By Patrick Z. McGavin
For the IWCOA

Caleb Drousias had every reason to feel energized and motivated.

The Mount Carmel wrestler is a backup on the Caravan’s powerhouse program.

He is very much connected to its success. His older brother Colton Drousias, now at West Virginia, was a state champion in 2019.

The Drousias name has value and Caleb Drousias proved he could get the job done, when called into service Tuesday night at the Class 3A sectional dual against Catholic League rival Marmion.

Drousias turned the tide and helped punch the Caravan’s ticket downstate. when he reversed a near fall in the first period to stun Marmion’s Tyler Aters at 120 pounds for his own fall at 2:46.

“Basically, in my head, I knew that I had to do something big to get the win secured,” Drousias said.

That nine to 12 point swing from a seemingly comfortable Marmion lead to a five-point spread for Mt. Carmel altered the dynamics.

The Caravan never looked back.

“I’d say that was the match of the night,” Mt. Carmel coach Alex Tsirtsis said.

In a showdown of two top-4 ranked programs, Mt. Carmel captured the sectional title with the 42-27 victory as the Caravan (17-4), ranked No. 3, advanced to the Friday quarterfinals against Libertyville.

Marist, ranked No. 2, jumped out to a commanding lead in defeating Downers Grove South 45-33 in the other sectional bracket.

The Redhawks, who beat Mt. Carmel 31-30 during the season, will face Lockport in the first quarterfinal on Friday at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Glenbard West faces top-ranked DeKalb in the top bracket opposite Marist and Lockport.

Mt. Carmel and Libertyville are in the lower bracket. Moline and Prospect are the other quarterfinals.

Mt. Carmel defeated No. 4 Marmion 44-28 during Catholic League competition. The two programs had a combined five state champions and seven finalists Saturday at State Farm Center at the University of Illinois.

The Caravan’s four individual state champions matched a school record from 2004 for the most in a single year.

“After what happened Saturday, we came in with our heads held high,” Drousias said. 

“We were practicing hard all week, especially with our defense. We used the individual state to get us up today and keep pushing toward a team state title.”

Mt. Carmel was also cognizant of its recent history.

In 2019 at Marist, the Cadets stunned a higher-rated Mt. Carmel team in the dual sectional final.

“We definitely had a lot of confidence after we had five guys in the finals,” two-time Illinois state champion Sergio Lemley said.

“At the same time, we were a little anxious. We have wrestled Marmion in the sectional in the past. Tonight we were ready to wrestle.”

The meet began, in traditional order, at 106 pounds. Marmion knew going in if they were going to spring the upset, they had to build a sizable lead.

Mt. Carmel’s fearsome Ryan Boersma was not just the state champion at 285 pounds. 

The Cadets had nobody to face him after their own elite heavyweight, Jerred Durian, suffered an arm injury before the individual sectional.

Marmion had 10 individual state qualifiers, and Mt. Carmel had nine.

The match was closer than the final score. Mt. Carmel won eight of the 14 matches, and those victories proved more substantial with three falls, three technical falls and the forfeit.

The start went more or less according to form, with one significant exception that underscored the importance of the 120 pound match.

Freshman star Seth Mendoza (40-2), who captured the state championship at 106 pounds, flashed another dazzling exhibition of his quickness, power and supreme technique in his technical fall over Donny Pigoni (35-13).

The stunner came in the state title rematch at 113 pounds. 

Marmion senior Jameson Garcia (33-4) beat Damian Resendez 11-4 Saturday night, and his first period pin Tuesday provided the Cadets’ only lead at 6-5.

That surprise gave Marmion a jolt. At 120 pounds, Aters seemed to ride that momentum when he caught Drousias with a takedown and cradle for the 6-2 lead.

At the start of the second period, Drousias elected to go on top.

“I knew that would be my best option to seal the deal,” he said. “I just worked and pushed the pace for those two minutes. I kept working on him, and I finally got him on his back and held on as hard as I could.”

His victory started a swing of four consecutive victories by Mt. Carmel.

“That was crazy,” Lemley said. “Our backup at 120 really put the team on the mat.

“The other match didn’t go Damian’s way, but the rest of the team had his back.”

Jairo Acuna, (24-17), a state qualifier at 120 pounds, jumped up a weight class and after a scoreless first period, Acuna utilized an escape and takedown for the 3-0 victory over Christian Favia.

At 132 pounds, Eddie Enright (27-12) posted the second period fall over John Conover.

Lemley (41-1), who avenged his only loss by defeating Homewood-Flossmoor’s Vincent Robinson in the 126-pound state final, jumped up to 138.

The 26-6 lead proved a gulf Marmion’s very talented middle and upper weight classes could not overcome.

Mt. Carmel even got an unexpected boost.

Senior Michael Kelly, who missed the entire season due to complications of a shoulder injury, dominated Kenny Siwicki with the 16-0 technical fall at 170 pounds.

Sophomore Colin Kelly, the 160-pound state champion, also recorded a technical fall.

Colin Kelly (38-4) posted the 16-1 victory over Michael Phillips.

“It feels great knowing that we have some really heavy hammers like that, getting as many place finishers as we did at state,” Colin Kelly said.

With Mendoza, Lemley and Boersma, Colin Kelly has the chance to pull off the rare “double,” the individual and team state title in the same season.

“That would be awesome,” he said. “We have worked really hard the whole year. Ultimately that is our team goal. If we could pull that off, it would be really nice.”

Tsirtsis has a deep and versatile lineup.

“Getting Michael Kelly back was just incredible,” Tsirtsis said.

“We have a lot of flexibility now, and we have to take a better look to see what we are going to do with him, and some of the others

It was a cruel end for Marmion, hoping to qualify for the state finals for the first time since 2019.

By any objective measures, the Cadets’ season was an extraordinary one.

Marmion (13-3) captured tournament titles at Barrington, Downers Grove South, Granite City and the regional.

They were top-5 at the Donnybrook and Crown Point. They were runner-up in the Catholic League tournament.

Garcia followed up his IWCOA state title with his superb senior season. Senior Tyler Perry (40-4) also reached a state final at 170 pounds, where lost to Lockport’s unbeaten Brayden Thompson.

Like Garcia, Perry ended his career on a high note with a sharp and controlled performance, beating Rylan Breen 5-3 at 182 pounds.

Breen (28-16) was sixth at 182 pounds.

In another marquee showdown featuring two state finishers, sophomore Jack Lesher earned the Cadets’ most dramatic victory with a takedown in the final three seconds for the 5-4 comeback win over Elliott Lewis.

Lesher (41-6) finished fourth at 182 pounds; Lewis (27-13) finished fourth at 195 pounds.

Sean Scheck (36-12) had a first period fall over John McKeon at 220 pounds.

Marmion also secured wins at 145 pounds with Santino Scolaro’s 6-3 decision over Carlos Perez.

Sophomore Collin Carrigan, who was fifth at 152 pounds, was up big in the second period over Marcus Milianti when he was forced to concede due to an injury.

Scolaro finished the year 27-10. Carrigan was 28-5.

Tsirtsis qualified for the second consecutive team duals final. (Due to the pandemic, the state dual series was not conducted last year.) 

Mt. Carmel finished second against Montini two years ago.

Marist also continued its dream season. After qualifying a program record 11 state qualifiers, Marist is looking for its team finals appearance since the 2014 squad finished second in the state.

Marist posted four consecutive falls in winning the first six matches against Downers South. 

George Marinopoulos (32-12, 106 pounds) recorded a technical fall. Michael Esteban (37-13, 113 pounds) moved up to 120 pounds in his 13-5 major decision.

Marist collected falls from Will Denny (31-11, 126 pounds), Jesse Herrera (24-14, 132 pounds), Matthew Cornfield (138 pounds), Ricky Ericksen (38-11, 145 pounds) and Tommy Boland (38-8, 160 pounds).

Marist coach Brendan Heffernan had the luxury of resting his stars and best athletes to prepare for its showdown against No. 5 Lockport.

State finalists Peter Marinopoulos (39-1, 195 pounds) and Ghee Rachal (32-3, 220 pounds) were rested, with Owen Dunlap (17-4, 138), Jake Liberatore (21-4, 170) and Conor Phelan (28-12).

Logan Mishka also received a forfeit at 113 pounds.

Downers Grove South’s Jimmy Nugent (40-7), who finished third at 138 pounds, jumped up two weight classes and ended the Marist run with the 9-6 decision over Andrew Dado at 152 pounds.

The Mustangs won the final five matches, with falls posted by Matt Lapacek (170 pounds) and Will Schuessler (182 pounds). Noah Rapinchuk (195 pounds), Jayden Conteras (220 pounds) and Semaj Croswell (285) won by forfeit.

“The team is definitely very confident,” Heffernan said. “With every step you take in this process, you have to be able to gear up for the next challenge.

“This is definitely not going to be a cakewalk. Lockport is a very talented and dangerous team.”

Lockport defeated Yorkville 39-24 in what is believed to be the first time in state history two head coaches who are brothers faced each other in the dual sectional.

Lockport coach Josh Oster also qualified for his second consecutive state finals. Coached by Jake Oster, Yorkville suffered its first loss.

“The kids were very excited about their record during the season,” Heffernan said. “With the individual tournament, I think there are different factors, with some not being completely satisfied and others now having themotivation to redeem themselves.

“With everybody else, the dual state finals are the fuel for riding the momentum of this great tournament.”

By Patrick Z. McGavin

For the IWCOA

CHAMPAIGN — The beauty of the state tournament is the format.

By jamming together the state’s best wrestlers by enrollment, geography is less important than matchups.

The state series invariably finds a way to bring the two best together. Sure, upsets happen.

Aurora Christian senior Braden Stauffenberg and Sycamore senior Brayden Peet had, one might argue, a historical destiny to meet here.

They were matched together at the regional and sectional. Peet won the first, Stauffenberg the rematch during the sectional.

Naturally, the State Farm Center gave rise to the rubber match. It was a knockout.

Aurora Christian and Joliet Catholic had three finalists and two state champions.

All three Aurora Christian wrestlers, including Stauffenberg, had their roots at Montini before transferring.

Grayslake Central had four finalists, Washington three and Deerfield two.

The cream clearly rose to the top.

When the history of this year’s Class 2A individual state championships are written, what is going to remembered are the remarkable closings.

Several went to overtime, and a couple were decided in the final seconds.

It was that kind of a memorable and revealing night nobody is likely to forget.

Here is a closer look at what happened in each weight class.

Class 2A state champions—

106 pounds—Andrew Davis, Glenwood, sophomore

Weeks out of the start of the state series, Andrew Davis was not even sure of his status.

A hand and back injury put him on the shelf for half the season.

“First it was my hand, and then it was my back,” Davis said. “I wasn’t sure how I’d be coming of the injuries.”

It turns out, he was as good it gets.

Davis completed an undefeated season with the 5-2 decision over Grayslake Central sophomore Anthony Alanis for the 106-pound state championship.

“If anything, with the time off, maybe that meant I was a little fresher,” he said.

Rangy and lithe, Alanis (48-5) scored the opening points on a first period takedown.

Davis (17-0) shook off the early deficit, using his superb footwork, balance and quickness to offset his opponent’s superior size.

His second period escape and takedown swung the match. 

“I just knew I had to stay confident, and I could ride him out and be strong,” Davis said.

He was just beginning to articulate the significance of the moment.

“It means I can get two more,” he said.

Davis edged Aurora Christian freshman Deven Casey 3-2 in the semifinals. Alanis secured the majority decision 14-4 over Kaneland senior Cameron Phillips in his half of the bracket.

Casey (32-7) defeated Phillips (40-7) by majority decision for third place. Junior Caden Hatton (46-7) of Mahomet-Seymour defeated freshman Bradley Ruckman (42-9) of Civic Memorial in the fifth-place match.

113 pounds—Gylon Sims, Joliet Catholic, junior

More than 730 days passed the last time Joliet Catholic sophomore Gylon Sims stood at Mat 2 at State Farm Center.

As a freshman two years ago, Sims reached the final only to be soundly beaten by Washington’s Kannon Webster.

The memory stung.

“I want to talk about that experience my freshman year against Kannon,” Sims said. 

“I got majored, and that definitely lit a fire under me. It made me hungry. I was happy being in the finals, but not satisfied.

“Getting the beating I got just made me more hungry.”

Sims turned the tables with a dominant 17-6 major decision over Rochelle freshman Xavier Villalobos for the 113-pound state championship.

Sims (33-4) took charge at the start, taking control with five quick points on a takedown and reverse cradle that resulted in three near-fall points.

I felt I could have done better with the cradle, technique-wise, but I stuck with it, and it worked,” Sims said.

“I got my three back points, and that was a big confidence booster.”

He posted four additional takedowns for the rout. He achieved his dream.

“I mirrored what Kannon did to me,” he said.

Sims reached the final with a technical fall over St. Rita junior Austin Dangles (19-10) in the semifinal. 

Villalobos defeated Crystal Lake South’s previously unbeaten Josh Glover 5-3 in his semifinal.

Glover (30-1) captured the third-place bracket by defeating Geneseo freshman Zachary Montez with the 4-2 decision. St. Patrick’s Olin Walker (39-16) defeated Dangles for fifth place.

120 pounds—Colby Crouch, Triad, sophomore

In a scintillating showdown of elite underclassmen, Triad’s Colby Crouch pulled out a Houdini-like escape in the closing minutes to defeat Washington’s precocious freshman Peyton Cox 5-4 for the 120-pound state championship.

He eluded Cox’s hold on his ankle and foot in the final 15 seconds.

Crouch (35-0) completed a standout individual season.

“He’s a tough kid who has a lot of good training partners, and comes from a very good high school program,” Crouch said. 

“I don’t know if being older gave me the edge in the match. I just had a little bit more experience.”

The marquee showdown was a daring example of back and forth actions. Crouch took the early 2-0 lead with a first period takedown.

Cox (41-3) responded with an escape and takedown in the second period for the 3-2 advantage.

Colby set up his winning action with another takedown in the third period that created the 4-4 deadlock.

“I got the job done, and that’s all that matters,” Crouch said. “Being an undefeated state champion is cool, but I still have more work to do.

“I still have two more years, and two more chances to win a state title.”

Crouch won the lower bracket with a first period fall over Antioch sophomore Edgar Albino in the semifinal. 

Cox defeated Morton’s Connor Kidd 10-5 in his semifinal bracket.

Albino (41-2) captured third place with a second period fall over Kidd (36-6). 

Bloomington’s Connor Nishida (36-8) edged Galesburg’s Gauge Shipp 5-4 in the fifth-place match. Shipp finished the year 41-7.

126 pounds—Markel Baker, Freeport, senior

Freeport senior Markel Baker is not afraid of wrestling from behind. 

He always stays composed and cool.

“It was really just a feel thing,” he said. “I had to feel him out at first, and get a little boost.”

