville (Central)

2nd – Peter Rodriguez of Downers Grove (North)

3rd – Omar Alhmoud of Orland Park (Sandburg)

MORTON REGIONAL

Mt. Carmel rolled over the competition on Saturday in Cicero.

The Caravan scored 304.5 points. Morton was second with 148.5 and Argo was third with 103.

Mt. Carmel won all but one weight division, bringing home 13 regional titles. Its champions included Sebastian Garcia (22-10 at 106), William Grafton-Hodgetts (19-10 at 113), Kavel Moore (22-11 at 120), Justin Williamson (12-5 at 132), Seth Mendoza (29-1 at 138), Jaxon Jorgensen (7-1 at 144), Jairo Acuna (15-6 at 150), Liam Kelly (28-4 at 157), Daniel Lynch (14-11 at 165), Kevin Kalchbrenner (22-8 at 175), Kenneth Segerson (3-12 at 190), Leonard Siegal (17-13 at 215) and Landin Carter (8-11 at 285).

The lone other regional champion at Morton was T.F. South’s Adonis Wilson (22-6 at 126).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE MORTON REGIONAL

106
1st – Sebastian Garcia of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – Angel Jacobo of Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)

3rd – Dylan Cooper of Lansing (Thornton Fractional South)

113

1st – William Grafton-Hodgetts of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – David Roldan of Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)

3rd – Julian Govea of Chicago (Curie)

120

1st – Kavel Moore of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – Jayden Scott of Lansing (Thornton Fractional South)

3rd – Daniel Garcia of Chicago (Hubbard)

126

1st – Adonis Wilson of Lansing (Thornton Fractional South)

2nd – Jose Berrios of Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)

3rd – Francis Burke of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

132

1st – Justin Williamson of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – Rey Alvarado of Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)

3rd – Larrenz Anderson of Lansing (Thornton Fractional South)

138

1st – Seth Mendoza of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – Aldo Gutierrez of Summit (Argo)

3rd – Anthony Trujillo of Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)

144

1st – Jaxon Jorgensen of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – Jacob Van Allen of Summit (Argo)

3rd – Fabian Salazar of Chicago (Hubbard)

150

1st – Jairo Acuna of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – Leovardo Juarez of Chicago (Kelly)

3rd – Skylar Arellano-Phipps of Summit (Argo)

157

1st – Liam Kelly of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – Mylan Williams of Chicago (Curie)

3rd – Emiliano Ruiz of Chicago (Kelly)

165

1st – Daniel Lynch of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – Titus Woodring of Lansing (Thornton Fractional South)

3rd – Quenton Mingo of Harvey (Thornton)

175

1st – Kevin Kalchbrenner of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – Santiago Moya of Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)

3rd – Mike Starzyk of Summit (Argo)

190

1st – Kenneth Segerson of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – Eduardo Seija of Chicago (Curie)

3rd – Lenin Contreras of Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)

215

1st – Leonard Siegal of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – Carlos Arriaza of Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)

3rd – Jayden Derrick of Lansing (Thornton Fractional South)

285

1st – Landin Carter of Chicago (Mt. Carmel)

2nd – Remy Avalos of Summit (Argo)

3rd – Dameon Norman of Chicago (Kenwood)

MARMION REGIONAL

Marmion, which opened its season at home with a dual win over Lockport and by winning the inaugural Marmion Wrestling Invite, began its post-season in the same comfy environment on Saturday while hosting the Class 3A Marmion regional. The results were the same, too.

The Cadets scored 298.5 points to capture the regional team crown. West Aurora was second with 225 and Batavia was third with 144.

Marmion sent 11 wrestlers into the finals and they all came away with regional titles. Cadets who won regionals included: James Morrison (30-11 at 106), Aidan McClure (24-7 at 113), Colton Wyller (38-7 at 120), Nicholas Garcia (18-1 at 126), Demetrios Carrera (39-5 at 132), Zach Stewart (27-2 at 144), Ashton Hobson (22-5 at 150), Vincenzo Testa (8-4 at 175), Luke Boersma (33-15 at 190), Joseph Favia (15-6 at 215) and Mateusz Nycz (38-4 at 285).

“The boys wrestled the best they have wrestled all season on Saturday,” Cadets coach Anthony Cirrincione said. “We won all but three matches and set a Marmion record with 298.5 points. Stand-out performances from the majority of the team, but we were most impressed with the guts on display from Colton Wyller, Vincenzo Testa and Andrew Haritos, with all digging deep to move on to sectionals. We are excited to be healthy at this time of year and we are ready to compete.”

 Other individual regional champions at Marmion were West Aurora’s Evan Matkovich (39-5 at 138), Dominic Serio (30-4 at 157) and Dayne Serio (43-1 at 165).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE MARMION REGIONAL

106

1st – James Morrison of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Gabe Richmond of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Rocco Valvano of Wheaton (W. Warrenville South)

113

1st – Aidan McClure of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Kai Enos of Batavia

3rd – Jeremiah Haynes of Aurora (West Aurora)

120

1st – Colton Wyller of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Joseph Huicochea of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Elias Chaney of Batavia

126
1st – Nicholas Garcia of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Kyle Pasco of Batavia

3rd – Peter Kabene of Aurora (West Aurora)

132

1st – Demetrios Carrera of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Jack Platt of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Nathan Duffield of Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)

138

1st – Evan Matkovich of Aurora (West Aurora)

2nd – Jack Duraski of Batavia

3rd – Grayson Garcia of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

144

1st – Zach Stewart of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Marcus Quintana of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Cole Hubbard of Batavia

150

1st – Ashton Hobson of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Malan Hatfield of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Curtis Burke of Naperville (Neuqua Valley)

157

1st – Dominic Serio of Aurora (West Aurora)

2nd – Chase Osborne of Batavia

3rd – Andrew Haritos of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

165

1st – Dayne Serio of Aurora (West Aurora)

2nd – Colin Peyton of Batavia

3rd – Anthony Haddad of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

175

1st – Vincenzo Testa of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Manny Chavez of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Jack Brown of Batavia

190

1st – Luke Boersma of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Mason Monce of Wheaton (W. Warrenville South)

3rd – Deividas Lewiton of Naperville (Neuqua Valley)

215

1st – Joseph Favia of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Asher Sheldon of Batavia

3rd – Fernando Anaya of Aurora (West Aurora

285

1st – Mateusz Nycz of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Alfonso Aguilar of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Leonidas Hobson of Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)

By Mike Garofola for the IWCOA

REGIONALS THAT FEED THE BARRINGTON INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

Competition at Barrington will begin this Friday at 5 p.m., and again on Saturday at 9 a.m. with finals scheduled to begin at 2:45.

DUNDEE-CROWN REGIONAL

Barrington and Stevenson were close to each all day long in Carpentersville along with MSL power Fremd.

Drew Fifield, Evan Gosz and Lucas Nance would come through as expected for Fremd with magnificent performances, but it wouldn’t be enough to slow Barrington, which would pull away as the afternoon went on to claim the top prize.

The Broncos would win three of five head-to-head championship contests, and advance 11 into its own sectional while second place Stevenson will send nine ahead to sectionals.

