By Curt Herron

OTTAWA – It’s already been a memorable season for Lockport Township’s girls wrestling team and the 2023 part of the schedule still awaits coach Nate Roth’s Porters.

After opening the 2022 portion of its slate with a title at the inaugural Niles West Invite, which featured 22 teams, Lockport Township ended December with another championship at a large event, claiming top honors at the Ottawa Township Girls Invite, a 24-team event in Ottawa.

The Porters have been very busy thus far, also competing in the initial girls tournament at the Dan Gable Donnybrook in Coralville, Iowa and then taking part in Palatine’s Sally Berman Classic on Thursday. Freshman Claudia Henney leads the way, capturing championships in each of those four tournaments.

On Tuesday at historic Kingman Gym, Lockport Township finished with 132.5 points while Richwoods was second with 104 points and Conant and Glenbard North tied for third with 88 points while Geneseo was also in the mix for a top-three showing and took fifth with 84 points.

Others that filled out the top half of the field were Phoenix Military Academy (64), Morris (50), Kaneland (46), Curie (36), Lane Tech (36), Ottawa Township (34) and Harvard (33). There were 11 bracketed weight classes and four others determined by round-robin competition.

Winning titles for Lockport Township in the bracketed weight classes were Heeney (125) and Lizzie Rock (120/125) while Monica Skibicki (100), Averi Colella (105) and Liz Ramirez (115) were second, Mayte Manteca (120/125) was third, Maya Hernandez (115) took fifth and Lucy Madrigal (130) placed sixth. In round robins, Lydia Chirobak (170) was second, Sophie Kelner (190) was third and Deylin Manteca Claros (145) and Kelli Watkins (170) were fourth.

“One of the coolest things about coaching the girls team is that we see them at the beginning of the season with most of them not knowing anything but then with the way they’ve progressed, they’ve turned into wrestlers,” Roth said. “It’s really cool to see the evolution of ‘I know nothing’ to ‘I can do all of these moves, it’s great.’ Even in basketball when you’re starting from square one, you still know how to play basketball. But with wrestling, these girls have never experienced anything like it before. Some of them are absolutely starting from square one.”

Roth, who competed for and graduated from Lockport, knows all too well about the school’s successful boys program, which he’s coached in since 2012 under head coaches Josh and  Jameson Oster. The Porters have qualified for the IHSA dual team finals in six of the last seven seasons and captured four trophies, including a state championship in 2017, and that provides plenty of motivation for the girls that are in his program.

“We try to live up to the boys’ name,” Roth said. “The boys wrestling team has been dominating for the last 10 years or so. Sometimes it’s a little bit of a challenge since we have girls like Claudia, who’ve been wrestling for six years but then we have a lot of other girls that have never wrestled before. It’s still great because Claudia helps all of those girls. A lot of the girls who just wrestled last year are a super big help. You’ve got girls who were super successful last year and now they’re helping the new girls to be super successful for this year. Having those girls being the leaders and showing the new girls that this is what wrestling is, this is how you do it and how you succeed and how you prosper, it’s really great having all of these experienced girls and all of these new girls. We have a lot of depth, which is great. We want to get as many of those girls matches as we can.”

The top finisher for coach Rob Penney’s runner-up Lady Knights was Jaida Johnson (170), who won a round-robin weight class while Kaila Williams (145) fell one point shy of winning a title at 145, which was also round-robin. Leading Richwoods in the bracketed weight classes were runners-up Kyley Bair (110) and Indhira Moore (125), while Nakiza Williams (140) took third and Heaven Sewell (105), Isabella Motteler (120) and Manar Salem (125) all placed fifth.

Other champions in bracketed divisions were Glenbard North’s Nadia Shymkiv (105) and Gabriella Gomez (115), LaSalle-Peru’s Kiely Domyancich (100), Morris’ Ella McDonnell (110), Lane Tech’s Nyah Lovis (120), Seneca’s Sammie Greisen (130), Conant’s Maddie Anderson (135), Lemont’s Suzie Knutte (140) and Phoenix Military Academy’s AJ Grant (155). Also placing first in round-robin weight classes were Geneseo’s AJ Juarez (145), Oak Park and River Forest’s Trinity White (190) and Curie’s Aaliyah Grandberry (235).

Other second-place finishers in bracketed weight classes were Kaneland’s Brooklyn Scheaffer (120), Glenbard North’s Samira Benevides (120/125), Geneseo’s Phoebe Shoemaker (130), Streator’s Jaylen Richardson (135), Harvard’s Ithandehui Rosas (140) and Phoenix Military Academy’s America Cabrera (155). And others who took second place in the round robins were ROWVA’s Tori Kness (190) and Oak Park and River Forest’s Sarah Ephstein (235).

Close championship matches involved Lovis 4-2 over Sheaffer (120), and McDonnell 9-5 over Bair (110) while Juarez prevailed 14-13 over Williams in the conclusion of the 145 round robins.

Also claiming third-place finishes were Geneseo’s Bella Curcuru (125) and Mady Mooney (155), Curie’s Evelin Martinez (100), Phoenix Military Academy’s Diana Lopez (105), Glenbard North’s Cristal Jacinto (110), Maine East’s Guadalupe Montesinos (115), Erie/Prophetstown’s 

Michelle Naftzger (120), Conant’s Ewa Krupa (130) and Kaneland’s Dyani Torres (135). Others who were third in round robins were Geneseo’s Taylor Krueger (145), Conant’s Lana Ton (170) and Ottawa’s Juliana Thrush (235).

And additional fourth-place finishers were Morris’ Jocelyn LaZier (115) and Jordan Wilson (120/125), Geneseo’s Gwen Burbridge (120) and Sierra Krueger (155), Conant’s Nallely Zaragoza (100), Harvard’s Alexa Herrera (105), Naperville Central’s Annika Hull (110), Chicago Military Academy Bronzeville’s Tyhesia Goss (125), Oak Park and River Forest’s Pearl Lacy (130), Curie’s Ayanna Mathis (135) and ROWVA’s Ava Johnson (140). Also, Conant received fourths in round robins from Analyse Aberman (190) and Rye Reyes (235).

The tournament was organized and overseen by veteran Pirates coach Peter Marx, a 2022 IWCOA hall of fame inductee who has done much for promoting the sport throughout the Illinois Valley region. He was also a two-time Class AA champion and won 85-straight matches at Conant, where he competed for IWCOA hall of fame coach Jim Cartwright. He also earned All-American honors in 1993 and 1994.

Summary of Ottawa Township Girls Invite title matches and top round-robin matches:

100 – Kiely Domyancich (LaSalle-Peru) F Monica Skibicki (Lockport Township)
105 – Nadia Shymkiv (Glenbard North) F Averi Colella (Lockport Township)
110 – Ella McDonnell (Morris) D 9-5 Kyley Bair (Richwoods)
115 – Gabriela Gomez (Glenbard North) F Liz Ramirez (Lockport Township)
120 – Nyah Lovis (Lane Tech) D 4-2 Brooklyn Sheaffer (Kaneland)
120/125 – Lizzy Rock (Lockport Township) F Samira Benevides (Glenbard North)
125 – Claudia Heeney (Lockport Township) D 8-1 Indhira Moore (Richwoods)
130 – Sammy Greisen (Seneca) F Phoebe Shoemaker (Geneseo)
135 – Mannie Anderson (Conant) F Jaylen Richardson (Streator Township)
140 – Suzie Knutte (Lemont) F Ithandehui Rosas (Harvard)
145 – AJ Juarez (Geneseo) D 14-13 Kaila Williams (Richwoods), round-robin
155 – AJ Grant (Phoenix Military Academy) F America Cabrera (Phoenix Military Academy)
170 – Jaida Johnson (Richwoods) F Lydia Chirobak (Lockport Township) round-robin
190 – Trinity White (Oak Park and River Forest), F Tori Kness (ROWVA), round-robin
235 – Aaliyah Grandberry (Curie) F Sarah Ephstein (Oak Park and River Forest), round-robin

Here’s a look at the Ottawa Township Girls Invite champions and their weight classes:

100 – Kiely Domyancich, LaSalle-Peru

Kiely Domyancich decided to take up wrestling so that she could be in shape in the spring when she intends to compete in both track and field and soccer for LaSalle-Peru.

Although a newcomer to the sport, the Cavaliers freshman didn’t look like it after winning the title at 100. She won by fall over Lockport Township’s Monica Skibicki in the finals following a pin in the semifinals over Curie’s Evelin Martinez. The Lady Cavaliers’ lone individual to earn a spot on the awards stand began her day with a major decision.

“I am very proud of myself,” Domyancich said. “I appreciate the work that my coaches and my family have put into this, especially with this being my first season of wrestling. I feel like I couldn’t have done it without them. I’m definitely going to do this again next year because a lot of people have been very supportive and it’s just a positive sport that has a lot of benefits. 

“This is pretty big because you’re going out and putting your body through things that a lot of people would not do. To be rewarded, while getting those benefits, is just really nice. You feel very happy once you get those certain achievements, like your first takedown, pin or tournament win.”

Skibicki advanced to the title mat with a pair of falls, pinning Conant’s Nallely Zaragoza in the semifinals. Martinez claimed third place with a fall over Zaragoza and in the fifth-place match, Lane Tech’s Sofia Guerrero recorded a pin over Curie’s Gisselle Aranbula. 

105 – Nadia Shymkiv, Glenbard North

After capturing the championship at 105, Nadia Shymkiv admitted that she couldn’t say much about her accomplishment, not because she didn’t want to, but because she’s from Ukraine and doesn’t speak much English.

But actions speak louder than words and the Glenbard North freshman, who’s ranked third at her weight class, added to an earlier championship at Larkin by recording a fall in the title match over Lockport Township’s Averi Colella. After opening with a fall, Shymkiv captured a 14-9 decision over Phoenix Military Academy’s Diana Lopez in the semifinals.

“It’s really fun to see someone from Ukraine coming to Glenbard North,” teammate Gabriella Gomez said of Shymkiv. “Out of all of the high schools, she picks Glenbard North and to become a Panther. It’s a big thing seeing a girl who is also helping this team build. She’s hard working and comes in every day for practice and always has a smile on her face and no matter what, she’s always giggling. It’s good seeing her in the room and seeing how this sport is growing.”

Colella earned her spot on the title mat after recording three-consecutive falls, with the last of those coming in the semifinals over Harvard’s Alexa Herrera. Lopez claimed third place by fall over Herrera while in the fifth-place match, Richwoods’ Heaven Sewell was an 11-9 victor over Streator Township’s Isabella Gwaltney.

110 – Ella McDonnell, Morris

After making history last year by placing fourth at 105 in the inaugural IHSA finals not only as her school’s lone qualifier but also its only competitor in the sport, Ella McDonnell hopes that having more teammates this season at Morris helps her to move higher up the awards stand.

The junior, who competed in golf in the fall and plans to once again play soccer while also being in track and field, captured her first title of the season when she built up a big lead and held off a late challenge by Richwoods’ Kyley Bair to capture a 9-5 decision in the 110 title match. That was actually a rematch of a quarterfinals match at the state finals, which McDonnell won by fall. McDonnell opened with two falls, pinning Glenbard North’s Cristal Jacinto in the semifinals.

“I really like the competitiveness and she’s a good competitor,” McDonnell said of Bair. “I’ve been working a lot on my shots, I didn’t really do that last year as much, my partners have really helped me with a lot of good defense and taught me to do better. Last year I was the only girl (at Morris), so this year we’ve tried to recruit more and have eight girls that are really working hard. 

“I’m super excited. Last year was just kind of like getting introduced as a first year. But now that we had a state tournament and a lot of girls are now like, ‘we don’t have to wrestle guys any more.’ I have a good shot at it this year, but there’s a lot of good competitors out there.”

Bair, a senior who also made history last season by placing sixth at 105, is ranked eighth at 105. She earned her spot in the finals after recording two pins, winning by fall over Naperville Central’s Annika Hull in the semifinals.

Jacinto took third with a fall over Hull. In the fifth-place match, the host Pirates got one of their top finishes when Kailee Lane pinned Chicago Military Academy Bronzeville’s Melany Corona.

115 – Gabriella Gomez, Glenbard North 

A tournament that is hoping to quickly establish itself as a major event couldn’t ask for a better individual to showcase than Gabriella Gomez. While there were definitely a lot of top performers at the 24-team Ottawa Township Invite, few events can boast that they not only have someone competing who not only won a state championship as a freshman but also has won national titles in the offseason and advanced to the finals in world competition in freestyle in 2022 and enters the season ranked among the very best competitors throughout the nation in the sport.

The Glenbard North sophomore, who entered the season ranked fifth nationally among all weights and top-ranked in the U.S. at 100, is ranked first at 115 in Illinois’ rankings. She was the IHSA’s first 105-pound champion and in July, she won a silver medal at 46 kg in freestyle in the U17 World Championships in Rome. As for this season, she added to a tournament title at Larkin by recording a fall in the 115 finals over Lockport Township’s Liz Ramirez after opening with a 26-14 major decision over Lockport Township’s Maya Hernandez in the only two matches that she competed in during the event, receiving a victory by forfeit in her semifinals match.

“This is nice to see,” Gomez said . “Last year, there weren’t a lot of high schools that had girls wrestling so I’m happy to see a lot of these girls try it. It’s something that’s definitely different and challenging, it’s not any easy sport, so seeing girls that never had even done a sport in their life and they pick wrestling is an awesome experience. I started wrestling when I was younger, so it’s good to see other girls who may watch me wrestle and are coming out here and trying it. 

“This sport doesn’t just help you with learning certain things about wrestling, it’s also helped me with life. It’s getting you ready for the challenges, like getting ready for that team experience and getting ready for the independent experience. And showing what responsibility is like in the real world and this is what this sport does.

“High school season is something that I look forward to because I get to be with my team, Glenbard North, and being able to represent them. Being their first girls state champ was an honor. So I’m following in my brother’s (Austin) footsteps, trying to be a four-time state champ. It’s definitely a different feel because it’s folkstyle, so hopefully when I’m a junior or senior these tournaments are freestyle. If these girls really like the sport and they want to go to college, we’re not doing folkstyle, we’re doing freestyle. I think if the coaches start to push for freestyle, it will happen, and I think it should.”

Ramirez advanced to the finals with three falls, pinning Morris’ Jocelyn LaZier in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Maine East’s Guadalupe Montesinos won by fall over LaZier. And Hernandez recorded three falls in the consolation bracket, with the last one coming against Deer Creek-Mackinaw’s Samantha Lauer, to finish in fifth place. 

120 – Nyah Lovis, Lane Tech

If girls wrestling is going to be as big of a success as early signs suggest, then one city in the state that must embrace the IHSA’s newest sport is Chicago. Three athletes representing Chicago Public Schools won titles and as a competitor for one of the most historic schools, Lane Tech, Nyah Lovis is excited about how the sport is becoming increasingly popular.

The sophomore, who’s ranked seventh at her weight and also was a state qualifier last season, prevailed in one of the closest title matches, claiming a 4-2 decision over Kaneland’s Brooklyn Sheaffer thanks to a late takedown. After kicking off the day with another decision, Lovis won her next two matches by fall, recording a pin in the semifinals over Geneseo’s Gwen Burbridge.

“I think that it’s really important getting more girls, especially in the city, to do wrestling,” Lovis said. “In it’s a lot of suburbs but you don’t see it at many city schools. Our team was really small but we’ve gotten more girls. And there’s enough girls for City this year, which is really cool. Before it was like there were no girls so now seeing how it’s grown, we had state last year and we’ll have City this year. 

“There’s definitely a lot of good people that are coming in. I like going to matches against really good girls, because even if I get beat, it gives me something to look at and to learn from. For this season, I’ve worked on my stamina, and especially seeing my stamina improve at this tournament. I hope that I can do some big things in this sport.”

Sheaffer had two other close matches as well as a fall to reach the title mat. After opening with a 5-3 decision over Richwoods’ Isabella Motteler, who wrestled back to take fifth, Sheaffer got a pin before winning 5-2 over Erie/Prophetstown’s Michelle Naftzger in the semifinals.

 Naftzger bounced back from her tough semifinals loss to claim third place with a fall over Burbridge and in the fifth-place match, Motteler, a sophomore who took sixth place last season at 115, won by fall over Phoenix Military Academy’s Mia Thomas.

120/125 – Lizzy Rock, Lockport Township

After playing soccer for much of her life, Lizzy Rock decided to give wrestling a try this season. And based on how things have been unfolding for the Porters, the sophomore is really excited about her new sport, especially after Lockport Township added to a title win at Niles West, where she won a 125 B title, with a team championship at Ottawa Township and Rock typified the Porters’ overall depth by winning the 120/125 title.

With Claudia Heeney leading the way with four tournament titles, coach Nate Roth’s title squad has the luxury of utilizing a lot of competitors, which allowed it to claim first and third at the dual weight class with Mayte Manteca also high on the awards stand. Rock took first with a fall over Glenbard North’s Samira Benevides after recording a pin in the semifinals over Morris’ Jordan Wilson which followed a decision in her opening match.

“Our team is building up, practice by practice, and we’re just drilling until we get the moves right,” Rock said. “Claudia is a good leader. It’s really fun and I’m so glad that I joined the program. I like our team building. we’re a really big team and we do a lot of activities together.

“We just make sure that everybody is having fun and is engaged and we don’t let anybody fall behind. If we see someone needing help, we step up and help them through it. I’ve always wanted to do another sport. I decided to step up and try another sport to help get cardio in and get muscle. I’m so glad that I joined.”

Manteca recorded a fall over Wilson to claim third place while Richwoods’ Manar Salem bounced back from a quarterfinals loss to Rock to capture fifth place with a win by fall over Geneso’s Rachel Roodhouse, who earned her spot in that match with a 7-6 decision over Deer Creek-Mackinaw’s Cadence Martinez.

125 – Claudia Heeney, Lockport Township

A lot of freshmen would be thrilled to have one tournament title at this stage of the season but Claudia Heeney already has four championships to her credit, including two this week.

The Lockport Township standout won a title at the first Dan Gable Donnybrook girls tournament shortly after taking top honors at Niles West to kick off the season. Two days before claiming  first place at Palatine’s Berman Classic, Heeney, who’s ranked fourth at 125, captured an 8-1 decision over Richwoods’ Indhira Moore in the 125 title match at Ottawa Township after pinning Geneseo’s Bella Curcuru in the semifinals and claiming a win by technical fall in her opener.

“It was really exciting and I was ecstatic that I did that,” Heeney said of the Donnybrook. “But it didn’t happen without my teammates. It takes a lot for the team to be there all of the time, and practicing all of the time, and that helps me immensely. I think that we have a lot of talent in the room and we can do great things in the future. Obviously it’s hard for girls who are coming in, because they don’t know what to expect, and I know that a lot of girls are afraid, and I completely understand that. 

“It’s amazing to be there and wrestle at Lockport, since the boys have a history. So for us girls to come in and make new history is amazing, there’s so many opportunities now. They (her teammates) put a lot of hard work in and they really go at it in practice and I think that’s what makes them better. I train all year around. Every day, all day, whenever I can, it takes a lot and it’s everything. I go to bed early, I eat the right things and I train every day.”

Moore advanced to the finals with two falls, pinning Chicago Military Academy Bronzeville’s Tyhesia Goss in the semifinals. Curcuru claimed third by recording a fall over Goss and Conant’s Brooklyn Jones bounced back from a pin in her opener with three-straight falls in the wrestlebacks, with the last against Oak Park and River Forest’s Mayan Alwaeli to finish fifth.

130 – Sammie Greisen, Seneca

For her freshman season, Sammie Greissen decided to take two different routes for athletics. In the spring, she’ll compete in softball, which has been a successful program at her school, Seneca. But during the winter she wanted to wrestle, which meant that she would have to compete against boys in a program that has been led for over 25 years by coach Todd Yegge.

After taking fourth at Pontiac and then competing for a title in a junior-varsity tournament with boys, Greisen finished on top of the awards stand at 130 after prevailing in a bracket as the lone Class 1A medal winner, while three of the six were from Class 3A programs. She recorded three-straight falls, pinning Geneseo’s Phoebe Shoemaker in the finals after getting a fall over Oak Park and River Forest’s Pearl Lacy in the semifinals. It was Seneca’s first championship won in an IHSA-sanctioned girls wrestling event.

“My cousin did it and I really look up to him,” said Greisen about her introduction to the sport. “I’ve wrestled for a couple of years. My first tournament was at Pontiac and I took fourth and then I went to a JV tournament with the guys from my team and I took second at that one.”

Shoemaker used two falls and a decision to earn her spot on the title mat, including getting a pin in the semifinals over Conant’s Ewa Krupa.

Krupa, who won a title at Larkin, claimed third place with a fall over Lacy. And in the fifth-place match, Ottawa Township’s Ava Weatherford had three pins in the consolation bracket, capping the run with a fall over Lockport Township’s Lucy Madrigal.

135 – Mannie Anderson, Conant

Mannie Anderson took a little while longer to step down from the top of the award stand at the Ottawa Invite than some of the other champions at the event, and one of the reasons for that was that the 135 title winner was flexing for some of her teammates as they took pictures.

While that provided some laughs, the Conant senior, who’s ranked fourth at her weight, has been all business in trying to improve upon last season, when she took sixth at 135 in the IHSA finals. One thing that she has done to get better is powerlifting. After getting three falls, including one over Streator Township’s Jaylen Richardson in the finals and another over Curie’s Ayanna Mathis in the semifinals, she won her third title, adding to firsts at Niles West and Larkin.

“This was really nice, especially since the other tournaments we’ve been to so far were upstate, so we got to see all of these other girls that we never see,” Anderson said. “After I placed at state last year, my program doubled in size, which has been amazing. This is really exciting. In my first year that I joined as a sophomore, the IHSA hadn’t recognized girls wrestling yet. So to come from that, all of a sudden we had our own tournament and it was very incredible.  

“Girls will always have each others’ backs because our sport is so small and we’re so together. Even though I got sixth, I felt like we all won. I powerlift and did a lifting program with one of my coaches. And I’m also in the powerlifting club at my school. So I’ve bulked up a little bit and lost a lot of that body fat. I’m a senior, so I’m hoping to get to the top of the podium.” 

Richardson advanced to the title mat after opening with two falls, with the second of those coming in the semifinals against Kaneland’s eighth-ranked sophomore Dyani Torres, who fell one win shy of earning a medal at 125 in last season’s IHSA finals.

Torres claimed third place with a fall over Mathis while in the fifth-place match, Geneseo’s Emily Bropes bounced back from a quarterfinals fall against Anderson by capturing a 9-6 decision over Morris’ Tessa Neikirk.

140 – Suzie Knutte, Lemont

It’s safe to say that Suzie Knutte is a talented student in many ways. The Lemont senior plays the trumpet in several bands and gives lessons. She was all-state in soccer as a forward after scoring 27 goals for coach Rich Prangen in 2022 and also coaches youth soccer. And she’s in numerous honor societies and plans to study biomedical engineering and continue her music career while in college. In addition, she was Lemont’s 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen.

So it’s no surprise that she intends to also be successful in her latest venture, girls wrestling. After getting involved with weightlifting, she was talked into competing in the sport by coach Rob Hammerschmidt and so far, the first-year performer has been on a roll. She recorded three falls, including one in the 140 finals over Harvard’s Ithandehui Rosas, which followed a 9-0 major decision over Richwoods’ Nakiza Williams in the semifinals. Two days later, Knutte did it again, adding to an earlier title at Waukegan with a first at Palatine’s Berman Classic.

“I wasn’t really into it until the fall of this year when I was talking to coach (Rob) Hammerschmidt about weight lifting, because I’ve been really into that the past year,” Knutte said. “And he was like, ‘oh, you should try wrestling.’ It’s definitely good conditioning and I feel like for soccer players, it’s probably a little easier because we have that hip strength already. Since Molly (O’Connor) and I are the only two girls that wrestle, we get to practice with the varsity team, so it’s nice seeing all of those people who have experienced it all and been on that team with those other people who have done really well. 

“It’s definitely been really fun. I was a little nervous at my first tournament but I’ve gotten more confidence since then, seeing how different people wrestle and the different styles and learning so much at practice. I enjoy it a lot, but I just get a little confused some times.”

Rosas reached the title mat with a fall and then a 6-0 semifinals decision over ROWVA’s Ava Johnson. The third-place match was one of the most competitive with Williams capturing an 8-6 decision over Johnson. And the fifth-place match also was close with Conant’s Aubrey Mueller claiming a 9-6 decision over Erie/Prophetstown’s Jayda Rosenow.

145 – AJ Juarez, Geneseo

There was a little bit of confusion following the last round robin match in the competitive 145 weight class when it was unclear who would take top honors following a high-scoring matchup between AJ Juarez and Kaila Williams.

After the coaching staffs and officials looked over the points, it was determined that the score on the board stood, with Geneseo’s Juarez prevailing 14-13 over Richwoods’ Williams, allowing the Maple Leafs’ lone first-place finisher to cap a 5-0 day where she recorded four falls, including one over teammate Taylor Krueger, who had the third-best showing at the weight class.

“I’ve been in a lot of matches, but that was probably my most exciting so far,” Juarez said. “I’m planning to win state, and state is my biggest opportunity. We really want to make a mark on Geneseo’s history as the first girls team. If we continue going the route that we are, we’ll definitely make it. This group just has a lot of hard-working girls, so I feel like we are going to make it very far.”