Facing a savvy and skilled opponent in Aurora Christian’s Joe Fernau, Baker had to find his own rhythm and space.

His power and perseverance resulted in the 5-4 victory for his undefeated state championship at 126 pounds.

“Even though he took the lead, I knew I could come back,” Baker said.

As a sophomore wrestling at Montini two years ago, Fernau (26-7) captured the Class 3A 106-pound state championship.

His experience showed at the start as he jumped out to the early advantage.

Baker adjusted and found his groove during the middle of the second period. His escape and reversal put him up 3-2.

With the match tied at 3-apiece, Baker (127) used his explosive first step to overpower Fernau for the 5-3 lead.

Baker qualified for the title match with a late third period fall over Mattoon sophomore Korbin Bateman (36-6) in the semifinals. 

Fernau required overtime to edge Rockford East freshman Donald Cannon (28-7).

Oak Forest junior Caden Muselman (33-4) defeated Bateman by a 6-2 decision in the third-place match. Cannon edged Galesburg sophomore Rocky Almendarez (37-9) for fifth place.

132 pounds–Kannon Webster, Washington, junior

Kannon Webster is in a class by himself.

“Just pushing myself in the practice room, and getting better from my teammates every day is what I focused on,” he said.

After capturing the 106-pound state championship two years ago, he showed no layoff from taking last year off.

Webster put on a clinic with a 24-9 technical fall over Mascoutah’s Santino Robinson for the 132-pound state championship.

The matchup appeared to be the best of the day. Webster spent the season toggling between 126 and 132 pounds. A transfer from Missouri, Robinson (44-2) was a two-time state finalist.

As great and skilled as he is, Robinson was no match for the power, finesse and technical superiority of Webster (48-1).

“I wanted to dominate,” Webster said. “It felt really special to have last year off, and come back with a more normal season this year.

“I just pushed myself to score in the practice room, and that paid off in my matches.”

Webster staked his claim as the most dominant wrestler in the class. He posted falls in the preliminaries, and defeated Aurora Christian freshman Josh Vasquez (24-10) by technical fall in the semifinal. 

Robinson defeated St. Patrick standout Sean Conway 8-4 in the semifinals of the lower bracket.

Conway (51-2) fought back for the 7-2 decision over Vasquez for third place. The University of Chicago recruit rewrote all of his school’s records for career victories and falls.

Joey Biciocci (41-10) of Civic Memorial posted the third period fall over Deerfield’s Renzo Morgan (33-13) in the fifth-place match.

138 pounds–Aoci Bernard, Rock Island, senior

Nothing races the mind of a wrestler than the sense of having his back exposed for near points.

“I heard all of my coaches yelling at me, and I could hear all of the fans screaming, and I knew I had to get up,” Rock Island senior Aoci Bernard said.

In an extraordinary and pulse-pounding final seconds, Bernard nearly saw his dream fade as Deerfield’s Kai Neumark in the final seconds at 138 pounds.

Trailing 6-4 as time wound down, Neumark (38-2) made a seemingly miraculous takedown with six seconds remaining.

Aoci’s momentum appeared to take him toward his back.

He executed a brilliant and deft rolling action that created separation as time expired.

Officials awarded him the escape point for the thrilling and remarkable 7-6 victory for the state championship.

“The moment I hit my back, I knew I had to get out, and I hit that roll,” Aoci said.

“I didn’t want to go into overtime. I was tired, and he was tired. As soon as I got him to his back, time ran out and I knew I won. I knew I got the job done.”

Aoci reached the championship match with an 8-4 decision over sophomore Bryce Griffin (41-7) of Civic Memorial in the semifinals. 

Newmark earned the major decision over Owen O’Connor (26-12) of Joliet Catholic in the upper bracket.

Antioch junior Caleb Nobiling (39-7) defeated Griffin 4-2 for the third-place prize. 

O’Connor captured fifth-place honors with the 4-1 victory over Jacksonville junior Collin Reif (35-9).

145 pounds–Jayden Colon, Montini, sophomore

Jayden Colon was waiting for his moment.

After a scoreless first period in his 145-pound state title match against Joliet Catholic’s Mason Alessio, he saw his chance.

He shook off an Alessio reversal that tied that match at 3-3.

His third period escape and subsequent takedown fueled his 6-3 decision.

“Early workouts, and getting there on the weekends, even when I didn’t want to be there,” Colon said, explaining his conditioning and toughness.

Colon (25-4) nullified Alessio’s superior reach and height with excellent footwork and balance.

“It was just staying tight, getting close and finding the moves the worked best for me, and opening it up and getting it out there,” Colon said. 

Colon reached the final with the impressive first period fall of Mattoon’s Kiefer Duncan in the semifinals. Alessio (34-5) posted the 6-0 decision over Sterling’s Drew Kested.

Duncan (43-3) captured third place with a 1-0 decision over Rochelle senior Caleb Nadig (36-6). Deerfield’s Lucio Morgan (42-6) was awarded fifth place over Kested (34-10) by forfeit.

152 pounds–Braden Stauffenberg, Montini, senior

Aurora Christian senior Braden Stauffenberg had to do the unimaginable—defeating a high quality opponent for the third time in two weeks.

“I have never had to go through that, and push through that before, facing a solid, hard-fought wrestler three weeks in a row in the finals,” he said.

“I just wanted to stay positive and keep my foot on the gas pedal.”

Stauffenberg prevailed 5-3 in an epic overtime clash of the 152-pound state championship.

Peet (43-3) initiated actions, forcing Stauffenberg to come up with the proper counter.

He did just that. Peet got the early takedown, only to see Stauffenberg create the reversal.

Peet’s second period escape was echoed by Stauffenberg’s escape at the start of the third period. 

“I knew that my shape is better than every 152-pounder in the state,” Stauffenberg said. 

“I knew if I kept pounding and pounding, I am going to go for it and eventually get it.”

In the grueling, charged back and forth, he saw his chance early in the overtime.

“I saw an advantage, during overtime, when we went out of bounds, and he was still staying on the line, and I am right back at the center of the mat and ready to go.

“I saw that as an advantage.”

Peet was valiant and humble in defeat.

“It’s hard to wrestle like that after doing it three weeks in a row,” Peet said. “It sucks to lose that way.

“If I was going to lose to somebody, it was going to be him.”

Just as his match was ending in 2A, Conant junior Ethan Stiles completed his stunning 1-0 upset of previously undefeated Damari Reed of Shepard.

Stauffenberg administered Stiles’ only defeat during the season.

Stauffenberg survived Montini sophomore David Mayora 2-0 in his semifinal bracket. 

Peet defeated Freeport’s Tarrone Jackson by the 7-2 decision in the lower bracket.

Mayora (18-4) won by first period fall over Jackson for third place. Marion’s Nate Dampier (41-3) won by fall over Stamos Tsakiris (40-8) for fifth place.

160 pounds—Benjamin Shvartsman, Deerfield, senior

The third time was history.

Deerfield senior Benjamin Shvartsman prevailed 3-1 over Crystal Lake Central’s Dillon Carlson for the 160-pound state title.

Shvartsman (46-0) defeated Carlson for the third time this season.

His late first period takedown was the crucial action.

“I got my overbook, and he shot in, and I saw the opportunity and I took it and I got the go-behind,” he said.

“From there, I just made sure I shut his offense down.”

The two are set to wrestle Tuesday at the team sectional dual.

“I wasn’t really thinking about my record,” Shvartsman said. “I was just trying to get my ties, and score points.

“With that came the state title and the undefeated record.”

Shvartsman defeated Washington junior Blake Hinrichsen by major decision in the upper semifinal bracket. 

Carlson (44-5) defeated Kenwood senior Joshua Butler 8-5 on his side of the bracket.

Geneseo senior Anthony Montez (48-3) edged Brother Rice’s Nate Chirillo (20-5) for third place. Hinrichsen (36-14) won by fall over Butler for fifth place.

By finishing sixth, Butler (33-10) is the lone Public League wrestler to earn all-state honors.

170 pounds—Tom Bennett, Brother Rice, senior

Brother Rice senior Tom Bennett has an open-open philosophy.

As long as time is on the clock, he is never out.

“I had close matches the whole week,” he said. “I had that close match in the semifinals, so I was comfortable being in that situation.”

Bennett used a takedown with two seconds remaining for the 3-1 victory over Crystal Lake Central’s Aaron Cramer for the 170-pound state title.

Cramer broke the tie with a second period escape. Bennett (31-1) pulled even with an escape with 43 seconds remaining.

“I like to be both slick and explosive,” Bennett said. “I want to hit it on all cylinders.

“This was a really tough bracket, so you have to be tough. You have to be good mentally.”

Bennett stunned top-ranked and previously undefeated Abe Wojciekiwicz 3-2 in the semifinal round. Cramer (47-2) defeated Lemont’s Alex Tagler 7-2 in the lower bracket.

Wójcikiewicz (41-1) edged Tagler 1-0 for third place honors. Tagler (35-5) administered Bennett his only loss during the season.

Deerfield junior Aiden Cohen (44-5), who took Bennett to overtime in the quarterfinal round, won by first period fall for fifth place over Mahomet-Seymour junior Brennan Houser (42-10).

182 pounds—Shane Moran, Crystal Lake South, senior

Crystal Lake South senior Shane Moran has developed a remarkable rivalry with Grayslake Central sophomore Marty Jens.

They each placed in the top-5 in the IWCOA state finals last year.

They split in the lead up to the state finals, with Moran avenging a regular-season loss for the 3-1 semifinal victory in the sectionals.

Now the two renewed acquaintances, on the biggest stage.

Jens jumped out to the 3-0 lead before Moran stormed back with two takedowns for the 5-3 decision in the 182-pound state championship.

“I have always had a motor,” Moran said. “I always work hard, and I always push myself in the room.

“It comes down to who wants it more.”

Moran (36-4) said time was on his side.

“It was my last run—my final high school match—and he still has two more years,” Moran said.

“He can still win the title.”

Moran dominated Fenwick senior Conor Paris with the technical fall in the semifinal bracket. 

Jens (47-3) posted the second period fall over Lemont’s Moe Khalil (35-6) in the lower bracket.

In the third-place final, Mt. Vernon senior Jared Shafer (40-4) captured the 7-1 decision over Lake Forest’s Charlie Heydorn (28-8). Khalil edged Paris (29-9) with the 1-0 decision for fifth place.

195 pounds—Nate Wemstrom, Aurora Christian, senior

Aurora Christian senior Nate Wemstrom had plenty of time to mull over a rematch with Washington senior Donnie Hidden.

“He beat me earlier in the year 7-2,” he said. “I was gunning for him. I knew he was going to shoot those shots. 

“For a couple of months, I just trained on my defense. I got so comfortable that I could just do it with my eyes closed.”

His attention to detail paid off spectacularly.

Wenstrom frustrated Hidden’s offensive aggression and secured the 3-1 overtime victory for the 195-pound state championship.

“A lot of the Aurora Christian guys, we feel like we train harder than anyone.”

Wemstrom (37-5) outlasted previously unbeaten T.F. North junior Alex Jackson 3-0 in the upper semifinal bracket. Hidden (25-2) won the marquee semifinal showdown with Mateo Casillas of Mahomet-Seymour 5-3.

In the third-place bracket, Casillas (53-2) responded with the sharp 3-0 decision over Joliet Catholic senior Owen Gerdes (30-12).

Bloomington’s Anthony Curry (35-10) captured the fifth-place bracket with the 3-2 decision over Jackson (20-3).

220 pounds—Jack Weltha, Bloomington, senior

Jack Weltha knew he could not react the same way and expect a different outcome against top-ranked and unbeaten Jordan Sommers.

“I was wrestling very defensive the first two times he beat me, and wrestling defensive is not going to win you matches,” Weltha said.

“I knew I had to go in. My strategy was to take more shots, and that’s what I did.”

His tactical switch paid off as the Bloomington senior staged a hard shot for the takedown for his stunning 5-3 overtime victory in the 220-pound championship.

Just seven seconds remained in the first overtime.

“I knew I had to keep scoring,” Weltha said.

Sommers (43-1) took the early 3-0 lead with a takedown and escape.

Weltha stayed confident.

“I just wanted to go at it to the best of my ability,” he said. “I didn’t want to take lazy shots.

“I knew I had to keep attacking.”

Weltha (35-3) qualified for the final by dispatching St. Patrick senior Alex Goworowski 5-2 in the lower semifinal. 

Sommers won by technical fall over Mattoon junior Leo Meyer in the upper bracket.

In the third place final, Washington senior Tyler Casey (39-5) captured honors with the 3-2 decision over Centennial sophomore Jack Barnhart (40-5).

Goworowski (47-6) earned fifth-place distinction with his 5-1 decision over Meyer (35-12).

285–Dillan Johnson, Joliet Catholic, sophomore

The heavyweight showdown was colored by football.

Joliet Catholic sophomore Dillan Johnson was the starting defensive tackle on the Hilltoppers’ Class 4A state champion.

Fenwick’s Jimmy Liston was the starting center on the Friars’ Class 5A state champion.

They were natural antagonists.

Liston was arguably the biggest surprise of the day, ranked among the honorable mention against the top-ranked and unbeaten Johnson.

The precocious Johnson captured the IWCOA state championship last year as a freshman.

Liston showed guile and power. He was no match for the speed and power of Johnson.

His ferocious and quick action stunned Liston with the first period pin for the 285-pound state championship.

Johnson (34-0) showcased his dazzling athleticism and power by posting four falls at state. 

“My style is unorthodox,” Johnson said. “I don’t really like underhooks, or things like that.

“I just like wrestling outside, and keep moving. I don’t think of myself as better than anyone. The way I look at it, I have two more years to keep growing.”

He won by first period fall over Sycamore’s Lincoln Cooley in the semifinals. Liston (35-5) stunned No. 2-ranked Alex Hamrick of Glenwood 5-2 in the upper bracket.

Notre Dame’s Karl Schmalz (37-5) edged Aurora Christian senior Braden Hunter (12-4), who had a truncated season due to his recovery from knee surgery, for third place.

Hamrick (50-4) posted the second period fall over Cooley (40-8.)