Barrington finished with 216.0 overall points, followed by second-place Stevenson (202.0) and third-place Fremd (138.5).

“We are all incredibly proud of the team effort, and the toughness needed to find a way to win a regional title,” began Broncos head coach Dan Keller. “All season long we have been battling injuries, and today was the first time we’ve been at full strength.

“Our lineup today had just two seniors, so it’s great for our young guys to experience what it’s like to win a regional as a team.”

Keller would praise 126-pound champion Saul Ramirez for his effort to win after he pinned an opponent that majored him earlier in the season.

Likewise for junior Maddox Orozco who recorded a pin in his semifinal against his opponent, who he lost to in December via a tech-fall.

Silas Oberholtzer and Clarence Jackson were regional champions, but the Stevenson duo of Everett Ciezak and Andrew Timmons would cancel out the Broncos’ success in the finals.

In the end, the difference would be bonus points for the Broncos, to the tune of 17 pins and 283 total match points that would send them over the top.

Individual regional champions:
Daniel Berdich (106, 33-13, Stevenson), Oleksandr (Sasha) Havrylkiv (113, 28-1, Buffalo Grove), Ryan Dorn (120, 34-7, Barrington), Saul Ramirez (126, 21-18, Barrington), Shawn Kogan (132, 37-4, Stevenson), Drew Fifield (138, 31-3, Fremd), Evan Gosz (144, 40-2, Fremd), Daniel Blanke (150, 26-9, Barrington), Silas Oberholtzer (157, 23-16, Barrington), Lucas Nance (165, 34-7, Fremd), Trey Widlowski (175, 32-5, Palatine), Everett Ciezak (190, 30-15, Stevenson), Clarence Jackson (215, 34-7, Barrington), Andrew Timmons (285, 16-6, Stevenson).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE DUNDEE-CROWN REGIONAL

106

1st – Daniel Berdich of Stevenson

2nd – Matthew Blanke of Barrington

3rd – Lucas Crandall of Fremd

113

1st – Oleksandr Havrylkiv of Buffalo Grove

2nd – Kaleb Pratt of Barrington

3rd – Evan Mishels of Stevenson

120

1st – Ryan Dorn of Barrington

2nd – Ayush Bajaj of Stevenson

3rd – MYKOLA SHAMRAY of Buffalo Grove

126

1st – Saul Ramirez of Barrington

2nd – Marcelo Cantu of Stevenson

3rd – Max Duberstein of Fremd

132

1st – Shawn Kogan of Stevenson

2nd – Jimmy Whitaker of Barrington

3rd – Chris Gerardo of Dundee-Crown

138

1st – Drew Fifield of Fremd

2nd – Mikey Polyakov of Stevenson

3rd – Brennan O`Donnell of Barrington

144

1st – Evan Gosz of Fremd

2nd – Maddux Orozco of Barrington

3rd – Donovan Acosta of 

150
1st – Daniel Blanke of Barrington

2nd – Valentin Vihrov of Stevenson

3rd – Jadon Wheatley of Dundee-Crown

157

1st – Silas Oberholtzer of Barrington

2nd – Alan Allende of 

3rd – Koko Kachakov of Rolling Meadows

165

1st – Lucas Nance of Fremd

2nd – Chris Chi of Buffalo Grove

3rd – Sam Cushman of Barrington

175

1st – Trey Widlowski of 

2nd – Philip Boyko of Stevenson

3rd – Josh Rappa of Rolling Meadows

190

1st – Everett Ciezak of Stevenson

2nd – John Rappa of Rolling Meadows

3rd – Zach Anderson of Dundee-Crown

215

1st – Clarence Jackson of Barrington

2nd – Teigen Moreno of Dundee-Crown

3rd – Maciej Szelazek of Lake Zurich

285

1st – Andrew Timmons of Stevenson

2nd – Owen Jakubczak of Fremd

3rd – Roy Ramirez of Dundee-Crown

GLENBROOK SOUTH REGIONAL

MSL champion Hersey would march to its second consecutive regional title but in truth, the Huskies all but secured its 130-point victory minutes after the seeding meeting gave Joe Rupslauks’ club seven top seeds, and 13 top four seeds.

The No. 11 Huskies would celebrate an astounding nine individual champions, which would include eight straight from 113 to 157, and will send 13 into the sectional Friday after recording 271.5 overall points.

In addition to the individual champions listed below, the Huskies would advance Grant Moga (165), Connor Moga (175), Nick Larsen (215) and heavyweight Harrison Lacaeyse.

Last season, the Huskies outscored league rival Barrington 243.0-204.5 and third-place Stevenson at a top-heavy team regional in Lincolnshire at host Stevenson to garner the team trophy there.

Prospect was second overall with 144.5 points, Loyola Academy third (110.).

Individual regional champions: Nico Odiotti (106, 24-2, Loyola Academy), Daniel Lehman (113, 16-10, Hersey), Anthony Orozco (120, 20-11, Hersey), Riddick Variano (126, 31-14, Hersey), Elijah Garza (132, 35-8, Hersey), Nolan Variano (138, 24-12, Hersey), Max Mukhamedaliyev (144, 38-6, Hersey), Rodrigo Arceo (150, 29-14, Hersey), Frankie Tagoe (157, 27-14, Hersey), Joseph Quirk (165, 18-10, Hersey), Shane Onixt (175, 33-3, Glenbrook North), Jonathan Slump (190, 19-20, Hersey), Kai Calcutt (215, 31-0, Loyola Academy), Hunter Johnson (285, 26-10, Glenbrook South).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE GLENBROOK SOUTH REGIONAL

106

1st – Niko Odiotti of Loyola Academy

2nd – Caleb Son of Glenbrook North

3rd – Carlo Difalco of Prospect

113

1st – Daniel Lehman of Hersey

2nd – Quentin Williams of Loyola Academy

3rd – Alex Gudgeon of Highland Park

120

1st – Anthony Orozco of Hersey

2nd – Daniel Myint of Loyola Academy

3rd – Ermuun Urtnasan of Glenbrook South

126

1st – Riddick Variano of Hersey

2nd – Matthew Miralles of New Trier

3rd – Karol Kosciarz of Prospect

132

1st – Elijah Garza of Hersey

2nd – Ryan Georgopoulos of New Trier

3rd – Roman Ocampo of Glenbrook South

138

1st – Nolan Variano of Hersey

2nd – Jordan Mokhtarian of Glenbrook North

3rd – Ronin Umali of Prospect

144

1st – Maksim Mukhamedaliyev of Hersey

2nd – Zachary Hempen of Niles North

3rd – Sharjeel Saqibuddin of New Trier

150

1st – Rodrigo Arceo of Hersey

2nd – Oliver Quiros of Niles North

3rd – Daniel Malan of Loyola Academy

157

1st – Frankie Tagoe of Hersey

2nd – Tagg Miller of New Trier

3rd – Bennett Westfallen of Prospect

165

1st – Joseph Quirk of Prospect

2nd – Grant Moga of Hersey

3rd – Henry Downing of Glenbrook South

175

1st – Shane Onixt of Glenbrook North

2nd – Gavin Payne of Prospect

3rd – Connor Moga of Hersey

190

1st – Jonathan Slump of Hersey

2nd – Shiloh Martinez of Niles North

3rd – August Close of Loyola Academy

215

1st – Kai Calcutt of Loyola Academy

2nd – Daniel Derbedyenyev of Highland Park

3rd – Nick Larsen of Hersey

285

1st – Hunter Johnson of Glenbrook South

2nd – James Brouilette of Prospect

3rd – Harrison Lacaeyse of Hersey

HONONEGAH REGIONAL

No. 12 Hononegah won its second-consecutive regional crown before its home fans with 259.5 overall points as the hosts and a young club from Huntley would dominate the proceedings.