Williams also finished with four falls to become one of five Lady Knights to place third or better, which helped coach Rob Penney’s squad to a second place in the 24-team event, 16 points ahead of third-place Conant and Glenbard North.

Krueger went 3-2 in the round robin while Lockport Township’s Deylin Manteca Claros won two matches and another Geneseo competitor, Emily Kennedy, took fifth place.

155 – AJ Grant, Phoenix Military Academy

With three falls apiece to their credit, AJ Grant and America Cabrera were on a collision course in the last bracketed division of the Ottawa Invite, at 155 pounds, and that meant good news for Phoenix Military Academy since both of the finalists happened to be teammates.

In a real win-win scenario for the Firebirds, Grant won again by fall to become one of three Chicago Public School champions in the event and the lone one of that trio who is a first-year competitor. Grant, whose previous-best effort was a runner-up showing at the Beat the Streets Brawl, pinned Geneseo’s Sierra Krueger in the semifinals to earn her spot on the title mat.

“I’m actually determined to learn something new,” Grant said. “It’s not something that I’m just doing, you have to like it. I like the interactions and I like my coaches and my teammates, who really help me and push me to be better.”

Cabrera advanced to her spot opposite of Grant with a fall over Geneseo’s Mady Mooney, as the Maple Leafs were also trying to advance a pair of teammates to the title match.

In the all-Geneseo clash for third place, Mooney won a 7-4 decision over Krueger. Kaneland’s Amanda Rogers followed an 8-7 decision over Maine East’s Alena Oshana to advance to the fifth-place match, where she recorded a fall over ROWVA’s DaLonna Buckley.

170 – Jaida Johnson, Richwoods

When you’re 3-for-3 in tournament championship matches and your team turns in a second-place showing in a 24-team competition, which happens to be their best finish yet, then things are going really well. Throw in an unbeaten start to the campaign and you know why Jaida Johnson was so happy after winning the title at 170 and by how her teammates performed.

The Richwoods junior, who was runner-up at 155 to Unity’s Lexi Ritchie at last year’s inaugural IHSA finals and placed third in the IWCOA finals at 170 in 2021, ranks second at 170 after adding a title at Ottawa to previous championships at Normal Community and Pontiac. In the round-robin competition, Johnson recorded three falls and won a decision, pinning Lockport Township’s Lydia Chirobak, who won her other three matches.

“I am very happy with how I’m competing this year,” Johnson said. “So far, I’m undefeated and that’ a really great feeling. Everybody is pushing everybody and the team has gotten a lot better. We had a lot more placers this tournament than in our last tournament. I’m very proud about that and that makes me happy. 

“The whole team has made a lot of progress but there’s always room for improvement. I feel like we are going to finish really strong and have a lot of people going to state and placing.”

Chirobak went 3-1 with two falls and a win by default to place second. Conant’s Lana Ton won two matches to finish third and Lockport Township’s Kelli Watkins, who lost to Johnson 8-2, claimed fourth place.

190 – Trinity White, Oak Park and River Forest

Old memories provide plenty of motivation and few are as inspired to be state champions as is Trinity White, who reached the 160 title mat at the IWCOA finals in 2021 as a freshman but got pinned by Alton’s Khaila Hughes in that championship match.

After settling for a fifth-place finish at 170 a year ago at the inaugural IHSA finals, the Oak Park and River Forest junior wants to move past the consolation prizes and get to the top of the awards stand this season. Ranked fourth at 190, White is excited about her prospects after claiming top honors at 190 at Ottawa Township following a 4-0 effort in the round-robin matches. She won three of those by fall, including over ROWVA’s Tori Kness, who took second place.

“It was really crazy to see the IWCOA tournament and then the next year the IHSA tournament,” White said. “It was 10-times bigger, it was a big change. I work out every day with my dad (Walter). And I feel like a big part of wrestling is being really strong. I’m excited for the state tournament and I’ll see how I do there and I’m hoping that I get first, but I’ll also take second.” 

Kness, one of three competitors at the weight who went 2-2 in the round robin competition, had a fall and a 10-8 decision. Lockport’ Township’s Sophie Kelner and Conant’s Analyse Aberman both also posted 2-2 records with Kelner getting the nod for third with Aberman taking fourth.

235 – Aaliyah Grandberry, Curie

After capturing a championship on the first weekend of December at Waukegan, Aaliyah Grandberry was definitely ready to get back into tournament action and she demonstrated that by winning four matches, with three of those being falls, including one over Oak Park and River Forest’s Sarah Ephstein, who was next-best in the round-robin bracket with a 3-1 record.

The Curie junior became one of three champions from Chicago Public Schools at Ottawa 

Township and she realizes that for the sport to continue to experience great growth, having more girls competing at the schools in Illinois’ biggest city is essential. Last season at the initial IHSA finals, Grandberry was the lone finalist from a Chicago school and took second at 235 to Belleville East’s Kiara Ganey and the two are ranked first and second at 235 this season.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve been in a tournament,” Grandberry said. “I guess you could say that my last tournament was probably downstate. It was so exciting and it was like nothing that I had ever experienced before. My school is a CPS school, so it’s a big thing for me and my school and all of the other girls that I got to join. 

“Representation (from Chicago) is very important because it gives more outreach to other girls that are out there. I’m practicing hard, as always. Drilling with the boys is my favorite thing to do since it helps me to prepare, and I’m like, ‘oh yes, I got this.”

Ephstein, a junior who’s ranked fifth at 235, also wants to get back to improve on her visit to the inaugural IHSA finals, where she placed fifth at 235. This year’s finals at that weight class again figures to be a battle with all six placewinners hoping to be back vying for medals. Ottawa Township’s Juliana Thrush went 2-2 to finish third and Conant’s Rye Reyes placed fourth.

By Curt Herron for the IWCOA

Bolingbrook captures title at J. Sterling Morton’s Steve Eckert Holiday Classic

Bolingbrook captured six championships and had three fourth-place finishers to help it claim top honors at J. Sterling Morton’s 16-team Steve Eckert Holiday Classic in Cicero.

Coach AJ Knoll’s Raiders scored 224 points while Riverside-Brookfield was second with 193 points. This is Knoll’s first year at Bolingbrook. The new head coach was a 2009 Lincoln-Way East graduate who capped his career with a fourth-place finish at 145 in Class 3A. Knoll is assisted by Joe Mahy and Bolingbrook alumni Xevion Rolle and Christian Craig.

Stagg took third place with 166 points while the host Mustangs were fourth with 146 points. Fenwick edged Gary Comer College Prep 125-124 for fifth while St. Laurence (116) and Phoenix Military Academy (98.5) rounded the top half of the field.

Leading the way for the first-place Raiders were champions Angel Godinez (106), Isaac Harris (113), Aaron Camacho (126), Tom McDermott (138), Marcus Poe (145) and Dom Hargrove (195). Placing fourth were Jared Craig (120), Mikhail Bolden (132) and Tristan Galvez (152) while Emilio Gil-Lane (170) and Josh Shanahan (182) both finished sixth.

“I’m a young coach, we’re a young team and we have something to prove,” said Knoll, who has five freshmen and four sophomores who are starters in the Raiders’ lineup.

Top performers for coach Nicholas Curby’s runner-up Bulldogs were champions Joe Midona (220) and Devontae Givens (285) and runners-up Chase Murrell (106), Quintavius Murrell (120), Cade Tomkins (152) and Matt Elzy (182). Taking third was Jacob Noe (145), finishing 

fourth was Bill Martin (170) and placing fifth was Max Strong (160).

Pacing coach Brian Jackson’s third-place Chargers were Jamie Corral (113), Anas Ahmed (120), Cian Moran (138), Christian Ibarra (182) and Terrell Williams (285), who all claimed third-place finishes. Placing fourth was Ibrahim Hamideh (160) while Konrad Poradowski (132), Owen Lalley (170), Roman Delgado (195) and Salmeen Algahami (220) all took fifth.

Also winning titles were Fenwick’s Vincent Fioravanti (160), Finn McGee (170) and Jack Paris (182), J. Sterling Morton’s Anthony Lopez (120), Saint Ignatius College Prep’s Nate Sanchez (132) and St. Laurence’s Henry Coughlin (152).

Other second-place finishers were Phoenix Military Academy’s Jose Lua (126) and Vin Moreno (138), J. Sterling Morton’s Noe Cintora (132) and Edwin Rangel (160), Gary Comer College 

Prep’s Lamzell McNeal (170) and Malik Tate (220), St. Laurence’s Zavier Bitner (195) and Jaylen Ray (285), Argo Community’s Juan Villa (113) and Riverside-Brookfield J-V’s Josh Gonzalez (145).

Some of the closest title matches included Godinez 6-2 over Chase Murrell (106), Sanchez 8-4 over Cintora (132) and Fioravanti 6-2 over Rangel (160).

Among the leaders in top records (minimum eight matches) of finalists were Lopez (15-0, 1.000), Coughlin (8-0, 1.000), Lua (18-3, .857), Moreno (18-3, .857), Villa (12-3, .800), Bitner (12-3, .800) and Midona (12-3, .800).

Additional third-place finishes were turned in by Phoenix Military Academy’s Jimmy Lua (160) and Kaleb Abney (195), Fenwick’s Aiden Burns (152) and Conor Stetz (220), Gary Comer College Prep’s Jadden Scott (106), J. Sterling Morton’s Aaron Rojas (126), Maine East’s Dulguun Nysmdavaa (132) and Shepard’s Ayman Huisen (170).

Also finishing in fourth place were St. Laurence’s Henry Manning (106), Nathan Martinez (113) and Joseph Barnett (145), J. Sterling Morton’s Rafael Lopez (138) and Miguel Rojas (285), Ridgewood’s Donovan Depakakibo (126), Gary Comer College Prep’s Kenneth Barrett (182), Argo Community’s Marcin Hodorowicz (195) and Evanston Township’s Chris Fargo (220).

Additional fifth-place finishers were Gary Comer College Prep’s O’Ryan Sandifer (120), Malik Wynn (138), Faizol Salam (152) and Joshua Pombo (285), Ridgewood’s Mohamad Khater (106) and Islam Khater (113), Saint Ignatius College Prep’s SD Nimeri (126), Maine East’s Munkthulga Tsendayush (145) and Shepard’s Yazen Ashkar (182).

Others who finished sixth were J. Sterling Morton’s David Roldan (106) and Christian Carranza (195), Phoenix Military Academy’s Adan Bucio (120) and Jules Rodriguez (152), Maine East’s 

Nathan Kleiber (126) and Luis Mendoza (138), Shepard’s Tavaris Howard (145) and EJ Hernandez (220), Gary Comer College Prep’s Isaac Banks (113), Evanston Township’s 

Manny Holloway (132), Argo Community’s Cornelius Vigousky (160) and Saint Ignatius College Prep’s Chris Morris (285).

Summary of title matches at the J. Sterling Morton Steve Eckert Holiday Classic

106 – Angel Godinez (Bolingbrook) D 6-2 Chase Murrell (Riverside-Brookfield)

113 – Isaac Harris (Bolingbrook) F 4:43 Juan Villa (Argo Community)

120 – Anthony Lopez (J. Sterling Morton) F 4:51 Quintavius Murrell (Riverside-Brookfield)

126 – Aaron Camacho (Bolingbrook) MD 11-1 Jose Lua (Phoenix Military Academy)

132 – Nate Sanchez (Saint Ignatius College Prep) D 8-4 Noa Cintora (J. Sterling Morton)

138 – Tom McDermott (Bolingbrook) F 2:42 Vin Moreno (Phoenix Military Academy)

145 – Marcus Poe (Bolingbrook) MD 16-4 Josh Gonzalez (Riverside-Brookfield J-V)

152 – Henry Coughlin (St. Laurence) F 3:13 Cade Tomkins (Riverside-Brookfield)

160 – Vincent Fioravanti (Fenwick) D 6-2 Edwin Rangel (J. Sterling Morton)

170 – Finn McGee (Fenwick) MD 9-0 Lamzell McNeal (Gary Comer College Prep)

182 – Jack Paris (Fenwick) F 5:18 Matt Elzy (Riverside-Brookfield)

195 – Dom Hargrove (Bolingbrook) F 0:41 Xavier Bitner (St. Laurence)

220 – Joe Midona (Riverside-Brookfield) F 1:19 Malik Tate (Gary Comer College Prep)

285 – Devontae Givens (Riverside-Brookfield) F 1:40 Jaylen Ray (St. Laurence)

Lincoln-Way East rolls to title at Wheaton Warrenville South’s Ed Ewoldt Invitational

Lincoln-Way East had seven champions and five others who finished fourth or better to claim top honors at Wheaton Warrenville South’s Ed Ewoldt Invitational in Wheaton.

Coach Kevin Rockett’s Griffins finished with 288.5 points to defeat runner-up Lyons Township by 78 points for the championship of the 16-team competition named for the 1975 IWCOA Hall of Fame Inductee who was the sport’s state historian in addition to being a successful Tigers coach who had a long career of promoting the qualities of excellence of wrestling in Illinois.

This is the third championship of the season for Lincoln-Way East, which also took first place at dual team tournaments hosted by Plainfield North and Downers Grove South. The Griffins, who are ranked 10th in Class 3A with a 16-0 record, also won the Ed Ewoldt Invite title last season.

The host Tigers claimed third place with 165 points while Downers Grove North (158.5), Dixon (114), West Chicago (106), Wheeling (84), Waubonsie Valley (77) and Homewood-Flossmoor (77) were next in line in the tournament.

Winning championship for the Griffins were Noah Ciolkosz (113), Kaidge Richardson (120), Tyson Zvonar (126), Brayden Mortell (132), Connor Koehler (145), Zach LaMonto (160) and Ari Zaeske (170). Caden O’Rourke (195) and David Wuske (220) were second while Domanic Abeja (152) and Jack Mularz (182) took third and Kevin Byrne (138) finished fourth. After recording three-straight falls, Zaeske was the recipient of the Outstanding Wrestler Award.

“The team had a goal of bringing the team title home and eight individual champs,” said Rockett, who is assisted by Josh Ruettiger, Kyle Ruettiger and Brett Geijer. “We had nine finalists but fell just short with seven champs.”

Leading the way for coach Griff Powell’s runner-up Lions were title winners Griff Powell (106), Cooper King (195) and Sam Costello (220), runners-up Calum Rogers (145) and Gunnar Garelli (152) and fourth-place finisher Claudio Rodriguez (132). Taking fifth were Jack Kutchek (120), Mark Calzada (170) and Julian Cervantes (182) while Roger Martinez (113), George Govea (126) and Logan Hiatt (285) placed sixth.

Top performers for coach Matt Janosek’s third-place Tigers were runners-up Aarav Ledvora 

(106), Jaidyn Buziecki (138), Zean Al Obaidi (160) and Sedeeq Al Obaidi (170) and third-place finisher Nik Tabuku (120). Finishing fourth were Corey Gul (182), Ashton Kibbe (220) and Hunter Hecklinger (285) while Charlie Gross (145) and Tim Francisco (152) placed sixth.

Pacing coach Chris McGrath’s fourth-place Trojans were champion Ben Bielawski (285) and third-place finishers Tyler Tiangco (106) and Cael Brezina (220). Taking fourth was Caden Chiarell (120) while Cory Mongello (113), Aiden Cummings (126), Owen Kelly (132), Donovan Barry (145), Josh Miller (160) and Griff Keown (195) all finished fifth.

Other champions were Wheeling’s Patrick Tinsley (138), West Chicago Community’s Nolan Allen (152) and Oak Lawn Community’s Hani Odeh (182) while also finishing second were West Chicago Community’s Ryan Alvarado (113) and Alexis Correa (285), Plainfield East’s Aidan Villar (120), Evanston Township’s Jason McDermott (126), Waubonsie Valley’s Elias Gonzalez (132) and Dixon’s Owen Brooks (182).

Some of the closest championship matches included King 8-6 in overtime over O’Rourke at 195, Mortell 4-3 over Gonzalez at 132, LaMonto 4-3 over Zean Al Obaidi at 160, Costello 5-4 over Wuske at 220 and Odeh 5-3 over Brooks at 182.

Champions and runners-up with the best records following the tournament are Allen (15-0, 1.000), Zaeske (22-1, .957), King (21-1, .955), Bielawski (21-1, .955), Odeh (15-1, .938), LaMonto (21-2, .913), Richardson (20-3, .870), Sedeeq Al Obaidi (20-3, .870), Zvonar (18-3, .857), Ledvora (17-3, .850), Koehler (17-3, .850), Zean Al Obaidi (17-3, .850), Powell (20-4, .833), Villar (16-4, .800) and Buziecki (16-4, .800).

Additional third-place finishers were West Chicago Community’s Connor Zentner (126) and Donovan Avila (132), Dixon’s Steven Kitzman (170) and Shaun DeVries (285), Elgin’s Julius Avendano (113), Homewood-Flossmoor’s Jaylen Augustave (138), Waubonsie Valley’s Ethan Wojtowich (145), Plainfield East’s Jerry Nino (160) and Hoffman Estates’ Josh Ellery (195).

Also finishing fourth were Evanston Township’s Declan Glascott (145) and Darion Coleman (170), Hoffman Estates’s Julian Bonilla (152) and William Ball (160), Wheeling’s Miguel Lopez (106), Dixon’s Ayden Rowley (113), Thornton Fractional South’s Trayvonne Roberts (126) and Larkin’s Hector Flores (195), 

Others placing fifth were Dixon’s Jacob Renkes (106) and Cane Hey (138), Homewood-Flossmoor’s Jeremy Thomas (152), Wheeling’s Marco Mercado (220) and Thornton Fractional South’s Cortez Jones (285). Also taking sixth were Waubonsie Valley’s Jakob McBride (182) and Dom Guzman (220), Elgin’s Ruben Campuzano (106), Homewood-Flossmoor’s Kourtney Smith (120), Dixon’s Jayden Weidman (132), Evanston Township’s Eren Atac (138), Oak Lawn Community’s Isaac Barba (160), Wheeling’s Jonny Dominguez (170) and Plainfield East’s Roderick Burnett (195).

Summary of title matches at the Wheaton Warrenville South Ed Ewoldt Invitational

106 – Griff Powell (Lyons Township) D 14-10 Aarav Ledvora (Wheaton Warrenville South)

113 – Noah Ciolkosz (Lincoln-Way East) F 2:25 Ryan Alvarado (West Chicago Community)

120 – Kaidge Richardson (Lincoln-Way East) D 9-2 Aidan Villar (Plainfield East)

126 – Tyson Zvonar (Lincoln-Way East) F 3:50 Jason McDermott (Evanston Township)

132 – Brayden Mortell (Lincoln-Way East) D 4-3 Elias Gonzalez (Waubonsie Valley)

138 – Patrick Tinsley (Wheeling) F 1:33 Jaidyn Buziecki (Wheaton Warrenville South)

145 – Connor Koehler (Lincoln-Way East) F 3:19 Calum Rogers (Lyons Township)

152 – Nolan Allen (West Chicago Community) D 7-3 Gunnar Garelli (Lyons Township)

160 – Zach LaMonto (Lincoln-Way East) D 4-3 Zean Al Obaidi (Wheaton Warrenville South)

170 – Ari Zaeske (Lincoln-Way East) F 5:09 Sedeeq Al Obaidi (Wheaton Warrenville South)

182 – Hani Odeh (Oak Lawn Community) D 5-3 Owen Brooks (Dixon)

195 – Cooper King (Lyons Township) D 8-6 OT Caden O’Rourke (Lincoln-Way East)

220 – Sam Costello (Lyons Township) D 5-4 David Wuske (Lincoln-Way East)

285 – Ben Bielawski (Downers Grove North) F 1:21 Alexis Correa (West Chicago Community)

Lincoln-Way West wins Harlem Invitational championship

Lincoln-Way West had four champions and placed 11 of its 14 individuals among the top-three finishers at their weights to help it capture top honors at the eight-team Harlem Invitational in Machesney Park with 226 points. Naperville North edged Deerfield by a 187-183.5 margin to claim second place while Prairie Ridge beat out the host Huskies 128-125.5 to finish fourth. This was the first tournament title of the season for the Warriors, who are ranked 15th in Class 3A.

Leading the way for coach Brian Glynn’s champion Warriors were first-place finishers Jase Salin (126), Karter Guzman (132), Nate Elstner (182) and Anthony Sherman (195) while Tyler Mansker (145) and Jimmy Talley (170) took second. Placing third were Carter Dibenedetto (106), Haden Anderson (113), Luke Siwinski (138), Nick Kavaroos (220) and Connor Ryan (285) while Vinnie Pinto (152) and Jimmy Slowik (160) took fifth and Jakob Siwinski (120) was sixth.

“The team competed very well at the Harlem Invite,” said Glynn, who is assisted by Justin Farmer, Matt Ryan, Amier Khamis, Nick Shaub, Ricky Olszta, Mark Ruettiger and Mike 

Migawa. “It was nice to see some guys have some success and seeing the hard work in the practice room paying off in competition. It’s a great group of guys and I’m excited to see where we end up at the end of the year.” 

Top performers for coach Tom Champion’s runner-up Huskies were champions Ben Messier (113), Grant Gentile (145), Kai Goodrick (160) and Alex Kushenbach (220) and second-place finishers Tyler Sternstein (126) and Kyle Gatlin (182). Taking third were Nick O’blazney (170) and Steve Harvey (195) while Jayden Depotter (285) was fourth and Aiden Hinkle (120) and Clayton Champion (138) finished fifth.

Pacing coach Marc Pechter’s third-place Warriors were title winners Renzo Morgan (138) and Aiden Cohen (170), runners-up Vincent Serwan (106), Jordan Rasof (132) and Will Holtz (152). Finishing third were Jackson Palzet (120), Luke Reddy (126), Charlie Cross (145) and Chris Mauer (182) while Grant Goldsmith (160) and Jordan Meyers (220) were fourth and Garvin Crews (195) finished fifth.

Coach Justin Peete’s Prairie Ridge Wolves also had three champions, Jake Lowitzki (106), Tyler Evans (120) and Xander York (152) while Rockford East’s Lee Smith, Jr. (285) was the other title winner. Also taking second place were Harlem’s Aiden Zacharuk (138), Ben Larsen (160) and Caleb Eklund (195), Rockford East’s Joseph Young (113) and Peter Young (120), Prairie Ridge’s John Fallaw (220) and Auburn’s Joseph Rodriguez (285). Title matches decided by one point featured Messier over Joseph Young 6-5 at 113, Guzman over Rasof 4-3 at 132 and Gentile over Mansker 5-4 at 145.

The top team points scorer was Kuschenbach (220) with 26 while Cohen (170) was second with 25 points. Elstner (182), Evans (120), Salin (126), Sherman (195) and York (152) were next with 24 points while Lowitzki (106), Morgan (138) and Smith, Jr. (285) scored 23.5 points. 

Finalists with the best winning percentages include Smith, Jr. (20-1, .952), Cohen (18-1, .947), Morgan (12-1, .923), Evans (23-3, .885), Joseph Young (21-3, .875), Salin (19-4, .826), Peter Young (13-3, .813), Sternstein (17-4, .810), Rasof (17-4, .810) and Messier (12-3, .800).

Also finishing in third place were Kaneland’s Caden Grabowski (132) and Christian Duffing (152) and Rockford East’s Malachi Cannon (160). Others who placed fourth were Harlem’s Dylan Goodall (113), Owen Recoy (145) and Wyatt Hoffman (152), Kaneland’s Kamron Scholl (120), Alex Gochis (126) and Max Pietak (195), Prairie Ridge’s Mikey Meade (132) and Frank Canania (170), Rockford East’s Dana Wickson (138) and Orion Losiniecki (182) and Auburn’s Pacifique Ntahuyaman (106).

Summary of title matches at the Harlem Invitational

106 – Jake Lowitzki (Prairie Ridge) F 2:58 Vincent Serwan (Deerfield)

113 – Ben Messier (Naperville North) D 6-5 Joseph Young (Rockford East)

120 – Tyler Evans (Prairie Ridge) INJ 2:21 Peter Young (Rockford East)

126 – Jase Salin (Lincoln-Way West) F 1:20 Tyler Sternstein (Naperville North)

132 – Karter Guzman (Lincoln-Way West) D 4-3 Jordan Rasof (Deerfield)

138 – Renzo Morgan (Deerfield) TF 5:02 Aiden Zacharuk (Harlem)

145 – Grant Gentile (Naperville North) D 5-4 Tyler Mansker (Lincoln-Way West)

152 – Xander York (Prairie Ridge) D 9-2 Will Holtz (Deerfield)

160 – Kai Goodrick (Naperville North) D 8-4 Ben Larsen (Harlem)

170 – Aiden Cohen (Deerfield) MD 16-4 Jimmy Talley (Lincoln-Way West)

182 – Nate Elstner (Lincoln-Way West) F 5:26 Kyle Gatlin (Naperville North)

195 – Anthony Sherman (Lincoln-Way West) F 1:01 Caleb Eklund (Harlem)

220 – Alex Kushenbach (Naperville North) F 0:47 John Fallaw (Prairie Ridge)

285 – Lee Smith, Jr. (Rockford East) TF 4:35 Joseph Rodriguez (Auburn)

Sandwich captures title in own dual team tournament

Sandwich went 4-0 and defeated Plainfield Central 39-30 in its final dual meet to capture top honors at its own eight-team tournament in Sandwich. Rockford East joined Plainfield Central with a 3-1 showing after capturing a 45-30 victory over Rock Falls to finish in third place.