The Illinois Best Weekly/iwcoa.net

State Tournament Predictions

February 14, 2022

CLASS 3A                                                                                                                               

            106: 1) Seth Mendoza, Chicago Mount Carmel (Fr,35-2); 2) Dominic Ducato, Jacobs (Jr,24-5); 3) Deion Johnson, Homewood-Flossmoor (Jr,34-6); 4) Ino Garcia, Batavia (So,38-4); 5) Max Siegel, Andrew (So,28-4); 6) Carson Weber, Joliet West (Fr,33-7)…keep an eye on: Ethan Spacht, Bradley-Bourbonnais (Jr,26-3); Brayden Tuenissen, Belvidere North (Fr,41-5)

            113: 1) Jameson Garcia, Marmion Academy (Jr,28-4); 2) Evan Gosz, Fremd (Fr,38-3); 3) Damian Resendez, Chicago Mount Carmel (So,27-8); 4) David Vukobratovich, Lockport (Sr,29-9); 5) Zack Parisi, York (So,39-4); 6) Trevor Silzer, Andrew (Jr,31-2)…keep an eye on: Anthony Lopez, Berwyn-Cicero Morton (Jr,32-3); Bryce Durlacher, Mundelein (Jr,36-2)

            120: 1) Ben Davino, St. Charles East (So,33-1); 2) Massey Odiotti, Loyola Academy (Jr,37-4); 3) Sammie Hayes, Carl Sandburg (Sr,10-0); 4) Joey Malito, Lincoln-Way Central (Sr,41-1); 5) Caelan Riley, Libertyville (Sr,35-4); 6) Will Denny, Marist (Fr,28-9)…keep an eye on: Tyson Zvonar, Lincoln-Way East (Fr,35-7); Sean Berger, York (Jr,38-5)

            126: 1) Vincent Robinson, Homewood-Flossmoor (Jr,29-2); 2) Sergio Lemley, Chicago Mount Carmel (Jr,36-1); 3) Jacob Macatangay, Plainfield North (Sr,42-1); 4) Lorenzo Frezza, Stevenson (Jr,37-1); 5) James Wright, Jacobs (Jr,24-6); 6) Caden Kirchner, Schaumburg (Jr,30-8)…keep an eye on: Brian Beers, Barrington (Sr,39-6); Dominik Mallinder, Lake Park (Jr,28-5)

            132: 1) Nasir Bailey, Rich Township (Jr,37-0); 2) Will Baysingar, Prospect (Jr,44-1); 3) Tyler Guerra, St. Charles East (So,28-5); 4) Danny Curran, DeKalb (Sr,27-4); 5) Eddie Enright, Chicago Mount Carmel (So,24-10); 6) Pierre Baldwin, West Chicago (Sr,36-3)…keep an eye on: Maddox Khalimsky, Fremd (Jr,31-7); Billy Meiszner, Providence (Sr,28-7)

            138: 1) Kole Brower, Moline (Sr,42-1); 2) Dylan Gvillo, Edwardsville (Sr,43-5); 3) Cole Rhemrev, Stevenson (Sr,37-0); 4) Kaden Fetterolf, Batavia (Jr,38-5); 5) Jimmy Nugent, Downers Grove South (Sr,35-6); 6) Mike DiBenedetto, Lake Park (Jr,34-6)…keep an eye on: Scott Busse, Lake Zurich (Jr,32-4); Harrison Konder, Downers Grove North (So,39-3)

            145: 1) Tommy Curran, DeKalb (Sr,26-1); 2) Noah Tapia, Moline (Jr,44-2); 3) Charlie Fifield, Fremd (Sr,42-4); 4) Antonio Alvarado, Belvidere North (Jr,38-5); 5) Jaydon Robinson, Homewood-Flossmoor (So,29-6); 6) Gavin Connolly, St. Charles East (So,28-8)…keep an eye on: Ricky Ericksen, Marist (Fr,35-9); Cael Andrews, Batavia (Jr,38-8)

            152: 1) Damari Reed, Shepard (Sr,32-0); 2) Ethan Stiles, Conant (Jr,26-1); 3) Damien Lopez, DeKalb (Sr,26-4); 4) Logan Swaw, Lockport (Jr,30-5); 5) Collin Carrigan, Marmion Academy (So,23-3); 6) Luke Zook, Yorkville (Fr,34-9)…keep an eye on: Jorden Johnson, Edwardsville (Sr,41-7); Will Collins, Glenbrook South (Sr,21-2)

            160: 1) Chris Moore, McHenry (Jr,45-0); 2) Colin Kelly, Chicago Mount Carmel (So,33-4); 3) Cooper Wettig, Loyola Academy (Sr,12-2); 4) Antonio Torres, Waubonsie Valley (Sr,29-1); 5) Justin Warmowski, Grant (Sr,18-4); 6) Billy Spassov, Hersey (Sr,38-10)…keep an eye on: Brody Murray, St. Charles East (So,29-6); Jared Gumila, Plainfield North (Sr,45-3)

            170: 1) Brayden Thompson, Lockport (Jr,41-0); 2) Brody Hallin, McHenry (Sr,40-2); 3) Tyler Perry, Marmion Academy (Sr,36-3); 4) Lukes Schmerbach, DeKalb (Sr,31-2); 5) Austin Gomez, Libertyville (Jr,31-10); 6) Jacob Liberatore, Marist (Jr,18-2)…keep an eye on: Nick Mabutas, Willowbrook (Sr,32-5); Ari Zaeske, Lincoln-Way East (Jr,32-8)

            182: 1) Bradley Gillum, DeKalb (Sr,27-2); 2) Jack Lesher, Marmion Academy (So,37-4); 3) Dominic Thebeau, Belleville East (Jr,33-1); 4) Josh Knudten, Libertyville (Sr,35-3); 5) Shamon Handegan, Pekin (Jr,29-1); 6) Rylan Breen, Chicago Mount Carmel (So,25-12)…keep an eye on: Ben Bielawski, Downers Grove North (Jr,35-4); Jackson Tonkovich, Batavia (Sr,28-5)

            195: 1) Peter Marinopoulos, Marist (Jr,36-0); 2) John Pacewic, Plainfield South (Sr,30-3); 3) Philip Dozier, Glenbard West (Sr,40-2); 4) Elliott Lewis, Chicago Mount Carmel (Sr,23-10); 5) Jacob Whiting, Stevenson (Sr,36-5); 6) Henry Chang, Conant (Sr,28-6)…keep an eye on: Zach Meyer, Barrington (Sr,35-7); Bryson Buhk, DeKalb (Sr,25-9)

            220: 1) Andrew Blackburn-Forst, Lockport (Sr,31-5); 2) Ghee Rachal, Marist (Sr,29-2); 3) Manny Mejia, Hersey (Sr,43-5); 4) Sean Scheck, Marmion Academy (Jr,34-10); 5) Ben Alvarez, Yorkville (So,44-5); 6) Marko Ivanisevic, Hinsdale Central (So,34-2)…keep an eye on: Michael Sneed, Lincoln-Way West (Sr,29-10); Justin Thomas, Homewood-Flossmoor (Sr,31-9)

            285: 1) Ryan Boersma, Chicago Mount Carmel (Sr,36-2); 2) Kevin Zimmer, Carl Sandburg (Sr,14-1); 3) Paulie Robertson, Glenbard North (Sr,28-1); 4) Tyler Haynes, Pekin (Sr,33-0); 5) Kaden McCombs, Plainfield North (Sr,40-10); 6) Jordan Lewis, Downers Grove North (Sr,33-6)…keep an eye on: Isaiah Hill, O’Fallon (Sr,26-2); Jordan Lishman, West Aurora (Sr,29-7)

CLASS 2A

            106: 1) Andrew Davis, Chatham Glenwood (So,13-0); 2) Caden Hatton, Mahomet-Seymour (Jr,42-5); 3) Deven Casey, Aurora Christian (Fr,28-6); 4) Anthony Alanis, Grayslake Central (So,45-4); 5) Cameron Phillips, Kaneland (Sr,37-5); 6) Bradley Ruckman, Civic Memorial (Fr,39-6)…keep an eye on: Truth Vesey, Rock Island (So,37-6); Gavin Hanrahan, Antioch (Fr,34-7)

            113: 1) Gylon Sims, Joliet Catholic Academy (Jr,29-4); 2) Josh Glover, Crystal Lake South (Sr,26-0); 3) Zachary Montez, Geneseo (Fr,36-4); 4) Brady Foster, Mattoon (Sr,34-1); 5) Luke Reddy, Deerfield (So,34-8); 6) Samuel Niyonkuru, Rock Island (Jr,37-12)…keep an eye on: Olin Walker, St. Patrick (So,31-6); Xavier Villalobos, Rochelle (Fr,42-5)

            120: 1) Colby Crouch, Troy Triad (So,31-0); 2) Peyton Cox, Washington (Fr,38-2); 3) Froylan Racey, Normal Community West (Jr,34-4); 4) Shay Korhorn, Joliet Catholic Academy (Sr,15-7); 5) Gauge Shipp, Galesburg (So,38-4); 6) Connor Kidd, Morton (Sr,33-4)…keep an eye on: Carson Nishida, Bloomington (Sr,32-6); Edgar Albino, Antioch (So,37-1)

            126: 1) Markel Baker, Freeport (Sr,23-0); 2) Joe Fernau, Aurora Christian (Sr,23-6); 3) Mateo Costello, Riverside-Brookfield (Sr,34-5); 4) Caden Muselman, Oak Forest (Jr,28-3); 5) Austin Johnston, Normal Community West (Jr,33-6); 6) Rocky Almendarez, Galesburg (So,34-6)…keep an eye on: Korbin Bateman, Mattoon (So,33-4); Donald Cannon, Rockford East (Fr,25-5)

            132: 1) Kannon Webster, Washington (Jr,44-1); 2) Santino Robinson, Mascoutah (Jr,41-1); 3) Sean Conway, St. Patrick (Sr,47-1); 4) Renzo Morgan, Deerfield (Jr,30-10); 5) Joey Biciocchi, Civic Memorial (Sr,37-8); 6) Logan Kuhel-Trimmer, Joliet Catholic Academy…keep an eye on: Anthony Streib, Antioch (Jr,35-9); Jacob Redington, Freeport (Jr,15-3)

            138: 1) Bryce Griffin, Civic Memorial (So,38-5); 2) Kai Neumark, Deerfield (Sr,35-1); 3) Aoci Bernard, Rock Island (Sr,46-3); 4) Owen O’Connor, Joliet Catholic Academy (Sr,23-10); 5) Chase Hall, Troy Triad (Sr,37-7); 6) Caleb Nobiling, Antioch (Jr,34-6)…keep an eye on: Evan Schiffman, Lemont (Sr,33-7); Garry Gurevich, Vernon Hills (Sr,21-6)

            145: 1) Mason Alessio, Joliet Catholic Academy (Jr,31-4); 2) Jayden Colon, Montini (So,21-4); 3) Taythan Silva, Aurora Christian (Jr,28-8); 4) Lucio Morgan, Deerfield (Sr,38-4); 5) Drew Kested, Sterling (Sr,32-7); 6) Kiefer Duncan, Mattoon (Sr,39-2)…keep an eye on: Caleb Nadig, Rochelle (Sr,32-4); Aden Byal, Chatham Glenwood (Jr,41-7)

            152: 1) Braden Stauffenberg, Aurora Christian (Sr,36-4); 2) Brayden Peet, Sycamore (Sr,40-2); 3) Tarrone Jackson, Freeport (Sr,24-4); 4) David Mayora, Montini (So,14-3); 5) Nate Dampier, Marion (Sr,37-1); 6) Stamos Tsakiris, Deerfield (Sr,37-5)…keep an eye on: Donovan Hall, Noble/Comer (Sr,29-5); Nick Mueller, Dunlap (So,33-4)

            160: 1) Ben Shvartsman, Deerfield (Sr,42-0); 2) Anthony Montez, Geneseo (Sr,43-2); 3) Dillon Carlson, Crystal Lake Central (Sr,40-5); 4) Blake Hinrichsen, Washington (Jr,33-12); 5) Thomas Tate, Sterling (Jr,26-7); 6) Mike Jabaay, Lemont (Jr,23-8)…keep an eye on: Nathan Chirillo, Brother Rice (Sr,16-3); Ben Mitchell, Highland (Sr,35-8)

            170: 1) Abe Wojciekiewicz, Civic Memorial (Jr,37-0); 2) Tom Bennett, Brother Rice (Sr,23-1); 3) Aaron Cramer, Grayslake Central (Jr,44-1); 4) Brennan Houser, Mahomet-Seymour (Jr,39-7); 5) Alex Tagler, Lemont (Sr,32-3); 6) Zack Crawford, Sycamore (Jr,36-4)…keep an eye on: Nathan Kim, Burlington Central (So,15-0); Aiden Cohen, Deerfield (Jr,40-3)

            182: 1) Shane Moran, Crystal Lake South (Sr,32-4); 2) Matt Jens, Grayslake Central (So,44-2); 3) Colton Carlisle, Civic Memorial (Sr,39-2); 4) Mo Khalil, Lemont (Sr,32-4); 5) Caden Moore, Joliet Catholic Academy (Sr,17-5); 6) Charlie Heydorn, Lake Forest (Sr,24-6)…keep an eye on: Conor Paris, Fenwick (Sr,27-6); James Williams, Evergreen Park (Sr,27-6)

            195: 1) Donnie Hidden, Washington (Sr,22-1); 2) Nathan Wemstrom, Aurora Christian (Sr,33-5); 3) Mateo Casillas, Mahomet-Seymour (Jr,49-1); 4) Anthony Curry, Bloomington (Sr,31-8); 5) Wade Abrams, Cary-Grove (Sr,22-1); 6) Connor Lorden, LaSalle-Peru (Jr,22-3)…keep an eye on: Aidan Spurgeon, Mattoon (Sr,25-3); Owen Gerdes, Joliet Catholic Academy (Sr,26-10)

            220: 1) Jordan Sommers, Waterloo (Sr,40-0); 2) Jack Weltha, Bloomington (Sr,31-3); 3) Alex Goworowski, St. Patrick (Sr,44-4); 4) Tyler Casey, Washington (Sr,34-4); 5) Jack Barnhart, Champaign Centennial (So,36-3); 6) Tyler Wilms, Lemont (Sr,29-3)…keep an eye on: Aodan O’Sullivan, Niles Notre Dame (Sr,35-7); Leo Meyer, Mattoon (Jr,33-9)

            285: 1) Dillan Johnson, Joliet Catholic Academy (So,30-0); 2) Alex Hamrick, Chatham Glenwood (Jr,47-2); 3) Lee Smith, Rockford East (So,22-2); 4) Braden Hunter, Aurora Christian (Jr,8-2); 5) Andy Burburija, Crystal Lake South (So,31-8); 6) J.P. Sullivan, Lakes (Sr,22-5)…keep an eye on: Karl Schmalz, Niles Notre Dame (Jr,32-4); Lincoln Cooley, Sycamore (Jr,38-5)

CLASS 1A

            106: 1) Tyson Waughtel, Carlyle (Fr,48-0); 2) Aiden Larsen, Yorkville Christian (Fr,38-6); 3) Hunter Robbins, Illini Bluffs (So,28-3); 4) Dalton Nimrick, Rock Island Alleman (Sr,33-6); 5) Drew Sadler, Anna-Jonesboro (Fr,46-4); 6) Ian Akers, Peoria Notre Dame (Fr,33-6)…keep an eye on: Alex Powell, Litchfield (Jr,31-6); Dylan Eimer, Olympia (Fr,40-5)