With the Indians starting lineup back in form with the return of Bruno Cassioppi and Brody Sendele off the injured list, the regional and NIC-10 champions advanced 13 into sectionals, including a whopping eight individual champs.

Isaiah Martinez (113), Maddox Franklin (126), Evan Musil (144), Max Haskins (157), Ethan Ballard (215) will all advance to sectionals for Hononegah.

Huntley (215.0) finished a strong second place, far ahead of Hampshire (115.5) who would edge Jacobs by one point for third place.

Individual regional champions: Kristian DeClerq (106, 33-10, Hononegah), Colin Abordo (113, 36-9, Huntley), Jackson Olson (120, 39-7, Hononegah), 

Ben Arbotante (126, 32-8, Jacobs), Rocco Cassioppi (132, 40-2, Hononegah),

Thomas Silva (138, 35-3, Hononegah), Matthew Keaty (144, 23-16, Huntley), Bruno Cassioppi (150, 6-0, Hononegah), Radic Dvorak (157, 39-3, Huntley),

Brody Sendele (165, 12-1, Hononegah), Connor Diemel (175, 38-5, Hononegah), 

Kurt Smith (190, 40-4, Hononegah), Wyatt Theobold (215, 31-15, Huntley), Chandler Jack (285, 32-8, Harlem).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE HONONEGAH REGIONAL

106

1st – Kristian DeClercq of Hononegah

2nd – Dominic Angileri of Guilford

3rd – Cael Saldana of Huntley

113

1st – Colin Abordo of Huntley

2nd – Isaiah Martinez of Hononegah

3rd – Deegan Kirschke of Hampshire

120

1st – Jackson Olson of Hononegah

2nd – Enrique Garcia of Jacobs

3rd – Cameron Abordo of Huntley

126

1st – Ben Arbotante of Jacobs

2nd – Julian Gutierrez of Huntley

3rd – Maddox Franklin of Hononegah

132

1st – Rocco Cassioppi of Hononegah

2nd – Alexander Gutierrez of Huntley

3rd – Izayah Olejniczak of Harlem

138

1st – Thomas Silva of Hononegah

2nd – Gavin Nischke of Huntley

3rd – Owen Recoy of Harlem

144

1st – Matthew Keaty of Huntley

2nd – Nathan Gomez of Jacobs

3rd – Evan Musil of Hononegah

150

1st – Bruno Cassioppi of Hononegah

2nd – Chris Napiorkowski of Hampshire

3rd – Arshoun Island of Auburn

157

1st – Radic Dvorak of Huntley

2nd – Max Haskins of Hononegah

3rd – Michael Brannigan of Hampshire

165

1st – Brody Sendele of Hononegah

2nd – Johnathan Strauss of Jacobs

3rd – Lucas Bittman of Huntley

175

1st – Connor Diemel of Hononegah

2nd – Aidan Rowells of Hampshire

3rd – Alex Vega of Huntley

190
1st – Kurt Smith of Hononegah

2nd – Jesse Lovell of Huntley

3rd – Uriah Beamon of Hampshire

215

1st – Wyatt Theobald of Huntley

2nd – Lucas Retzler of Jacobs

3rd – Ethan Ballard of Hononegah

285

1st – Chandler Jack of Harlem

2nd – Knox Homola of Hampshire

3rd – Maximus Garcia of Jacobs

REGIONALS THAT FEED THE CONANT INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

First-day individual sectional action at Conant will begin at 4:30 Friday, with Saturday action beginning at 9 a.m, which lead into first and third matches set to start at 2 p.m.

ADDISON TRAIL REGIONAL

Oak Park and River Forest would lift its second straight regional trophy with a near 100-point victory over York (150.0) and third-place Addison Trail (117.5).

The Huskies won at home a year ago over Lane by 30 points, but this year Lane would move over to the Maine South venue and stun the host Hawks for the regional crown.

“Overall, the team performed very well, we qualified twelve of fourteen, which was great,” said Huskies head coach Paul Collins. “Our expectation was for everyone to compete to the best of their ability, and we did that collectively.

“The goal was to dominate the regional, and we did just that. We won seven weight classes, and guys like Terrence Garner (285) did a great job of bouncing back to pin his way to third.

“I am really pleased with Zach (Michaud) at 165, and Hugh Vanek at 175, guys who do not get a lot of attention, but both are putting it together at the right time and wrestling Huskie-style for us right now.”

Senior Joseph Knackstedt is now a two-time regional champion, as is sophomore Jamiel Castleberry (120) who last season defeated his current teammate MJ Rundell in the 106-pound final when competing for league rival Proviso West.

Castleberry would go on to earn a fourth place state medal, while Rundell this year is the No. 1 man at 106.

Sectional qualifiers for the Huskies would include their six individual champions of course, as well as Gabe Rojas (126), AJ Noyes (144), Ryan Wozniak (157), Eric Harris (215) and heavyweight Martaevion Howard.

Harris was the 215-pound regional champion a year ago.

Individual regional champions: MJ Rundell (106, 34-2, OPRF), Zander Spatafore (113, 27-9, Elk Grove), Jamiel Castleberry (120, 25-4, OPRF), Mondo Martinelli (126, 43-4, York), Zev Koransky (132, 22-8, OPRF), Joseph Knackstedt (138, 29-3, OPRF), Frank Nitti (144, 38-4, York), David Ogunsanya (150, 22-6, OPRF), Marquis DeLoach (157, 16-1, Proviso West), Zach Michaud (165, 18-14, OPRF), Hugh Vanek (175, 6-7, OPRF), Dominic Ganir (190, 16-10, Leyden), Mikey Grazzini (215, 28-7, York), Mikey Milovich (285, 26-6, Elk Grove).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE ADDISON TRAIL REGIONAL