Top performers for coach Derek Jones’ champion Indians, who claimed wins of 47-15 over Saint Viator, 45-30 over Durand/Pecatonica and 45-30 over Rockford East in their pool, were Jack Forth (4-0 at 113), Kaden Clevenger (4-0 at 170/182), Kadin Kern (3-0 at 132), Cesar Garcia (3-0 at 195) and Josh Lehman (3-1 at 152/160).

Coach Terry Kubski’s runner-up Wildcats advanced to their title matchup with Sandwich after claiming wins of 53-6 over Mendota, 47-12 over St. Bede Academy and 38-30 over Rock Falls. Top performers for Plainfield Central were Brody Rangel (4-0 at 106/113), Gavin Enders (4-0 at 138), Max Bowen (4-0 at 182/195), Jack Bowen (3-0 at 145), Aiden Rudman (3-1 at 132), Matthias Hautzinger (3-1) at 152) and Anthony Minnito (3-1 at 182/195).

Leading coach Gene Lee’s third-place E-Rabs were Joseph Young (4-0 at 120), Peter Young (4-0 at 126), Dana Wickson (4-0 at 138/145), Saidi Ishmail (4-0 at 195), Lee Smith, Jr. (4-0 at 285), Jaxson Weisser (3-1 at 152), Malachi Cannon (3-1 at 160) and Orion Losiniecki (3-1 at 182). Rockford East also won 54-12 over Durand/Pecatonica and 58-12 over Saint Viator.

Top performers for coach Chad Williamson’s fourth-place Rockets were Emmanuel Johnson (4-0 at 170), Josiah Tarbill (3-1 at 106), Logan Williamson (3-1 at 132), Ryan McCord (3-1 at 160) and Alex Deshane (3-1 at 220). Rock Falls beat St. Bede Academy 48-30 and Mendota 78-6.

Fifth-place St. Bede Academy, which claimed wins of 42-27 over Durand/Pecatonica for fifth and 54-12 over Mendota, was paced by Gavin Hahn (4-0 at 220), Jake Migliorini (3-1 at 182), Ryan Migliorini (3-1 at 195) and Mike Shaw (3-1 at 285). Leading the way for Durand/Pecatonica were Sam Walden (4-0 at 145), Ethan Foster (3-1 at 120/126) and Eric Kormoczy (3-1 at 220/285). Saint Viator was led by Devin Adams (3-0 at 160/170), Elliot Heckard (3-1 at 106/113) and John Whelan (3-1 at 160/170).

Sandwich Dual Team Tournament championship – Sandwich 39, Plainfield Central 30

195 – Cesar Gomez (Sandwich) F 1:03 Anthony Minnito (Plainfield Central), S 6-0

220 – Double FFT, 6-0

285 – Double FFT, 6-0

106 – Brody Rangel (Plainfield Central) F 3:04 Shane McGuane (Sandwich), P 6-6

113 – Jack Forth (Sandwich) FFT, S 12-6

120 – AJ Parkison (Sandwich) FFT, S 18-6

126 – Nate Hill (Sandwich) FFT, S 24-6

132 – Kadin Kern (Sandwich) D 4-3 Aiden Rudman (Plainfield Central), S 27-6

138 – Gavin Enders (Plainfield Central) F 4:41 Jacob Cassie (Sandwich), P 12-27
145 – Jack Bowen (Plainfield Central) FFT, P 18-27

152 – Josh Lehman (Sandwich) F 3:58 Matthias Hautzinger (Plainfield Central), S 33-18

160 – Jake Meskauskas (Plainfield Central) FFT, P 24-33 

170 – Kaden Clevenger (Sandwich) FFT, S 39-24

182 – Max Bowen (Plainfield Central) F 1:13 Bryce Decker (Sandwich), P 30-39

By Gary Larsen

Lincoln’s Floyd Bee Memorial Holiday Tournament

Lincoln hosted a field of 26 teams at this year’s round-robin tournament honoring Floyd Bee, who passed away in August at the age of 82.After graduating from Springfield Lanphier in 1958, Bee was a two-time national qualifier wrestling for Eastern Illinois University. Bee coached at Lincoln, Rock Island, Warren, and Springfield Southeast high schools in his long career as a teacher and coach, oversaw 30 consecutive winning seasons, and earned membership in both the Illinois Wrestling and National Wrestling halls of fame.

The inaugural tournament honoring Bee’s memory and legacy saw Rock Island edge Lincoln-Way Central to win the team title, 250.5-237.5. Normal Community (213), St. Patrick (176), and Bloomington (156.5) rounded out the top five team finishes.

“This was the first time all year we have almost had our full team,” Rock Island coach Joel Stockwell said. “With two starters still out we were still able to show what we are capable of.

“We know we have the potential to be a top contending team. All of our home-grown kids have been working hard to get back to where we want and know we can be. We still have a lot of work to do, but it was satisfying to see we are finally starting to get everything in line to be ready for regionals and the post season.”

Rock Island got an individual title from Andrew Marquez (195) and second-place finishes from Truth Vesey (113) and Amare Overton (170). Steven Marquez (182) and Eli Gustafson (285) placed third for the Rocks, who also got fourths from Samuel Niyonkuru (106), Temar Hudson (120), and Tristan Willoughby (145), and a fifth from and Antonio Parker (126).

The Rocks also got team points from George Tate (138), Elan Marshall (152), Matthew Cook (160), and Israel McGowan (220). Also placing fifth as a non-scoring wrestler was Merrick Stockwell (113).

“We were exited that we could fend off Lincoln-Way Central for the second year in a row,” Joel Stockwell said. “They are a notoriously tough program and with coach (Tyrone) Byrd at the helm it has been no different. I have nothing but respect for him and his program.”

Second-place Lincoln-Way Central had three runners-up in Nathan Knowlton (126), Jalen Byrd (132), and Caden Harvey (152), thirds from Kristian Meloy (145) and Tim Key (170), and fourths from Ameer Alamawi (138) and Colin Welsh (220).

Centennial led all teams with three champions in Trevor Schoonover (132), Nick Pianfetti (152), and Jack Barhart (220). Rochester’s Nolan Mrozowski (145) finished with the most pins (8) in the least time (13:03), and also led the field in team points (40). Three wrestlers tied for the second-most team points scored with 38 apiece, in Jerseyville’s Jaydon Busch (285), Pekin’s Shamon Handegan (182), and Carbondale’s Brenden Banz (170).

Other individual champions included Normal Community’s Caden Correll (106) and Cole Gentsch (113), St. Patrick’s Olin Walker (120) and Niko Karamaniolas (138), Galesburg’s Gauge Shipp (126), Rochester’s Nolan Mrozowski (145), Dunlap’s Nick Mueller (160), Carbondale’s Brenden Banz (170), Pekin’s Shamon Handegan (182), and Jerseyville’s Jaydon Busch (285).

Floyd Bee Memorial Holiday Tournament championship matches:

106: Caden Correll (Normal) F 2:27 Jackson Soney (Normal)
113: Cole Gentsch (Normal) F 1:50 Truth Vesey (Rock Island)
120: Olin Walker (St. Patrick) TF 3:45 Carter Mayes (Normal)
126: Gauge Shipp (Galesburg) SV 9-7 Nathan Knowlton (Lincoln-Way Central)
132: Trevor Schoonover (Centennial) D 5-4 Jalen Byrd (Lincoln-Way Central)
138: Niko Karamaniolas (St. Patrick) SV 5-3 Ramez Watson (Pekin)
145: Nolan Mrozowski (Rochester) F 1:37 Chase Daugherty (Peoria Notre Dame)
152: Nick Pianfetti (Centennial) D 6-2 Caden Harvey (Lincoln-Way Central)
160: Nick Mueller (Dunlap) D 9-6 Dawson McConnell (Lincoln)
170: Brenden Banz (Carbondale) D 10-8 Amare Overton (Rock Island)
182: Shamon Handegan (Pekin) F 1:48 Phil Shaw IV (Danville)
195: Andrew Marquez (Rock Island) MD 11-3 Aiden Taylor (Carbondale)
220: Jack Barnhart (Centennial) D 5-3 Cooper Caraway (Normal)
285: Jaydon Busch (Jerseyville) F :55 Jose Del Toro (East Peoria)

Jacksonville’s Crimson Ladies Holiday Invite

Thirty teams squared off in Jacksonville on Dec. 28 for this year’s Crimson Ladies Holiday Invitational, a field that included returning state champions in Alton’s Antonia Phillips (145) and Unity’s Lexie Ritchie (155), along with a returning state runner-up in Collinsville’s Taylor Dawson (130), and a returning state third-placer in Schaumburg’s Valeria Rodriguez (140).

All four of those wrestlers won individual titles in Jacksonville, but in the end it was Rodriguez and her deep Schaumburg team taking home the team title for coach Matt Gruszka.

“The team wrestled well to win the tournament and each week I am seeing different girls stepping up,” Gruszka said. “It’s pretty cool to see. Jacksonville ran a great tournament and I really enjoyed seeing the girls from down south.”

Schaumburg won the tournament with 125 points, with Normal Community West (107.5) finishing second, followed by Berwyn-Cicero Morton (96), Unity (96), and Mt. Vernon (82) to round out the top five team finishes.

In addition to the individual title that Schaumburg got from Rodriguez  at 140, the Saxons had a pair of second-placers in Madyson Meyer (120) and Nadia Razzak (190). “Our three finalists had a really good tournament,” Gruszka said. “Valeria Rodriquez dominated her way through the tournament and wrestled some tough girls doing it.  She really is starting to develop a style unique to her.

“Madyson Meyer took second, wrestled a really tough girl in the finals, but wrestled her really gritty. She is starting to understand how to be gritty in those tough matches. Nadia Razzak took second, but the match just go away from her.  She is improving leaps and bounds each week.”

Gruszka also got fourths from Page Bonilla (125), Madeline Zerafa-Lazarevic (135), and Keara Micek (145), a fifth from Olivia Furlan (140), and an eighth from Nina Akimoto (115).Normal West earned second-place team honors led by individual champions Sammy Lehr (100) and Angel Bateson (105).

Berwyn-Cicero Morton and Normal West finished tied for third in Jacksonville. Normal West got individual titles from Sammy Lehr (100) and Angel Bateson (105) to lead the way, while Morton was led by a quartet of third-place finishers in Paris Flores (100), Hope Donnamario (105), Faith Comas (140), and Violet Mayo (170).

Collinsville’s Dawson (130) led all wrestlers in the tournament with 29 team points scored, while three wrestlers tied with 28 team points in Canton’s Kinnley Smith (135), Unity’s Ritchie (155), and Alton’s Phillips (145).

Other individual champions in Jacksonville were Mt. Zion’s Sydney Cannon, St. Andrews-Sewanee, TN’s Melanie Val (115) and Verena Pate (125), Jacksonville’s Alexis Seymour (120), Highland’s August Rottman (170), Macomb’s Avery Lundgren (190), and Unity’s Phoenix Molina (235).

Crimson Ladies Holiday Invite championship matches:

100: Sammy Lehr (Normal West) F 1:43 Hannah Almendarez (Galesburg)
105: Angel Bateson (Normal West) F :37 Kennedy McMenimen (East Peoria)
110: Sydney Cannon (Mt. Zion) F 2:49 Ella Miloncus (Springfield (Lanphier)
115: Melanie Val (St. Andrews-Sewanee) MD 12-0 Jasmine Brown (Auburn)
120: Alexis Seymour (Jacksonville) MD 13-4 Madyson Meyer (Schaumburg (H.S.)
125: Verena Pate (St. Andrews-Sewanee) F 4:32 Alaynia Bryant (Charleston)
130: Taylor Dawson (Collinsville) TF 4:33 Avery Schlickman (Gibson City (G.C.-Melvin-Sibley)
135: Kinnley Smith (Canton) F 4:36 Kelly Ladd (Macomb)
140: Valeria Rodriguez (Schaumburg (H.S.) F 2:44 Anna Vasey (Unity)
145: Antonia Phillips (Alton) F 1:56 Katelyn Marvel (Canton)
155: Lexi Ritchie (Unity) F 2:42 Autumne Williams (Peoria Notre Dame)
170: August Rottman (Highland) F 2:45 Faith Barrett (Mt. Vernon)
190: Avery Lundgren (Macomb) D 13-10 Nadia Razzak (Schaumburg)
235: Phoenix Molina (Unity) F 2:00 Aakira Cain (Mt. Vernon)

Granite City’s Red Schmitt Holiday tournament

William “Red” Schmitt passed away in 2016 at the age of 94, after establishing himself as an Illinois legend in the sport of wrestling. Schmitt retired as head coach at Granite City in 1985 after 35 years at the helm, and his 602 dual wins as a coach place him seventh all-time in state history, per the IHSA website. His 1965 team won the Illinois state title and his teams placed in the top 10 downstate 15 times.

Two Illinois teams finished in the top five this year at the tournament that bears his name, the Red Schmitt Holiday Tournament, hosted by Granite City.When the dust settled it was the boys from Whitfield, MO claiming top honors, edging second-place Mahomet-Seymour 280.5-269, followed by Batavia (229), Willard, MO (219.5), and Lafayette, MO (216.5) in the top five of the 27-team field.

Second-place Mahomet-Seymour got individual titles for coach Rob Ledin from Brennan Houser (182) and Mateo Casillas (195) and a second-place finish from Cam Harms (285). Coach Rob Ledin also got fourths from Caden Hatton (113) and Colton Crowley (220) and sixths from Colton McClure (106), Cam Heinold (132), and Tallen Pawlak (145).

“Teams from Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky representing various class levels from each state made this year’s tournament placement very impressive,” Ledin said.

Houser and Casillas are now scaling the heights of Mahomet-Seymour’s program records.

“Brennan Houser is now second all-time with 33 technical falls, just seven shy of Ryan Berger’s program record of 40,” Ledin said. “Also, Mateo Casillas has moved up to No. 6 all-time in wins with 143.  He is three wins behind current assistant coach and state champion Jeff Castor, and 32 victories behind all time wins leader and three-time state champion Brett Camden, who has 175.“And Mateo is just two falls from the top 10 (all-time). He currently stands with 66 falls, just two behind Chance Decker and Doug Younger, who both have 68.”

Third-place Batavia only entered 10 wrestlers at Granite City, getting titles from Cael Andrews (145) and Kaden Fetterolf (152), and seconds from Ino Garcia (113) and Asher Sheldon (220).Also winning individual titles at Granite City were Plainfield North’s Maddox Garbis (106) and Leonardo Tovar (220), Andrew’s Max Siegel (113) and Trevor Silzer (120), Triad’s Colby Crouch (126), Christian Brothers College, MO’s Kolby Warren (132), Mascoutah’s Santino Robinson (140), St, Clair, MO’s Brock Woodcock (160), Troy Buchanan, MO’s Brett Smith (170), and Belleville East’s Jonathan Rulo (285).

Brock Woodcock of St. Clair, MO scored the most team points with 44, followed by Batavia’s Kaden Fetterolf (42), Mascoutah’s Santino Robinson (41.5), and Triad’s Colby Couch (41.5).

Mahomet-Seymour’s Brennan Houser (182) posted the tournament’s most tech falls in the least amount of time, with six tech fall wins in 16:48. No other wrestler had more than three tech falls in the tournament.

Rounding out the top 10 team finishes were Plainfield North (204.5) in sixth, followed by Neosho, MO (203), Andrew (178), Belleville East (174.5), and Normal West (167.5).

Red Schmitt Holiday Tournament championship matches:

106: Maddox Garbis (Plainfield North) MD 16-5 Nadeem Haleem (Andrew)
113: Max Siegel (Andrew) D 5-2 Ino Garcia (Batavia)
120: Trevor Silzer (Andrew) D 3-2 Ryan Meek (St. Clair)
126: Colby Crouch (Triad) D 8-4 Porter Matecki (Whitfield)
132: Kolby Warren (CBC) D 7-0 Caleb Carter (Whitfield)
140: Santino Robinson (Mascoutah) D 9-2 Alexander Rallo (Whitfield)
145: Cael Andrews (Batavia) F 2:53 Rider Searcy (Mt. Vernon)
152: Kaden Fetterolf (Batavia) F 1:24 Terrence Willis (Belleville East)
160: Brock Woodcock (St. Clair) F 2:44 Charos Sutton (Troy Buchanan)
170: Brett Smith (Troy Buchanan) D 3-1 Eli Zar (Neosho)
182: Brennan Houser (Mahomet Seymour) TF 3:11 Jase Motlagh (Willard)
195: Mateo Casillas (Mahomet Seymour) D 3-0 Andrew Wier (Lafayette)
220: Leonardo Tovar (Plainfield North) D 5-3 Asher Sheldon (Batavia)
285: Jonathan Rulo (Belleville East) D 5-1 Camden Harms (Mahomet Seymour)

LeRoy/Tri-Valley goes 8-0 to win Saint Thomas More New Years Challenge

LeRoy/Tri-Valley beat Jacksonville 45-23 in the title match to finish with an 8-0 record, giving it  top honors at the High School of Saint Thomas More New Year’s Challenge in Danville, which featured a field of 22 teams, with 18 of those being from Illinois.

Coach Brady Saint Amor’s champion Panthers went 3-0 on the first day beating Alleman, East Alton-Wood River and Montini Catholic. On day two, they beat Seeger, IN, University High, Mahomet-Seymour and Westosha Central, WI before facing Jacksonville for top honors.

Leading the way for LeRoy/Tri-Valley were Jack Green (8-0 at 138), Tyson Brent (8-0 at 170), Brady Mouser (7-0 at 106/113), Landon Sakinas (4-0 at 106), Colton Prosser (7-1 at 132), Connor Lyons (6-1 at 145), Ethan Conaty (6-1 at 160) and Brock Owens (5-1 at 126).

Coach Dustin Sectrist’s runner-up Crimsons beat North Boone, Rantoul and University High on day one and claimed wins over Mattoon, Attica, IN, Montini Catholic and Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin/Armstrong to advance to the championship mat with a 7-0 record.

Top performers for Jacksonville were Mason Meyer (8-0 at 195), Joe Reif (4-0 at 145), Luca Thies (7-1 at 182), Deshawn Armstrong (6-1 at 120/126), Abram Davidson (6-1 at 160) and Collin Reif (5-1 at 145/152).

In the championship meet, LeRoy/Tri-Valley got falls from Tate Sigler (285), Mouser (113), Owens (126), Prosser (132) and Green (138) and a win by technical fall from Sakinas (106). Tyson Brent (170) won a major decision while Jacob Bischoff (220) and Conaty (160) both won close decisions. 

The Crimsons got a fall from Thies (182) while James Cotton (152) and Joe Reif (145) won major decisions and Armstrong (120) won a decision while Meyer (195) earned a forfeit win.

Montini Catholic took third place with a 44-33 win over Seeger, IN. The Broncos went 2-1 on day one with the loss to LeRoy/Tri-Valley and went 4-1 on day two, falling to Jacksonville. 

The Broncos’ new coach is Jonathan Marmolejo, who followed a fine career at Glenbard North for 2006 IWCOA hall of fame inductee Mark Hahn with success at both Iowa State and Purdue.

Leading the way for the third-place Broncos were Ben Dunne (8-0 at 113/120), Kam Luif (8-0 at 120/126), David Mayora (8-0 at 152), Will Prater (8-0 at 160), Sam Ostrowski (5-1 at 182/195) and AJ Tack (4-1 at 170).

In the consolation bracket, the top three teams were Alleman, Glenbard South and Ridgeview/Lexington.

Coach Norman Jacks’ Pioneers beat Glenbard South 56-15 and Ridgeview/Lexington 51-24 while coach Derrick Crenshaw’s Raiders won 41-21 over Ridgeview/Lexington, which is coached by Jeremy Lopshire.

The Pioneers also beat East Alton-Wood River, Clinton, High School of Saint Thomas More and Pittsfield/Pleasant Hill while falling to LeRoy/Tri-Valley and Montini Catholic to finish 6-2.

Top performers for Alleman were Jason Bowker (8-0 at 285), Adam Jacks (7-1 at 132), Carlos Ramirez (7-1 at 138) and Andrew Torres (7-1 at 182).

Coach Brett Porter’s Mattoon Greenwave also went 6-2, beating Clinton, Westosha Central, WI Glenbard South, Lutheran School Association Decatur, Attica, IN and Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin/Armstrong while falling to Jacksonville and Montini Catholic.

Leading the way for Mattoon were Logan Blackburn (8-0 at 126), Korbin Bateman (8-0 at 132/138), Leo Meyer (8-0 at 220/285), Ben Capitosti (7-0 at 138), Blaine Howell (5-0 at 160/170) and Aidan Blackburn (6-1 at 152/160).

Mahomet-Seymour went 5-3 with wins over Attica, IN, Southwood, IN, Illinois Valley Central, High School of Saint Thomas More and University High while losing to Westosha Central, WI, LeRoy/Tri-Valley and Seeger, IN. Top performers for the Bulldogs were Lukas Altstetter (7-1 at 106/113) and Hayden Hart (4-1 at 182). It was a fine showing, considering that most of coach Rob Ledin’s team was competing at Granite City, where they got edged for top honors.

Glenbard South went 5-4, beating Lutheran School Association Decatur, Illinois Valley Central, East Alton-Wood River, Rantoul and Ridgeview/Lexington while falling to Mattoon, Westosha Central, WI, Clinton and Alleman. Reid Sebahar (7-2 at 145/152) paced the Raiders.

Clinton finished with a 3-3 mark, Leading the way for the Maroons were Will Winter (6-0 at 145/152), Kristan Hibbard (5-0 at 170), Rihanna Ortiz (5-1 at 106), Cayden Poole (5-1 at 132/138) and Karl Morlock (4-1 at 195). 

Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin/Armstrong went 3-4 over the two days. Top performers for the Blue Devils were Hunter Wilson (7-0 at 285), Ayden Golden (6-1 at 132) and Nathaniel Gnaden (6-1 at 220). 

The host school, High School of Saint Thomas More, was led by Brody Cuppernell (7-0 at 195/220), Joseph Clavey (6-1 at 152/160) and James Schmidt (6-1 at 220/285).

Other top performers in the tournament included Ridgeview/Lexington’s Braydon Campbell (6-0 at 126/132) and Hunter Tillotson (5-1 at 195/220), Lutheran School Association Decatur’s 

Clinton VerHeecke (7-0 at 113/120) and Garrett VerHeecke (7-0 at 120/126), East Alton-Wood River’s Drake Champlin (6-0 at 220), North Boone’s Maysen Smith (5-1 at 145/152), Rantoul’s 

Drew Owen (5-1 at 195/220) and Pittsfield/Pleasant Hill’s Tucker Cook (4-1 at 182/195).

Title meet – Saint Thomas More New Years Challenge – LeRoy/Tri-Valley vs. Jacksonville

106 – Landon Sakinas (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) TF 16-1 Karley Moore (Jacksonville), L 5-0

113 – Brady Mouser (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) F 0:45 Hunter Hayes (Jacksonville), L 11-0

120 – Deshawn Armstrong (Jacksonville) D 7-3 Kobe Brent (LeRoy/Tri-Valley), J 3-11

126 – Brock Owens (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) F 3:46 Cannon Suter (Jacksonville), L17-3

132 – Colton Prosser (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) F 1:01 Miles Rowe (Jacksonville), L 23-3

138 – Jack Green (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) F 0:35 Nathaniel Crook (Jacksonville), L 29-3

145 – Joe Reif (Jacksonville) MD 8-0 Connor Lyons (LeRoy/Tri-Valley), J 7-29

152 – James Cotton (Jacksonville) MD 15-3 Bo Zeleznik (LeRoy/Tri-Valley), J 11-29

160 – Ethan Conaty (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) D 6-3 Abram Davidson (Jacksonville), L 32-11

170 – Tyson Brent (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) MD 12-2 Keaton Wilhelm (Jacksonville), L 36-11

182 – Luca Thies (Jacksonville) F 0:40 Adam Moore (LeRoy/Tri-Valley), J 17-36

195 – Mason Meyer (Jacksonville) FFT No opponent (LeRoy/Tri-Valley), J 23-36

220 – Jacob Bischoff (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) D 3-1 Oliver Cooley (Jacksonville), L 39-23

285 – Tate Sigler (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) F 5:21 Aiden Surratt (Jacksonville), L 45-23

• 

By Mike Garofola

With the return of several key men from its state power football program, it appears that Maine South now has the proper depth and talent needed to make rivals in the Central Suburban League take notice.

That goes for teams competing at weekend tournaments as well.

The Hawks showed it can be a dangerous bunch to deal with as Kevin Hansen’s club claimed 11 medals, nine in the top four, and 188.5 overall points to hold off hard-charging South Elgin, which finished second with 174.0 points.

York, with a tourney-high four individual titles, was third with 162.0, followed by Geneva (148.5) and Mundelein (145.0) at the 67th annual Berman Holiday Classic hosted by Palatine.

“It was a very good overall effort from the guys today,” Hansen said. “We obviously would have liked to finish off things in the finals, but it’s starting to come together for us with everyone back from football. Today is something we can build from going forward.” 

Maine South advanced four to the finals and got an individual title from Danny Spandiary at 152.