            113: 1) Anthony Ruzic, Auburn (So,38-5); 2) Tony Keene, Harrisburg (So,37-2); 3) Aaron Niemeyer, East Alton-Wood River (Sr,35-5); 4) Kaden Harman, Marian Central (Jr,33-10); 5) Keygan Jennings, Farmington (So,42-1); 6) Emmett Nelson, Richmond-Burton (Fr,38-3)…keep an eye on: Max Rosen, DePaul (Fr,27-5); Danny Tay, Ridgeview/Lexington (So,35-6)

            120: 1) Nick Renteria, IC Catholic (Sr,24-1); 2) Calvin Miller, Shelbyville (Jr,47-2); 3) Brady Grennan, Sterling Newman (So,39-1); 4) Holden Brazelton, St. Joseph-Ogden (Fr,41-3); 5) Isaac Bourge, Yorkville Christian (Sr,27-10); 6) Charlie Fitzgerald, Marian Central (Jr,25-4)…keep an eye on: Brant Widlowski, Coal City (So,39-7); Braydon Campbell, Ridgeview/Lexington (So,29-5)

             126: 1) Phoenix Blakely, Dakota (Jr,32-3); 2) Mason Tieffel, Benton (So,44-4); 3) Jason Shaw, East Alton-Wood River (Sr,39-3); 4) Carter Rude, Sterling Newman (So,42-3); 5) Trevor Hedges, Canton (Jr,29-5); 6) Wyatt Doty, Polo (Jr,27-5)…keep an eye on: Carson Bissey, Olney East Richland (Fr,23-2); Mikekal McClarin, DePaul (Sr,22-2)

            132: 1) Brock Smith, Port Byron Riverdale (Jr,44-1); 2) T.J. Silva, Dakota (Fr,32-6); 3) Dresden Grimm, Auburn (Jr,45-1); 4) Reef Pacot, Oakwood/Salt Fork (Jr,39-4); 5) Noah Dial, Yorkville Christian (Jr,35-8); 6) Vance Williams, Marian Central (Fr,36-10)…keep an eye on: Blue Bishop, Herrin (So,31-3); Owen Miller, Vandalia (Jr,39-11)

            138: 1) Paul Ishikawa, Illini Bluffs (Sr,35-1); 2) Will Rude, Sterling Newman (Sr,19-0); 3) Maddux Blakely, Dakota (Sr,37-2); 4) Arojae Hart, Murphysboro (Sr,34-1); 5) Marco Spinazzola, Peotone (Jr,39-2); 6) Evan Reilly, Sandwich (Sr,31-4)…keep an eye on: Dillon Sarff, Dwight (Sr,28-5); Cutter Prater, Vandalia (Sr,45-4)

            145: 1) Tavius Hosley, Tolono Unity (Sr,47-1); 2) Garrett Luke, Lena-Winslow/Stockton (Jr,43-3); 3) Andrew Hedges, Canton (Sr,18-2); 4) Tyler Simmer, Dakota (Sr,31-9); 5) Dax Gentes, El Paso-Gridley (Jr,45-3); 6) Caleb Mays, Anna-Jonesboro (Jr,44-5)…keep an eye on: Jake Schwartz, Carlinville (Jr,45-3); Kevin Hogan, Peotone (Sr,37-10)

            152: 1) Luke Christie, Bishop McNamara (Jr,25-2); 2) Zach Finch, Coal City (Sr,35-6); 3) Collin Altensey, Port Byron Riverdale (Jr,43-0); 4) Jack Seacrist, Stillman Valley (Jr,34-3); 5) Aiden Linden, Sandwich (Sr,43-5); 6) Eric McKinney, Vandalia (Jr,44-5)…keep an eye on: Jon Perry, Effingham (Sr,39-7); Levi Leitner, Tremont (Sr,32-5)

            160: 1) Joe Lashuay, Oakwood/Salt Fork (Sr,33-5); 2) Joey Mushinsky, Peoria Notre Dame (Sr,37-2); 3) Alex Watson, Port Byron Riverdale (Jr,43-2); 4) Marey Roby, Lena-Winslow/Stockton (Sr,32-6); 5) Tyler Martinez, Yorkville Christian (Jr,36-10); 6) Dayton Hoffman, Murphysboro (Jr,36-4)…keep an eye on: Aiden Livingston, Stillman Valley (Jr,25-3); Bailey Livdahl, Harvard (Sr,36-9)

            170: 1) Joe Norton, Canton (Jr,36-1); 2) Lucas Wendling, Tremont (Sr,37-2); 3) Griffin Luke, Lena-Winslow/Stockton (Jr,44-3); 4) Jackson Gillen, Yorkville Christian (Jr,42-5); 5) Brandon Navarro, IC Catholic (Sr,19-6); 6) Kyus Root, Tolono Unity (Jr,41-7)…keep an eye on: Brian Seed, Lawrenceville (Jr,33-1); Sammy Dale, Sandwich (Sr,25-11)

            182: 1) Alex Alfaro, Sandwich (Sr,41-2); 2) Michael Calcagno, IC Catholic (So,17-1); 3) Mannix Faworski, Winnebago (Sr,35-2); 4) Rylee Edwards, Westville (Sr,33-2); 5) Abel Colunga, Hoopeston Area (Sr,34-4); 6) Kayden White, Morrison (Sr,33-3)…keep an eye on: Cory West, Sacred Heart-Griffin (Jr,41-3); Max Ryner, Macomb (Jr,44-5)

            195: 1) Cooper Wendling, Tremont (Sr,30-3); 2) Noah Wenzel, Dakota (So,37-3); 3) Nick Nosler, Tolono Unity (Jr,44-2); 4) Nathan Rosas, Harvard (Sr,39-4); 5) Ashton Harvey, Coal City (Sr,9-1); 6) Drew Mensendike, Lena-Winslow/Stockton (Sr,42-4)…keep an eye on: Connor Steidinger, Prairie Central (Jr,34-4); Colby Ryan, Cumberland (Sr,40-6)

            220: 1) Brock Wood, Richmond-Burton (Sr,14-0); 2) Jadon Mims, IC Catholic (Sr,22-3); 3) Kody Marschner, Reed-Custer (Jr,36-1); 4) Samuel Edwards, Dwight (Sr,18-0); 5) Evan Antonio, Ridgeview/Lexington (Sr,38-4); 6) Magnus Wells, Hillsboro (Sr,34-1)…keep an eye on: Gabe Kaminski, Nazareth Academy (Fr,30-4); Walker Anderson, Sherrard (Jr,37-4)

            285: 1) Charlie Jagusah, Rock Island Alleman (Jr,37-0); 2) Isaiah Gonzalez, IC Catholic (Sr,27-1); 3) Hunter Otto, Normal University (Sr,28-1); 4) Michael Esquivel, Yorkville Christian (Sr,32-13); 5) Karson Richardson, Tolono Unity (Sr,46-3); 6) Elijah Friedrichsen, Erie/Prophetsown (Sr,44-6)…keep an eye on: Cole Edie, Auburn (Jr,38-7); Daniel Engel, Polo (Sr,23-3)

…GOOD LUCK!

By Curt Herron

For the IWCOA

PRINCETON –  Dakota qualified five individuals while Harvard, Lena-Winslow/Stockton, Newman Central Catholic and Sandwich all had four qualifiers at the Class 1A Princeton Sectional, which was arguably the most challenging sectionals in the state.

Lena-Winslow/Stockton and Dakota both had three champions while Alleman, Newman Central Catholic and Richmond-Burton had two title winners apiece.

A total of 23 schools in the field qualified individuals for this weekend’s IHSA Class 1A championships, which will take place from Thursday through Saturday at the State Farm Center on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana-Champaign.

Champions were Dakota’s Phoenix Blakely (126), TJ Silva (132) and Noah Wenzel (195), Lena-Winslow/Stockton’s Garrett Luke (145), Marey Roby (160) and Griffin Luke (170), Alleman’s Dalton Nimrick (106) and Charlie Jagusah (285), Newman Central Catholic’s Brady Grennan (120) and Will Rude (138), Richmond-Burton’s Emmett Nelson (113) and Brock Wood (220), Morrison’s Kayden White (182) and Riverdale’s Collin Altensey (152).

Here’s a breakdown of all of the champions and qualifiers from the tournament, which ran on Friday and Saturday at Prouty Gym in Princeton.

106 – Dalton Nimrick, Alleman

Before the postseason began, Dalton Nimrock’s top accomplishments was a runner-up finish in the Western Big 6 Conference meet and a fourth-place finish at the Princeton Invitational. But in his return to that mats at Prouty Gym with much more at stake, the senior showed why he deserved to add another week to his career as a Pioneer.

Nimrick (33-6), ranked eighth in Rob Sherrill’s IWCOA rankings, followed up on his first title of the season in the Sherrard Regional with a much bigger prize as he followed a close victory in the quarterfinals with two first-period falls to not only claim his first state finals trip but he also captured top honors at 106 after recording a pin in 1:43 over Dixon’s Ayden Rowley in the title match . Nimrick edged Harvard’s Brian Hernandez 6-4 in the quarterfinals and then recorded a fall in 1:20 in the semifinals over Stillman Valley’s Mack Jones. He joined teammate Charlie Jagusah, who took first place at 285, to make Alleman one of seven teams to win a title and one of five to have more than one champion.

“It feels awesome,” Nimrick said. “I missed it the last few years, even though I was trying real hard. But I worked hard over the summer so it feels really good to get out there and finally go to state and it feels even better to win it. I wasn’t done, I just wanted to make it so I could keep wrestling. I put in a lot of work over the summer with my coaches, really just trying to focus. I want to end on a high note.” 

The other three qualifiers at 106 join Nimrick as first-time state qualifiers. Rowley (12-4), a sophomore who had placed sixth at the PIT and won his first tournament of the season at the rugged regional his school hosted, earned his spot in the title match after recording a 17-second fall in his opener and then winning 806 over Riverdale sophomore Tharren Jacobs, who was ranked ninth, in the semifinals. He was one of three qualifiers for the Dukes, who owned the top-spot in the team rankings during the latter of the season.

Hernandez (22-11), a senior, is one of four Hornets who are headed to state. After getting edged by the eventual champion in the quarterfinals, he won four-straight matches in the consolation bracket, with his third win in the sequence being a 6-4 triumph over Jacobs (34-11). He recorded a fall in 1:37 to take third place over Richmond-Burton freshman Clay Madula (27-15), who lost 8-4 to Jacobs in the quarterfinals but then recorded a pair of falls, including one over Jones (19-12) in 5:18 in the consolation semifinals.

113 – Emmett Nelson, Richmond-Burton

With four tournament titles to his credit coming into the weekend, Emmett Nelson came in as a slight favorite at a wide-open weight class that featured plenty of competitors who were all seeking their first state appearances.

But the Richmond-Burton freshman, who came in ranked seventh with just three losses on the season, won his first two matches by technical fall before getting a takedown with 28 seconds left in overtime in the 113 title match to capture a 3-1 win in sudden victory over Marian Central Catholic junior Kaden Harman, who was ranked eighth. Nelson was one of two freshmen to advance for his team and one of two champions, with Brock Wood taking first at 220. Nelson, who captured his fifth-straight title, won by technical fall in the quarterfinals over another qualifier, Newman Central Catholic freshman Briar Ivey, and won again by tech fall in the semifinals over Princeton senior Steven Benavidez. 

“I’ve had a lot of wins but I think I’ve learned a lot from the losses that I’ve taken this year,” Nelson said. “And it’s fun when you have other kids winning, too. I think it’s good to get these tournaments done so it gets the pressure off of you for state. The sectional title will really help my seed and hopefully put me in a good place in the tournament. I’ve been watching the state tournament since I’ve been in second grade and I can’t wait to be there.”

Harman (33-10) won his only tournament title early in the season at Antioch, but he put himself in a great position to claim a much bigger title on Saturday after following up on a win by technical fall in his opener with a 7-0 quarterfinals victory over the other state qualifier at the weight, Erie/Prophetstown freshman Wyatt Goosens. He earned his spot in his third title match of the season when he claimed a 13-5 major decision over Oregon freshman Preston La Bay.

Goosens (30-6) bounced back from his quarterfinals defeat with a fall in 16 seconds followed by a win by technical and another fall, in 0:44 over Benavidez in the consolation semifinals to assure himself of a state trip. He closed with another fall, this one in 5:04 over Ivey for third place. Ivey (29-11), who placed third in his earlier visit to Princeton, also won his first three matches in the consolation bracket, following two falls with a 10-2 victory over LaBay to become the first of four individuals from his team to advance.

120 – Brady Grennan, Newman Central Catholic

As often happens in sectional tournaments, a matchup of the top-two individuals at the weight class might not happen in the finals, but it often occurs in the semifinals and

that’s just where top-ranked Brady Grennan and second-ranked Charlie Fitzgerald squared off to see who would get the opportunity to compete for the sectional title.

In a showdown of IWCOA placewinners who were also in the same weight class in that competition, the Newman Central Catholic sophomore captured a 4-3 victory over the Marian Central Catholic junior to earn his spot on the title mat, where he won by technical fall over Princeton freshman Ace Christiansen. Grennan (39-1), who won his fifth-straight tournament title, which included an earlier trip to Princeton for the PIT, kicked off the competition with a fall in 3:27 in the quarterfinals. He was one of four state qualifiers and two champions for his team, which is still alive in the dual team series. 

“The one loss really hurts, but I really think it’s really had a big impact on me,” Grennan said. “It lights a fire under me and it just makes me more motivated. We have a bunch of good practice partners in the room and I have Briar Ivey, Daniel Kelly and Carter Rude. All of us are so close and we;ve all been wrestling with each other since we were little kids.  I’m ready to go to Champaign. I’m ready to go down there and hopefully win a state championship.”

Fitzgerald (25-4), who was seeking his fourth tournament title of the season, opened with a win by technical fall in the quarterfinals over another qualifier at the weight, Harvest Christian sophomore Zeke Schroeder. After getting edged by Grennan in the semifinals, Fitzgerald recorded a fall in 5:05 over Wheship.aton Academy’s Will Hupke to assure him of a second-straight state appearance and then closed out the competition on a high note when he faced Schroeder for third place and captured another win by technical fall.

Christiansen (37-12), who was the lone member from the host school to qualify for state, definitely earned his way to the title mat as he claimed his fourth second-place finish of the season. After recording a fall in his opening match, he captured a 5-2 victory over Hupke (33-6) and he followed that win up with a 6-1 triumph over Orion’s Luke Moen in the semifinals. Schroeder (15-6), who was an IWCOA qualifier last year, captured a major decision and two decisions to qualify, beating Moen 6-2 to reach the third-place mat.