106

1st – MJ Rundell of OPRF

2nd – Nikolas Duarte of A. Trail

3rd – Jayden Scott of Proviso East

113

1st – Zander Spatafore of Elk Grove

2nd – Santiago Trejo-Huerigo of A. Trail

3rd – Chase Murrell of Proviso East

120

1st – Jamiel Castleberry of OPRF

2nd – Tommy Conners of York

3rd – Zion Martinez of A. Trail

126

1st – Mondo Martinelli of York

2nd – Gabe Rojas of OPRF

3rd – Jayden Otero of Proviso East

132

1st – Zev Koransky of OPRF

2nd – Michael Miranda of Leyden

3rd – Nicasio Acino of Elk Grove

138

1st – Joseph Knackstedt of OPRF

2nd – Deniko Fox of Chicago Crane Medical Prep

3rd – Jimmy Jacinto of A. Trail

144

1st – Frank Nitti of York

2nd – AJ Noyes of OPRF

3rd – Matthias Hautzinger of A. Trail

150

1st – David Ogunsanya of OPRF

2nd – Jackson Hanselman of York

3rd – Matt DiMaria of Elk Grove

157

1st – Marquis Deloach of Proviso West

2nd – Ryan Wozniak of OPRF

3rd – Benjamin Gorny of York

165

1st – Zach Michaud of OPRF

2nd – Angel Heard of Proviso West

3rd – Alen Bautista of A. Trail

175

1st – Hugh Vanek of OPRF

2nd – Isaiah Robinson of Proviso West

3rd – Christopher Quizhpi of Leyden

190

1st – Dominic Ganir of Leyden

2nd – Emmanuel Leal of A. Trail

3rd – Dylan Crump of Proviso East

215

1st – Mikey Grazzini of York

2nd – Eric Harris of OPRF

3rd – Erick Worwa of Leyden

285

1st – Mikey Milovich of Elk Grove

2nd – Martaevion Howard of Proviso East

3rd – Terrence Garner of OPRF

LAKE PARK REGIONAL

Schaumburg has now gone back-to-back-to-back after outscoring the field here and its closest challenger Lake Park to lift a third-straight regional trophy.

Schaumburg took a modest lead (156.0-134.5) over the host Lancers in Roselle just after the noon hour, then would flex its lower weight strength, using a fourth straight regional title from No. 4 Callen Kirchner at 150 to outscore Lake Park (209.5-152.0) for the crown.

“Today was sort of an inversion of the last two years, During the past two years we had all but wrapped things up after the semifinals. This year, we had a real narrow lead,” began Saxons head coach, Mike Levanti.

“I challenged the guys to really attack the medal round in order to separate ourselves from Lake Park, and I guess they got the message as we went twelve out of twelve, including five third place medals in a row.

“I was proud that a guy like Aiden Quevedo avenged an early season loss in dominant  fashion, and was thrilled with the effort of Sean Christoffel at 175, He had to default out of his semifinal with an injury, but came back and found a way on the backside.”

The Saxons will send 12 of its starting 14 to sectionals in addition to its five champions: Brody Hinkle (138), Justin Cortes-Apolinar (144), Daniel Duran (165), Sean Christoffel (175), Josh Benson (190), Matthew Carver (215) and heavyweight Christopher Arciniega-Sanchez.

Individual regional champions: Austin Phelps (106, 39-5, Schaumburg), Nicholas Dilallo (113, 32-0, South Elgin), Brady Phelps (120, 36-3, Schaumburg), AJ Quevedo (126, 23-5, Schaumburg), Aiden Quevado (132, 31-12, Schaumburg),

Nick Merola (138, 23-8, Lake Park), Victor Chevganov (144, 34-8, Conant),

Callen Kirchner (150, 40-5, Schaumburg), Dmytro Patykovskyi (157, 19-4, Hoffman Estates), Jackson Spizzirri (165, 25-19, Conant), Fabian Ramirez (175, 22-2, Elgin),

Jace Wolf (190, 25-2, Streamwood), Deremit Zamora (215, 32-8, South Elgin),

Jeffrey Rustemi (285, 15-11, Lake Park).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE LAKE PARK REGIONAL

106

1st – Austin Phelps of Schaumburg 

2nd – Liam Lovelace of Lake Park

3rd – Evan Hamilton of South Elgin

113

1st – Nicholas Dilallo of South Elgin

2nd – Bryce Mensik of Lake Park

3rd – Damian Ramos of Conant

120

1st – Brady Phelps of Schaumburg 

2nd – Luis Flores of Conant

3rd – Giovanni Parente of Lake Park

126

1st – AJ Quevedo of Schaumburg 

2nd – Luca Rutili of Lake Park
3rd – Emmett Arens of Conant

132

1st – Aiden Quevedo of Schaumburg 

2nd – Sergio Hernandez of Lake Park

3rd – Mike Goolish of Conant

138

1st – Nick Merola of Lake Park

2nd – Aamir Nieves Allen of South Elgin

3rd – Brody Hinkle of Schaumburg 

144

1st – Victor Chevganov of Conant

2nd – Damari Miller of Larkin

3rd – Justin Cortes-Apolinar of Schaumburg 

150

1st – Callen Kirchner of Schaumburg 

2nd – Juan Cortes of Streamwood

3rd – Max Wala of Lake Park

157
1st – Dmytro Patykovskyi of 

2nd – David Miranda of Larkin

3rd – Emilio Guzman of Elgin 

165

1st – Jackson Spizzirri of Conant

2nd – Jayden Valentino of 

3rd – Daniel Duran of Schaumburg 

 MD 11-2

175

1st – Fabian Ramirez of Elgin 

2nd – Gabe Inorio of Streamwood

3rd – Sean Christoffel of Schaumburg 

190

1st – Jace Wolf of Streamwood

2nd – Karl Pretzer of South Elgin

3rd – Josh Benson of Schaumburg 

215

1st – Deremit Zamora of South Elgin

2nd – Montez Miller of Elgin 

3rd – Matthew Carver of Schaumburg 

285

1st – Jeffrey Rustemi of Lake Park

2nd – Victor Juarez of Elgin 

3rd – Christopher Arciniega-Sanchez of Schaumburg 

MAINE SOUTH REGIONAL 

It was a historic day for Lane wrestling.

Not only did Matt Yan’s men end a six-year win streak for Maine South, in doing so they would also claim their first regional title since 2011.

“We had three back-ups in our lineup, two of which advanced, and without guys like Gabe Peto and Jose Lagunas stepping in and the rest of the team just doing their jobs, we would not have won today,” said a proud Yan.

“One of our freshman wrestlers passed away this week, so it’s been really tough in our room all week long,” continued Yan. “Our entire program has been grieving due to this loss, so the fact that they were able to come together in order to win a regional title is a testament to their perseverance.”

Lane would amass 222.5 points, Maine South 201.0, and third place Maine West 141.5

The home side grabbed a 5-4 advantage in championship matches over Lane, but the regional champs recorded a tourney-high 20 pins and 332 total match points to ensure the CPL champions a spot in dual-team sectionals, where they will face Schaumburg at a yet-to-be-determined venue.

Lane fans will celebrate its four champions of course, in addition to sectional qualifiers: Joaquin Salameda (120), Vermaat VanderBrug (144), Cole Calace (150), Gabe Peto (165), Jose Lagunas (190), and Adrian Meza at 215 who all advanced to sectionals.