The Hawks were up by 30 over then-second place Mundelein (109-79) at noon, and 20 over Jim Gloudemans’ club from South Elgin (137-117) heading into the final round.

The South Elgin skipper liked what he saw from his team.

“We came into the tournament a little short-handed, but the guys stepped up to score bonus points with pins,” Gloudeman said. “With Demetrios (Carrera, champ at 106) and our heavyweight champion (Tommy Roath) leading with their focus and effort, I can’t be more proud of these guys today.” 

Gloudeman also got second place medals from Andre Rios (132) and Leo Rosas (138) and gave high praise to his senior, Nico Clinite, whom he calls “the rock” of the South Elgin team.

Here now is a look at the individual weight divisions:

106: Demetrios Carrera, South Elgin

Demetrios Carrera helped get South Elgin off to a perfect start in the final session when the freshman recorded a 6-3 decision over Joey Sikorsky (20-3) of Geneva, who recently won a title at the Porter Invite.

“We talked a little beforehand about staying tight, and getting to my shots, and I feel like I was able to do that for most of the match,” said Carrera (21-1) who now has three major titles on his resume after winning titles at Fenton and Hoffman Estates.

“Demetrios kept great position and always looked to score today in all his matches,” Gloudeman said.

Carrera pinned his way into the 106-pound in just under five minutes. He recorded a takedown and two near-fall points against Sikorsky as the first period came to an end, and built his lead to 6-1 with a reversal to start his third period.

Sikorsky overwhelmed Morgan Turner in his semifinal to tag the talented Bremen freshman with his first defeat of the season to advance into the final. Turner went on to finish third and Maine South’s Brett Harman placed fourth.

113: Elijah Wofford, Bremen

Elijah Wofford (16-0) was one of five individual champions for Bremen at the recent Sciacca-Holtfretter Invite at Harvard, and the sophomore continued his winnings way here after his hard fought 5-4 decision over Lake Park sophomore Nick Merola.

Wofford, a 2A state qualifier a year ago, claimed his third title of the season and led 4-1 with an escape with 3.6 seconds remaining in the second period.

“(Merola) was strong and to be honest, I was getting tired in that second period,” Wofford said. “So it was important to stay mentally strong after I was hit with that warning (stalling) in the third period, because I had to hang on until the very end.” Wofford conceded a take-down at the edge to draw Merola (12-5) within one (4-3) after the opening whistle of the third period.

Wofford overwhelmed his first two opponents with a major decision and then a tech-fall in his semifinal to advance, while Merola pinned second-seeded Pablo Bacerra (14-4) to reach the final.

Bacerra finished third and Maine South’s Christos Vaselopulos was fourth.

120: Zach Parisi, York

After surviving in overtime over No. 2 seed Nore Turner (12-1) of Bremen, York junior Zach Parisi (18-1) went on to impress with a marvelous six minutes to defeat Maine South’s Teddy Flores 7-0 to capture the top prize at 120.

“That first take-down was big for me,” Parisi said. “After that I felt real comfortable, especially on my feet.” Parisi came ranked No. 8 in Rob Sherrill’s rankings at Illinois Matmen, one spot ahead of No. 7 Flores. Both were state qualifiers last year.

“I wasn’t real happy with my overall performance at (Prospect’s Mudge-McMorrow) in my loss in the final to (Fremd’s Evan) Gosz so I’ve really stepped up my work in the room,” Parisi said.

“My teammate Sean (VanSleet) is a great ‘legger’ and everyday my coaches have put me down against him. He has really given me a workout with his legs, which was great for me because if I can get that part of my game better, it will compliment my ability on top.”

Parisi showed just how tough he can be on top when he rode Flores for the last 90 seconds of the second period, after increasing his advantage to 5-0, then again after adding to his lead at 7-0 with one minute left in regulation.

Despite the loss, Flores provided Dukes fans with a special moment when he stunned No. 4, and top seed, Bryce Durlacher (Mundelein, 19-3) in his 4-3 overtime semifinal victory.

Durlacher was later forced to take an injury default in his third-place bout with Turner.

126: Sean Berger, York

Perhaps inspired by teammate Zach Parisi’s title win, York’s Sean Berger proceeded to claim the 126-pound trophy after holding off the talented Emmett Nelson from Richmond-Burton, during a well-played six minute contest which ended 4-2 in Berger’s favor.

“He was a very good opponent,” Berger said. “I knew to look for his under-hooks, and his 2-on-1 collar ties but I felt like I wrestled real solid all throughout the match.” Berger is currently ranked 7th with a victory over sixth-ranked Aidan Huck (Batavia) to his credit thus far.

The returning state qualifier got back level (2-2) with an escape near the edge at five minutes, then executed a terrific takedown to go up for good moments later.

That takedown was the first Nelson conceded on what has been a magnificent year thus far. The sophomore was second at the 1A state tournament last season and has already won three majors this season to help validate his spot as the No. 2 rated man at 120.

Berger has his eye on wrestling next fall at either a D-II or D-III school, but is undecided as to where his new address will be.

“I feel like things are beginning to come together for me, so I look forward to the second half of the year, and getting back downstate,” said Berger, who was 2-2 in Champaign a year ago to finish at a dazzling 40-7.

Benji Albavera (Mundelein, 14-5), and Luke Morrison (Maine South, 8-3) were third and fourth, respectively, in Palatine.

132: Sean VanSleet, York

Returning state qualifier Sean VanSleet continued York’s lower-weight magic in spectacular fashion to claim the first major of the season.

“Like (Parisi), I wasn’t too happy with the way things ended for me (at Prospect),” VanSleet said. “It was a loss to Will Baysingar (Prospect) in the final so I’ve been making adjustments along the way since that weekend. I feel like I’ve cleaned some things up thanks to our coaching staff, and working with Parisi and Berger in the room,”

VanSleet improved to 15-3 in Palatine, after going 31-10 last season.

“I’ve been able to gain a lot from working with Berger, whose style is kind of funky,” Van Sleet said. “Because of him I’ve been able to prepare for that kind of opponent. I’ve also cleaned up my stance and base to make both real solid.”

VanSleet would storm past his two earlier opponents via 15-0, and 16-0 tech-falls, while Rios pinned his way into the final. Ethan Banda (Mundelein, 14-6), and Gavin Hoerr (Maine South, 15-8) were third, and fourth overall.

138: Lorenzo Frezza, Stevenson

As the season continues to progress, so does the level of expertise from Lorenzo Frezza, who continues to provide Stevenson fans and his coaching staff with one superb effort after another.

The Patriots’ senior left little doubt as to how things would come to an end in the 138-pound division as he registered consecutive pins in less than three minutes in his first two matches of the day before finishing off his next two opponents with tech-falls. His day was highlighted by an electrifying effort during his 23-8 victory over South Elgin freshman Leo Rosas (17-3) which came to a close at 5:01.

“This was a much stronger way to finish a tournament,” Frezza said. “I was disappointed in how I didn’t continue to score points in my final (at the Whitlatch tournament), especially in the third period.” 

Frezza improved to 23-0 with his title win in Palatine.

“It’s always about going against the best in order to prepare for the final few weeks of the season,” said Frezza, currently ranked second behind reigning state champion Nasir Bailey of Rich Township.

Vince Merola (Lake Park, 13-4), pinned Malakai Scott (Bremen, 16-5) to earn third-place honors.

145: Scott Busse, Lake Zurich

With league rival and good friend Lorenzo Frezza watching along the edge, Lake Zurich senior Scott Busse demolished the field at 145 for the second straight weekend to collect some extra silverware for this trophy case.

“I’m healthy, feeling really good, having fun, and really looking forward to this second half of the season,”  Busse said. “I feel very confident about how things will finish for me at state.”

Busse who won his state opener a year ago before suffering a season-ending injury in his second-round match with Jimmy Nugent of Downers Grove South.

Busse reached the finals and placed second at the Moore-Pettyman and Mudge-McMorrow tournaments, before unloading on a quartet of opponents to win a title at the Porter Invite (Niles West).

He dominated the field in Palatine.

“I felt like I could have done a few things a little differently in my final with (No. 4) Antonio Alvarado (Belvidere North) at Barrington, and I was right there at 5-5 with the top-rated guy in the state (Noah Tapia, Moline) in my final at the Mudge,” Busse said. “So it’s all about keeping strong and staying focused in the third period to turn those types of results around.”

Busse needed just over 4 1/2 minutes to pin his way into the final where, after a modest 2-0 lead, he went on a scoring spree that ended at 3:29 with a 28-13 advantage.

Maine South senior Nathan Beltran (17-2) was a deserving finalist with two pins and a hard-fought 7-5 decision over the No. 2 seed, Nico Clinite (South Elgin, 24-3), who went on to claim third place with a pin of Brody Rudkin (17-4) of Richmond-Burton.

152: Danny Spandiary, Maine South

The success of Maine South football forced Danny Spandiary and others to begin their wrestling season a little late, but the Hawks senior is thrilled to be back on the mats and he has been celebrating his return in style.

Spandiary kept his record spotless at 16-0 following his 12-5 victory over Maguire Hoeksema (Geneva, 18-4) to win the lone individual title for the tournament’s team champion.

“Even though we lost a close one (37-34) to Glenbard West in our quarterfinal, the football season provided a lot of great memories for all of us, but now it’s time to turn my full attention towards wrestling,” Spandiary said. “I want to make my last year here the best that it can be.

“I worked on getting bigger, stronger, and more fit for this season because I want to be a hundred percent ready for the rest of the year to get downstate.”

Spandiary pinned his way into the finals, where he dashed the hopes of Hoeksema (18-4) who went to Palatine in search of a second straight title after winning it all at Niles West’s Porter Invite.

With some nice control at the edge in order to keep his toes inside the arc, Spandiary took the lead for good (2-0) in the first period against Hoeksema, then extended his advantage to 6-2 with a third-period reversal before seeing Hoeksema close to 7-5 with 16.0 seconds from time.

Hoeksema went for broke with an inside trip that Spandiary turned into a takedown and then a near-fall to finish off the match.

“We were both a little gassed at the end, but I’ll continue to work on getting into great shape,” Spandiary said. “That will help me win the close ones in the really important matches later on.”

Javier Hurtado (Rolling Meadows, 8-3), and Noah Demarco (Oswego East, 18-7) were third and fourth.

160: Dylan Konkey, Geneva

Geneva senior Dylan Konkey (20-2) and his teammate Jon Schmidt have been on a tear of late, and when the action here got underway in Palatine, Konkey stayed nearly untouchable against his 160-pound opponents.

Konkey pinned his way into his final and once there he added another to his stats sheet at 3:30, winning by fall over Mundelein senior Ty Murray.

With his title win in Palatine, Konkey now has three majors to his credit, the first two coming at the Rex Lewis (Buffalo Grove) then the Porter Invite (Niles West), where the Vikings came close to overtaking Joliet West for the team title.

“Right now both Konkey, and Schmidt are just doing their jobs,” Geneva coach Tom Chernich said. “They’re doing a lot of things really well to help each of them have the success they’ve had.”

Konkey admitted to a good dose of senior-year urgency at play.

“It’s my senior year so it’s important to be as good as I can be to get myself downstate and on the podium,” Konkey said. “Since the end of my sophomore year, it’s been three or four times a week in the room training, and I have not stopped training since then.”

“Dylan is finishing his opponents off with pins and beating a lot of quality guys along the way,” Chernich said. “If he continues this way, he’ll get himself downstate where he can compete for a medal.”

Murray is now 16-6 overall. Stevenson’s Everett Ciezak finished third and Lake Zurich’s Maciej Szelazek finished fourth.

170: Danny Decristofaro, York

York’s Danny Decristofaro won his first major of the season and in doing so he gave York its fourth individual crown on the day.

Decristofaro was in control of his title match from early into the second period when the score went from 4-0 to 9-0 in a blink of an eye, en route to a 15-2 major decision victory over Alec Miller (14-4) of Hinsdale South.

“This sport can be humbling, there are so many ups and downs,” Decristofaro said. “It’s important to show a lot of respect to your opponents and to stay humble.”

Decristofaro opened the tournament with two pins before recording a third against top seed Sam Bartell (Maine South) in just 47 seconds.

“I decided to turn all of my attention to wrestling and give the sport my complete dedication,” Decristofaro said. “I’ve spent a lot of time training at Izzy Style, which has given me the chance to be in the room with a lot of talented wrestlers to train with.”

The aforementioned Bartell (12-3) would earn third place honors, while Oswego East senior, Dylan Crawford (16-11) claimed the fourth place medal.

182: Jovanni Piazza, Hinsdale South

After a quiet entrance into the final session here in Palatine, Jovanni Piazza brought Hinsdale South to life with a hard fought 6-4 victory in the 182-pound final over Lake Zurich’s Matt Luby. That win also provided a bridge to the Hornets’ second title on the day when Griffin Carr won minutes later at 220.

Piazza (16-1) did what every wrestler knows is most important to his success, and that was to register the first takedown. He then double his advantage before the first period came to an end.

“That first takedown is big and for me, it gave me the momentum and confidence for the rest of the match,” said Piazza, a junior, who entered the tournament as the No. 10-rated 182-pounder in 2A.

“(Luby) was looking to go with an underhook at the start so when I defended that and turned it into a takedown, I really feel like I set the tone for the rest of the match,” Piazza said. Piazza conceded an escape to Luby and then record another takedown with 25 seconds remaining in the opening period.

“I basically lost most of the last season when I tore my labrum, had surgery, and went through six months of rehab,” Piazza said. “So this year is really important to me and I feel a hundred percent healthy. I feel like I can get downstate and on the podium.”

Both Piazza and Luby pinned their way into the final. South Elgin’s Josh Taylor was third while Cary-Grove’s Gabe Simpson was fourth.

195: Jon Schmidt, Geneva

Like a shark in the water looking to feed, Geneva’s Jon Schmidt has been on a lethal pin frenzy of late. That spree has taken the senior to three major titles after his sensational day of wrestling came to a close when he beat Tommy Porello (Maine South, 10-4) by fall at 2:32 of their title match.

Schmidt (19-2) won at the Rex Lewis (Buffalo Grove) with a trio of pins, then record a remarkable five pins in 13:33 minutes to claim the top prize at the Porter Invite (Niles West). He finished up the first half of his season with two more pins in Palatine.

“I had a nice little streak of pins going before that 7-1 decision in my semifinal, so I guess it’s something like eight out of my last ten matches have been pins,” said the Vikings 95-pounder, who aims to get back to state after earning his first trip in 2021 to the IWCOA state tournament.

“I lost in the blood round at the Conant sectional last year so for me, it was time to turn up my work in the offseason,” Schmidt said. “I’ve been working as hard as I could since the season began and right now I feel like my confidence, work in (neutral), and my shot-taking is so much better than last year.”

Schmidt went 36-17 last season.

“Jon has been on a real roll of late,” Geneva coach Tom Chernich said. “He’s so tough on top and he has a real presence out there this year. He’s just a real tough 195-pounder.”

Hunter Meyer (Lake Zurich, 15-7) beat Danny Viscuso (South Elgin, 15-6) for third place.

220: Griffin Carr, Hinsdale South

Inspired by teammate Jovanni Piazza’s title win at 182 pounds, Hinsdale South’s Griffin Carr (14-4) ended a day of dominance at 220 with a pin at :49 of his title match against Joe Petit (South Elgin, 17-6).

It was Carr’s second major of the season.

“Watching Jovanni go out there and win for us really got me going for my final,” Carr said. “I went out there and went to work right away to get the pin and the title.

“I won earlier at our own tournament but I wasn’t happy at all with my performance at the Whitlach, so I went back into the room and worked on cleaning some things up. I fixed a couple of the bad habits from that tournament to get myself ready for this tournament and the second half of the season.”

After taking home regional and sectional crowns a year ago, Carr’s first foray at Champaign didn’t go as he had hoped, as two quick losses ended his season.

“Yeah, that was a rough one down in Champaign, and not one that I want to repeat,” Carr said. “That kind of gave me the motivation to work even harder during the offseason.”

After considering Butler and Valparaiso, the 6-4 Carr is honing in on D-3 power, UW-Whitewater as his next stop.

Austin Bagdasarian (York, 12-7), and freshman Logan Abrams (Cary-Grove, 10-4) were third and fourth, respectively.

285: Tommy Roath, South Elgin

In the always entertaining and unpredictable heavyweight division, the bracket would stay true to form when the last final of the day saw top-seeded Eric Perez-Nava of Bremen standing across from second-seeded Tommy Roath of South Elgin.

Both combatants earned their spot in the finals with two pins in advance, and as expected this match needed six full minutes to decide the champion.

Roath struck early with a second-period takedown, added another later, then stifled his talented opponent from Bremen with a hard ride until the final whistle to earn a 6-2 decision and the 285-pound title.

“Watching Eric beforehand I knew he was big, strong, and long, which can give guys like me who are (shorter) heavyweights a lot of trouble,” began Roath, now 20-4 on the season.

“I kept my position and stance real steady throughout the match, got that first takedown, and I knew with all of the cardio I’ve been working on that if I could get the lead, I could ride him out,” Roath said.

The junior, who went 12-7 in his abbreviated season last year, also plays football for the Storm as a right guard.

“Heavyweight is a push-pull division, with a lot of the matches either ending with a fall, or the full six minutes. So for me, my fitness will be so important in the second half of this season,” Roath said.

Perez-Nava (15-2) who plays on both sides of the line for Bremen football, was looking to  grab his second tournament title of the season to go along with the one he earned at Harvard where he was voted outstanding wrestler in the upper weights.

Dominic Begora (York, 14-5) and Gavin Slaughter (Hinsdale South, 8-6) were third and fourth overall.

TEAM STANDINGS

Maine South 188.5, South Elgin 174.0, York 162.0, Geneva 148.5, Mundelein 145.0, Hinsdale South 129.0, Lake Zurich 115.5, Richmond-Burton 105.5, Stevenson 98.0,

Bremen 95.5, Rolling Meadows 81.0, Lake Park 80.0, Oswego East 73.0, Leyden 61.0, Cary-Grove 54.0, Grayslake North 34.0, Palatine 21.0, Zion-Benton 14.0

By Gary Larsen

District 230 strikes again.

The co-op team comprised of girls from Andrew, Stagg, and Sandburg won its third tournament title in December on Thursday, out-pacing the field at this year’s 2nd annual Sally Berman Holiday Classic, hosted by Palatine.

 Coach Demeri Pajic’s team also won team titles at Pontiac and Schaumburg in December, sending 2022 out with a bang.

“I’m so happy for them,” Pajic said. “We’re undefeated as a team right now so I told them coming in we’re the team to beat, and to keep doing what they’re doing. They work so hard.”

District 230 won with 217 team points to second-place Oak Forest’s 172. Minooka (158), Homewood-Flossmoor (145.5) and Round Lake (106) rounded out the top five team places.
Pajic has more than 30 girls in her practice room this season.

“It’s a larger team so we have wrestle-offs going on this year, and It’s very competitive in our room. We have girls that are really passionate about the sport,” Pajic said. “This season has been so much fun. They’re my family, they’re my life, and they know it. We’re all like sisters on this team.”

Pajic got individual titles from Alyssa Keane (135) and Janae Vargas (190) in Palatine, and seconds from Sophia Figueroa (110), Katherine Cygan (120), and Emma Akpan (190) among its four individual finalists.

The field at Palatine was a good one. Mickaela Keane was a runner-up at 170 in Pontiac but lost a tough decision to eventual Palatine champion Ileen Castrejon of Zion-Benton.

“Mickaela had a tough one in her first match at 170 and she only had one loss this year, and she was a state qualifier last year,” Pajic said. “And a shoutout to Charlianne Johnson (115), our senior. She’s a tough cookie and she goes out there and just works everything.”

 Cygan’s second at 120 followed up her second-pace finish in Pontiac, and Figueroa’s title match Thursday at 110 went into overtime against Grant’s Ayane Jasinski. Figueroa also placed second at Pontiac.

Second-place Oak Forest got an individual title from Alex Sebek (105) and seconds from Sabrina Sifuentez (130), Maya Coreas-Funes (140), and Jessica Komolafe (235).

Homewood-Flossmoor led the field with three individual champions in returning state champion Attalia Watson-Castro (130), Alima Toheeb-Lawal (145), and Jocelyn Williams (235).
Other wrestlers winning titles in Palatine were Grant’s Ayane Jasinski (110), Burlington Central’s Tori Macias (115), Hoffman Estates’ Sophia Ball (120), and Lockport’s Claudia Heeney (125), who was named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler.

Also winning Berman titles were Round Lake’s Riley Kongkaeow (100), Lemont’s Suzie Knutte (140), Palatine’s Jasmine Hernandez (155), and Zion-Benton’s Ileen Castrejon (170).

 Here’s a breakdown of this year’s 2022 Sally Berman Holiday Classic champions:

100: Riley Kongkaeow, Round Lake

Round Lake freshman Riley Kongkaeow is currently ranked No. 4 at 100 in Illinois, in Rob Sherrill’s Illinois Matmen rankings, and she kicked off the first of 12 pins recorded on the title mat in Palatine.

Kongkaeow won by fall in her first two matches before doing so in the championship match against Rickover Naval Academy’s Mia Vazquez, who is currently an honorable mention wrestler in the rankings at 100 pounds.

Kongkaeow only started wrestling one year ago as an eighth-grader and she is acclimating well to high school wrestling.

“The biggest adjustment for me from middle school wrestling is to now wrestle girls, since all I wrestled were boys last year,” Kongkaeow said. “My brother (Grayson Kongkaeow, a boys’ sectional qualifier last year) is basically my coach. We get along really well and he’s been a big help for me.”

Kongkaeow fought off two Vazquez takedown attempts in a scoreless first period, then chose bottom position to start the second. She reversed Vazquez and pinned her to take the Berman crown at 100.

“I was a little nervous before my final and I knew (Vazquez) was strong,” Kongkaeow said. “I just wanted to stay away from her and keep moving, and getting those first points with my reversal was really important.”

105: Alex Sebek, Oak Forest

Fourth-ranked freshman Alex Sebek trailed Bartlett’s Emma Engels 2-1 after one period of their title match, so she knew she only had two minutes to turn things in her favor. Having Engels in bottom position to start the third period was a good beginning.

“I was freaking out but top is my favorite position and I’m pretty good at adjusting to situations,” Sebek said. “As soon as I saw she was on her shoulder I immediately went to a signature move that I love and it worked.”

Sebek’s third-period fall was her third of the day. Engels — who went 23-13 and placed eighth in Illinois at 100 last season and is currently ranked No. 7 at 110 — earned a first-period takedown and led 2-0 heading into the second. Sebek escaped bottom to make it 2-1 before taking control over the lankier Engels in the third period.

“I’ve seen (Engels) wrestle before but I’m kind of used to wrestling taller people. I’m very defensive against tall people and the key is just going low and shooting low,” Sebek said.
Sebek won by fall in her semifinal against Grant’s Snow Khi, who placed eighth in Illinois at 105 last year. while Engels won 8-1 over Lakes’ Zariah Mouzan in her semifinal match. The sophomore Engels won an individual title at Larkin this season and was a state qualifier last year.
Sebek is aiming to grab the brass ring in her rookie campaign.

“My goal is to win state this year,” Sebek said. “I just need to get a little better on my feet and in adjusting to different situations on my feet. I used to only wrestle with boys and I’m still on boys’ varsity, so seeing all the girls here and wrestling here has been super cool.”

110: Ayane Jasinski, Grant

The lone championship match decided by straight decision went to overtime, with Grant’s Ayane Jasinski earning a takedown in the first minute of overtime for a 3-1 win over Andrew’s Sophia Figueroa.

“I did a slide-by,” Jasinski said. “I was very nervous because obviously the match could be over at any second. And you don’t have a chance to come back.”

Jasinski posted a trio of pins to reach the finals and won by fall in her semifinal against Saint Viator’s Natalie Gubernaut. Figueroa pinned Minooka’s Holli Coughlen to reach the title mat.

Jasinski went 11-3 as a sophomore last year and placed fourth in Illinois at 100 pounds. “It was cool because it was only my second year wrestling,” Jasinski said. “I’m better on top this year but I still need work on my feet.”

115: Tori Macias, Burlington Central

Last year’s fourth-place finisher at 110 last year, Burlington Central’s Tori Macias went 23-6 as a freshman. This year, the diminutive sophomore moved up to 115 and thus now faces wrestlers with more length than she’d been used to last season.

Her approach is simple: “Stay low,” Macias joked.

Macias lowered the boom in her title match, winning by fall over Grant’s Joanna Szelag at the 1:19 mark, but not before Szelag earned an early takedown. But Macias earned a lightning-quick reversal and worked it to a pin.

“I tried to get my bar and run it as hard as I could,” Macias said. “If I can’t get it I’ll recover, but I got it.”

It was Macias’ fourth pin of the day and she reached the finals with a semifinal fall against Round Lake’s Ireland McCain.

Macias is currently ranked fourth in Illinois at 110 and wrestling is in her blood: her older brother is former Burlington Central star Austin Macias, a two-time Illinois state champion.

“I’ve been wrestling since sixth grade. I saw my brother (Austin) wrestle and said ‘I want to do that’,” Macias said. “I was a little sloppy last year but I feel like I’m cleaning that up a little. I just want to keep cleaning up my technique and get things done right away.”