126 – Phoenix Blakely, Dakota

Phoenix Blakely moved another step closer to capturing a third-straight state championship after only allowing two points in his first two matches and then getting a fall in the title match against three individuals who are all ranked in the top-seven in the class, to claim first place at 126 for his fourth tournament title of the season.

Blakely (32-3), top-ranked at the weight, captured the sectional championship with a fall in 3:42 over Polo junior Wyatt Doty, who’s ranked seventh. He kicked off his run with a 10-2 triumph in the quarterfinals over Rockridge freshman Jude Finch, who’s ranked sixth, and then followed that up with a 7-0 victory over Newman Central Catholic sophomore Carter Rude, who’s fifth-ranked, in the semifinals. He was one of five qualifiers for Dakota, which had the most of any team in the field with five. And shortly after he wrapped up his title, teammate freshman TJ Silva took top honors at 132 for Dakota’s second championship.

“I feel comfortable going into the state series,” Blakely said. “I’m feeling strong wrestling out there and I just want to put it all out there on the mat. I believe that we have one of the toughest 1A schedules out there. It’s going to be exciting because I love the crowd there. I believe that we are competing very well right now. Just a little more critiquing in the practice room and I think that we’ll all be there.”

Doty (27-5), who was an IWCOA qualifier a year ago, won a title at Kewanee and had seconds at Polo and the Dixon Regional, where he fell in the finals to Blakely. After opening with a first-period fall in his initial match, Doty won by technical fall in the quarterfinals over Sandwich’s Miles Corder and then earned his spot on the title match with a 9-2 victory in the semifinals over Princeton senior Matthew Harris (36-7), who came into the event ranked fifth.

After falling to Blakely in the semifinals, Rude (42-3) won by technical fall over Corder and then went on to capture a 10-0 victory over Finch in the third-place match. Rude, who was one of four individuals to advance, also competed in the IWCOA finals last year. Finch (37-11) responded to his quarterfinal loss to the eventual champion by winning three matches in the consolation bracket, which included a 4-3 decision over Harvard’s Marques Merida and then a 7-4 victory over Harris, who fell short of his third state trip.

132 -TJ Silva, Dakota

Heading into the Princeton Sectional, TJ Silva had one tournament title to his credit during his initial season, and that came a week ago in the competitive Dixon Regional.

But there’s a reason why the Dakota freshman was ranked third in the class and he demonstrated that by knocking off a pair of ranked individuals in both the semifinals and finals to capture the championship at 132 after prevailing in a wild 9-8 victory over Riverdale junior Brock Smith, who was top-ranked and unbeaten in 44 matches. Following a series of reversals in the final period, Silva (32-6) prevailed to join Phoenix Blakely as one of Dakota’s two champions and he’s one of five individuals from the team who are going to state. Silva earned his spot in the finals following two falls, including one in the semifinals in 4:35 over Marian Central Catholic’s Vance Williams, who was ranked fifth.

“At Dakota, we always find the best competition, whether it’s 1A, 2A or 3A,” Silva said. “And I can’t ask for any better partners than Phoenix and Maddux Blakely and Tyler Simmer, they just always push me. It’s like a dream come true because I just get tough competition every single day. I was just really confident and took it match by match. And I just wrestled everybody my hardest and just took every match like it was a state championship finals. I just wrestled how I did and it was a good outcome.”

Smith, who finished fifth in the IHSA in 2020 and had won five tournament titles this season, followed a 6-3 quarterfinals win over Marengo junior Ethan Struck, who was ranked seventh, with a win by technical in the semifinals over another one of the qualifiers in the weight class, Oregon junior Lane Halverson. Smith was one of three individuals from Riverdale who advanced to the title mat and this will be his second trip to Champaign. 

Williams, a freshman who is 36-10, opened the tournament with a fall before getting pinned by Silva. But in the consolation semifinals, he won 4-2 by sudden victory over Struck (32-6) to qualify for state and followed with a 10-2 victory over Halverson for third place. Halvorson (30-9) responded to his semifinal loss to Smith with another dramatic win in the consolation semifinals, prevailing 9-7 by sudden victory over Newman Central Catholic freshman Daniel Kelly (38-12), who was ranked eighth, to earn his first state trip.

138 – Will Rude, Newman Central Catholic

While some injuries kept Will Rude off of the mat for much of the season, based on how he performed at the Princeton Sectional, he should be ready to challenge for another state championship when competes at the IHSA finals in Champaign.

The Newman Central Catholic senior, who’s ranked second, has a perfect 19-0 record on the season after beating a pair of ranked individuals in the semifinals and finals to capture top honors at 138. In the championship match, he claimed a 3-1 victory over Sandwich’s Evan Reilly, who was ranked sixth. And in the semifinals, he prevailed in a wild 9-8 match against Dakota’s Maddux Blakely, who was top-ranked at the weight. He opened the tournament with a first-period fall in his quarterfinals match. Rude’s who’s making his third to state, was an IWCOA champion last year. He’s one of four Comets who advanced to state and joins Brady Grennan as one of their two sectional champions.

“I’ve been injured for most of the season,” Rude said. “This is the first year that we’ve actually had numbers in our room and it’s been really nice to see everyone. We’re really filling up the room and we’re getting better together. I couldn’t be more excited.”

Reilly (31-4), a senior who won four tournament titles this season, qualified for the IWCOA finals last year and will be making his second state appearance. After capturing a 3-1 quarterfinals win over Lena-Winslow/Stockton senior Zach White, he earned his spot on the title mat with a 5-2 semifinals victory over Oregon junior Seth Stevens. Reilly was one of four state qualifiers and three finalists for his program.

Blakely (37-2), who’ll make his fourth state appearance, looks to finish better than he has thus far,where he finished third in the IHSA in 2020 and also at the IWCOA . His only previous defeat was to Moline’s Kole Brower in the Dvorak semifinals. He got a fall in the quarterfinals before being edged by Rude. After getting a 9-1 victory over White (31-15), he captured a 9-2 victory over Stevens for third place. Stevens (37-8), who’s ranked tenth and took fifth at the IWCOA, earned his second state trip after recording a fall in 5:59 in the consolation semifinals over Sherrard senior Austin Fratzke (42-7), who hoped to return to state for the first time since 2019.

145 – Garrett Luke, Lena-Winslow/Stockton

Garrett Luke only allowed two points during his final two matches in the Princeton Sectional, which is quite an accomplishment. But when you do that against two individuals who are ranked in the top-10, including one who was top-ranked, then you see that he has a great opportunity to improve upon his previous two state appearances.

What the third-ranked Lena-Winslow/Stockton junior did was beat Marian Central Catholic senior Nik Jimenez, who was top-ranked, 4-2 in the semifinals and then win 7-0 in the 145  finals over Harvard senior Ivan Rosas, who was ranked sixth. Luke (43-3) got his first win of the event by technical fall in the quarterfinals over Riverdale junior Eli Hinde, who was ranked tenth. While Luke looks to improve on his second-place finish at the IWCOA and third in the IHSA in 2020, Jimenez (29-6) failed to advance to state for the fourth time. A champion at the IWCOA and an IHSA runner-up in 2020, he lost 8-2 in the consolation semifinals to Erie/Prophetstown junior Jase Grunder, who was ranked ninth.

Rosas (32-7), who took sixth in the IWCOA last year, is state-bound for the second time. After claiming a 6-0 quarterfinal win over Sandwich’s Nolan Bobee, he captured a 5-3 victory in the semifinals over Dakota senior Tyler Simmer, who was ranked fifth. Rosas is one of the four qualifiers for Harvard, who tied Lena-Winslow/Stockton, Newman Central Catholic and Sandwich for the second-most number of qualifiers behind only Dakota.

Simmer (31-9), who edged Grunder 1-0 in the quarterfinals, bounced back from his semifinals loss to Rosas with a 7-4 victory over Hinde in the consolation semifinals and then went on to claim third-place with a 5-0 victory over Grunder. It’s the second state trip for Simmer, who took second at the IWCOA. Grunder (26-7), who will be one of three qualifiers for his co-op program, also competed at state in 2020. After falling in the quarterfinals, he recorded a fall and won a major decision to set up his match with Jimenez.

152- Collin Altensey, Riverdale

When you’ve accomplished something that only five others in the state have achieved at this point, it’s definitely time to take notice. And when it comes to winning consecutive matches this season, few have done it any better than Collin Altensey.

The Riverdale junior is one of six individuals that has 40 or more victories without any defeats. But as he saw at the sectional when teammate Brock Smith suffered his first loss after winning 44 matches in a row, when you have a streak like that, everyone wants to spoil your perfect season. The second-ranked individual at 152 brings a 43-0 record to state and hopes to perform like he did in the sectional where he had two wins by technical fall, with one in the semifinals over Johnsburg’s Logan Kirk, and then won the title in a tight match, by a 4-2 score, over Stillman Valley’s Jack Seacrest and now hopes to add four more wins in his second state trip, with the other in 2020, when he placed fifth.

“I came into it pretty confident and I knew that I was going to have a tough finals,” Altensey said. “I kind of knew how he wrestles and I know that he likes to throw, so I just kind of tied up his wrists and went for the low shots and it worked out. I went my freshman year and it was a super good experience and I took fifth. I’m just going to keep working harder and harder this week and hopefully I come out on top. It’s good to have so many good kids around my weight, because we just make everyone better at practice. I just work on what I like to do and just keep better and better at those things. I work on my strengths and my weaknesses.”

After hanging tough with Altensey, fourth-ranked Seacrist, a junior who is making his first state trip, hopes that his strong sectional showing where he followed a quick fall in the quarterfinals to record a win by fall in 7:18 in the semifinals over Sandwich senior Aidan Linden, who was ranked fifth, makes him ready for whatever he’ll see in Champaign.

Linden (43-5) hopes to go out with a bang in his initial state appearance. He earned the chance to join three of his teammates at the State Farm Center after opening with a win by technical and then bouncing back from the tough semifinal loss to Seacrist by winning 12-3 in the consolation wrestleback over Lena-Winslow/Stockton Jared Dvorak (38-11) and then he capped his tournament with a fall in 0:55 over Kirk (28-6), who’s ranked 10th and also is a senior who’s making his first state trip. The lone qualifier for Johnsburg, Kirk won a major decision in the quarterfinals and responded to his semifinal loss to Altensey with a 7-3 win over Marian Central Catholic sophomore Max Astacio (21-8).

160 – Marey Roby, Lena-Winslow/Stockton

After seeing teammate Garrett Luke get an impressive title win at 145 and anticipating that Griffin Luke might follow him with another championship effort at 170, Marey Roby had plenty of motivation to go out and turn in an inspired performance in the interim, and that’s just what the senior did in a clash of two of the state’s top-three at 160 pounds.

Third-ranked Roby improved to 32-6 when he prevailed in a 5-4 nailbiter against Riverdale junior Alex Watson, who was ranked second and had lost just one of his 44 matches. 

Roby, who placed fourth in his debut at state in 2020, assured himself of another trip to Champaign after opening with a 6-0 quarterfinal victory over Sherrard senior Dylan Russell and then he clinched his state ticket by recording a fall in 3:28 in the semifinals over Sandwich junior Bryce Decker to set up the dramatic matchup with Watson.

“There’s a lot of good competition in the wrestling room,” Roby said. “I’m just getting better on my feet and takedowns. I’m always the quickest guy when I’m wrestling, so I know that if I can get to my shots, it’s easy pickings from there. It’s my senior year, so it’s just a dream come true to be able to go back to state. The job’s not finished, I want to be on top of the podium on Saturday night. So I just have to keep working.”

Watson (43-2) had won four tournament titles and his lone loss came in the finals at the Geneseo Invite against Geneseo’s Anthony Montez, who’s second-ranked in 2A at 160. Watson recorded a fall in 5:44 in the quarterfinals over Oregon junior Gabe Eckerd (32-10), who was ranked seventh, and then claimed an 8-0 victory in the semifinals over Stillman Valley junior Aiden Livingston (25-3), who was sixth-ranked, to earn his trip to the title match against Roby.

Harvard senior Bailey Livdahl (36-9) had to take the hard route to claim third place. After falling 11-2 to Livingston in the quarterfinals, Livdahl recorded two falls, with the last one over Eckerd before he beat Becker 8-1 in the consolation semifinals to earn his initial trip to state as well as a spot in the third-place match.Livdahl recorded a fall in 4:56 over Livingston, who followed his semifinals setback to Watson by getting a pin in 3:18 over Plano senior Vincent Herbig (20-12) to earn his second state trip, with the other in 2020.

170 – Griffin Luke, Lena-Winslow/Stockton

When you’re in a program that is not only top-ranked in your class but also has won two of the last four dual team titles, it’s easy to get on a roll and that’s just what Griffin Luke and Lena-Winslow/Stockton did during a stretch that began lof title matches midway through the final round at the Princeton Sectional.

After Garrett Luke took top honors at 145 and Marey Roby added another title at 160, it was Griffin Luke’s time to shine in the 170 title match and the PatherHawks junior didn’t disappoint as he recorded a fall in 5:29 over Sandwich senior Samuel Dale in the finals at 170 to give his team a tie with Dakota for the most sectional titles won with three. Luke (44-3), who’s ranked third and took fourth in the IWCOA in his initial state appearance, earned his spot on the title match after needing just 32 seconds to record a fall in the quarterfinals and then followed that up with another pin in 3:28 in the semifinals match against Sherrard senior Ryder Roelf.

“All of our guys are kind of similar in weight, so we just push each other to work harder and do the best that we possibly can,” Luke said. “We’re not like big schools. Stockton with 150 kids and Lena with 150 kids so two schools with 300 kids combined. There’s all around support. Getting the chance to wrestle for such a great dream is a dream of mine. And coming out here and winning big tournaments like this and being able to go to state is a giant opportunity that you get to have when you’re on this team.”

Dale (25-11) is headed to the state finals for the first time and will be joined there by three others from his team after he earned his spot in the 170 finals by winning 7-2 over Dakota junior Garrett Vincent in the quarterfinals and following that with a 7-4 victory over Fulton junior Zane Pannell in the semifinals.

Panell (38-8) recorded a pair of falls, including one over Johnsburg senior Haden Lucas in the quarterfinals to earn his spot in the semifinals against Dale. In order to advance to state for the first time, Pannell needed to beat Newman Central Catholic junior Hunter Luyando in the consolation semifinals  and he did that with a fall in 2:44 to advance to the third-place match. That’s where he met Roelf (38-7), who recorded a fall in 3:44 over Lucas (25-11) to assure himself of a first state trip, and Pannell took third with a 10-4 win.

182 – Kayden White, Morrison

Like many others, Kayden White got a taste of state tournament competition last year when he competed in the IWCOA tournament, which was held since the IHSA was not going to have a postseason tournament. And although he didn’t place there, just getting the chance to take part in the event figured to benefit those who took part this season.