Individual regional champions: Jeremiah Arroyo-McMullan (106, 26-6, Lane), Bernardo Roque (113, 37-2, Taft), Logan Battersby (120, 35-7, Maine West), Brett Harman (126, 33-6, Maine South), Alex Valentin (132, 37-6, Lane), Caden Ljubenko (138, 27-7, Maine South), Jake Colleran (144, 34-6, Maine South), Gavin Hoerr (150, 23-3, Maine South), Nasser Hammouche (157, 37-8, Lane), Peter Greco (165, 34-6, Maine West), Eyob Abebe (175, 31-11, Lane), Brian Henry (190, 27-15, Evanston), Evan Jocic (215, 32-2, Taft), Tyler Fortis (285, 33-2, Maine South).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE MAINE SOUTH REGIONAL

106

1st – Jeremiah Arroyo-McMullan of Chicago Lane

2nd – Erle Rosete of Maine South

3rd – Duncan Tenezaca of Maine East

113

1st – Bernardo Roque of Chicago Taft

2nd – Luca Burgio of Maine West

3rd – Jairo Kish of Maine East

120

1st – Logan Battersby of Maine West

2nd – David Ruiz of Chicago Taft

3rd – Joaquin Salameda of Chicago Lane

126

1st – Brett Harman of Maine South

2nd – John Moor of Maine East

3rd – Angel Rivera of Chicago Taft

132

1st – Alex Valentin of Chicago Lane

2nd – Dulguun Nyamdavaa of Maine East

3rd – Jack Handley of Maine South

138

1st – Caden Ljubenko of Maine South

2nd – Lucas Youmara of Niles West

3rd – Adrian Junco of Chicago Taft

144

1st – Jake Colleran of Maine South

2nd – Vermaat VanderBrug of Chicago Lane

3rd – Shane Burns of Maine West

150

1st – Gavin Hoerr of Maine South

2nd – Dylan Kroschel of Maine West

3rd – Cole Calace of Chicago Lane

157
1st – Nasser Hammouche of Chicago Lane

2nd – Luke Gloetzner of Maine South

3rd – Louis Avalos of Maine West

165

1st – Peter Greco of Maine West

2nd – Aidan Swenson of Maine South

3rd – Gabe Peto of Chicago Lane

175

1st – Eyob Abebe of Chicago Lane

2nd – Ken Coleman of Evanston 

3rd – Zbigniew Kordalewski of Maine West

190

1st – Brian Henry of Evanston 

2nd – Jose Lagunas of Chicago Lane

3rd – Josh Taylor of Chicago Taft

215

1st – Evan Jocic of Chicago Taft

2nd – Adrian Meza of Chicago Lane

3rd – Thomas Leach of Maine South

285

1st – Tyler Fortis of Maine South

2nd – Jeremy Marshall of Evanston 

3rd – Manny Olojo of Niles West

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

REGIONALS THAT FEED THE HINSDALE SOUTH INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD REGIONAL

Coach Nick Curby’s Bulldogs won the program’s seventh team regional title at home, posting 227.5 team points and advancing 12 wrestlers to the Hinsdale South Individual Sectional on Feb. 14.

Riverside-Brookfield had six individual regional champions in Miles Russell-Barnes (6-8 at 113), Jacob Godoy (21-13 at 132), Tony Lombardo (20-15 at 138), Ricky Gutierrez-Blanco (27-12 at 144), Ethan Rivas (15-7 at 157) and Matthew (Elzy 26-8 at 190). Placing second for the Bulldogs were Steven Guzman (106), Edgar Mosquera (120) and Nicholas O’Connor (175), while Tony Miranda (150), Max Strong (165) and Joey Alberts (285) placed third to advance.

“In a day filled with ups and downs, when it came time for guys to wrestle for themselves and for the team, many stepped up to the challenge,” Curby said. “There were a lot of great wrestling moments for our team on Saturday to build on. We will get back to practice on Monday to make sure we are ready to take the that step and qualify as many wrestlers as we can for state next week.”

St. Laurence (205) advanced 10 to the sectional and third-place Lindblom (115.5) advanced six.

Individual regional champions:
Others winning regional titles were St. Laurence’s Liam Kissane (32-7 at 106), Jack Claussen (31-10 at 165), Matthew Zalinski (26-10 at 175) and Xavier Bitner (23-10 at 215), Kennedy’s Victor Alvarado (34-3 at 120) and Habibullo Begov (18-8 at 150), Little Village’s Jovanni Harris (30-6 at 126), and Lindblom’s Josue Olivo (23-5 at 285).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD REGIONAL

106

1st – Liam Kissane of St. Laurence

2nd – Steven Guzman of R.-Brookfield

3rd – Nicholas Anguiano of Hancock

113

1st – Miles Russell-Barnes of R.-Brookfield

2nd – Nate Martinez of St. Laurence

3rd – Ithan Payne of Lindblom

120

1st – Victor Alvarado of Kennedy

2nd – Edgar Mosquera of R.-Brookfield

3rd – Benito Chavez of Little Village

126

1st – Jovanni Harris of Little Village

2nd – Ezequiel Farias of Hancock

3rd – Adrian Pintado of St. Laurence

132

1st – Jacob Godoy of R.-Brookfield

2nd – Khalid Eid of St. Laurence

3rd – David Bahena of Little Village

138

1st – Tony Lombardo of R.-Brookfield

2nd – Alexander Gonzalez of Lindblom

3rd – Anthony Suarez of Little Village

144

1st – Ricky Gutierrez-Blanco of R.-Brookfield

2nd – Sergio Ramirez of Lindblom

3rd – Josh Martinez of St. Laurence

150

1st – Habibullo Begov of Kennedy

2nd – Julian Chavez of Back of the Yards

3rd – Tony Miranda of R.-Brookfield

157

1st – Ethan Rivas of R.-Brookfield

2nd – Felipe-Juan Aguilar-Urbina of Little Village

3rd – Christian Vega of Kennedy

165

1st – Jack Claussen of St. Laurence

2nd – Erick Arroyo of Lindblom

3rd – Max Strong of R.-Brookfield

175

1st – Matthew Zalinski of St. Laurence

2nd – Nicholas O`Connor of R.-Brookfield

3rd – Malakai Davis of Hancock

190

1st – Matthew Elzy of R.-Brookfield

2nd – Andrew Banazak of St. Laurence

3rd – Erik Martinez-Mancera of Back of the Yards

215

1st – Xavier Bitner of St. Laurence

2nd – Aiden Quezada of Lindblom

3rd – Juan Zavala of Solorio

285

1st – Josue Olivo of Lindblom

2nd – Angelo Guiterez of St. Laurence

3rd – Joey Alberts of R.-Brookfield

OAK FOREST REGIONAL

Host Oak Forest dominated the field, advancing 11 wrestlers to the Hinsdale South Individual Sectional, led by individual champions Jason Schickel (21-12 at 106), Jacob Sebek (37-3 at 113), Hunter Kroll (16-19 at 120), James Mair (26-14 at 126), Austin Perez (22-1 at 144), Jason Janke (8-0 at 175) and Andrius Vasilevskas (36-7 at 215).

Also qualifying for coach Shawn Forst were finals runners-up Josh Schickel (138), Nathan Izguerra (190) and Jose Montesino (285), and third-place finisher Blake Bussie (165). 