 Macias also placed second in tournaments at Larkin and Maine East this year. She won by fall in her Berman semifinal match over fifth-ranked Ireland McCain of Round Lake, who was fifth in Illinois at 120 last year. Szelag won a 15-5 major decision in her semifinal over Lockport’s Liz Ramirez.

120: Sophia Ball, Hoffman Estates

Hoffman Estates junior Sophia Ball went 17-8 and finished eighth in Illinois at 115 last year as a freshman. This year, she won an individual title at this year’s Maine East tournament and she pinned her way to a Berman title on Thursday, culminating in a win by fall on the title mat against Andrew’s Katherine Cygan.

Both Ball and Cygan are currently ranked as honorable mention wrestlers at 120.

“I got better this year under pressure because when I’m anxious I get too frantic,” Ball said. “And I had a pretty good takedown last year but it definitely got better this year. I want to place (downstate), obviously, and I still need to get better at bottom and at defending.”

The sophomore is enjoying her second season of Illinois high school wrestling.

“Definitely,” Ball said. “And we have a bigger girls team this year, which makes it even more fun.”

Ball pinned Minooka’s Sabina Charlebois in their semifinal match while Cygan won a 7-6 decision in her semifinal against Fremd’s Zuri Sarmiento.

125: Claudia Heeney, Lockport

 The winner of the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler Award added a Berman Classic title to her resume, which includes tournament wins at Niles West and this year’s Gable Donnybrook tornament. On Thursday, Lockport freshman Claudia Heeney won a wild, 23-9 major decision that saw her leading 9-7 in the finals over a tough Ava Babbs of Lakes after one period, before Heeney broke the match open.

Those close, nail-biter matches are fun, right Claudia?

“It’s fun because the whole crowd is cheering, but it’s also a lot of pressure,” Heeney said. “There were a little bit of nerves but I looked around and found one of my best friends, and she just told me to calm down. So it’s hard to be in those kinds of matches, but winning them feels even better.”

Heeney used three falls to reach the finals, capped by a semifinal fall over Burlington Central’s Soraya Walikonis, a state qualifier last year. Heeney has worked hard to keep an even keel on the mat.

“When I was younger I’d get more emotional on the mat so that’s something I’ve worked on for a few years now,” Heeney said. “I want to get better at keeping things tighter and more technical but I’m pretty happy with everything right now.”

Heeney is currently ranked fourth at 125 and Babbs — who placed eighth downstate at 135 last year, won a tournament title at Antioch this year, and is ranked as an honorable mention wrestler — won by fall in her semifinal match against sixth-ranked Emmylina O’Brien of Hoffman Estates.

130: Attalia Watson-Castro, Homewood-Flossmoor

After going 17-1 and winning a state title at 135 last year as a junior, Homewood-Flossmoor’s Attalia Watson-Castro had to figure things might different in her senior year.

“Last year nobody really knew who I was and this year everyone does, but I welcome the challenge,” Watson-Castro said.

 Top-ranked at 135, Watson-Castro met all challengers and pinned them in Palatine, capped by her fall on the title mat against Oak Forest’s Sabrina Sifuentez, currently ranked fifth at 135. Watson-Castro won her semifinal match by fall against Minooka’s Eva Beck, while Sifuentez won by fall against Conant’s Ewa Kroupa in their semifinal match.

Watson-Castro also won individual tournament titles at Normal and Pontiac this season, but an accumulation of titles isn’t what she thinks about.

“I approach it one match at a time,” she said. “I always try to humble myself and never (assume) I’m going to win. Wrestling is all about thinking and anyone can win, no matter what the rankings say, so you just have to stay smart and stay close with your moves.”

135: Alyssa Keane, District 230

Ranked sixth in Illinois at 130, District 230’s Alyssa Keane and Conant’s Mannie Anderson (No. 4 at 135) squared off in the only finals match that featured two of Illinois’ top-5 ranked wrestlers.
It was a wild but short-lived championship bout.

 Keane led 2-0 on a first-period takedown, and Anderson escaped to make it 2-1. Anderson then scored a takedown and three near-fall points to take a 6-2 lead, only to be reversed and pinned by Keane at the 1:57 mark.

Keane also won the B division title at 135 in Pontiac on Dec. 9.

“Alyssa Keane is one of the hardest workers in the room and she’s somebody who’s always confident,” District 230 coach Demeri Pajic said. “When she knows someone is ranked, she’s always like ‘I’ve got it’.”

Anderson won by fall in her semifinal match against Hoffman Estates’ Annie Rackoci, while Keane won by fall against Round Lake’s Raven Burnett in their semifinal.

“(Keane) is a second-year wrestler and was a state qualifier last year,” Pajic said. “She put in the work all throughout the summer and continues to be completely locked in.”

140: Suzie Knutte, Lemont

If you’re looking for someone who understands that sports are supposed to be fun, look no further than Lemont’s Suzie Knutte. Asked about her three quick pins in winning the title at 140 Thursday, and Knutte had a simple explanation:

“I like to get things over and done with,” she joked.

In only her first season as a high school wrestler, the senior Knutte is making waves. She already won tournament titles at Waukegan and Ottawa, and added a Berman title to that list with a pin on the title mat against Oak Forest’s Maya Coreas-Funes.

The quick pins that occur across girls’ wrestling might carry with them a risk of wrestlers not being as conditioned as they need to be in longer matches that go the distance. But Knutte isn’t worried.

“My last tournament two days ago I won a 9-0 decision,” Knutte said. “I’m in good shape. I run a lot and the conditioning at Lemont is so good. Third periods are no problem.

“I just want to clean things up and learn a little more. I think I have the strength and endurance but technically I have a lot to work on.”

Knutte won by fall in her semifinal match against Homewood-FLossmoor’s Grace Gibbs, while Coreas-Funes won her semifinal by fall against Minooka’s Bella Cyrkiel.

145: Alima Toheeb-Lawal, Homewood-Flossmoor

“It was a tougher match and I was a little bit winded,” Toheeb-Lawal said. “You want to do everything you can to get your team points. With a 6-1 decision I was cutting it close there and I didn’t want to let her get any more points. I scored on a lot of throws.”

“I’m faster and more skilled. I wrestled in the offseason, went to Fargo — everyone is getting better. When I started as a freshman I had a good record and now, in my senior, it’s like ‘dang, everyone has gotten great’. There are a lot of great wrestlers now.”

 155: Jasmine Hernandez, Palatine

The first of the day’s two title matches featuring teammates happened at 155, when Palatine’s Jasmine Hernandez and teammate Sabrina Cargill squared off in their home gym.

After a period that featured a lot of handfighting but not much else, Hernandez — who placed sixth downstate at 145 last year and is currently ranked No. 2 at 155 — posted a second-period pin to win a Berman title.

There was more going on in the match than people knew.

“We both have asthma and I didn’t want her to have an asthma attack, so during the first period we did a bunch of hand-fighting to get our blood flow up,” Hernandez said. “Then during the second period, I worked my moves.

 “And we had to make it interesting for the (fans) that are cheering. It’s my last year and I’m trying to make this year fun.”

Her title-mat fall was Hernandez’s fourth of the day, and it was set up by a fall in her semifinal match against Minooka’s Abbey Boersma. Cargill reached the finals with a semifinal pin against Burlington Central’s Jada Hall.

Hernandez also won a title at Granite City this season. With just a little more than a month remaining in the wrestling season, Hernandez aims to fine tune her way to a state title.
“I want to keep working on my technique. That’s the number one thing that has improved,” Hernandez said. “And I want to maintain my physique and stay in shape, lift more weights and get stronger.”

170: Ileen Castrejon, Zion-Benton

As a sophomore last year, Zion-Benton’s Ileen Castrejon went 14-6 and was a state runner-up at 170 pounds. Now a junior, she’s back for another bite at the apple.

Castrejon opened her Berman tournament with a 7-4 decision win over District 230’s Mickaela Keane, who placed eighth downstate last year and was second at Pontiac’s 38-team tournament on Dec. 9. Castrejon then reeled off three pins to win the tournament title at 170, capped by a fall in the finals over Downers Grove South’s Gracie Swierczynski.

Castrejon’s fall in the semifinals over Minooka’s Jaiden Moody set up her finals win, while Swierczynski won by fall in her semifinal Oak Forest’s Riley Ensing.

190: Janae Vargas, District 230

Teammates Janae Vargas and Emma Akpan did battle for a Berman title at 190, just a few weeks after Akpan won the title at 190 in Pontiac. Vargas was the starter in Palatine but while Akpan’s run to second place didn’t earn District 230 any team points, coach Demeri Pajic has a pair of rock-solid wrestlers at 190 in her practice room.

“Our two girls in the finals together have both been wrestling off for (190) this year,” Pajic said. “Janae got to wrestle as our starter today so I told them before the final that this was a wrestle-off for the two of them. Janae took home the win but they’ve pushed each other.”

Vargas won by fall over Evanston’s Ashland Henson in her semifinal match, while Akpan won by fall in her semifinal against Oak Forest’s Isabella Peralta.

235: Jocelyn Williams, Homewood-Flossmoor

The third Homewood-Flossmoor wrestler on the day to win a Berman title, Williams went 15-9 and reached a state semifinal last year before finishing fourth in Illinois. The fourth-ranked junior won the title at 235 on Thursday with a pin against Oak Forest’s Jessica Komolafe, and she feels like a different wrestler this year with the post-season right around the corner.

“I was too emotional last year and that makes you wrestle too wild,” Williams said. “I had to start looking at it as just having fun. That’s all. Just have fun and if you lose, just learn from your mistakes.”

“And I actually listen to my coaches this year. They’d tell me to do things last year during a match and I’d second-guess them. I want to win state this year. I have to win state. And it’s not really part of my weight class but I want to start shooting.”

Komolafe reached the finals with a pin against Conant’s Rye Reyes. Williams had three pins on the day, including a semifinal fall against Downers Grove South’s Brianna Fellows.

By Curt HerronTOLONO – Three teams that advanced to last year’s IHSA Class 1A Dual Team Finals, runner-up Tremont, third-place Unity and qualifier IC Catholic Prep, met in Saturday’s Unity Invitational.

And while all graduated some outstanding individuals, it’s apparent that the trio should once again be factors in determining who the top dual teams in Illinois’ smallest class are.

The host Rockets turned in an impressive performance to win the 15-team invite at Rocket Center with 242 points while IC Catholic Prep took second place with 216.5 points and Tremont was third with 161. Hoopeston Area/Milford (127), Olympia/Heyworth (111), Bishop McNamara (108), Rochester (95), Benton (92), Carterville (87) and St. Joseph-Ogden (71) were next.

Since the top two teams in the field both have several football players, they were affected by the IHSA football playoffs. IC Catholic Prep won the Class 3A championship 48-17 over Williamsville at the nearby University of Illinois Memorial Stadium on November 25. Six days earlier, Williamsville ended Unity’s season in the semifinals by a 12-7 score.

While Unity has been able to face a lot of competition since its season ended, this was the first time that IC Catholic Prep was able to participate in an event. Needless to say, some of the Knights football players, which were about half of those who competed in the tournament, were still trying to make the adjustment to the mat.

Leading the way for coach Logan Patton’s champion Rockets were title winners Kyus Root (170), Hunter Eastin (182) and Nick Nosler (195) while Thayden Root (160) and Alex Abrahamson (285) both placed second.

Turning in third-place finishes for Unity were Travis McCarter (106), Kaden Inman (132) and Halen Daly (145) while Ryan Rink (152) and Haidyn Hendricks (220) were fourth, Trevor McCarter (113) and Hunter Shike (126) took fifth and Graydin Cler (138) also scored points.

“JR (Jason Renteria) and I are super close and we talked about how we loved seeing the football success and it translates to wrestling, but man we were ready to get on the mats and he had some bracket busters in there,” Patton said. “J had these dudes ready to compete today and I loved that they got to come down and we had some fun since we’re on the Fargo staff together. We could just go and compete.

“A year ago, Mikey Calcagno and Grant Albaugh were finalists here and then they wrestled in the state finals. I kind of said the same thing when Mikey got a little banged up today that December 17 doesn’t matter. On February 17, when this match happens for real, so let’s have some fun together.”

The night before the Invite, Unity hosted a dual team competition and perennial Class 1A power Vandalia was one of the competitors. The Rockets won that dual meet by a 57-18 score and are currently ranked fourth in Class 1A behind Coal City, Dakota and defending state champion Yorkville Christian. They have a 14-2 record with their lone losses coming to Washington and Dakota, who are both ranked second in their classes.

“I think last night we kind of showed everybody that we’re here,” Patton said. “We had Vandalia come in, who’s kind of been a big rival, and win that dual 57-18. If you look at last year’s team, we had Tavius Hosley, a three-time finalist, Grant Albaugh, a finalist, and Oran Varela, a three-time qualifier. It’s kind of cool that now these guys don’t rely on those guys to win a dual. They look at each other and say, ‘if I do my job, we’re going to win,’ and today was kind of the same thing.

“As a program since I’ve been here, we enjoy duals more than tournaments. These guys battled together and were like, listen, if we do our job, we’ll win this tournament. It wasn’t a goal, but it was nice that it happened. I think we only have three or four seniors in the lineup and one or two juniors, so we’re super freshmen and sophomore young. Hunter Eastin had a great weekend. He’s a sophomore who understood that he was behind two state finalists last year. 

“We’ve lost two duals this year, one to Dakota and one to Washington and we’re 14-2 and just won our own invite. We’ll get a little time to get healed up and to clean some things up before ABE’s and hopefully make a good run at ABE’s and kind see where we stack up against the rest of the state. I think there’s a lot of parity this year. There’s a lot of good teams and it will be who can get on a roll. I’ve got Josh Inman, who wrestled for my dad, on the staff, and then we have my dad, Henry, and my brother, Dakota, on the staff. You talk about that unity and family, all of that stuff intertwines because of what we’ve built here.”

Top performers for coach Jason Renteria’s runner-up Knights were champions Omar Samayoa (126), Bryson Spaulding (138) and isaiah Gonzalez (285) and second-place finishers Saul Trejo (120), Joseph Gliatta (152) and Michael Calcagno (195). 

Taking third place was Foley Calcagno (182) while KC Kekstadt (132), Nate Brown (160) and Vinny Gonzalez  (220) all finished fifth.  For his efforts, Samayoa received the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler Award.

It was the first competition of the season for IC Catholic Prep, which is in an honorable mention selection in the most recent rankings. Half of the contingent that it sent to the mats on Saturday were on the school’s football team, which went 13-1 and captured the Class 3A championship with a 48-17 victory over Williamsville, giving the school its sixth state title and fourth under coach Bill Krefft, whose teams won three in a row from 2016-2018. 

“It feels good to have the whole team back,” Renteria said. “Right now, it’s just about making sure that we get our football players back the way other guys  are. We’ve got guys like Omar and Bryson who both won today. They trained throughout the whole summer and really put their heads down and they’re grinding. We’re starting to see with our guys that guys who are really putting the work in, it’s starting to show. So it’s just about making sure that the boys put the work in come February. 

“It’s more mature now with the boys because I think they do understand now what they’re capable of. When I got to start coaching at IC, I don’t think they knew exactly where they could be, but now I feel like they have a light on it and now they know what they need to do. So now the fire is different.”

Pacing coach TJ Williams’ third-place Turks were champions Payton Murphy (120) and Mason Mark (132) and runners-up Bowden Delaney (126) and TJ Connor (182). Konnor Martin (113) placed third, Jayden Neil (106) finished fourth and Josh Geyer (145) and Thomas Conn (285) both took fifth place. Tremont is ranked 16th in the latest poll.

Also winning titles were Rochester’s Conner Carroll (106), Lutheran School Association Decatur’s Clinton VerHeecke (113), Benton’s Mason Tieffel (145), Bishop McNamara’s Luke Christie (152), Lanphier’s Connor Janssen (160) and St. Joseph-Ogden’s Owen Birt.

Others who finished in second place were Hoopeston Area/Milford’s Ceaser Espinoza (138) and Angel Zamora (170), Bishop McNamara’s Blake Arseneau (106), Urbana’s Cordero Sims (113), St. Joseph-Ogden’s Holden Brazelton (132), Rochester’s Nolan Mrozowski (145) and Olympia/Heyworth’s Nolen Yeary (220). The two co-op teams in the invitational, Hoopeston Area/Milford and Olympia/Heyworth are honorable mention in the 1A rankings.

The closest matches saw Tieffel beating Mrozowski 8-5 at 145, Mark beating Brazelton 8-3 at 132, Christie winning 10-4 over Gliatta at 152 and Janssen beating Thayden Root 13-7 at 160.

Winning titles by fall were Carroll (106), Spaulding (138), Eastin (182), Birt (220) and Gonzalez (285) while VerHeecke (113) and Kyus Root (170) both won with major decisions.

In a reflection of the tough nature of the competition, title matches at 120 (Murphy over Trejo), 126 (Samayoa over Delaney) and 195 (Nosler over Calcagno) all ended early due to injuries.

Champions who also won titles in 2021 were Carroll (106), Christie (152), Nosler (195) and Gonzalez (285). Individuals who were second a year ago and won titles on Saturday were Samayoa (126), Tieffel (145) and Janssen (160). And 2021 title winners who placed second were Brazelton (132), Mrozowski (145), Zamora (170) and Calcagno (195).

One of the more anticipated title matches was at 195, where Michael Calcagno and Nosler and Calcagno met up in a clash of state finalists, with the former taking first and the latter second. But Calcagno got injured early in the match and eventually had to injury default to Nosler.

There was a tie for most team points with 28 between six individuals, Birt (220), Gonzalez (285), Murphy (120), Nosler (195), Samayoa (126) and Spaulding (138). Scoring 27 team points were Kyus Root (170) and Clinton VerHeecke (113). Carroll (106), Christie (152), Eastin (182) and Tieffel (145) all scored 26 points, Janssen (160) had 24.5 and Mark (132) had 24 points.

Other third-place finishers were Benton’s Anthony Hernandez (138) and Collin Hill (170), Olympia/Heyworth’s Bentley Wise (152) and Kelton Graden (160), Carterville’s Zechariah Miller (220) and Riley Bradford (285), Lutheran School Association Decatur’s Garrett VerHeecke (120), Bishop McNamara’s Jackson Jeck (126) and Charleston’s Marcellx Boling (195).

Individuals who also placed fourth were Olympia/Heyworth’s Mateo Martinez (120) and Cole Bauer (170), Hoopeston Area/Milford’s Aiden Bell (126) and Cohen Brown (160), Rochester’s Drake Pfeiffer (132) and Jared Lauwerens (195), St. Joseph-Ogden’s Emmitt Holt (113), Urbana’s Jonnah Fonner (138), Bishop McNamara’s Lance Onyeukwu (145), Prairie Central’s Connor Steidinger (182) and Charleston’s Stormy Hughes (285).

Also finishing in fifth-place were Carterville’s Landyn Flood (120), Chris Bates (182) and Jonathon Weiderman (195), Hoopeston Area/Milford’s Owen Garrett (106) and Ayden Larkin (152) and Bishop McNamara’s Cole Kimberlin (138) and Ethan Pfieffer (170).

Unity hopes that it not only can qualify for the dual team finals for the third-straight season, but also get a semifinals win so that it won’t be in the third-place match for the third year in a row. The Rockets have lost to the last two state champions in the semifinals, falling to Yorkville Christian last season and to Dakota in 2020, and then finished in third place both years.

Tremont beat IC Catholic Prep 39-34 in the quarterfinals last season in Bloomington and then went on to finish second to Yorkville Christian. The Turks hope to advance to the dual team finals for the fourth-straight year and pick up hardware for the second time.

IC Catholic Prep made its second appearance in the dual team finals and first since 2018 but came up short in the quarterfinals to Tremont. The Knights hope that this is the season when they capture their first state trophy.

Unity Invitational championship matches

106 – Conner Carroll (Rochester) F 0:54 Blake Arseneau (Bishop McNamara)

113 – Clinton VerHeecke (Lutheran School Association Decatur) MD 14-6 Cordero Sims (Urbana)

120 – Payton Murphy (Tremont) INJ 4:35 Saul Trejo (IC Catholic Prep)

126 – Omar Samayoa (IC Catholic Prep) INJ 2:00 Bowden Delaney (Tremont)

132 – Mason Mark (Tremont) D 8-3 Holden Brazelton (St. Joseph-Ogden)

138 – Bryson Spaulding (IC Catholic Prep) F 3:44 Ceaser Espinoza (Hoopeston Area/Milford)

145 – Mason Tieffel (Benton) D 8-5 Nolan Mrozowski (Rochester)

152 – Luke Christie (Bishop McNamara) D 10-4 Joseph Gliatta (IC Catholic Prep)

160 – Connor Janssen (Lanphier) D 13-7 Thayden Root (Unity)

170 – Kyus Root (Unity) MD 13-0 Angel Zamora (Hoopeston Area/Milford)

182 – Hunter Eastin (Unity) F 3:14 TJ Connor (Tremont)

195 – Nick Nosler (Unity) INJ 3:52 Michael Calcagno (IC Catholic Prep)

220 – Owen Birt (St. Joseph-Ogden) F 3:35 Nolen Yeary (Olympia/Heyworth)

285 – Isaiah Gonzalez (IC Catholic Prep) F 1:25 Alex Abrahamson (Unity)

Here’s a breakdown of the Unity Invitational champions and their weight brackets:

106 – Conner Carroll, Rochester

After joining three others who repeated as a champion at the Unity Invitational, Conner Carroll now sets his sights on something that he wasn’t able to a year ago, and that’s to qualify for the IHSA finals in Champaign.

The Rochester sophomore improved to 10-0 after claiming top honors at 106, recording a fall in 0:54 in the title match over Bishop McNamara’s Blake Arseneau after getting a pin in 4:15 in the semifinals over Unity’s Travis McCarter. Listed as honorable mention at his weight in Class 2A, he was one of two members of coach Brad Alewelt’s Rockets to reach the title mat and the lone one to capture a championship.

“I worked on my half, and steering wheel, so that got me to the final,” Carroll said. “I just kept doing it, and that’s how I got first place. I didn’t make state last year and became 106 this year so I’m hoping I can be the state champ. I went to any type of camp and have been working out and lifting. I’m definitely pretty excited. I just have to keep it going.”

Arseneau, a freshman who is 10-3, was one of the two members of the Fightin’ Irish to reach the title mat after getting a win by technical fall in the quarterfinals and then winning in the same fashion in the semifinals against Tremont’s Jayden Neil.

McCarter (8-2) defeated Neil  (9-5) by fall in 3:55 for third-place in a matchup of freshmen. Fifth-place honors also were settled by two freshmen as Hoopeston Area/Milford’s Owen Garrett (6-4) won with a pin in 3:08 over Charleston’s Lucas Ross.

113 – Clinton VerHeecke, Lutheran School Association Decatur

Clinton VerHeecke and his twin brother Garrett decided to go to a high school after being home-schooled. The only problem was that the two freshmen from Decatur wanted to attend a school that previously had no program, Lutheran School Association Decatur.

Thanks to an influx of similarly-minded athletes, coach Zach Whitsel’s Lions were able to bring eight to the Unity Invite and the VerHeeckes led the way with Clinton taking first at 113 and Garrett finishing third at 120. After recording a fall in 1:47 in the quarterfinals, Clinton (18-0), who’s second-ranked at 113, won with a fall in 4:26 in the semifinals over Tremont’s Konnor Martin and then won a 14-6 major decision over Urbana’s Cordero Sims in the 113 finals.

“I’ve been home-schooled up through eighth grade, so this is actually my first year attending a regular school,” VerHeecke said. “And I have a twin brother and he’s been doing really well. We’re a really small private school with about 120 kids. We talked to the staff there and expressed our needs and they were really willing to start a program, and we ended up having like 10 kids who came out. It’s really exciting because it kind of feels like every time you do something big, it’s a new record. One thing that I did in the offseason was that I got into the weight room a lot. I can just tell how much stronger I feel versus last season. I also started playing football this year and that was also kind of nice.”

Sims (13-3), who’s ranked sixth in 2A and was a state qualifier a year ago, was one of two medal winners for Urbana. After opening with a win by technical fall and recording a fall in 1:12 in the quarterfinals, the Tigers junior earned his spot on the title mat with a 4-0 decision in the semifinals over St. Joseph-Ogden’s Emmitt Holt.

In the third-place match, Martin (5-2) claimed a 6-4 decision over Holt (7-5) in a matchup of Class 1A ranked sophomores. Martin is fifth and Holt, a 2022 state qualifier, is ranked sixth at 113. In the fifth-place match, Unity junior Trevor McCarter (9-9) won by fall in 4:21 over Hoopeston Area/Milford freshman Charlie Flores (9-5).

120 – Payton Murphy, Tremont

After being unable to compete a year ago due to injuries, Payton Murphy is focused on finishing his career with a bang and hopes that a new setting helps him to not only make a third trip to state but also earn his first trip to the awards stand.

The Tremont senior, who won 44 matches and qualified for state in 2020 and won 30 matches and advanced in 2021 to the IWCOA finals while competing for Deer Creek-Mackinaw, hopes that competing for coach TJ Williams at Tremont will help him to become a state medalist. Murphy (9-1), who just missed being ranked in the top-10 at 120, opened with a fall in 0:37 in the quarterfinals and then won by fall in 4:33 in the semifinals over Lutheran School Association Decatur’s Garrett VerHeecke before winning the 120 title by injury default in 4:35 over IC Catholic Prep’s Saul Trejo.