After defeating the state’s top-ranked individual at 182, Sandwich senior Alex Alfaro, by an 11-2 score in the sectional championship match, the Morrison senior, who’s ranked fifth, can go into his second state appearance feeling pretty good about his opportunity to not only make it to the awards stand in Champaign but also to place as high as possible.  White, who had won titles in all four of the tournaments that he’s competed in, opened his sectional trip with a fall in 4:56 in the quarterfinals over Wheaton Academy senior Hunter Kazmierczak and earned his spot on the title mat after capturing a 3-2 semifinals victory over Winnebago senior Mannix Faworski, who was ranked third.

“It’s definitely a good feeling to be winning these tournaments,” White said. “But I definitely want to perform at the big show and get the big-time IHSA bracket, that’s been what I’ve been dreaming of since I was a little kid. This is only part of the journey. Sectional champ is nice to hear, but I want to be a  state champ, that’s the end goal. I approached this year as I knew it was my last year so I was going to give it my all. I just want to put in as much work as possible and achieve the best that I can.”

Alfaro (41-2), who had won five-straight tournament titles since taking third place in Barrington’s Moore-Prettyman Tournament at the start of the season, where he suffered his only other loss in the quarterfinals  against Marmion Academy’s Jack Lesher, who’s ranked third in 3A. After recording a fall in 0:31 in Friday’s quarterfinals, the Sandwich senior assured himself of his first state finals appearance when he captured a 6-3 semifinals victory over Stillman Valley junior Andrew Forcier. He is one of four qualifiers on his team.

Faworski (35-2), who took fourth in the IWCOA meet, had only lost once before his tough semifinal setback to White. That happened early this season when he dropped a 1-0 decision to St. Charles North’s Drew Surges in the title match of Rockford East’s Giardini Invite. In order to get back to state, he needed to beat Harvard junior Gabe Sanchez (29-12), who was seeking his first state trip, but Faworski claimed a 7-0 win. After Forcier (31-11) fell in the semifinals to Alfaro, he needed a victory over Polo senior Wyatt Queckboerner (27-12), in a matchup of individuals seeking a first state trip, and Forcier captured an 8-1 decision to advance. Faworski defeated Forcier 7-4 for third place.

195 – Noah Wenzel, Dakota

When two of your losses are by one point and an ultimate tiebreaker, you want to win the close matches when they count, and that’s just Noah Wenzel did in the 195 sectional title match when he squared off with Lena-Winslow/Stockton senior Drew Mensendike, who also entered the finals match with three losses, including two to Wenzel.

But the third time didn’t prove to be the charm for Mensendike as Wenzel prevailed 4-2 to capture the sectional title and give his team their third title, which was the same amount that Lena-Winslow/Stockton finished with. Wenzel (37-3), who was ranked third advanced to his title matchup with fifth-ranked Mensendike after recording falls in his first two matches. After needing 3:18 to pin Marengo junior Eddie Solis in the quarterfinals, he got a fall in 1:37 over Genoa-Kingston junior Julian Torres in the semifinals. It was the third tournament title and fourth finals of the season for Wenzel, who placed fourth at last year’ IWCOA finals.

“You just have to focus on winning your next match and then winning the next,” Wenzel said. “It’s been alright, but I certainly wish that we had a lot more kids, especially in sectionals because there’s so much potential. Last year I placed fourth at the IWCOA because it was important to keep on wrestling.”

Mensendike (42-4), who had three tournament titles and four finals appearances entering the sectional, recorded a pair of falls in the same time, 1:40, in both his first-round and again in the quarterfinals against Plano junior Carnell Walls. Then in the semifinals, he captured a 3-1 victory over Harvard senior Nathan Rosas to assure his first state trip.

Rosas (39-4), who was ranked fourth, bounced back from his tough semifinals loss to record a fall in 5:08 over Erie/Prophetstown’s Andrew Bomleny (41-7) in the consolation semifinals to qualify for state for the third time and give him an opportunity to improve upon the fifth-place finishes that he’s had the past two seasons. Dixon senior Mitchell White (20-7), who was ranked sixth, responded to a 6-1 loss to Rosas in the quarterfinals and then got a pin, a 6-5 win over Walls and then a 9-0 triumph over Torres (30-13) to earn his first state appearance. Rosas claimed third place when he recorded a fall in 4:53 over White.

220 – Brock Wood, Richmond-Burton

After winning an IWCOA championship last year, more big things were expected from Brock Wood during his senior season. While limited by a hand injury that he suffered during the football season, he hasn’t been able to compete that much, but he still entered the Princeton Sectional as the top-ranked individual in the state at 220.

Competing in just his second tournament of the season, with the Harvard Regional being the other, the senior strung together three decisions to give him the sectional and advance him to state for the third-straight season. In the championship match at 220, Wood (14-0) captured a 7-3 victory over Sherrard junior Walker Anderson. Wood won 5-1 in the quarterfinals over Plano junior Andrew Harrelson and then earned his spot in the finals with an 8-5 semifinals victory over Dixon senior Justin Dallas. Richmond-Burton finished with three qualifiers, with freshman Emmett Nelson taking first at 113 to include the Rockets with four other teams that had two or more champions.

“In my sophomore year, I was a state qualifier and got hurt there,” Wood said. “And then to be ranked very high in the IWCOA tournament, it really taught me what big matches feel like. That helped me so much, being under the spotlight and getting my name out there. The IWCOA tournament was huge for me, just to be able to see for myself how I’ve grown in one year, which is incredible. I had surgery and that sidelined me for two months. It took a little bit to get my conditioning back, but I feel like now it’s pretty much all the way and I’m ready to make a push for the state title again.”

Anderson (37-4), who was unranked and had one tournament title, which came in the tough regional that Sherrard hosted, kicked off his strong sectional showing with a 7-0 quarterfinals victory over Lena-Winslow/Stockton junior Henry Engel before assuring his first trip to state after pulling out a dramatic 4-3 semifinals victory over Wheaton Academy senior Peter Johnnik (32-7). He was the top-finisher for his team and one of its two state qualifiers.

After falling to Wood in the semifinals, Dallas (22-5) earned his initial state appearance when he captured a 10-1 victory over Engel (41-7), who also was hoping to make his first state trip. On the other side of the consolation bracket, Morrison senior Nate Schaefer overcame a pin against Dallas in the quarterfinals by winning three-straight matches, which included a fall in 4:49 over Harrelson and then a 3-0 victory over Johanik (32-7), who was seeking his trip to state. Dixon got a fall over Schaefer in 1:47 to take third.

285 – Charlie Jagusah, Alleman

The Princeton Sectional finals started well for Alleman with senior Dalton Nimrick claiming a title at 106 to kick things off and it also ended well for the Pioneers as Charlie Jagusah continued to roll along as the top-ranked junior improved to 37-0 by claiming top honors at 285.

After recording a fall in 3:36 in the quarterfinals over Plano’s Alex Diaz and then needing just one second more to get a pin over Marengo senior Michael Macias in the semifinals, Jagusah drew an unlikely opponent in the finals, Mooseheart senior Joshua Gaye, who assured himself of being the school’s second state individual qualifier in its history. But the Alleman standout made sure that there would be no surprising story from the title mat as he recorded a fall in 2:50 to claim his fourth title of the season. After finishing fourth as a freshman in 2020, Jagusah didn’t compete in the IWCOA finals so he hopes that his second state trip lands him on top of the awards stand in Champaign.

“This was a tough sectional through every weight class, and nobody had it easy, at all,” Jagusah said. “IIn 1A wrestling, we’ll show up and we’ll compete with anybody, it doesn’t matter who it is. This year we have a young team with a lot of inexperienced guys, so with some of the good teams in our city, like Moline and Rocky and Geneseo, we just go out and try to find good competition. There’s kind of been ups and downs. I’m still winning every match, which is nice, but not everything has been perfect, especially in the last couple of weeks, where it’s just trying to refigure things out and i felt like everything today went pretty well,”

Gaye (7-1) entered the sectional with a 5-0 after winning the Sandwich Regional title. He was one of three individuals from his school who qualified for the sectional but the other two didn’t win any matches. Gaye won a 17-5 major decision over Rockridge senior Sam Buser in the quarterfinals and then assured himself of a trip to the state finals when he recorded a fall in 4:31 in the semifinals over Polo senior Daniel Engel.

Engel (23-3) responded to the semifinals loss by beating Plano junior Alex Diaz (25-7) in the consolation semifinals while Erie/Prophetstown senior Elijah Friedrichsen (44-6) overcame a fall to Engel in the quarterfinals by getting two falls and then assured his state trip with a 5-4 victory over Macias (37-6). Engel went to claim a 6-1 win for third.

By Curt Herron
For the IWCOA

Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional roundup

Marist had 11 individual qualifiers, Marmion Academy qualified 10 individuals and Mount Carmel had four champions and nine individual qualifiers to the IHSA finals after each turned in strong performances at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central. The 11 state qualifiers is a new program record for Marist, whose previous-best was 10 in 2013.

Winning championships were Mount Carmel freshman Seth Mendoza (35-2 at 106), junior Sergio Lemley (36-1 at 126), sophomore Colinfreshman Will Denny ( Kelly (33-4 at 160) and senior Ryan Boersma (36-2 at 285), Marmion Academy junior Jameson Garcia (28-4 at 113), senior Tyler Perry (36-3 at 170) and sophomore Jack Lesher (37-4 at 182), Marist junior Peter Marinopoulos (36-0 at 195) and senior Ghee Rachal (29-2 at 220), Carl Sandburg senior Sammie Hayes (10-0 at 120), Hinsdale Central junior Cody Tavoso (24-3 at 132), Downers Grove South senior Jimmy Nugent (35-6 at 138), Eisenhower senior Nate Pacetti (28-3 at 145) and Shepard senior Damari Reed (32-0 at 152).

Boersma is a four-time qualifier who won an IWCOA title and was fifth in 2020. Garcia, Hayes, Lemley, Rachal, Reed and Tavoso are all three-time state qualifiers. Lemley won an IHSA title in 2020 and took first in Indiana in 2021. Garcia and Reed were IWCOA champions, Hayes was fifth in the IWCOA and second in 2020 and Tavoso took third in the IWCOA and was sixth in 2020. Kelly also took third in the IWCOA and Rachal was fourth in the IWCOA.

Claiming second place were Marist freshman Will Denny (28-9 at 120), seniors Owen Dunlap (16-2 at 138) and Tommy Boland (33-6 at 160), Mount Carmel sophomores Eddie Enright (24-10 at 132) and Rylan Breen (25-12 at 182) and senior Elliot Lewis (23-10 at 195), Marmion Academy sophomores Donny Pigoni (33-10 at 106) and Collin Carrigan (23-3 at 152), Morton junior Anthony Lopez (32-3 at 113), Naperville Central junior Ethan Olson (27-7 at 126), West Aurora sophomore Noah Quintana (39-6 at 145), Downers Grove South junior Will Schuessler (36-8 at 170), Hinsdale Central sophomore Marko Ivanisevic (34-2 at 220) and Carl Sandburg senior Kevin Zimmer (14-1 at 285).

Dunlap is a four-time qualifier who took sixth in 2020 while Boland and Zimmer are making their third trips to state with Zimmer taking second in 2020 and Boland fifth at the IWCOA while Enright also placed fourth at the IWCOA.

In some of the closest title matches, Tavoso won 4-2 over Enright at 132, Nugent claimed a 4-0 win over Dunlap at 138, Pacetti edged Quintana 4-3 at 145, Reed remained unbeaten with an 11-6 win over Carrigan at 152, Perry beat Schuessler 7-3 at 170 and Marinopoulos won 6-3 over Lewis at 195. Claiming wins by major decision were Mendoza at 106, Kelly at 160 and Lesher at 182 while Garcia got a win by technical fall at 113 and recording falls were Lemley at 126, Rachal at 220 and Boersma at 285).

Third-place finishes were turned in by Lyons Township sophomore Gunnar Garelli (33-10 at 126) and senior Cooper Schodrof (25-5 at 170), Downers Grove South junior Luke Swan (30-6 at 132) and senior Noah Rapinchuk (27-14 at 195), Downers Grove North sophomore Harrison Konder (39-3 at 138) and junior Ben Bielawski (35-4 at 182), Carl Sandburg freshman Rocco Hayes (27-12), Mount Carmel sophomore Damian Resendez (27-8 at 113), Oak Park and River Forest senior Jalen Dunson (19-3 at 120), Marist freshman Ricky Ericksen (35-9 at 145), Naperville Central senior Ayden Lutes (22-2 at 152), Waubonsie Valley senior Antonio Torres (29-1 at 160), Marmion Academy junior Sean Scheck (34-10 at 220) and West Aurora senior Jordan Lishman (29-7 at 285).

Bielawski and Torres are three-time qualifiers with Torres taking second in the IWCOA and fifth in 2020. Three other third-place finishers placed at the IWCOA, Resendez was third, Konder took fifth and Lishman was sixth.

Finishing in fourth-place were Marist freshmen George Marinopoulos (31-10 at 106) and Michael Esteban (34-10 at 113) and juniors Jesse Herrera (23-12 at 126) and Jake Liberatore (18-2 at 170) and sophomore Conor Phelan (27-10 at 182), Marmion Academy juniors Santino Scolaro (26-8 at 138), Tegan Chumbley (29-16 at 145) and Teddy Perry (24-14 at 195) and senior Kenny Siwicki (30-14 at 160), West Aurora seniors Moses Quintana (35-11 at 152) and Giovanni Amaya (29-8 at 220), Mount Carmel freshman Jairo Acuna (22-14 at 120), Bolingbrook senior Joe McDermott (28-11 at 132) and Downers Grove North senior Jordan Lewis (33-6 at 285).

Class 3A Granite City Sectional

Lockport had three champions and six qualifiers to lead the way at the Class 3A Granite City Sectional. Homewood-Flossmoor and Moline both had two title winners and seven other teams had champions and all but three of the schools that participated qualified at least one individual for the IHSA finals in Champaign.

Winning titles for Lockport were senior Andrew Blackburn-Forst (31-5 at 220) and juniors Logan Swaw (30-5 at 152) and Brayden Thompson (41-0 at 170). Homewood-Flossmoor’s champions were juniors Deion Johnson (34-6 at 106) and Vincent Robinson (29-2 at 126) while Moline’s title winners were senior Kole Brower (42-1 at 138) and junior Noah Tapia (44-2 at 145).

Other unbeaten sectional champions are Rich Township junior Nasir Bailey (37-0 at 132) and Pekin senior Tyler Haynes (33-0 at 285). The sectional’s other title winners were Andrew junior Trevor Silzer (31-2 at 113), Lincoln-Way Central senior Joey Malito (41-1 at 120), Plainfield North senior Jared Gumila (45-3 at 160), Belleville East junior Dominic Thebeau (33-1 at 182) and Plainfield South senior John Pacewic (30-3 at 195).