“The Oak Forest wrestlers competed with a great deal of heart and grit today,” Forst said. “The whole coaching staff is very proud of them.  The team is peaking at the right time and we are excited for the rest of the state series.”

Oak Forest topped the field with 233.5 points, while Thornton Fractional North (128) and Marian (128) tied for second place.

Individual regional champions:
Others winning regional titles were Bremen’s Izaiah Gonzalez (20-4 at 132), TF North’s Melik Robinson (17-2 at 138) and Joseph Merritt (23-6 at 157), Hillcrest’s Kiaven Sullivan (28-4 at 150), Marian’s Joey Baranski (29-7 at 165), Kankakee’s Jacob Vinardi (19-3 at 190) and Tinley Park’s Sebastian Sanderson (34-2 at 215).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE OAK FOREST REGIONAL

106

1st – Jason Schickel of Oak Forest

2nd – Patrick O`Connell of Tinley Park 

113

1st – Jacob Sebek of Oak Forest

2nd – Edwin Gomez of Thornton Fractional North

120

1st – Hunter Kroll of Oak Forest

2nd – Tristan Cooks of Marian

3rd – Maurice Walker of Thornton Fractional North

126

1st – James Mair of Oak Forest

2nd – Chase Tankson of Marian

3rd – Malachi Turner of Bremen

132

1st – Izaiah Gonzalez of Bremen

2nd – Deshawn Jones of Thornton Fractional North

3rd – Carter Leshock of Tinley Park 

138

1st – Melik Robinson of Thornton Fractional North

2nd – Josh Schickel of Oak Forest

3rd – Bronx Debergh of Marian

144

1st – Austin Perez of Oak Forest

2nd – Roderick Shepherd of Tinley Park 

3rd – Gerard Fleming of C.-Monee

150

1st – Kiaven Sullivan of Hillcrest

2nd – Walter Hoevker of Bremen

3rd – Jonah Greenwood of Marian

157

1st – Joseph Merritt of Thornton Fractional North

2nd – Shelby Dockery of Marian

3rd – Jarele Johnson of C.-Monee

165

1st – Joey Baranski of Marian

2nd – Jaylene Johnson of C.-Monee

3rd – Blake Bussie of Oak Forest

175

1st – Jason Janke of Oak Forest

2nd – Adrian Esparza of Marian

3rd – Jaime Martinez of Bremen

190

1st – Jacob Vinardi of Kankakee Sr.

2nd – Nathan Izguerra of Oak Forest

3rd – Jadyn Thomas of Marian

215

1st – Andrius Vasilevskas of Oak Forest

2nd – Malakai Scott of C.-Monee

3rd – Jalauni Johnston of Thornton Fractional North

285

1st – Sebastian Sanderson of Tinley Park 

2nd – Jose Montesino of Oak Forest

3rd – Marco Olvera of Bremen

RICHARDS REGIONAL

Top-ranked 2A Montini topped Providence Catholic 252.5-229 to win its 29th team regional title in program history at Richards. 

The 16-time team dual state champs advanced 11 wrestlers to the Hinsdale South Individual Sectional, led by eight regional champions in Erik Klichurov (42-4 at 106), Allen Woo (42-5 at 113), Mikey Malizzio (34-8 at 120), Bob Ruscitti (37-3 at 126), Kam Luif (43-4 at 138), Santino Tenuta (34-7 at 165), AJ Tack (36-11 at 175) and Gavin Ericson (29-18 at 285). Kevin May (157) placed second for Broncos coach Mike Bukovsky to advance, while Isaac Mayora (132) and Jaxon Lane (190) placed third to advance.

“Our team did an excellent job up and down the line-up,” Bukovsky said. “Our big guns did everything they were supposed to do, especially earning bonus points.  The other guys wrestled tough, and we finished top four in every weight class.”

Providence Catholic advanced 13 wrestlers while third-place Glenbard South 95 advanced six.

Individual regional champions:
Others winning individual regional titles were Providence Catholic’s Tommy Banas (25-12 at 132), Justus Heeg (38-3 at 150) and Jasper Harper (32-14 at 157), Glenbard South’s Jin Tai (34-6 at 144) and Danny Langner (36-6 at 215), and Richards’ Mike Taheny (36-1 at 190).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE RICHARDS REGIONAL

106

1st – Erik Klichurov of Montini

2nd – Christian Corcoran of Providence Catholic

3rd – Alex Powers of Lemont 

113

1st – Allen Woo of Montini

2nd – Elijah Sawyers of Agricultural Science

3rd – Nathan Ortiz of Providence Catholic

120

1st – Mikey Malizzio of Montini

2nd – Max Mandac of Providence Catholic

3rd – Alexander Schuetz of Hinsdale South

126

1st – Bob Ruscitti of Montini

2nd – Lucas Forsythe of Providence Catholic

3rd – Parker Ludwig of Lemont 

132

1st – Tommy Banas of Providence Catholic

2nd – Cory Zator of Lemont 

3rd – Isaac Mayora of Montini

138

1st – Kam Luif of Montini

2nd – Luke Banas of Providence Catholic

3rd – Diego Myers of Glenbard South

144

1st – Jin Tai of Glenbard South

2nd – MAURICE BUSH of Agricultural Science

3rd – Andrew Pellicci of Providence Catholic

150

1st – Justus Heeg of Providence Catholic

2nd – Brady Miller of Hinsdale South

3rd – Leo Flores of Oak Lawn Richards

157

1st – Jasper Harper of Providence Catholic

2nd – Kevin May of Montini

3rd – Nick Miller of Hinsdale South

165

1st – Santino Tenuta of Montini

2nd – Logan Price of Glenbard South

3rd – Brayden McKay of Providence Catholic

175

1st – AJ Tack of Montini

2nd – Declan Dircks of Providence Catholic

3rd – Reid Sebahar of Glenbard South

190

1st – Mike Taheny of Oak Lawn Richards

2nd – Judah Heeg of Lemont 

3rd – Jaxon Lane of Montini

215

1st – Danny Langner of Glenbard South

2nd – Koda Miller of Providence Catholic

3rd – DONOVAN KENERSON of Agricultural Science
285

1st – Gavin Ericson of Montini

2nd – Mike Sisk of Providence Catholic

3rd – Ambrose Davis of Glenbard South

ST. RITA REGIONAL

Brother Rice controlled the day at this year’s 2A St. Rita Regional, winning the team title 253.5-187 over second-place Evergreen Park. Host St. Rita finished a mere half-point behind Evergreen Park with 186.5 points in third.

The Crusaders crowned eight regional champions and had three runners-up and two third-place finishers in advancing 13 wrestlers to this year’s Hinsdale South Individual Regional. Evergreen Park and St. Rita each had 11 sectional qualifiers.

Brother Rice coach Jan Murzyn got individual regional titles from Danny Tait (18-16 at 113), Bobby Conway (15-4 at 132), Oliver Davis (33-4 at 138), Jonathan Harris (15-6 at 144), Jack O’Connor (27-12 at 150), Frank Miceli (32-7 at 157), Dan Costello (21-9 at 175), and James Crane (31-5 at 190).