“I just came over to Tremont this year,” Murphy said. “I decided to come over here to get me better. TJ has been like a second father to me. He helps us with everything and just makes you a better wrestler. All of the energy and the culture around us, it builds you up, it makes it feel like they’re in the match with you. I know that me and him (Trejo) and one of my other buddies were all injured last year. Missing out on a year that I really wanted just made me want to come out here and get better and better. I’ve just been putting in the drill time. A lot of people that live wrestling gets you there. But to me it’s all drilling and repetition. You have to perfect things.”

Trejo (2-1), a senior who’s ranked third at 120, was a Class 1A champion in the IHSA at 106 in 2020 and in the IWCOA at 113 in 2021. After winning by fall in 0:41 in the quarterfinals, Trejo got a pin in 3:37 in the semifinals over Olympia/Heyworth’s Mateo Martinez to advance to the title mat, but he was unable to go the distance due to an injury that ended it in the third period.

VerHeecke (14-3), a freshman who like Murphy ranked just outside of the top 10, followed his brother Clinton’s 113 title win with a fall in 1:02 in the third-place match over sophomore Martinez (8-5). In the fifth-place match, Carterville sophomore Landyn Flood (10-6) captured a 6-4 decision over Hoopeston Area/Milford’s junior Talon Nelson (10-4).

126 – Omar Samayoa, IC Catholic Prep

After qualifying for state for the last two years and being a member of a team that competed in the 1A dual team finals a year ago, Omar Samayoa is looking to take things to the next level this season, both individually and for IC Catholic Prep.

The Knights junior definitely did his part in his team’s season debut at the Unity Invitational. After recording a fall in 1:47 in the quarterfinals, Samayoa (3-0), who’s just ranked outside of the top 10, won by fall in 4:47 over Bishop McNamara’s Jackson Jeck in the semifinals before winning by injury default in 2:00 in the 126 finals over Tremont’s Bowden Delaney. As a result of his efforts, he was selected by the coaches as the recipient of the Outstanding Wrestler Award. A year ago, he took second place at 132 in the Unity Invite.

“This was exciting,” Samayoa said. “The level of competition was pretty good. We couldn’t certify earlier, and if we could have, we would have won more team trophies. We have a lot of football players. Otherwise, we would have had more duals and matches and more experience so that we could get all of the kinks out that we had today. It would have been a much more dominating performance. Last year (at dual state), everybody didn’t perform up to their standards, because if we did, we could have gotten second place. So this year, we’re going for first. I’ve been training all summer, and practicing five or six days a week, at least. I just kept pushing harder and harder. And I’m still pushing.”

Delaney (11-2), a sophomore who also is ranked just outside of the top 10, hoped to follow up on a first at the Plano Reaper Classic, but had to give up on his hopes for a second title in two weeks due to injury after one period of the finals. Delaney opened with a fall in 0:44 in the quarterfinals and got a pin in 1:59 over Hoopeston Area/Milford’s Aiden Bell in the semifinals.

For third place, senior Jeck (9-2) won by technical fall over freshman Bell (12-4). And in  the fifth-place match, Unity freshman Hunter Shike (13-6) won by fall in 3:30 over Olympia/Heyworth junior Bryson Wilson. Shike won the award for recording the fastest fall, which was 0:16, and that was the second of his four pins during the competition.

132 – Mason Mark, Tremont

Mason Mark definitely had a tough task in front of him if he intended to claim top honors at 132 at the Unity Invitational.

The Tremont junior faced not only a pair of ranked opponents in his final two matches but also two individuals who had won 40 or more matches and qualified for state last season, something that he didn’t do after competing in the IWCOA finals in 2021. But Mark (15-1), who’s ranked sixth, was definitely up to the challenge, following a fall in 0:56 with a 6-4 win by sudden victory in the semifinals over Unity’s Kaden Inman, who’s ranked seventh, and then capping his title run with an 8-3 decision over St. Joseph-Ogden’s Holden Brazelton, who’s ranked ninth.

“You want to win, but we’re doing the best that we can this year,” Mark said. “We lost a lot of seniors at big weights, but we have new guys that are working in the room. He’s (TJ) a great coach, he pushes and he puts us in tough positions in practice. He’s always trying to make us better. Payton had a tough year last year but he’s doing good this year back on the mat and getting reps in, he should go far this year. I’m just working hard in practice and getting the reps in. Just doing something every day to get myself prepared.”

Brazelton (13-1), who won 44 matches and placed sixth at 120 a year ago, suffered his first defeat of the season and was denied in his attempt to add to a title win at PORTA and repeat as a champion at Unity. The sophomore captured wins by technical fall in both the quarterfinals and semifinals, beating Rochester’s Drake Pfeiffer to advance him to the title mat, one of just two individuals who got there for the Spartans, with 220 champion Owen Birt being the other.

Inman (10-6), a sophomore who won 41 matches a year ago, recorded a fall in 0:31 in the quarterfinals, bounced back from his tough setback to Mark with a win by technical fall over sophomore Pfeiffer (5-3) to claim third place. For fifth place, IC Catholic Prep freshman KC Kekstadt won by fall in 5:14 over Hoopeston Area/Milford freshman Rasiah Jones.

138 – Bryson Spaulding, IC Catholic Prep

Bryson Spaulding is definitely hoping that the third time’s the charm for him this season after running into eventual 126 champion Phoenix Blakely in his opening match at state a year ago or losing by sudden victory and in an ultimate tiebreaker in the IWCOA finals in 2021.

The IC Catholic junior, who’s honorable mention at 138, opened his season in a good fashion with three-straight falls to win the title at 138. After needing just 0:59 to record a pin in the quarterfinals, Spaulding (3-0) won by fall in 1:14 over Urbana’s Jonnah Fonner in the semifinals before getting a pin in 3:44 in the finals against Hoopeston Area/Milford’s Ceaser Espinoza.

“The football players just got off from winning that state title, so they have the taste of blood already, so they’re ready to go get it,” Spaulding said. “The guys came in with a lot of energy and everyone else was already working, so coach already had the mentality that we were going to be hard-working the entire year. Last year, we didn’t have a full lineup but this year we have a full lineup of guys and they’re all motivated and ready to do this. J (Jason) expects all to win individual titles and a team title so we all have that expectation in our minds and are working for it, so that’s real good. I’ve worked on my mindset since going into certain matches, I wasn’t mentally there.”

Espinoza (9-3), a freshman, was one of two competitors for coach Chris Kelnhofer’s Cornjerkers who reached the title mat, with Angel Zamora the other at 170, and he also took second place. After winning by fall in 1:14 in the quarterfinals, Espinoza captured a 9-4 decision over Benton’s Anthony Hernandez in the semifinals to earn his spot opposite Spaulding in the finals.

Hernandez (16-6), a sophomore, claimed third-place honors with a fall in 4:40 over freshman Fonner. And in the fifth-place match, Bishop McNamara freshman Cole Kimberlin captured a 9-5 decision over Rochester junior Dylan Estes.

145 – Mason Tieffel, Benton

Mason Tieffel was able to experience the thrill of being in the Grand March last season, an impressive feat since only two other individuals from his school had ever done so previously. But after losing in the 1A 126 title match to Dakota’s Phoenix Blakely by technical fall, he’s focused on not only getting back to the finals but equalling Gabe Craig’s title at 285 at the IWCOA finals in 2021 and Zach Wilson’s Class A title at 140 in 2008.

The Benton junior, who took third at 120 in the IWCOA in 2021, is 22-0 after winning 8-5 over Rochester’s Nolan Mrozowski in the 145 title match. Tieffel, ranked third at 138, lost in the Unity Invite finals at 126 last year in one of his few setbacks in a 47-5 season. He recorded a fall in 1:14 before getting a pin in 1:12 in the semifinals over Bishop McNamara’s Lance Onyeukwu. This is his second invite title of the season, adding to a championship at Civic Memorial.

“It was really cool and that’s what I was wanting to do,” Tieffel said of reaching last year’s finals. “But I did not wrestle as good as I was hoping to. The (finals) match really wasn’t what I wanted to happen, but I think it really helped in the long run. It really showed me that I’m not where I need to be and where I want to be. It really showed me what I needed to work on. I think I’ve improved a lot over the summer and will for the rest of this year. I’ve been all over the place with my weight. I’m just trying to find the best matches I can get. I’ve just been pushing my pace and trying to put as many points on the board the entire match that I can.”

Mrozowski (9-3), a junior who won a title in the Unity Invite last season at 132, joined 106 title winner Conner Carroll as the Rockets’ lone finalists. An honorable mention selection at 145, Mrozowski, who qualified for last year’s IHSA finals as well as the 2021 IWCOA finals, won by fall in 1:15 before recording a pin in 0:34 in the semifinals over Unity’s Halen Daly.

Daly (8-3), a junior, won by fall in 1:28 over freshman Onyeukwu to claim third place. And in the fifth-place match, Tremont junior Josh Geyer won by fall in 5:10 over Hoopeston Area/Milford sophomore David Bell. 

152 – Luke Christie, Bishop McNamara

Luke Christie recalls well when his brother Blain capped a 21-1 season to win the 1A title at 145 in the 2021 IWCOA finals since he was also competing in Springfield in that historic event. 

After going 29-4 and placing fourth at 152 a year ago and being a state qualifier in 2021 in the IWCOA and also in 2020, the Bishop McNamara senior has his sights set on capping his career like his brother did, as a state champion. Christie (9-1), ranked third at 152, repeated as a Unity Invite champion after opening with a fall in 3:31, getting a pin in 0:39 over Unity’s Ryan Rink in the semifinals and then winning 10-4 over IC Catholic Prep’s Joseph Gliatta in the title match.

“I knew going in here that there was going to be tough competition, for sure,” Christie said. “I didn’t know exactly how the brackets were going to play out, so I just had to be ready to go all out through matches. I think we have 11 to 14 freshmen and they have a lot of work to do, but they’re still winning and we’re winning duals and it’s great to see them and they’re going to be good by the end of the year. Seeing his (Blain) success really made me see that that was something I could do, too. Last year, mentally I knew going into the state tournament, that I was one of the best. I let it slip in my first match but then I wrestled all the way back. So this year in the summer, I just made sure I just made sure that that was always in the back of my head. So I’m just working on my mindset.”

Gliatta (2-1), a junior who took sixth last year at 145 and was an IWCOA qualifier in 2021, is ranked sixth at 152. He won by technical fall in the quarterfinals before recording a fall in 2:26 in the semifinals over Olympia/Heyworth’s Bentley Wise to earn his spot on the title mat.

Wise (13-4), a junior who won a title at Pontiac, captured third place after recording a fall in 1:29 over sophomore Rink (9-6). In the fifth-place match, Hoopeston Area/Milford sophomore Ayden Larkin (11-4) got a pin in 3:44 over Carterville junior Merrick Orendoff (8-5).

160 – Connor Janssen, Lanphier

Connor Janssen realizes that not many wrestlers from Lanphier have advanced to the awards stand at the state finals in recent years. And while just four Lions have received state medals in the past 20 years and none has placed better than fourth, Janssen thinks he might be able to  make a run at it and perhaps become the third individual from his school to compete for a title, which was last done in 1996.

Janssen, a senior who’s ranked eighth at 160 in Class 2A and also a returning state qualifier, improved to 8-0 after capturing the title at 160 with a 13-7 decision over Unity’s Thayden Root. Following an 11-3 major decision in the quarterfinals, Janssen won by technical fall over Hoopeston Area/Milford’s Cowen Brown in the semifinals. Janssen took second place at last year’s Unity Invite.

“I’ve been really successful so far this season,” Janssen said. “My goal is obviously to win state and I’m just going to do anything that it takes to achieve that. It’s really hard without any practice partners, so I mainly focus with all of the coaches. I lost my practice partner, so I have to wrestle all of the coaches and get beat up every day. And I’ve also been lifting weights. Last year, my max on bench was like 185 and now it’s 225. I’m real confident and I’m super excited.”

Root (13-3), a junior who’s honorable mention at 160, was one of five Unity competitors who reached the title mat from 160 to 285, with three of those winning titles. After recording a fall in 1:11 in his opener, Root advanced to meet Janssen by getting a pin in 3:43 over Olympia/Heyworth’s Kelton Graden in the semifinals.

Graden (12-6), who’s a sophomore, captured third place with a fall in 0:59 over senior Cohen Brown (9-6). In the fifth-place match, IC Catholic Prep sophomore Nate Brown (4-1) recorded a pin in 3:43 over Charleston senior Alec Sellers (7-5).

170 – Kyus Root, Unity

Kyus Root helped to put the finishing touches on a big weekend for the host Rockets when he became the first of their three champions of the own invite, and he was quickly followed on top of the awards stand by teammates Hunter Eastin and Nick Nosler to help Unity win the team title by 25.5 points over runner-up IC Catholic Prep.

Root (14-1), a senior ranked 7th at 170 who won 45 matches and qualified for state a year ago as well as in 2021 in the IWCOA finals, won his first two matches by fall before winning a major decision to secure his team’s first individual title. After winning his opener by fall in 1:23, Root recorded a pin in 0:54 in the semifinals over Benton’s Collin Hill and then won 13-0 over Hoopeston Area/Milford’s Angel Zamora to capture the championship.

“I thought it was a very good day for the team,” Root said. “It’s early in the season and there’s room to improve and we still have a long way to go. You can’t win a state tournament in December. I think this team has a lot of potential. It’s not the same team that it was last year, but you’re not going to have the same team two years in a row. Every day we’re bonding more and more. What I like most about the team is that no matter what, we always wrestle for each other. You’re wrestling for the team and you’re doing what’s best for the team to win the tournament or win the dual. Coach always knows best and we’re really loyal to him and we trust him a lot. Right now, my main biggest work has been working on my conditioning.”

Zamora (11-3), a sophomore and honorable mention at 170, was one of two Cornjerkers to reach the title mat, got a pin in 2:18 in his opener and a fall in 2:39 over Olympia’Heyworth’s Cole Bauer in the semifinals. Zamora won a title at the Unity Invite last season.

Hill (6-2), who’s a junior, captured a 17-11 decision over sophomore Bauer (9-6) to finish third. In the fifth-place match, Bishop McNamara sophomore Ethan Pfieffer (7-6) won a 12-5 decision over Lanphier sophomore Jayden Crowder (7-3).

182 – Hunter Eastin, Unity

When an athlete is at the same weight classes as teammates who compete for state titles, they’re probably not going to get many chances to stand out. But training with guys like runners-up Grant Albaugh at 182 and Nick Nosler at 195 certainly benefited Hunter Eastin and he’s excited about the opportunity that awaits both himself and Unity.

Eastin, a sophomore who had fewer than 20 matches a year ago, is off to a 15-1 start after taking first at 182 with a fall in 3:14 over Tremont’s TJ Connor, who entered the match with no losses. Eastin, ranked fourth at 182, opened the tournament with a fall in 0:53 and then claimed a 10-5 decision over IC Catholic Prep’s Foley Calcagno in the semifinals.

“I am excited, especially considering how our team is so young,” Eastin said. “We only have four seniors and our JV kids are building up nicely. I’ve worked on my conditioning, especially after football season. Plus I’ve been working on stuff like underhooks and drives. Last year, I didn’t start because I was behind Grant Albaugh and Nick. I didn’t have many moves last year., I just had my fireman’s and maybe a high-cross sometimes. So I’m really expanding my horizons in moves this year.”

Connor (14-1), one of the four Turks to reach the title mat for coach TJ Williams, followed a fall in 1:38 in the quarterfinals with a pin in 3:59 in the semifinals over Prairie Central’s Connor Steidinger. Ranked fifth at 182 and coming off of a tourney championship at Plano, Connor qualified for state a year ago.

Calcagno (3-1), a freshman who’s ranked sixth at 182, made a nice debut and claimed third place with a fall in 4:48 over Steidinger (8-4), a senior who took sixth a year ago at 195 and an IWCOA qualifier in 2021, is ranked seventh and put up a good fight despite being a bit banged up. In the fifth-place match, Carterville senior Chris Bates (12-4) won 5-4 over Rochester senior Mason Wheeler (10-2).

195 – Nick Nosler, Unity

Nick Nosler got as close as you can get to being a state champion a year ago, falling 8-6 in sudden victory to Dakota’s Noah Wenzel in the 195 title match and is determined to take the next step toward the top of the awards stand this season while also helping his team to finish better than third in the dual team competition.

The Unity senior, who went 50-3 a year ago, is off to an 11-2 start after winning by injury default in 3:52 over IC Catholic Prep’s Michael Calcagno, last year’s 1A champion at 182 who finished with a 27-1 record. Calcagno got hurt early in the title match and fought on before halting the match late in the second period. Nosler, who’s ranked second at 195, got a fall in 0:31 in his first match and then recorded another pin in 0:31 in the semifinals over Charleston’s Marcellx Boling. Nosler also won a title at his own invite last season.

“I’m just working hard in the room and getting better every day,” Nosler said. “Everybody is getting better in the room and Patton is pushing us every day to get better. It takes time and we have two months until the state finals. The loss last year at the state finals and getting third again at team state. So we have to push our team and push ourselves.”

Calcagno (2-1), one of the many Knights who were delayed in their return to the mat as a result of helping the school’s football team to the Class 3A championship, got a pin in 0:34 in his first march before recording a fall in 1:13 in the semifinals over Rochester’s Jared Lauwerens. Ranked fourth at 195, Calcagno, a title winner in the Unity Invite last year, also took sixth at 160 in 2021 in the IWCOA .

Boling (7-4), a sophomore, claimed third place honors with a fall in 3:21 over junior Lauwerens (4-3). In the fifth-place match, Carterville sophomore Jonathon Weiderman (13-8) won with a pin in 0:56 over Benton freshman Payton Robinson (10-6).

220 – Owen Birt, St. Joseph-Ogden

Owen Birt got the chance to compete in the IWCOA state finals in 2021 but fell one win shy of advancing to the IHSA finals last season. It’s safe to say that the St. Joseph-Ogden senior doesn’t want to see any drama in reaching state as he wraps up career as a Spartan.

Birt (10-1), an honorable mention selection at 220, followed a fall in 2:33 with a pin in 2:21 in the semifinals over Unity’s Haidyn Hendricks before recording another fall, this time in 3:35 to capture top honors at 220 over Olympia/Heyworth’s Nolen Yeary, to be one of the three medal winners for the five-man Spartans.

“There were a lot of good wrestlers out there today,” Birt said. “I know that a lot of them placed at state last year, so it’s great to see them back. I’ve just tried to make sure I’m in shape in the offseason and I’ve obviously just tried to get stronger since I have to stay in shape. I’m doing pretty good. I’ve only lost one match so far so that’s probably one of the better seasons that I’ve had. I just enjoy not losing, it’s always a good feeling to come out on top.” 

Yeary (8-5), a junior who is also an honorable mention selection in the rankings, won his opener with a pin in 0:22 and then recorded a fall in 3:27 over Carterville’s Zechariah Miller before becoming the lone individual from Olympia to advance to the title mat.

Miller (16-2), who’s a junior, captured third-place honors with a fall in 0:54 over senior Hendricks (7-6). And in the fifth-place match, IC Catholic Prep junior Vinny Gonzalez (4-1) won by fall in 1:39 over Lanphier senior Nick Avendano.

285 – Isaiah Gonzalez, IC Catholic Prep

Most athletes would be thrilled to be involved in two state title competitions as an individual or to be a captain on a state championship team in another sport. Isiah Gonzalez has had the good fortune to be in both positions and now would like an individual championship to go along with his recent state with his team.

A starting right tackle for IC Catholic Prep’s football team that won 48-17 over Williamsville in last month’s Class 3A title game also has the distinction of being a two-time state runner-up at 285, falling in the finals to Alleman’s Charles Jagusah last year to finish with a 34-2 record and to Benton’s Gabe Craig in 2021 in the IWCOA finals. The senior and three-time state qualifier who’s ranked second at 285, went 3-0 to capture top honors at 285 and repeat as a champion at the Unity Invite, following a fall of 0:49 with a pin in 0:47 in the semifinals over Charleston’s Stormy Hughes and then pinning Unity’s Alex Abrahamson in 1:25 in the title match.

“It was awesome, especially playing at the big stadium,” said Gonzalez of the championship football team, which was honored by the Bears the following day at Soldier Field. “I feel like we can have individual state championships and I think that we have a really good shot at winning the team state. We just got certified last week and have been in the room for a week and a half. It was a great start to the season. We can definitely perform a little better, but that just happens more as you practice more and get into the flow of the season.We’re working harder in the room and we’re more focused. There’s no messing around. We know what we want and we know what we have to do to get it.” 

Abrahamson (13-1), who suffered his first loss of the season, was one of five Rockets to advance to the title mat to help the hosts claim top honors. The junior opened with a pin in 1:21 before recording a fall in 5:05 in the semifinals over Carterville’s Riley Bradford.

Bradford (17-3), who’s a senior, won third place with a fall in 0:46 over junior Hughes (5-3). In the fifth-place match, Tremont senior Thomas Conn won with a pin in 4:31 over Lanphier freshman Noe Reyes.

By Curt Herron

Oregon gets past hosts at Stillman Valley Holiday Tournament

In a clash of two highly-regarded Class 1A teams that went down to the wire, Oregon edged Stillman Valley 179-172 to capture the championship of the Stillman Valley Holiday Tournament.

Kaneland took third place with 128 points while Princeton (118), Wheaton Academy (116), Dundee-Crown (115.5) and Marengo (78) were next-best in the 14-team competition.

Leading the way for coach Justin Lahman’s champion Hawks were title winners Lane Halverson (138), Anthony Bauer (160) and Evan Flaharty (285) while Grant Stender (152) and Gabe Eckerd (170) both took second. Claiming third place were Seth Stevens (145) and Landyn Windham (182) and finishing in fourth place was Jonathon Alaniz (220). Owen Wynn (106), Jackson Messenger (113) and Quentin Berry (195) all took fifth.

“It took the entire team from 106-285 to come back and win the tournament,” Lahman said. “We lost some matches early on that we would have liked to win but those guys battled back to earn bonus points on the backside. We had individual champions in Lane Halverson, Anthony Bauer and Evan Flaharty. Our other guys wrestled well and found where they stand against some good competition. We were tied at 150 team points with Stillman Valley going into the final round. 

“The coaching staff pulled the team together and talked about how every person was going to have to wrestle hard for six minutes to finish the job. We had our first match at 113 with Jackson Messenger losing 14-1 before coming back and pinning his opponent in the last minute of the match. That gave the rest of the team the spark they needed to make a push for the title.

“As the final round went on, it was back and forth between us and Stillman trading wins and bonus points. At 285, Evan Flaharty was wrestling Blake Mollet from Stillman with not only an individual championship on the line but also the team title. We talked with Evan about staying focused and just wrestling for six minutes and that the outcome would be what he wanted. It took him just 0:15 to secure the fall. It was a great way to finish the day. To have this senior group leading the way after the hardest four years of high school, with COVID and all of the restrictions, is a great thing to be a part of.”

Pacing coach Jamie McCarty’s runner-up and host Cardinals were champions Jack Seacrist (170) and Andrew Forcier (182), Taking second were Mack Jones (113), Aiden Livingston (145) and Blake Mollet (285) while Michael Pannerale (106) and Porter Needs (152) placed third.

Top performers for coach Kenny Paoli’s third-place Knights were champion Kamron Scholl (120) and runners-up Max Pietak (195) and Nate Diaz (220). Caden Grabowski (132) took third while 

Alex Gochis (126), Kyle Rogers (138), Christian Duffing (152), Nolan Hosking (182) and Jacob Nonnemacher (285) all finished fourth.

Coach Steve Amy’s Princeton Tigers had three champions, Augustus Swanson (106), Ace Christiansen (132) and Augie Christiansen (145).

Champions for coach Steve Aiello’s Wheaton Academy Warriors were Will Hupke (126) and Taggert Kazmierczak (152) and winning titles for coach Tim Hayes’ Dundee-Crown Chargers were Alec Rice (113) and Porter Leith (195). The other champion in the tournament was Marengo’s Hunter Smith (220).

Coach Brandon Wolak’s Lisle Lions had a pair of runners-up, Ryan Hsu (106) and Alexander Ferari (120). Others who finished in second place were Somonauk/Leland’s Aiden Rowan (126), Amboy/Ashton-Franklin Center/LaMoille/Ohio’s Levi Near (132), Princeton’s Carlos Benavidez (138), Winnebego’s Lucas Cowman (160) and Genoa-Kingston’s Julian Torres (182).

In a sign of just how competitive the title matches were, nine of the 14 were decisions. 

Leading the way with the most team points was Hupke (126) with 26. Six individuals finished with 24 team points, Bauer (160), Flaharty (285), Forcier (182), Halverson (138), Rice (113) and Seacrist (170). Leith (195) had 23.5 team points while finishing with 22 team points were Augie Christiansen (145), Kazmierczak (152), Scholl (120), Smith (220) and Swanson (106). 

Also finishing in third place were Marengo’s Logan Miller (138) and Eddie Solis (195), Dundee-Crown’s Jose Gavina (160) and Teigen Moreno (220), Amboy/A-FC/L/O’s Landon Blanton (113), Wheaton Academy’s Lincoln Hoger (120), Johnsburg’s Jacob Calhoun (126), Winnebago’s Charley Murray (170) and Princeton’s Cade Odell (285).