Gumilia will be making his fourth appearance in the state finals. Champions  who will be making their third to state are Bailey, Blackburn-Forst, Brower and Tapia.

Robinson’s title win at 126 is especially noteworthy since he handed Plainfield North senior Jacob Macatangay his first defeat in 43 matches. Macatangay won all 34 of his matches a year ago and so he had won 76-consecutive matches over the last two seasons. The last previous time that the Tiger standout had lost was in the fifth-place match at 113 in the 2020 state finals.

Finishing in second place were Edwardsville senior Jorden Johnson (41-7 at 152) and juniors Dylan Gvillo (43-5 at 138) and Drew Landau (33-9 at 145), Lincoln-Way East junior Ari Zaeske (32-8 at 170) and freshman Tyson Zvonar (35-7 at 120), Lockport seniors Paul Kadlec (30-16 at 160) and David Vukobratovich (29-9 at 113) and Plainfield North seniors Jacob Macatangay (42-1 at 126) and Kaden McCombs (40-10 at 285).

Also claiming second place finishes were Homewood-Flossmoor senior Justin Thomas (31-9 at 220), Providence Catholic senior Billy Meizner (28-7 at 132), Plainfield Central junior Max Bowen (24-5 at 182), Yorkville junior Hunter Janeczko (32-4 at 195) and Andrew sophomore Max Siegel (28-4 at 106). Gvillo and Meiszner will join Macatangay as three-time state qualifiers.

Nine championship matches featured two top-10 competitors. They were at 138 (No. 1 Brower over No. 2 Gvillo, 17-5), 126 (No. 1 Robinson over No. 3 Macatangay, 11-3), 220 (No. 1 Blackburn-Forst over No. 3 Thomas, 7-0), 132 (No. 1 Bailey over No. 5 Meiszner, F 1:20), 106 (No. 2 Johnson over No. 7 Siegel, 3-2), 145 (No. 2 Tapia over No. 8 Landau, 12-4), 113 (No. 3 Silzer over No. 2 Vukobratovich, 4-3), 195 (No. 4 Pacewic over No. 3 Janeczko, 8-3) and 152 (No. 4 Swaw over No. 10 Johnson, 5-1).

In the other five title matches, a top-10 individual beat an honorable mention competitor. They were at 170 (No. 1 Thompson over Zaeske, Inj Def), 182 (No. 2 Thebeau over Bowen, F 0:59), 120 (No. 3 Malito over Zvonar, 7-0), 285 (No. 5 Haynes over McCombs, 8-0) and 160 (No. 7 Gumila over Kadlec, 10-5).

Third-place sectional finishes were turned in by Yorkville sophomore Ben Alvarez (44-5 at 220, No. 5) and freshmen Jack Ferguson (32-7 at 113, No. 9), Dominic Recchia (28-12 at 120) and Luke Zook (34-9 at 152, No. 9), Lincoln-Way East senior Dominic Adamo (33-6 at 160), O’Fallon senior Isaiah Hill (26-2 at 285), Lincoln-Way Central senior Conor Smetana (38-5 at 138, No. 10), Granite City junior Dylan Boyd (30-7 at 132, No. 10), Pekin junior Shamon Handegan (39-1 at 182), Minooka junior Dominic Schiavone (20-4 at 126), Bradley-Bourbonnais junior Ethan Spacht (26-3 at 106, No. 6), Normal Community sophomore Cooper Caraway (37-4 at 195), Plainfield South sophomore Matthew Janiak (28-12 at 170, No. 9) and Homewood-Flossmoor sophomore Jaydon Robinson (29-6 at 145, No. 3).

Claiming fourth-place finishes were Lincoln-Way West seniors Cameron Knepper (34-15 at 152) and Michael Sneed (29-10 at 220, No. 8) and sophomore Jase Salin (35-13 at 120), Joliet West sophomore Wyatt Schmitt (32-10 at 285) and freshman Carson Weber (33-7 at 106, No. 10), Alton senior DeOntae Forest (26-12 at 132), Oswego senior AJ Johnson (37-10 at 160), Lincoln-Way East Connor Lindaur (34-7 at 195), Collinsville senior Austin Stewart (33-10 at 170), Homewood-Flossmoor senior Haku Watson-Castro (26-10 at 182, No. 6), Lockport junior Jad Alwawi (22-18 at 126), Minooka junior Elijah Munoz (23-13 at 138), Bradley-Bourbonnais junior Tyler Starr (37-15 at 145) and Granite City freshman Brenden Rayl (27-12 at 113).

Top-10 ranked individuals who came up a win shy of advancing on two occasions who lost in both the semifinals and consolation semifinals were Lockport junior Nore Turner (21-9 at 106, No. 3), who lost 4-2 to Siegel in the semifinals and 7-6 to Webb in the wrestleback, and Belleville West senior Will Dahm (22-7 at 145, No. 9).

Lockport junior Carlos Munoz-Flores (27-10 at 132, No. 6) lost 6-4 in the consolation wrestleback to Forest and Bradley-Bourbonnaid sophomore AJ Mancilla (36-6 at 170, No. 8) fell 4-3 to Stewart in the same round. Other individuals ranked in the top-10 who lost in the consolation semifinals to come up a win short were Lincoln-Way East seniors Jack Marion (36-7 at 152, No. 5), Gavin Jones (32-6 at 182, No. 7) and Alex Knaperek (26-11 at 285, No. 10), Providence Catholic senior Liam McDermott (43-6 at 220, No. 4).

Others who weren’t ranked that lost in the semifinals and consolation wrestleback were Moline senior Alec Schmacht (33-11 at 126), who fell 3-1 to Alwawi in the wrestleback, and Alton junior Yaveion Freeman (27-13 at 138) while Joliet West junior Austin Perella (27-10 at 145) saw his hopes of qualifying dashed when he had to injury default in the semifinals in 4:17 to Landau and then couldn’t return.

Besides Turner’s narrow semifinals defeat to Siegel at 106, there were other semifinals matches that were decided by two points or less or were resolved in overtime. At 185, Bowen claimed a 5-4 win over Handegan at 182 while McCombs won 5-2 in an ultimate tiebreaker over Schmitt at 285.

Class 3A Barrington Sectional roundup

Fremd, Hersey, Libertyville and Prospect all qualified five individuals for IHSA finals in Champaign and Stevenson had three champions to lead the field that competed in the Class 3A Barrington Sectional.

Sectional champions were Stevenson junior Lorenzo Frezza (37-1 at 126) and seniors Cole Rhemrev (37-0 at 138) and Jacob Whiting (36-5 at 195), Fremd freshman Evan Gosz (38-3 at 113) and senior Charlie Fifield (42-4 at 145), McHenry junior Chris Moore (45-0 at 160) and senior Brody Hallin (40-2 at 170), Jacobs junior Dominic Ducato (24-5 at 106), Loyola Academy junior Massey Odiotti (37-4 at 120), Prospect junior Will Baysingar (44-1 at 132), Glenbrook South senior Will Collins (21-2 at 152), Libertyville senior Josh Knudten (35-3 at 182), Hersey senior Meny Mejia (43-5 at 220) and Warren senior Reyes Gonzales (19-4 at 285).

Rhemrev (37-0) and Moore (45-0) take perfect records to the state finals while Frezza (37-1) and Baysingar (44-1) have only lost once. Hallin qualified for the fourth time and was fourth in the IWCOA while Rhemrev is also a four-time qualifier who took third at the IWCOA. Leading the way for three-time qualifiers is Moore, a runner-up at the IWCOA and state champion in 2020, and Baysingar, an IWCOA champ who was third in 2020. Other title winners who are three-time state qualifiers are Frezza, who was third at the IWCOA, Knudten, who took fifth at the IWCOA and Collins. The other champion who placed in the IWCOA meet is Ducato, who was fourth.

Claiming second-place finishes were Belvidere co-op freshman Brayden Tuenissen (41-5 at 106) and junior Antonio Alvarado (38-5 at 145), Libertyville senior Caelan Riley (35-4 at 120) and junior Austin Gomez (31-10 at 170), Mundelein junior Bryce Durlacher (36-2 at 113), Jacobs junior James Wright (24-6 at 126), Fremd junior Maddox Khalimsky (31-7 at 132, Lake Zurich junior Scott Busse (32-4 at 138), Prospect sophomore Connor Munn (30-11 at 152), Loyola Academy senior Cooper Wettig (12-2 at 160), Round Lake senior Aidan McCain (35-11 at 182), Barrington senior Zach Meyer (35-7 at 195), New Trier sophomore Ty Stringer (26-4 at 220) and Huntley sophomore Markos Mihalopoulos (29-18 at 285). Second-place finishers who are three-time state qualifiers are Wettig, who was third at the IWCOA, Riley, who took sixth at the IWCOA, and Wright while Khalimsky took fourth at the IWCOA.

In title matches that were decisions, Ducato won 2-0 over Tuenissen at 106, Odiotti beat Riley 9-4 at 120, Rhemrev won 7-3 over Busse at 138, Collins edged Munn 2-1 at 152, Moore remained unbeaten with a 5-4 win in a tiebreaker over Wettig at 160, Hallin won 5-1 over Gomez at 170 and Whiting edged Meyer 7-6 at 195. Capturing major decision were Gosz at 113, Frezza at 126, Baysngar at 132 and Fifield at 145 while Mejia was a winner by technical fall at 220 and Knudten recorded a fall at 182.

Taking third place were Prospect junior Joel Muehlenbeck (40-8 at 106) and senior Tom Miller (40-9 at 120), Glenbrook South senior Arnold Park (24-9 at 113) and junior Drew Duffy (18-3 at 285), Huntley seniors Sam Henkle (28-5 at 132) and Ryder Hunkins (31-7 at 182), Barrington senior Brian Beers (39-6 at 126), Belvidere co-op sophomore Colin Young (42-6 at 138), Hersey junior Aaron Hernandez (36-18 at 145), Libertyville sophomore Matt Kubas (20-14 at 152), Grant senior Justin Warmowski (18-4 at 160), Jacobs sophomore Joey Scrivani (12-1 at 170), New Trier senior Jack Cummings (32-3 at 195) and Mundelein senior Henri Ortiz (33-9 at 220). Beers and Hunkins are three-time qualifiers while Warmowski was fourth at the IWCOA and Kubas took sixth at the IWCOA.

Finishing fourth were Hersey sophomore Esteban Delgado (34-17 at 120), senior Billy Spassov (38-10 at 160) and junior Oleg Simakov (37-13 at 285), Fremd senior Wiley Jessup (39-5 at 106) and junior Casey Bending (38-12 at 220), Round Lake sophomore Alejandro Cordova (36-14 at 113), McHenry sophomore Pedro Jimenez (36-14 at 126), Belvidere co-op senior Kamryn LaBeau (29-9 at 132), Barrington senior Phil Chapa (35-12 at 138), Prospect junior Damien Puma (32-10 at 145), Harlem senior Marshall Cunz (22-7 at 152), Hampshire junior Dimitri Skoulikaris (18-9 at 170), Loyola Academy sophomore Quinn Herbert (32-11 at 182) and Libertyville junior Cole Matulenko (31-10 at 195). Puma is a three-time state qualifier while Jessup placed sixth at the IWCOA.

Conant Sectional Recap: https://iwcoa.net/dekalb-flexes-sectional-muscle/

FROM THE IWCOA: If you are enjoying these articles, please consider a small donation to the IWCOA so that we can continue funding feature stories for our website and social media. The IWCOA is non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Click this link to make a donation. Thank you!

By Curt Herron
For the IWCOA

Class 2A Sycamore Sectional roundup

Joliet Catholic Academy qualified eight individuals for the IHSA finals in Champaign and had three champions while Aurora Christian advanced seven individuals to state and had also three title winners at the Class 2A Sycamore Sectional.

Sectional champions were Joliet Catholic Academy juniors Gylon Sims (29-4 at 113) and Mason Alessio (31-4 at 145) and sophomore Dillan Johnson (30-0 at 285), Aurora Christian freshman Deven Casey (28-6 at 106) and seniors Braden Stauffenberg (36-4 at 152) and Nate Wemstrom (33-5 at 195) and Lemont seniors Alex Tagler (32-3 at 170), Moe Khalil (32-4 at 182) and Tyler Wilms (29-3 at 220). Washington champions were freshman Peyton Cox (38-2 at 120) and junior Kannon Webster (44-1 at 132) while the other sectional champions were Freeport senior Markel Baker (23-0 at 126), Rock Island senior Aoci Bernard (46-3 at 138) and Geneseo senior Anthony Montez (43-2 at 160).

Baker qualified for state for the fourth time and was an IWCOA title winner and an IHSA runner-up in 2020, Sims is a three-time qualifier who also was a 2021 IWCOA champion and a IHSA runner-up in 2020, Webster was an IHSA champion in 2020 and Johnson was an IWCOA title winner. Montez is a four-time state qualifier and placed fourth at the IWCOA while Bernard is state-bound for the third time and was sixth at the IWCOA.

Taking second were Washington junior Blake Hinrichsen (33-12 at 160) and seniors Donnie Hidden (22-1 at 195) and Tyler Casey (34-4 at 220), Joliet Catholic Academy seniors Logan Kuhel-Trimmer (21-8 at 132) and Owen O’Connor (23-10 at 138), Aurora Christian senior Joe Fernau (23-6 at 126) and junior Taythan Silva (28-8 at 145), Kaneland senior Cameron Phillips (37-5 at 106), Geneseo freshman Zachary Montez (36-4 at 113),Galesburg sophomore Gauge Shipp (38-4 at 120), Sycamore senior Brayden Peet (40-2 at 152), Burlington Central senior Nathan Kim (41-10 at 170), Rock Island junior Steven Marquez (31-6 at 182) and Rockford East sophomore Lee Smith (22-2 at 285).

Claiming third place were Joliet Catholic seniors Shay Korhorn (15-7 at 120), Caden Moore (17-5 at 182) and Owen Gerdes (26-10 at 195), Rochelle freshman Xavier Villalobos (42-5 at 113) and senior Caleb Nadig (32-4 at 145), Freeport junior Jacob Redington (15-3 at 132) and senior Tarrone Jackson (24-4 at 152), Lemont senior Evan Schiffman (33-7 at 138) and junior Mike Jabaay (23-8 at 160), Rock Island sophomore Truth Vesey (37-6 at 106), Rockford  East freshman Donald Cannon (25-5 at 126), Sycamore junior Zack Crawford (36-4 at 170), Galesburg senior Jeremiah Morris (38-4 at 220) and Aurora Christian junior Braden Hunter (8-2 at 285).