Murzyn also got seconds from Owen Manning (106), Colin Goggin (215) and Charlie Stec (285), and thirds from Logan Connors (120) and Jack McGinnis (165).

Individual regional champions:
Others winning regional titles at St. Rita were Evergreen Park’s Brayden Mateja-Bates (21-12 at 106), Adrian Cervantes (29-3 at 126) and Genesis Ward (28-5 at 215), and St. Rita’s Jack Hogan (31-9 at 120), Micah Spinazzola (25-6 at 165) and Pat Conneely (15-10 at 285).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE ST. RITA REGIONAL

106

1st – Brayden Mateja-Bates of Evergreen Park

2nd – Owen Manning of Brother Rice

3rd – KeAndre Beal of Goode STEM Academy

113

1st – Danny Tait of Brother Rice

2nd – Cartiere Jackson of Goode STEM Academy

120

1st – Jack Hogan of St. Rita

2nd – Jayden Cervantes of Evergreen Park

3rd – Logan Connors of Brother Rice

126

1st – Adrian Cervantes of Evergreen Park

2nd – Jayden Carrasco of Washington

3rd – Cleto Protti of St. Rita

132

1st – Bobby Conway of Brother Rice

2nd – Lucas Landry of Evergreen Park

3rd – Luke Pappalas of St. Rita

138

1st – Oliver Davis of Brother Rice

2nd – Chance Woods of Evergreen Park

3rd – Nino Protti of St. Rita

144

1st – Jonathan Harris of Brother Rice

2nd – Esau Ruvalcava of Evergreen Park

3rd – Enzo Canali of St. Rita

150

1st – Jack O`Connor of Brother Rice

2nd – Xavier Woods of Goode STEM Academy

3rd – David Johnson of Evergreen Park

157

1st – Frank Miceli of Brother Rice

2nd – Andrew Lehman of St. Rita

3rd – Ashton Gray of Evergreen Park

165

1st – Micah Spinazzola of St. Rita

2nd – Josh Matheny of Evergreen Park

3rd – Jack McGinnis of Brother Rice

175

1st – Dan Costello of Brother Rice

2nd – Kevin James of St. Rita

3rd – Owen Brady of Evergreen Park

190

1st – James Crane of Brother Rice

2nd – James Bansley of St. Rita

3rd – Dylan Wilborn of Goode STEM Academy

215

1st – Genesis Ward of Evergreen Park

2nd – Colin Goggin of Brother Rice

3rd – Mitch Street of St. Rita

285

1st – Pat Conneely of St. Rita

2nd – Charlie Stec of Brother Rice

3rd – Tayshawn Larry of Simeon

REGIONALS FEEDING THE CRYSTAL LAKE CENTRAL INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

DEPAUL COLLEGE PREP REGIONAL

IC Catholic Prep won its third team regional title in the last four years in resounding fashion, posting 294 team points for coach Danny Alcocer. The Knights advanced 13 wrestlers to the Crystal Lake Central Individual Sectional, including 11 individual regional champions.

Winning titles for IC Prep were Dominic Pasquale (16-6 at 106), Sam Murante (3-0 at 113), Kannon Judycki (24-17 at 120), Max Cumbee (13-5 at 126), Deven Casey (40-6 at 132), Jacob Alvarez (28-16 at 138), Aidan Arnett (31-10 at 144), Nate Brown (18-8 at 165), Brody Kelly (39-5 at 175), Isaac Barrientos (28-14 at 190) and Foley Calcagno (34-12 at 215). The Knights also got seconds from Joey Pontrelli (150) and Anthony Sebastian (285).

Fenwick (205.5) placed second and DePaul College Prep (190.5) finished third in the final team standings. Fenwick had 12 sectional qualifiers and DePaul had 10.

Other wrestlers winning individual regional titles at DePaul Prep were DePaul’s Drew Gerstung (28-11 at 150), Fenwick’s Aiden Burns (39-3 at 157), and DePaul’s Hunter Wahtola (28-9 at 285).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE DEPAUL REGIONAL

106

1st – Dominic Pasquale of IC Catholic

2nd – Aedan Dillow of DePaul College Prep

3rd – Harrison Brown of Fenwick

113

1st – Sam Murante of IC Catholic

2nd – Dimitri Dobre of DePaul College Prep

3rd – CJ Brown of Fenwick

120

1st – Kannon Judycki of IC Catholic

2nd – Colin Bosak of DePaul College Prep

3rd – ALEX VILLANUEVA of St. Ignatius

126

1st – Max Cumbee of IC Catholic

2nd – COLIN MCCANN of St. Ignatius

3rd – Solanus Daley of Fenwick

132

1st – Deven Casey of IC Catholic

2nd – Nabiel Rosario of DePaul College Prep

3rd – LUKE SANCHEZ of St. Ignatius

138

1st – Jacob Alvarez of IC Catholic

2nd – COLTON HUFF of St. Ignatius

3rd – Max Kenny of Fenwick

144

1st – Aidan Arnett of IC Catholic

2nd – Max Rosen of DePaul College Prep

3rd – Brian Timpone of Fenwick

150

1st – Drew Gerstung of DePaul College Prep

2nd – Joey Pontrelli of IC Catholic

3rd – Eiam Staple of Fenwick

157

1st – Aiden Burns of Fenwick

2nd – NATE SANCHEZ of St. Ignatius

3rd – Matthew Brendel of DePaul College Prep

165

1st – Nate Brown of IC Catholic

2nd – Andrew Brendel of DePaul College Prep

3rd – Myles Moriarty of Fenwick

175

1st – Brody Kelly of IC Catholic

2nd – Dominic Esposito of Fenwick

3rd – CHARLIE HOWELL of St. Ignatius

190

1st – Isaac Barrientos of IC Catholic

2nd – Jack Paris of Fenwick

3rd – Alex Drees of DePaul College Prep

215

1st – Foley Calcagno of IC Catholic

2nd – MELSON NAGASSA of St. Ignatius

3rd – Zikomo Mbiewew of Fenwick

285

1st – Hunter Wahtola of DePaul College Prep

2nd – Anthony Sebastian of IC Catholic

3rd – Gianni Bertacchi of Fenwick

ST. PATRICK REGIONAL

Notre Dame (255.5 points) won its 10th regional title in program history at St. Patrick, topping the host school 255.5-230. Fenton finished third with 159 points.

And as it was all over Illinois, the Dons’ team title followed the universal recipe.

“In order to win a regional it took a full team effort,” Notre Dame coach Anthony Genovesi said.  “We were able to get twelve guys to sectionals and two alternates. We’ve had to overcome many things this season and the depth of our program came through on Saturday.”

The Dons advanced 12 wrestlers to the individual sectional, including eight regional champions for coach Anthony Genovesi. Winning titles for the Dons were Ray Long (39-4 at 106), John Sheehy (38-6 at 126), Brady Krueger (30-15 at 132), John Carr (10-7 at 144), Joseph McCarthy (16-13 at 150), Deniz Ozturk (26-13 at 157), Michael Keany (25-13 at 190) and Ian McKendrick (14-22 at 215). Waide Moravek (113) placed second and the Dons got thirds from Dean Lazaris (165), Peter Escamilla (175) and Connor Moynihan (285).