Others who finished in fourth place were Dundee-Crown’s Aiden Healey (106), Wheaton Academy’s Oscar Smith (113), Winnebago’s Chase Whitehead (120), Johnsburg’s Landon Johnson (132), Genoa-Kingston’s Nathan Dutton (145), Amboy/A-FC/L/O’s Lucas Blanton (160), Princeton’s Carson Etheridge (170) and Lisle’s Joe Raineri (195).

Stillman Valley Holiday Tournament champions and first-place matches:

106: Augustus Swanson (Princeton) D 8-2 Ryan Hsu (Lisle)

113: Alec Rice (Dundee-Crown) F 3:36 Mack Jones (Stillman Valley)

120: Kamron Scholl (Kaneland) D 6-3 Alexander Ferari (Lisle)

126: WIll Hupke (Wheaton Academy) F 3:28 Aiden Rowan (Somonauk/Leland)

132: Ace Christiansen (Princeton) MD 12-1 Levi Near (Amboy/Ashton-Franklin Center/L/O)

138: Lane Halverson (Oregon) F 1:26 Carlos Benavidez (Princeton)

145: Augie Christiansen (Princeton) D 3-1 Aiden Livingston (Stillman Valley)

152: Taggert Kazmierczak (Wheaton Academy) D 7-2 Grant Stender (Oregon)

160: Anthony Bauer (Oregon) D 15-12 Lucas Cowman (Winnebago)

170: Jack Seacrist (Stillman Valley) D 6-2 Gabe Eckerd (Oregon)

182: Andrew Forcier (Stillman Valley) D 6-4 Julian Torres (Genoa (Genoa-Kingston)

195: Porter Leith (Dundee-Crown) D 9-2 Max Pietak (Kaneland)

220: Hunter Smith (Marengo) D 8-4 Nate Diaz (Kaneland)

285: Evan Flaharty (Oregon) F 0:15 Blake Mollet (Stillman Valley)

Lena-Winslow/Stockton rolls to Erie/Prophetstown Tournament title

Lena-Winslow/Stockton advanced seven individuals to the title mat and won three championships to lead it to score 240 points, which easily gave it the championship of the 15-team event in Erie.

Illini Bluffs took second with 146 points while Fulton edged Orion 135-130 for third place. Rockridge (115), Rock Falls (100.5), Newman Central Catholic (89), Mercer County (88), Polo/Forreston/Eastland/Milledgeville (87.5), Morrison (82), Erie/Prophetstown (76) and East Peoria (71) were next in line.

Winning titles for coach Kevin Milder’s champions were Jared Dvorak (160), Griffin Luke (195) and Mike Haas (220) while Garrett Luke (152), Jeremiah Luke (170), Jace Phillips (182) and Henry Engel (285) all placed second. Taking third were Drew Presson (132) and Eli Larson (170) while Mauricio Glass (126) was fourth, Carson McPeek (138), Oliver McPeek (160), Tanner Kempel (220) and Brady Aurand (285) were fifth and Jack Mensendike (145) took sixth.

Leading the way for coach Shawn O’Connor’s runner-up Tigers were champions Ian O’Connor 132) and Paul Ishikawa (145) and second-place finisher Hunter Robbins (113). Taking third place were Jacob Strube (106) and Jackson Carroll (138) while Wyatt Knowles (113), Avery Speck (120) and Braiden Salter (195) all finished fifth.

Top performers for coach Chris Grant’s third-place Steamers were champion Zane Pannell (182) and runners-up Broden Venhuizen (132) and Ben Fosdick (145). Placing fourth were Mason Kuebel (170) and Braiden Damhoff (285) while Justin Heck (106) and Skylier Crooks (152) both took fifth place.

Mercer County also had two champions, Ethan Monson (120) and Bodie Salmon (170). Also winning titles were West Carroll’s Connor Knop (106), Polo/F/E/M’s Josiah Perez (113), Rockridge’s Jude Finch (126), Newman Central Catholic’s Carter Rude (138), Erie/Prophetstown’s Jase Grunder (152) and East Peoria’s Jose Del Toro (285). 

Rude recorded a fall in 1:32 over Rockridge’s Reese Finch in the 138 title match to win the OWA for the lower weights while Grunder was the recipient of that award for the upper weights after beating Lena-Winslow/Stockton’s Garrett Luke, the defending 1A champion at 145, with a 3-2 decision in the 152 finals.

Rockridge had three second-place finishers, Reese Finch (138), Ryan Lower (160) and Vaughn Frere (220). Others who finished second were Rock Falls’ Josiah Tarbill (106), Orion’s Luke Moen (120), Erie/Prophetstown’s Wyatt Goossens (126) and Sherrard’s Walker Anderson (195).

Orion had four individuals who finished third, Kaleb Sovey (113), Mason Anderson (145), Aiden Fisher (182) and Maddux Anderson (195). Others who took third place were Rock Falls’ Aaron Meenen (120) and Jacob Hosler (285), Morrison’s Brady Anderson (152) and Logan Baker (160), Polo/F/E/M’s Lucas Nelson (126) and Peoria Heights’ Isaac Coleman (220).

Also finishing fourth were Newman Central Catholic’s Zyhler Hansen (113) and Briar Ivey (120), Morrison’s Zach Milder (132) and Camden Pruis (138) and Mercer County’s Zeke Arnold (145) and Eli Burns (152).

Additional fourth-place finishers were Orion’s Jordan Marshall (106), East Peoria’s Tom Flowers (160), Erie/Prophetstown’s Luke Otten (182), Polo/F/E/M’s Maddux Hayden (195) and Rockridge’s Kamden Weinert (220).

Other fifth-place finishers were Newman Central Catholic’s Collin Messer (132) and Daniel Kelly (145), West Carroll’s Noah Rannow (126), Rockridge’s Tyler Morrisey (170) and East Peoria’s Kaden Rowland (182).

Erie/Prophetstown Holiday Tournament champions and first-place matches:

106: Connor Knop (West Carroll) D 6-1 Josiah Tarbill (Rock Falls)

113: Josiah Perez (Polo/Forreston/Eastland/Milledgeville) F 5:12 Hunter Robbins (Illini Bluffs)

120: Ethan Monson (Mercer County) MD 15-5 Luke Moen (Orion)

126: Jude Finch (Rockridge) MD 12-3 Wyatt Goossens (Erie/Prophetstown)

132: Ian O’Connor (Illini Bluffs) MD 13-0 Broden Venhuizen (Fulton)

138: Carter Rude (Newman Central Catholic) F 1:32 Reese Finch (Rockridge)

145: Paul Ishikawa (Illini Bluffs) D 10-4 Ben Fosdick (Fulton)

152: Jase Grunder (Erie/Prophetstown) D 3-2 Garrett Luke (Lena-Winslow/Stockton)

160: Jared Dvorak (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) MD 14-2 Ryan Lower (Rockridge)

170: Bodie Salmon (Mercer County) F 1:13 Jeremiah Luke (Lena-Winslow/Stockton)

182: Zane Pannell (Fulton) F 2:22 Jace Phillips (Lena-Winslow/Stockton)

195: Griffin Luke (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) F 1:50 Walker Anderson (Sherrard)

220: Mike Haas (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) F 2:53 Vaughn Frere (Rockridge)

285: Jose Del Toro (East Peoria)  F 1:23 Henry Engel (Lena-Winslow/Stockton)

LeRoy/Tri-Valley edges Galesburg for Metamora Holiday Classic title

On a day where there were numerous close battles for tournament titles, perhaps none was as tight as the Metamora Holiday Classic.

That’s where LeRoy/Tri-Valley claimed top honors in the 12-team competition by a 129-128.5 margin over Galesburg. Peoria High beat out Richwoods 93-74.5 for third place while Peoria Notre Dame (65.5) and Pontiac (63) were next in the line in the tournament.

Top performers for coach Brady Sant Amour’s first-place Panthers in bracket competition were champion Jacob Bischoff (220) and runners-up Colton Prosser (132) and Tate Sigler (285). Jack Green (145) took third and Bo Zeleznik (152) was fourth. Kobe Brent (113) went 3-0, Brady Mouser (106) was 4-1 and Brock Owens (126) went 3-2 in round robins.

Leading the way for coach Greg Leibach’s second-place Silver Streaks in bracket competition were champions Rocky Almendarez (132), Isaac Admire (138) and Michael Patrick (160), runner-up Don Patrick (138), third-place finisher Dishon Nolen (220) and fourth-place finisher Emilio Torres (170). In round robins, Gauge Shipp (126) went 5-0 and Nick Makwala (182) went 4-1.

Champions for coach Montell Burton’s third-place Lions in bracket competition were Kenny Rutherford (152) and Lucas Armstrong (285) while Tuison Connor (160) took fourth. In round robins, Malachai Washington (195) went 4-1.

Others who took first place in bracket competition (132-170 and 220-285) were Morris’ Tyler Semlar (145) and Byron’s James Cone (170). Also placing second in bracket competition were Eureka’s Dillon Wiles (160) and Landon Wierenga (220), Notre Dame’s Chase Daugherty (145), Richwoods’ Jayden Putts (152) and The High School of St. Thomas More’s August Christhilf (170).

Also finishing in third place in bracket competition were Pontiac’s Ethan Gray (152), Dylan Ramsey (160) and Tyson Cramer (285), Richwoods’ Rikyis Doss (132) and Gabriel Martinez (170) and Metamora’s Carter Atherton (138).

Additional fourth-place finishers in bracket competition were Notre Dame’s Sean Ryan (132) and Mike McLaughlin (285), Richwoods’ Christopher Harris (138), Kankakee’s Caleb Dickens (145) and Morris’ Michael Xolio (220).

Going 5-0 in round robins were Notre Dame’s Ian Akers (106), Morris’ Carter Skoff (120), Galesburg’s Gauge Shipp (126) and Byron’s Kyle Jones (182).

Posting 4-1 records in round robins were LeRoy/Tri-Valley’s Brady Mouser (106), Byron’s Jackson Norris (120), Metamora’s Connor Graham (126), Galesburg’s Nick Makwala (182), Peoria High’s Malachi Washington (195) and The High School of St. Thomas More’s Brody Cuppernell (195).

Turning in 3-2 marks in round robins were Pontiac’s Aidan Scholwin (106) and Carlito Latin (182), Notre Dame’s Eddie Couri (120), LeRoy/Tri-Valley’s Brock Owens (126) and Kankakee’s Micheal Barrnerman (195).

And going 2-3 in round robins were Richwoods’ Gabe Robb (120) and Bernard Cox (126), Galesburg’s Josh Larkin (106), Morris’ AJ Franzetti (182) and Pontiac’s Hunter Melvin (195).

At 113, there were four competitors with LeRoy/Tri-Valley’s Kobe Brent going 3-0, Richwoods’ Colton Boyer went 2-1 and Pontiac’s DrayDen Ramsey was 1-2.

Metamora Holiday Classic champions and first-place matches:

106: Ian Akers (Peoria Notre Dame) MD 11-1 Brady Mouser (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) – RR

113: Kobe Brent (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) D 9-5 Colton Boyer (Richwoods) – RR

120: Carter Skoff (Morris) D Jackson Norris (Byron) – RR

126: Gauge Shipp (Galesburg) TF Connor Graham (Metamora) – RR

132: Rocky Almendarez (Galesburg) MD 12-0 Colton Prosser (LeRoy/Tri-Valley)

138: Isaac Admire (Galesburg) F Don Patrick (Galesburg)

145: Tyler Semlar (Morris) D 6-2 Chase Daugherty (Peoria Notre Dame)

152: Kenny Rutherford (Peoria High) D 10-4 Jayden Putts (Richwoods)

160: Michael Patrick (Galesburg) F Dillon Wiles (Eureka)

170: James Cone (Byron) F 3:08 August Christhilf (HS of Saint Thomas More)

182: Kyle Jones (Byron) F 3:55 Nick Makwala (Galesburg) – RR

195: Brody Cuppernell (HS of Saint Thomas More) D 11-9 Malachi Washington (Peoria High) – RR

220: Jacob Bischoff (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) F 4:48 Landon Wierenga (Eureka)

285: Lucas Armstrong (Peoria High) F Tate Sigler (LeRoy/Tri-Valley)

by Gary Larsen

Harvard’s Sciacca/Holtfreter Tournament

Don’t look back. Bremen might be gaining on you.

No, the Braves didn’t quite manage to come all the way back from fourth place to overtake the eventual team champion from Portage, WI. But Bremen’s run to a second-place team finish at Harvard’s 13-team Sciacca/Holtfreter Tournament had coach Mike Collins smiling.

“I’m so very proud of all our wrestlers,” Collins said. “We were in fourth place prior to the final round.”
With nine wrestlers in place matches, a coach can’t expect to go a perfect nine-for-nine but that’s what Bremen did. Portage won the team title with 200 points but the Braves pitched a perfect game in place matches to place second with 175 points.

Richmond-Burton (167.5) finished third, followed by Riverside-Brookfield (163) and Woodstock (132) to round out the top five team finishes. Harvard (124), Woodstock North (69), Auburn (63), North Boone (48), Walther Christian (37), Elmwood Park (20), Boylan (16), and Milton WI (0) rounded out the field.
Bremen led all teams with five individual champions in Morgan Turner (106), Elijah Wofford (113), Nore’ Turner (120), Alex Jackson (220), and Eric Perez-Nava (285).

The winning got contagious, as Bremen also got wins on the third-place mat from Gavin Jeronimo (126) and Malakai Scott (138), and wins on the fifth-place mat from Walter Hoevker (132) and Leonardo Martinez (145).

The kicker? “We earned bonus points in six of the nine bouts,” Collins said. “The icing on the cake for the day was Morgan (Turner) winning the OWA for the lower weights, and Alex (Jackson) winning the OWA for the upper weights.
“Valuable confidence was gained by all our wrestlers, as we continue to build toward February.”
Portage led all teams with 14 place-winners, including a pair of champions in Luke Paulsen (152) and David Williams (160).

Other Harvard champions included Richmond-Burton’s Emmett Nelson (126), Brody Rudkin (145), and Alex Reyna (182), Harvard’s Marques Merida (132), Woodstock North’s Doug Zimmerman (138) and Kaden Combs (170), and Woodstock’s Steven Colvin (195).

Harvard championship matches:
106: Morgan Turner (Bremen) 7-5 d. Kyan Gunderson (Richmond-Burton)
113: Elijah Wofford (Bremen) fall 1:29 Jack Dombeck (Elmwood Park)
120: Nore’ Turner (Bremen) 5-0 d. Quintavius Murrell (R-Brookfield)
126: Emmett Nelson (Richmond-Burton) fall 2:17 Jason Krier (Portage)
132: Marques Merida (Harvard) fall 1:22 Dane Sorensen (Richmond-Burton)
138: Doug Zimmerman (Woodstock N.) 7-1 d. Josh Gonzalez (R-Brookfield)
145: Brody Rudkin (Richmond-Burton) 5-3 d. Garrett Crawford (Portage)
152: Luke Paulsen (Portage) fall 1:52 Salvador Esquivel (Harvard)
160: David Williams (Portage) fall 3:48 Max Strong (R-Brookfield)
170: Kaden Combs (Woodstock N.) 14-4 md. Zachary Canaday (Woodstock N.)
182: Alex Reyna (Richmond-Burton) fall 4:18 Emerson Pease (Portage)
195: Steven Colvin (Woodstock) 9-6 d. Josh Nabors (Auburn)
220: Alex Jackson (Bremen) tf. 4:36 Pierce Kristof (Portage)
285: Eric Perez-Nava (Bremen) fall 1:08 Riley Vest (Harvard)
Harvard third-place matches:
106: Cole Beckett (Portage) fall 3:42 Chase Murrell (R-Brookfield)
113: Reymundo Romo (Harvard) 8-6 d. Edgar Masquera (R-Brookfield)
120: Daniel Bychowski (Woodstock) 5-1 d. Gavin Eckberg (North Boone)
126: Gavin Jeronimo (Bremen) 8-2 d. Cody Zabelski (Woodstock)
132: Netavia Wickson (Boylan) fall 1:35 Phillipe Ndkimunna (Auburn)
138: Malakai Scott (Bremen) fall 1:33 Andrew Rieger (Walther Christian)
145: Maysen Smith (North Boone) fall :59 Jacob Noe (Riverside-Brookfield)
152: Cade Tomkins (R-Brookfield) 20-10 md. Isaac Jones (Richmond-Burton)
160: Michael Kowalski (Portage) fall :30 Dominick Dickens Richmond-Burton)
170: Landon Heitmeier (Portage) fall 5:15 Bill Martin (Riverside-Brookfield)
182: Gabe Sanchez (Harvard) 8-6 d. Jovanni Gonzalez (Woodstock)
195: Eli Kimball (Portage) 3-0 d. Edgar Hernandez (Harvard)
220: Joe Midona (Riverside-Brookfield) 3-1 d. Andrew Ryan (Woodstock)
285: Javier Moyotl-Hernandez (Portage) 6-2 d. Devontae Givens (R-Brookfield)

Rich Township’s Raptor Invite

The boys from Merrillville, Indiana won the team title at this year’s Raptor Invite, after finishing all 14 wrestlers in the top three, including eight individual champions, three runners-up, and three third-place winners.

Merrillville scored 319 team points as the only team that entered a complete slate of 14 wrestlers in the tournament.

Antioch (237), Romeoville (122.5), Morton (121), and Evergreen Park (106.5) rounded out the top five team finishes in the 14-team field.

Antioch advanced eight wrestlers to the finals, getting individual titles from Caleb Nobiling (145), Ben Vazquez (160), and Seth Gomez (195), and second-place finishes from Gavin Hanrahan (113), Edgar Albino (132), Anthony Streib (138), Josh Sanchez (182), and James Kasprzak (285).

Antioch coach Wilbur Borrero also got a third-place finish from Chase Nobiling (120), a fourth from Elias Bentley (170), a fifth from Logan Perez (106), and a sixth from Dominic Cabuyadao (120) to round out the Sequoits’ roster of 12 place-winners in Richton Park.

“We had a good tournament,” Borrero said. “Unfortunately Merrillville had a better one. 
“We’re still not at full strength yet but slowly working towards that end.  We look forward to getting healthy and wrestling our second-half schedule.  The goal is to be ready when it counts.”

Other teams competing included Crete-Monee (96), Rich Township (70), Eisenhower (43), Hillcrest (38), Thornton Fractional South (36), Thornwood (32), Tinley Park (27), Intrinsic Charter (17), and Bloom (4).

Rich Township championship matches:
106: Diondre Henry (Rich Township) fall :39 Savion Essiet (Romeoville)
113: Brian Farley (Romeoville) 7-3 d. Gavin Hanrahan (Antioch)
120: Anthony Lopez (J Sterling Morton) 7-2 d. Matthew Maldonado (Merrillville)
126: Nasir Christion (Merrillville) fall 2:34 Aaron Rojas (J Sterling Morton)
132: David Maldonado (Merrillville) 3-1 d. Edgar Albino (Antioch)
138: Lucas Clement (Merrillville) fall 3:49 Anthony Streib (Antioch)

145: Caleb Nobiling (Antioch) 14-3 md. Marlone Kirksy (Merrillville)
152: Adrian Pellot (Merrillville) fall 3:15 Latrelle Hall (Hillcrest)
160: Ben Vazquez (Antioch) fall 3:03 Elijah Grayer (Crete-Monee)
170: Cameron Crisp (Merrillville) 8-6 d. Mason Gougis (Romeoville)
182: Josiah Edmonds (Merrillville) fall 2:34 Josh Sanchez (Antioch)
195: Seth Gomez (Antioch) fall 5:17 Terrell Elmore (Merrillville)
220: James Veal (Merrillville) fall 2: 56 Esteban Velazquez (Eisenhower)

285: Raymond James (Merrillville) fall 1:25 James Kasprzak (Antioch)
Rich Township third-place matches:
106: Joy Cantu (Merrillville) fall 4:00 Johan Bonilla (Evergreen Park)
113: Marion McClain (Merrillville) fall :36 Zavion Bush (Intrinsic Charter)
120: Chase Nobiling (Antioch) fall 3:33 Bryson McDonald (Romeoville)
126: Ben Sanchez (Evergreen Park) tf. 4:40 Jeremiah Jones (Thornwood)
132: Jovan Williams (Hillcrest) fall 3:31 Andrew Koepke (Tinley Park)
138: Kaden McShaw (Romeoville) 6-3 d. Rafael Lopez (J Sterling Morton)
145: Ryan Serna (Evergreen Park) fall 3:28 Deandre Haymon (Merrillville)
152: David Johnson (Evergreen Park) 12-10 SV Issac Dunbar (Rich Township)
160: Tyler Knight (Merrillville) tf. 4:53 Edwin Rangel (J Sterling Morton)
170: Esparza Alberto (Eisenhower) fall 3:55 Elias Bentley (Antioch)
182: Brandon Alexander (Crete-Monee) fall 1:05 Hiawatha Owens (TF South)

195: Carlos Arriaza (J Sterling Morton) 10-7 d. Justin Lawton (Crete-Monee)

220: Eduardo Antunez (Evergreen Park) 5-4 d. Johnathan Espinoza-Luna (Romeoville)
285: Gerald Ohare (Evergreen Park) 13-0 md. Miguel Rojas (J Sterling Morton)

Niles West 5th Robert E. Porter Invitational

The 21-team tournament followed round-robin competition in each weight class and at tourney’s end it was Joliet West hoisting the team trophy at Niles West.

Tigers coach Chuck Rumpf got an individual title from Carson Weber (126) and second-place finishes from Marcus Godfrey (138), Austin Perella (145), Gavin Garcia (160), Reid Hogan (170), Jovon Johnson (195), Tyler Koulis (220), and Wyatt Schmitt (285). The Tigers also got a third-place finish from Colin Flynn (132).

“This follows up a strong showing for us at the Barrington/Moore-Prettyman tournament, where we placed fifth overall,” Rumpf said. “We have a solid program with a lot of talent and depth. A good number of jayvee kids have also stepped up and filled in on varsity due to some injuries and sickness.”

Joliet West is also 7-3 in duals this season, with wins over Stevenson, Lemont, and Andrew, and the Tigers are back-to-back SPC East Division champions. They hope to make it a three-peat next month.
Joliet West posted 459.5 team points, to second-place Geneva’s 435.5. Normal West (383.5), Lake Zurich (376), and Oswego East (280.5) rounded out the top five team finishes.

Weber won his individual title with an 8-6 decision over Normal West’s Austin Johnson. Godfrey and Schmitt lost heartbreakers on the title mat, with Godfrey losing a wild 12-11 decision at 138 to Highland Park’s Mark Martinez, and Schmitt losing 4-1 in overtime in the heavyweight finals to Taft’s Grzegorz Krupa.

“(Weber) is following up an impressive freshman season in which he qualified for state,” Rumpf said. “He’s splitting time between 126 and 132 and he was second at the Moore-Prettyman.

“Schmitt is currently 17-1 and he’s hoping to make it back to state and compete for a state title.”
Schmitt was a 16U runner-up at Fargo during the off-season, and was second at Barrington’s Moore/Prettyman in November.

Lake Zurich’s Scott Busse scored the most team points in the tournament with 58, followed by Oswego East’s Dylan Crawford (57.5) and Grayslake Central’s Tyler Weidman (56).

Busse (145), Crawford (170), and Weidman (120) were all individual Porter champions, along with Geneva’s Joey Sikorski (106), Grayslake Central’s Anthony Alanis (113), Normal West’s Evan Willock (132), Highland Park’s Mark Martinez (138), Geneva’s Maguire Hoeksema (152), Oswego East’s Dylan Konkey (160), Elk Grove’s Benny Schlosser (182), Geneva’s Jon Schmidt (195), Lake Zurich’s Jack Turner (220), and Taft’s Grzegorz Krupa (285).

Schmidt finished the tournament with the most pins in the least amount of time, winning by fall in five matches in a combined time of 13:33.