“It’s important for our guys to continue pushing each other and everyone in our lineup works to improve on a daily basis,” Genovesi said. “We knew it would be a tight team race throughout the day and our wrestlers and families all supported each other.”

St. Patrick finished with 11 sectional qualifiers and Fenton had 10.

Individual regional champions:
Other wrestlers winning individual regional titles were St. Patrick’s Daniel Goodwin (40-3 at 113), Calvin Stahl (31-11 at 120), Patrick Hulne (36-11 at 138), and Van Grasser (30-9 at 165), Amundsen’s Adrian Zepeda (32-2 at 175), and Fenton’s Thomas Klos (30-3 at 285).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE ST. PATRICK REGIONAL

106

1st – Ray Long of Notre Dame

2nd – Jack Koenig of St. Patrick

3rd – Oscar Ruiz-Villa of Elmwood Park

113

1st – Daniel Goodwin of St. Patrick

2nd – Waide Moravek of Notre Dame

3rd – Tristyn Santiago of Fenton

120

1st – Calvin Stahl of St. Patrick

2nd – Gabriel Hernandez of Fenton

3rd – Quentin Rodriguez of Elmwood Park

126

1st – John Sheehy of Notre Dame

2nd – Dean Angelo III of St. Patrick

3rd – Michael Aiello of Elmwood Park

132

1st – Brady Krueger of Notre Dame

2nd – Giovani Irizarry of St. Patrick

3rd – Mohamad Khater of Ridgewood

138

1st – Patrick Hulne of St. Patrick

2nd – Randy Lazaro of Schurz

3rd – Esteban Bello of Fenton

144

1st – John Carr of Notre Dame

2nd – Isaac Depakakibo of Ridgewood

3rd – Arlind Rexha of Senn

150

1st – Joseph McCarthy of Notre Dame

2nd – Andrew Rieger of St. Patrick

3rd – Josh Dickeson of Fenton

157

1st – Deniz Ozturk of Notre Dame

2nd – Jose Honorato of Fenton

3rd – Mark Bilek of St. Patrick

165

1st – Van Grasser of St. Patrick

2nd – Omar Diaz of Fenton

3rd – Dean Lazaris of Notre Dame

175

1st – Adrian Zepeda of Amundsen

2nd – Dereck Mazariegos of Fenton

3rd – Peter Escamilla of Notre Dame

190

1st – Michael Keany of Notre Dame

2nd – James Reshof of Amundsen

3rd – Danny Martinez of Fenton

215

1st – Ian McKendrick of Notre Dame

2nd – Salvador Espinoza of St. Patrick

3rd – Gavin Stewart of Fenton

285

1st – Thomas Klos of Fenton

2nd – Abraham Bonano of St. Patrick

3rd – Connor Moynihan of Notre Dame

ANTIOCH REGIONAL

Crystal Lake Central captured the team regional crown at Antioch, the 11th regional title won under coach Justin Lehr and the 12th overall in program history. The Tigers also won a district title back in 1974.

Lehr has also overseen five dual team state medal-winning teams in his 17 years at the helm, including a back-to-back pair of second-place team finishes in Illinois in 2010 and 2011.

Lehr’s boys scored 207 points to top second-place Antioch (188) while Grayslake Central (122) placed third. Crystal Lake Central advanced 12 wrestlers to this year’s individual sectional, including three individual regional champions; Antioch advanced eight and Grayslake Central advanced five.

Winning titles for the Tigers were Jackson Marlett (38-5 at 113), Cayden Parks (38-1 at 190) and Tommy McNeil (36-5 at 215). The Tigers also got a second-place finish from Logan Gough (285) and went a perfect 8-for-8 on the do-or-die third-place mat.

Placing third were Payton Ramsey (120), Dylan Ramsey (126), Daniel Snow (132), Brandon Carbone (138), Nicholas Zuehlke (150), Dominic Vitale (157), Tommy Tomasello (165) and Tyler Porter (175).

Individual regional champions:
Others winning individual regional titles at Antioch were Grayslake Central’s Vince DeMarco (41-1 at 106) and Aidan Eisenberg (29-18 at 138), Cary-Grove’s Hunter Lenz (15-2 at 120), Noah Pechotta (36-1 at 165) and Lucas Burton (25-2 at 285), Antioch’s Gavin Hanrahan (22-6 at 126), Chase Nobiling (38-7 at 144), Dominic Garcia (28-4 at 150) and Ben Vazquez (34-6 at 175), Crystal Lake South’s Nathan Randle (38-0 at 132), and Grayslake North’s Jacob Ronsman (34-6 at 157).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE ANTIOCH REGIONAL

106

1st – Vince DeMarco of Grayslake Central

2nd – Christopher Talbert of Crystal Lake South

3rd – Haydren Gomez of Antioch

113

1st – Jackson Marlett of Crystal Lake Central

2nd – Noah Kwasiborski of Antioch

3rd – Jayden Rudnicki of Lakes

120

1st – Hunter Lenz of Cary C.-Grove

2nd – Jake Lowitzki of Prairie Ridge

3rd – Payton Ramsey of Crystal Lake Central

126

1st – Gavin Hanrahan of Antioch

2nd – Mikey Meade of Prairie Ridge

3rd – Dylan Ramsey of Crystal Lake Central

132

1st – Nathan Randle of Crystal Lake South

2nd – Liam Halloran of Grayslake Central

3rd – Daniel Snow of Crystal Lake Central

138

1st – Aidan Eisenberg of Grayslake Central

2nd – Jacob Turner of Cary C.-Grove

3rd – Brandon Carbone of Crystal Lake Central

144

1st – Chase Nobiling of Antioch

2nd – Aiden Marrello of Crystal Lake South

3rd – Trevor Hengl of Grayslake Central

150

1st – Dominic Garcia of Antioch

2nd – Owen Anderson of Grayslake North

3rd – Nicholas Zuehlke of Crystal Lake Central

157

1st – Jacob Ronsman of Grayslake North

2nd – Warren Nash of Grayslake Central

3rd – Dominic Vitale of Crystal Lake Central

165

1st – Noah Pechotta of Cary C.-Grove

2nd – Marcus Macias of Antioch

3rd – Tommy Tomasello of Crystal Lake Central

175

1st – Ben Vazquez of Antioch

2nd – Aiden Rodriguez of Prairie Ridge

3rd – Tyler Porter of Crystal Lake Central

190

1st – Cayden Parks of Crystal Lake Central

2nd – Julian Ramos of Lakes

3rd – Frank Matviychuk of Prairie Ridge

215

1st – Tommy McNeil of Crystal Lake Central

2nd – David Williams of Grayslake North

3rd – Owen Shea of Antioch

285

1st – Lucas Burton of Cary C.-Grove

2nd – Logan Gough of Crystal Lake Central

3rd – Robert White of Grayslake North