Porter championship matches:
106: Joey Sikorsky (Geneva) F 1:34 Abram Rader (Normal West)
113: Anthony Alanis (Grayslake Central) F 3:23 Dylan McGrew (Normal West)
120: Tyler Weidman (Grayslake Central) D 5-4 Austin Lee (Burlington Central)
126: Carson Weber (Joliet West) D 8-6 Austin Johnston (Normal West)
132: Evan Willock (Normal West) F 3:25 Nate Ferrari (Highland Park)
138: Mark Martinez (Highland Park) D 12-11 Marcus Godfrey Jr. (Joliet West)
145: Scott Busse (Lake Zurich) INJ 5:03 Austin Perella (Joliet West)
152: Maguire Hoeksema (Geneva) D 5-1 Dmitry Derbedyenyev (Highland Park)

160: Dylan Konkey (Geneva) MD 13-4 Gavin Garcia (Joliet West)
170: Dylan Crawford (Oswego East) F 1:35 Reid Hogan (Joliet West)
182: Benny Schlosser (Elk Grove) MD 11-1 Gus Schreiber (Normal West)
195: Jon Schmidt (Geneva) F 5:28 Jovon Johnson (Joliet West)

220: Jack Turner (Lake Zurich) D 3-1 Tyler Koulis (Joliet West)
285: Grzegorz Krupa (Chicago Taft) TB-1 4-1 Wyatt Schmitt (Joliet West)
Porter 3rd-place matches:
106: Johnny Sheehy (Notre Dame) F 3:31 Nico Harris (Oswego East)
113: Anthony Alanis (Grayslake Central) F 3:23 Dylan McGrew (Normal West)
120: Alex Khaler (Lake Zurich) F 3:39 Nicasio Acino (Elk Grove)
126: Doug Phillips (Burlington Central) FFT Vladamir Vasquez (Reavis)

132: Colin Flynn (Joliet West) MD 112 Damian Valdez (Addison Trail)
138: Warren Nash (Grayslake Central) F 4:40 Nick Gomez (Reavis)
145: Ethan Wojtowich (Waubonsie Valley) F 3:54 Landon Puente (Notre Dame)
152: Noah Demarco (Oswego East) D 7-1 Xavier Edwards (Normal West)
160: Jacob Elsner (Elk Grove) MD 10-2 Luke Bebar (Waubonsie Valley)
170: Payton Marzen (Geneva) F 5:21 Christian Walikonis (Burlington Central)
182: Matt Luby (Lake Zurich) D 4-3 Jim Amatore (Notre Dame)
195: Jacque Munkhjargal (Highland Park) D 7-2 Aiden Rice (Notre Dame)
220: Joe Pettit (Geneva) TF 4:44 Braedon Manogura (Niles West)
285: Matt Hanold (Normal West) F :41 Mikey Barretto (Chicago Taft)

Glenbard South’s Raider Invite

The host Raiders finished atop the 9-team field with 143 points to second-place Leyden (127), followed by Guilford (117), Northridge Prep (116), and Wetosha, WI (116) to round out the top five team finishes.
Goode Stem Academy (70), Kelly (66.5), Westmont (45), and St. Francis (44) rounded out the field.

Glenbard South got individual titles from Reid Sebahar (145) and Danny Langner (220), plus second-place finishes from Diego Myers (126), Jomaine Owen (132) and Neil Jaber (160).  The Raiders also got thirds from Kurt Lewandowski (113) and Evan Mangune (138).

Leyden’s second-place finish came thanks to individual titles from Rusty Klug (132) and Moses Garza (152), and seconds from Diego Mendoza (170) and Ivan Ramos (195), and thirds from Brian Gonzalez (160) and Sebastian Worwa (220).

by Mike Garofola

When Ryan Cumbee arrived on the scene at Joliet Catholic Academy in 2017, the Hilltoppers’ program was light years behind state power Marist when the East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC) tournament came to an end.



For that matter, Joliet Catholic trailed most of its opponents during that season.

However, with the help of a young, burgeoning star by the name of Dean Hamiti, the Hilltoppers program began to rise from the dead to become the 2A dual team state champion, and No. 1 in the IWCOA polls.

And on Saturday at the 56th Rex Whitlach Invitational, Joliet Catholic ran away from an impressive field to lift the championship trophy.

“We’ve become a real close-knit family and it shows in the way we come into the room, compete, and carry ourselves in order to build something we can all be proud of,” Cumbee said. The Hilltoppers were just seven points ahead of Dekalb (76-69) after the first day of play, before exploding on Day Two to finish with 250.0 overall points.

Second-place Warren finished with 162.5 points, while Neehan, Wisconsin was third (162), followed by Sandberg (151.5) and DeKalb to round out the top five on the leader board.

“There’s so much depth on our team and all of the guys — even if they’re not starters right now — are all working hard,” said Joliet Catholic’s Gylon Sims. “It showed when Mason (Alessio), Dillan (Johnson) and myself were at the Ironman last weekend, when the team still was able to finish a real strong second at the Prospect tournament.”

“I’m proud to be a part of our program. We have a great coaching staff and we’re all are working to be our best each time we go out and compete,” Alessio said.

Second-place Warren, with a young, talented bunch, gave head coach Brad Janocek plenty to be happy with when this long-time tournament came to an end.

“We were able to get an individual champion (Aaron Stewart, 152) and had so many of our guys contribute in so many ways with eight place-winners, and all fourteen guys earning points for us over the two days. So we’re obviously very happy with our result here,” Janocek said.

Visiting Neenah did well in the 24-team event, grabbing its fair share of medals, including a quartet of top-four medals to edge Sandburg for the third spot.

“It was a good overall tournament for us,” Sandburg coach Clinton Polz said. “Especially from our three sophomores, who all won championships. Having those three strong sophomores (Rocco Hayes, Madden Parker, and Ryan Hinger) has all of us excited for the future.

“They are all very close friends, but also very competitive with each other, and I really believe it helps drive them to out-do the other, and hopefully this weekend was just the start.”

2022 Rex Whitlatch champions:

106: Rocco Hayes, Sandburg

No. 4 Rocco Hayes would validate his lofty status in the state polls following two days of superb work on the mats, which would include his 4-1 decision over Belleville West sophomore Rocky Seibel to capture the top prize at 106 pounds.

Hayes moved his record to a spotless 17-0 with his hard-fought victory that saw the Sandburg sophomore relentlessly stay on the ankle of Seibel (17-1) near the edge, before the referee signaled a two-point take-down near the end of the first period.

“That first period takedown was big. It set the tone for the rest of the match,” said Hayes, whose patience was rewarded when he executed a near-perfect reversal to extend his advantage to 4-0.

“I knew he was big and strong, so it was important to get that first take-down, then make him work because I can be tough on top as well,” said Hayes, who made it tough on Seibel to get anything going offensively in the third period.

“I was a 91-pound 106-pounder last year, so I put some weight on and got a lot stronger,” Hayes said. “I feel ready and more confident for this season.” Hayes won 27 matches last in his rookie season last year.

“It’s important for me to carry on the Hayes name at Sandburg, and to continue the success my older brothers Louis and Sammie enjoyed in our program,” Hayes said.

Louis Hayes went on to become an All-American at the University of Virginia, while Sammie, sixth overall in Champaign last season, is now wrestling at Illinois.

Noah Avina (Joliet Catholic Academy, 10-4) and Tim Sebastian (18-3) finished third and fourth, respectively.

113: Madden Parker, Sandburg

In a weight class that saw the top two seeds knocked out in the semifinals, it was fourth-seeded Madden Parker who stood atop the podium at tourney’s end.

The Sandberg sophomore did everything right during his two days on the mats, using a variety of results to reach his final with Zev Koransky (OPRF, 15-2). Parker dominated from start-to-finish en route to a 17-0 tech-fall (4:23) triumph to give his club the second of three titles on the day.

“I’m really lucky to have a guy like Rocco (Hayes) to go with everyday, and to be in a room that has so much talent and desire to get better every day at practice,” said Parker, whose dedication and perseverance has paid off according to head coach, Clinton Polz

“Madden was actually our back-up at 106 last year,” Polz said. “He was behind Rocco, and was unable to beat Ryan (Hinger) who was our 113-pounder.

“(Madden) spent a lot of time filling in for us at 120 while Sammie Hayes was on the injured list. He had to chug water bottles before weigh-ins to be heavy enough to make the minimum weight to be eligible to wrestle at 120.

“Even though he was that under-sized, he still found a lot of success along the way and helped us out a ton of times.”

It was plenty of one-way traffic for Parker, who used a three-point near-fall to make it 5-0 after one period, before a reversal and another near-fall increased his advantage to 10-0, en route to his dazzling tech-fall finish.

“I did a lot of upper body work during the offseason, and just kept working on everything to get myself ready for the challenge of being (full-time) in our lineup, and making a contribution to the team,” said Parker.

Jason Hampton (Joliet Catholic Academy, 11-3), who gave Parker a difficult test in the quarterfinals, would come back to earn third place over Barrington freshman Jimmy Whitaker, who is now 16-10 on the season.

120: Gylon Sims, Joliet Catholic Academy

Reigning 2A state champion Gylon Sims rolled into the 120-pound final only to find a determined Declan Koch (Neenah, 14-2), who would have loved nothing more than to send off the No. 1 man in Illinois with a loss.

It appeared that plan would not come about after Sims (13-4) went out to an early lead, only to find himself in a 7-7 contest, with Koch having all the momentum going forward.

“It’s not always good for my heart, but my style of coaching lends itself to putting yourself at risk at times, and just letting the fur fly and just wrestle,” began Hilltoppers head coach Ryan Cumbee.

“With Gylon, he’s not afraid to wrestle free and with reckless abandon, so this was a good situation for him to be in,” Cumbee said.

Sims opened the third period down and with some crafty and clever work, he recorded a three-point near-fall to build a 13-7 advantage before slowly pulling away to an eventual 15-8 victory.

“During the offseason it was all about doing a lot of work on all parts of my game, including my work on top, feet, and just improving the mentality to be as confident as I can heading into each and every match,” said Sims, who used his recent experience at the Ironman as one to learn and build from.
Sims won his first three matches before running into eventual Ironman champion Luke Lilledahl from prep power Wyoming Seminary, who edged Sims by 3-0 decision.
“I didn’t get the overall results I wanted but nonetheless, I learned a lot and will use that experience going forward.”
Carter Mikolajczak (Lemont, 16-2), and Jose Ordonez (Warren, 16-5) finished third and fourth at 120.

126: Jase Salin, Lincoln-Way West

Jase Salin was as honest as the day is long when asked to describe his semifinal upset win over top seed, Jacob Herm (Neenah High School), who is one of the best in the state of Wisconsin in his weight class.

“I have to be truthful — it all happened so fast and so early in the match that I can hardly remember what happened,” Salin said. “I I knew he was a great wrestler from Wisconsin. It was a single that carried him onto his back, I think.”

Salin later claimed top honors when his finals opponent, Bobby Conway (Brother Rice) was unable to go after he sustained an injury in his previous contest.

Conway was the 2021 Whitlach champion at 120.

“I really wanted to wrestle that final, but I feel bad that (Conway) had that injury, I just hope he gets healthy real soon,” said Salin, who recalled his first state appearance in Champaign last February.

“I was completely obliterated by (Loyola Academy’s Massey) Odiotti in my first round match, and before I knew it I was out when I lost (to Marist’s Will Denny) to end my first trip downstate,” Salin said.

“I learned a lot from that experience and I’ve worked hard to clean things up this year, and use different shots in certain situations,” Salin said. “So the plan is to get back downstate and get onto the podium.”

Herm (14-2) was a Wisconsin state runner-up last season after claiming conference, regional, and sectional championships for the Rockets. He went on to third place after his major decision victory over Oak Park-River Forest freshman David Ogunsanya.

132: Ryan Hinger, Sandburg

Sandburg sophomore Ryan Hinger (18-1) dashed the hopes of a second-straight Whitlach title for Zachery Montez, handing the Geneseo sophomore his first defeat with a pin at 5:15, ending a thriller to capture the top prize at 132.

After a first period that was more like a chess match, Montez (19-1) wriggled free to claim an escape at three minutes, but then conceded the same to Montez.

Each man would trade take-downs until a crafty Hinger recorded a take-down and a pin to end this affair in style. Afterward, Hinger was quick to praise the man in charge of the Eagles program and the Sandburg coaching staff.

“Polz is amazing,” Hinger said. “We have a hall of fame coaching staff that have meant so much to me. This program has a great history, and one that I’m proud to be a part of.

“I knew how tough (Montez) would be, so I just tried to stay in our game plan. When he went for a front head lock I was able to counter and put him to his back. I knew then that I could finish him off,” Hinger said.

“Hayes, Parker, and Hinger are three great kids who bring our entire program up,” Polz said. “They out-work everyone in the room and hold their teammates accountable.”

Hinger was a Whitlatch blood-round casualty a year ago at 113 and went on to post a 28-9 season’s record.

Montez entered the tournament as the No. 4 rated man in his weight class, and is coming off a 40-win season from a year ago.

Neenah senior Jayden Sheppard (17-1) beat OPRF sophomore Joseph Knackstedt (16-3) to claim third place.

138: Lorenzo Frezza, Stevenson

The hits just keep coming for Stevenson star Lorenzo Frezza, who won here for the second consecutive season following his dominating two-day performance. It ended when the No. 2-ranked man in the state beat league rival Evan Onstad (10-2) from Warren.

The Patriots senior, headed to the Ivy League (Columbia) next fall, would bookend a tech-fall in his quarterfinal contest between a pair of pins to advance into his final, where he built a 2-0 first-period lead into a 9-1 advantage after two periods on his way to a 11-3 victory.

“It’s great to win a title here at a tournament like this,” Frezza said. “I always go into a match looking to score a lot of takedowns, add as many points along the way, and continue to add to my lead. I just think I might have gotten a little too lazy on top in my final.

“I guess I just settled a little too much in the final period, but I’ll continue to work on that when we get back in the room.”

Stevenson coach Shane Cook appreciates what Frezza brings to his program.

“Lorenzo is just laser-focused on the goals he’s set forth for himself,” Cook said. “He’s a terrific young man and one that I wish was with us another year or two.”

Evan Onstad (10-2) is quite a story himself; he suffered a broken arm in middle school, then suffered a concussion, followed by a COVID year during which he played baseball as the two sports ran together in the spring two years ago.

Onstad decided just ahead of last season to wrestle, and made the most of it by claiming a regional title and just falling short at the Barrington sectional.

Jacob Lachs (Glenbard West, 20-1), and Cale Stonisch (Minooka, 3-2) finished third and fourth, respectively.

145: Cody Tavoso, Hinsdale Central

The big, wide smile on the face of Cody Tavoso meant the Hinsdale Central senior not only won on his home mats, but did so for the second consecutive season following his 6-2 decision over Luke Hamiti (Joliet Catholic Academy) in the final at 145.

“It feels real good to win here again. It’s something to remember for a long time,” said Tavoso (19-1) who just two days prior officially commited to wrestling next fall at Princeton University of the Ivy League.

“I dealt with a hip injury last year but it didn’t stop me from finishing sixth at 132. Now the work ahead of me is to stay healthy and sharp, get downstate and atop the podium in February,” says Tavoso, who’s aiming to become the third wrestler in Central’s program history to earn four state medals during a sensational prep career.

Former Red Devils Brian Allen and Juwan Edmond are the other two four-time medal winners, Allen reached the top in 2013 in the heavyweight division before starring in football at Michigan State, and now plays in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams.

“Cody is the epitome of what a team leader and role model should be, in and out of the room,” Red Devils coach Jason Hayes said. “He’s stingy in giving away points, and he’s just a tough, hard nosed competitor who is always in every one of his matches.”

The No. 4 rated man at 138 needed to be as tough as possible in order to hold off Austin Martin (DeKalb) during his 4-2 semifinal victory which began with Tavoso recording a take-down in the first 10 seconds of the contest.

“That semifinal and final were tough matches,” said Tavoso, who built a 6-2 advantage after two periods against Hamiti. “I thought there were near-fall points that I could have gotten, but you just work through that in order to won those close matches.”

Martin (DeKalb, 14-5) finished third after his second period pin over Wilson Wright (16-5) from New Trier.

152: Aaron Stewart, Warren

There’s a new man on the scene at 152 — one that many in the sport know from the off-season, and one who appears to be ready to make his mark in high school.

Warren freshman Aaron Stewart (17-1) is nowhere to be found in the current Illinois state rankings, but he put together a stunning two days of work which ended when he beat No. 2 Harrison Konder to claim what figures to be several tournament championships during his prep career.

“Despite all of the success he’s enjoyed prior to coming to Warren, Aaron is a very level headed, mature, and hard working young man,” Warren coach Brad Janacek said. “He comes into the room and just keeps working. He makes for a terrific presence in our room.”Stewart has acclimated quickly to high school wrestling.

“I’ve really enjoyed being at Warren and being part of the wrestling program,” Stewart said. “The biggest adjustment for me has been the level of talent that I see each time I go out and wrestle.”

The Blue Devils rookie has already assembled quite a resume at the youth level. He can list national titles in folkstyle, Greco-Roman, and freestyle in the under-14 division to become the only wrestler in the country to manage the feat.

In his match with Konder, who entered the tournament undefeated in 18 matches, Stewart grabbed a late 2-0 first-period lead with a takedown. He conceded an escape to start the second period before a wild and furious flurry towards the end of the period resulted in Stewart doubling his lead (4-2) with another takedown.

Stewart ensured his victory with a super-quick takedown near the end of time.

“I’ve wrestled a lot of guys in middle school before this season, but you still have to come out and be smart, stay strong, stay with your plan, and wrestle hard for six minutes to be successful in high school,” Stewart said.

Sophomore Dominic Serio (West Aurora, 10-1) placed third with a major decision win over Luke Swan (Downers Grove South, 14-5).

160: Mason Alessio, Joliet Catholic Academy

One of three No. 1-rated men in Illinois for Joliet Catholic, Mason Alessio has the look of a wrestler ready for a long postseason run, based on what the Hilltoppers’ senior has already accomplished during the first half of the 2022-23 campaign.

Alessio pinned his way into his 160-pound final where he finished off his successful two-day effort with an impressive 13-3 victory over Noah Quintana (West Aurora, 16-2). It was Alessio’s first tournament title of the season, to go with his third-place medal at the high profile Dan Gable Donnybrook two weeks ago in Coralville, Iowa.

“Mason reminds me of an old school Russian wrestler,” coach Ryan Cumbee said. “His composure and emotion are both methodical and relaxed. It’s been very exciting and satisfying to have seen him become such an accomplished wrestler. And he’s a terrific young man.”

Alessio was a 2A state runner-up last season and a key figure in the Hilltoppers’ 2A dual-team state title.

“I’ve put in a lot work and I’ll continue to do so until this season is over, but all the credit goes to a coaching staff that is second to none,” Alessio said. “We’re really fortunate to have them in the room every day.”

Alessio (13-3) built a 9-2 lead after two periods in his finals match, and added to his lead up until the final whistle to earn his second straight Whitlatch title.

“I wanted to set the tone early on, and did that by shutting down his underhook,” Alessio said. “After that it’s all about adding points as the match goes on,” Alessio said.

Quintana, No. 3 in 3A and a state qualifier, cruised into the finals with a pin and then a pair of major decision victories.

Stevenson senior Thomas Schoolman (19-2), was third after recording a 12-1 victory over Royce Gomez (16-6) from Warren.

170: Jon Fier, Barrington

The disappointment of falling short of joining three of his teammates in Champaign last season has stayed with Jon Fier, but the Barrington senior hopes his Whitlach title is just what the doctor ordered during his effort to earn his spot in this year’s 3A state tournament.

“Things ended way too fast at sectionals last year – two quick losses, and that was it for me,” said Fier, who finished 28-9 at 160 last season.

“When your season is cut short, and so quickly, it really makes you look hard at what needs to be done before your next season,” Fier said. “I spent a lot of time during the offseason trying to improve everything in order to reach my goal of getting downstate.

Fier grinded out victories in his last two matches to earn the lone title for the Broncos, who finished 9th overall with 101.0 team points.

Fier opened the tournament with a pin and then a major before a 3-1 decision over state-ranked Francisco Solis (West Aurora, 13-5) sent him into his final with RJ Samuels of Downers Grove.

Once there, it took some fine defensive work from Samuels to keep things level at 2-2 heading into the third period, where an escape off the whistle gave Fier the lead for good.

“I had some really close matches today, but I stayed composed and just did my basic stuff to win them both. I’ve been working a lot on my footwork since the Moore-Prettyman, and today it felt like that hard work paid off.”

Solis finished third ahead of Stevenson junior Richie Gueorguiev.

182: Chuck Connolly, Brother Rice

There’s nothing like a little inspiration provided by a former teammate to add extra incentive, and that’s exactly what Chuck Connolly used en route to his 182-pound title Saturday afternoon in Hinsdale.

The Crusaders’ senior had a first hand look at the 2A state title Brother Rice’s Tom Bennett earned last season, and that look helped fuel him past a quartet of opponents to earn his spot atop the podium inside the Red Devils’ historic gym.

“Oh yeah, watching Bennett win his state title is something that gave all of us a lift,” Connolly said. “There’s no doubt that I’d like to follow in his footsteps in Champaign.” Connolly is now undefeated in nine matches after his hard fought 8-3 decision over Nathan Wrublik from Lincoln-Way West.

“I’m a lot more comfortable in all parts of my game this season, and the extra work in all areas has really improved my confidence as well,” added Connolly, a state qualifier a year ago at 21-13 in the 170-pound division.

Connolly, who opened with a major and then a pin to reach the semifinals, took the lead for good at 3-2 against Wrublik with an escape, before staying active enough to extend his lead to 5-2 toward the end of the second period.

A and sharp move to earn an escape after starting the third period down made it 7-3, which became 8-3 after a penalty point for stalling.

Connolly then rode out his win for the final 60 seconds of regulation.

Jovanni Piazza (Hinsdale South, 12-1) and Nate Elstner (Lincoln-Way West, 13-8) finished third and fourth overall.

195: Cooper King, Lyons Township

Cooper King gave the Lyons Township faithful some nervous moments in his 195-pound final with DeKalb senior, David Stewart, but the LT senior would find his way back before the first period ended to eventually earn a 9-4 decision.

“That’s not the way to start any match, especially a final,” King said. “I got caught and was in a lot of trouble. Fortunately, I stayed composed to finish strong at the end of the period to fight off a real strong opponent and get a win here. I’ve really wanted this for a long time.”

King is the grandson of Mark King, who was named LT’s head coach in 1974 and stayed in that role for 31 years. King was inducted into the IWCOA Hall of Fame in 1994, and then served as 2002 Grand Marshall at the state tournament, to go along with a laundry list of career coaching achievements.

Cooper King, who plans on playing college football with an eye on perhaps a career at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, ensured his championship with a takedown, twenty seconds from time.

“Stewart was really strong but I knew if I could get the lead, then get on top and play to my strength, I could stay in control and win this thing,” said King (18-1), whose well-executed three-point near fall erased an early 4-0 deficit, and sent the LT star into the second period with a 6-4 advantage.

Stewart, who survived an exciting 5-4 overtime victory in his semifinal over third-place Jeremija Hixson (Warren, 12-5), is now 16-2 overall. Anthony Sherman (Lincoln-Way West, 15-6) finished fourth.

220: Marko Ivanisevic, Hinsdale Central

Red Devils fans had one more championship to celebrate when Marko Ivanisevic finished off his 220-pound final in style with a pin at 2:29 over Joliet Catholic Academy senior Hunter Powell, claiming his second big trophy of the season, and second here in his home gym.

“It obviously feels great to win on your own mats, and for the second year in a row, but after my win at the Moore-Pettyman I mentioned how I needed to clean a few things up, and it appears there’s still some cleaning up for me to do,” said Ivansevic, now a perfect 19-0 on the season to further validate his No. 1 spot in the latest state rankings.

The Red Devils junior was not too happy with his his effort in his two matches prior to his terrific finish, as he noted more could have been done in order to win in a more comfortable fashion.

“My opening match was solid, but that 3-0 quarterfinal (vs. Mike Rydell, Sandburg) was a tough one, and my semifinal (Eric Schaufelberger, Neenah) was was too close for comfort,” admitted Ivanisevic.

“I was too stiff and really not mentally where I need to be in those kind of close matches. But the one positive to take away is I was able to grind out victories, and when things become more important, that’s something I’ll need to do.”

Eric Schaufelberger (Neenah, 15-3), came back to claim third place after his 4-2 win over Tim Stohl from Geneseo.

285: Dillan Johnson, Joliet Catholic Academy

The all-out attacking assault Dillan Johnson heaped upon his opponents last year saw the Joliet Central Academy heavyweight enjoy a pin frenzy that few others enjoyed in recent memory, and that frenzy continued into this season.

The reigning 2A state champion began his sensational run towards a state crown with two pins to win a league title and went on to reel off nine straight pins from regionals through the state tournament, and then another trio of falls to help the Hilltoppers secure its 2A dual-team state title.

And in those 12 post-season pins Johnson recorded, it took a mere 17:47 to finish off each and every one of his victims on his way to a 39-0 overall record.

“Dillan is just Dillan,” coach Ryan Cumbee said. “He’s a quiet, humble young man who doesn’t say a lot about himself, but our expectation is for him is to be the most dominant heavyweight in the country. So far, he’s met those expectations and I look forward to his continued success.” 

Johnson posted a brilliant performance at the prestigious Walsh Jesuit Ironman last weekend in Ohio, and repeated after the big man destroyed the competition at Hinsdale Central.

Downers Grove North senior Ben Bielawski, who suffered his first loss of his season in his final with Johnson, is quite a story himself despite falling short in his bid to become a two-time Whitlach champion.

The three-time state qualifier, who was 37-6 a year ago at 182, recently would commit to playing football next fall at UW-Whitewater as a defensive lineman.

“Ben is just an amazing young man,” DGN coach Chris McGrath said. “His ability, drive, work ethic, and desire have helped him reach the goals he’s set forth for himself thus far, and hopefully the rest of the way.”

“Ben fell one match short of placing at state two years in a row, so he’s really hungry to get on the podium this year. His leadership is invaluable to the team and our program, and it’s been fun watching him grow in all aspects of his life.”

Bielawski, No. 7 in the IWCOA state polls, hit the weights hard in advance of the football season, and entered the current wrestling season at 230 pounds. After a few weeks to start the season, he told McGrath he would stay as a heavyweight in the Mustangs’ lineup.

Alex Paquale (Lemont, 16-2), and Kenwyn Horne (Belleville West, 12-8) finished third and fourth overall.

Team Totals:
Joliet Catholic Academy 250.0, Warren Township 162.5, Neenah 162.0, Sandburg 151.5,
DeKalb 147.0, Lincoln-Way West 14