Also finishing fourth were Sterling senior Drew Kested (32-7 at 145) and junior Thomas Tate (26-7 at 160), Sycamore senior Jackson Funderburg (31-12 at 220) and junior Lincoln Cooley (38-5 at 285), Geneseo freshman Tim Sebastian (23-13 at 106), Rock Island junior Samuel Niyonkuru (37-12 at 113), Morton senior Connor Kidd (33-4 at 120),

Galesburg sophomore Rocky Almendarez (34-6 at 126), Aurora Christian freshman Josh Vazquez (21-8 at 132), Rochelle freshman Grant Gensler (32-18 at 138), Dunlap sophomore Nick Mueller (33-4 at 152), Washington sophomore Zane Hulet (22-16 at 170), Ottawa junior Charles Medrow (16-8 at 182) and LaSalle-Peru junior Connor Lorden (22-3 at 195).

Deerfield Class 2A Sectional roundup

Deerfield led the way at its own IHSA Class 2A Deerfield sectional with seven individual state qualifiers while Antioch advanced six to state and both Crystal Lake Central and St. Patrick will be sending five competitors to the competition in Champaign.

Winning sectional titles were Crystal Lake South seniors Josh Glover (26-0 at 113) and Shane Moran (32-4 at 182) and sophomore Andy Burburijia (31-8 at 285), Deerfield seniors Kai Neumark (35-1 at 138) and Benjamin Shvartsman (42-0 at 160), St. Patrick seniors Sean Conway (47-1 at 132) and Alex Goworowski (44-4 at 220), Grayslake Central sophomore Anthony Alanis (45-4 at 106) and junior Aaron Cramer (44-1 at 170), Montini Catholic sophomores Jayden Colon (21-4 at 145) and David Mayora (14-3 at 152), Antioch sophomore Edgar Albino (37-1 at 120), Prairie Ridge freshman Mikey Meade (30-10 at 126) and Cary-Grove senior Wade Abrams (22-1 at 195). Conway will be making his fourth state appearance while Glover, Shvartsman, Moran and Goworowski will all be returning to state for the third time.

Claiming second-place finishes were Deerfield  junior Renzo Morgan (30-10 at 132), senior Lucio Morgan (38-4 at 145) and junior Aaron Cohen (40-3 at 170), Antioch  freshman Gavin Hanrahan (34-7 at 106) and junior Caleb Nobiling (34-6 at 138), Crystal Lake Central senior Connor Lezama (33-13 at 152) and junior Jon Barrick (22-13 at 195) and Prairie Ridge junior Tyler Evans (33-4 at 120) and senior Eddie Ferree (29-11 at 160). Also finishing in second place were St. Patrick sophomore Olin Walker (35-14 at 113), Wheeling sophomore Patrick Tinsley (21-7 at 126), Lake Forest senior Charlie Heydorn (24-6 at 182), Notre Dame senior Aodan O’Sullivan (35-7 at 220) and Fenwick senior Jimmy Liston (32-4 at 285). Renzo Morgan, Nobiling and Lucio Morgan are all headed to state for the third time.

Closest title matches were Albino over Evans 8-5 at 120, Meade winning 3-2 over Tinsley at 126, Neumark beating Nobiling 6-2 at 138, Cramer over Cohen 7-5 at 170, Goworowski edging O’Sullivan 1-0 at 220 and Burburijia over Liston 7-4 at 285. Conway and Colon both had seven-point wins by decision, Mayora, Shvartsman and Moran won major decisions while Alanis, Glover and Abrams all recorded falls.

Finishing in third place were Deerfield sophomore Luke Reddy (34-8 at 113) and senior Stamos Tsakiris (37-5 at 152), Woodstock seniors Caleb Sciame (15-3 at 120) and Gavin Loiselle (20-1 at 220), Antioch junior Anthony Streib (35-9 at 132) and freshman Ben Vazquez (34-6 at 145), Vernon Hills seniors Gary Gurevich (21-6 at 138) and Jake Psaras (32-9 at 195), Crystal Lake Central senior Dillon Carlson (40-5 at 160) and junior Ben Butler (34-13 at 170), Wauconda sophomore Lucas Galdine (21-4 at 106), St. Patrick sophomore Niko Karamaniolas (27-13 a 126), Grayslake Central sophomore Matty Jens (44-2 at 182) and Notre Dame junior Karl Schmalz (32-4 at 285). Streib and Carlson will be making their third state appearances.

Capturing fourth-place finishes were Fenwick seniors Martin Paris (19-12 at 160) and Conor Paris (27-6 at 182), Crystal Lake Central freshman Payton Ramsey (23-10 at 106),

Grayslake Central sophomore Tyler Weidman (34-15 at 113), Wheeling senior Jatuthep Rattanahattakul (23-11 at 120), Cary-Grove senior Rannin Gruen (14-5 at 126), Lake Forest sophomore Seth Digby (21-7 at 132), Mundelein senior Ethan Onan (28-15 at 138), Grayslake North senior Connor Kozanecki (33-10 at 145), Antioch senior Evan Vazquez (28-6 at 152), St. Patrick junior Gio Hernandez (38-13 at 170), Woodstock senior Sean Ryan (11-8 at 195), Wauconda senior Matthew Merevick (31-8 at 220) and 

Lakes senior John Sullivan (22-5 at 285).

Class 2A Mahomet-Seymour Sectional roundup

Civic Memorial had seven individual qualifiers and three champions while Mattoon advanced six individuals and also had three title winners at the IHSA Class 2A Mahomet-Seymour Sectional in Mahomet.

Sectional champions were Civic Memorial sophomore Bryce Griffin (38-5 at 138), junior Abe Wojcikiewicz (37-0 at 170) and senior Colton Carlisle (39-2 at 182), Mattoon senior Brady Foster (34-1 at 113) and Kiefer Duncan (39-2 at 145) and sophomore Korbin Bateman (33-4 at 126), Glenwood sophomore Andrew Davis (13-0 at 103) and junior Alex Hamrick (47-2 at 285), Triad sophomore Colby Crouch (31-0 at 120), Mascoutah junior Santino Robinson (41-1 at 132), Marion senior Nate Dampier (37-1 at 152), Highland senior Ben Mitchell (35-8 at 160), Mahomet-Seymour junior Mateo Casillas (49-1 at 195) and Waterloo senior Jordan Sommers (40-0 at 220).

Four title winners are unbeaten, Waterloo’s Jordan Sommers (40-0), Civic Memorial’s Abe Wojcikiewicz (37-0), Triad’s Colby Crouch (31-0) and Glenwood’s Andrew Davis (13-0) while four have one loss, Mahomet-Seymour’s Mateo Casillas (49-1), Mascoutah’s Santino Robinson (41-1), Marion’s Nate Dampier (37-1) and Mattoon’s Brady Foster (34-1). 

Duncan is a four-time qualifier who took sixth at the IWCOA while three-time qualifiers are Wojcikiewicz, who won an IWCOA title, Foster, who took second in the IWCOA and Robinson, who won a title and took second in Missouri. Other champions who placed in the IWCOA finals are Carlisle (second), Casillas (second), Griffin (third), Hamrick (third) and Davis (fourth) while Sommers took fifth in the IHSA finals in 2020.

Finishing in second place were Bloomington seniors Carson Nishida (32-6 at 120), Anthony Curry (31-8 at 195) and Jack Weltha (31-3 at 220), Mahomet-Seymour juniors Caden Hatton (42-5 at 106) and Brennan Houser (39-7 at 170), Triad seniors Chase Hall (37-7 at 138) and Jordan Clines (36-12 at 182), Normal West senior Matt Bicknell (20-7 at 113),

Champaign Central freshman Ronald Baker (31-11 at 126), Civic Memorial senior Joey Biciocchi (37-8 at 132), Glenwood junior Aden Byal (41-7 at 145), Carbondale junior Brenden Banz (31-10 at 152), Lanphier junior Connor Janssen (30-5 at 160) and Southeast junior Robert Hull (14-5 at 285). Hall is a three-time qualifier who placed fifth in the IWCOA and IHSA in 2019, Nishida was third in 2020 and Houser placed fifth in the IWCOA.

In title matches that were decisions, Davis won 7-1 over Hatton at 106, Crouch beat Nishida 5-0 at 120, Bateman won 10-4 over Baker at 126, Griffin defeated Hall 7-1 at 138, Duncan won 3-0 over Byal at 145, Wojcikiewicz edged Houser 7-5 at 170 and Sommers won 8-5 over Weltha at 220. Winning major decisions were Foster at 113, Robinson at 132 and Carlisle at 182 while recording falls were Dampier at 152, Mitchell at 160 and Hamrick at 285 while Casillas won by injury default in his title match.

Taking third place were Civic Memorial freshman Bradley Ruckman (39-6 at 106) and junior Logan Cooper (32-7 at 285), Normal West juniors Froylan Racey (34-4 at 120) and Austin Johnston (33-6 at 126), Urbana sophomore Cordaro Sims (25-4 at 113), Glenwood sophomore John Ben Maduena (33-17 at 132), Mahomet-Seymour sophomore Tallen Pawlak (33-12 at 138), Bloomington senior Jacob Barger (33-8 at 145), East St. Louis senior Cody Powell (22-10 at 152), Carbondale junior Isaiah Duckworth (31-10 at 160), Waterloo senior Brandon Lloyd (34-6 at 170), Mt. Vernon senior Jared Shafer (35-3 at 182), Mattoon senior Aidan Spurgeon (25-3 at 195) and Centennial sophomore Jack Barnhart (36-3 at 220). Lloyd is a three-time qualifier and Racey placed second in the IWCOA.

Finishing fourth were Centennial sophomores Trevor Schoonover (24-10 at 126) and Kodiac Pruitt (29-13 at 160), Carbondale sophomore Isaac Smith (7-3 at 132) and junior Aiden Taylor (40-8 at 195), Jacksonville juniors Collin Reif (32-6 at 138) and Luca Thies (32-11 at 182), Mattoon sophomore Aidan Blackburn (33-11 at 152) and junior Leo Meyer (33-9 at 220), MacArthur freshman Logan Roberts (22-2 at 106), Rochester senior Adam Gribbins (24-11 at 113), Mahomet-Seymour freshman Camden Heinold (27-16 at 120),

Civic Memorial senior Ben Skaggs (21-7 at 145), Mascoutah senior Logan Will (22-5 at 170) and Marion junior Kanye Gunn (25-5 at 285). And Reif placed sixth in the IWCOA.

By Curt Herron
For the IWCOA

Class 1A Vandalia Sectional

Unity qualified eight individuals for the IHSA finals and had won five championships while Vandalia had six qualifiers at the Class 1A Vandalia Sectional.

Sectional champions were Unity seniors Tavius Hosley (47-1 at 145), Grant Albaugh (30-4 at 182) and Karson Richardson (46-3 at 285) and juniors Kyus Root (41-7 at 170) and Nick Nosler (44-2 at 195), Auburn sophomore Anthony Ruzic (22-0 at 113) and junior Dresden Grimm (45-1 at 132), Murphysboro senior Arojae Hart (34-1 at 138) and junior Dayton Hoffman (36-4 at 160), Carlyle freshman Tyson Waughtel (48-0 at 106), Shelbyville junior Calvin Miller (47-2 at 120), Benton sophomore Mason Tieffel (44-4 at 126), Vandalia junior Eric McKinney (44-5 at 152) and Hillsboro senior Magnus Wells (34-1 at 220).

Grimm, Hart and Hosley all qualified for their third state finals appearance. Hosley has two second-place finishes in the IHSA finals while Hart was second, Ruzic and Tieffel placed third and Grimm was sixth in the IWCOA finals.

Claiming second place were Auburn senior Gage Lopez (29-10 at 120) and junior Cole Edie (38-7 at 285), Anna-Jonesboro senior Blake Mays (30-5 at 138) and junior Caleb Mays (44-5 at 145), Fairfield senior Konnor Dagg (35-6 at 195) and junior Payton Allen (39-2 at 220), Litchfield junior Alex Powell (31-6 at 106), East Alton-Wood River senior Aaron Niemeyer (35-5 at 113), Richland County freshman Carson Bissey (23-2 at 126), Herrin sophomore Blue Bishop (31-3 at 132), Cahokia junior Nick Deloach Jr. (41-8 at 152), Vandalia senior Ryan Kaiser (41-7 at 160), Lawrenceville junior Brian Seed (33-1 at 170) and Westville senior Rylee Edwards (33-2 at 182).  Kaiser, Niemeyer and Powell are also three-time state qualifiers, with Niemeyer taking sixth at the IWCOA.

Some of the closest title matches saw Grimm win 3-0 over Bishop 3-0 at 132, McKinney beat Deloach 5-2 at 152, Hoffman won 5-3 over Kaiser at 160 and Albaugh prevailed 7-2 in overtime over Edwards at 182 while Waughtel beat Powell 9-3 at 106 and Hosley won 7-0 over Caleb Mays at 145. Ruzic, Tieffel, Hart, Root all captured major decisions while Nosler won by technical fall and Miller, Wells and Richardson all recorded falls.

Taking third place were Unity freshman Kaden Inman (40-12 at 120) and seniors Nat Nosler (30-6 at 160) and Oran Varela (35-5 at 220), Cumberland senior Iysten Syfert (41-7 at 170) and Colby Ryan (40-6 at 195) and junior Noah Carl (42-6 at 285), Anna-Jonesboro freshman Drew Sadler (46-4 at 106) and junior TJ Macy (26-7 at 132), Harrisburg sophomore Tony Keene (37-2 at 113), East Alton-Wood River senior Jason Shaw (39-3 at 126), Vandalia senior Cutter Prater (45-4 at 138), Carlinville junior Jake Schwartz (45-3 at 145), Effingham senior Jon Perry (39-7 at 152) and Sacred Heart-Griffin junior Cory West (41-3 at 182).

Syfert is a four-time state qualifier while Shaw was second at the IWCOA and also took second in Missouri and third in Florida. Perry and Prater advanced to state for the third time and West placed fifth at the IWCOA finals.

Finishing fourth were Vandalia freshman Sophie Bowers (40-11 at 113) and juniors Pierson Wilkerson (28-22 at 120) and Owen Miller (39-11 at 132), , Murphysboro freshman Kaiden Richards (38-10 at 106) and senior Patrick Campbell (22-9 at 145), Mt. Zion junior Tanner Garrett (25-9 at 126) and senior Lawrence Tribble (32-11 at 160), Taylorville senior Gage Rusher (38-8 at 138) and junior William Blue (27-11 at 195), Roxana sophomore Braden Johnson (14-12 at 152), Pittsfield senior Mason Davis (30-7 at 170), Lawrenceville junior Nathan Blackwell (31-11 at 182), East Alton-Wood River freshman Drake Champlin (32-14 at 220) and White County senior Titus Wood (6-3 at 285). Miller is also a three-time state qualifier.

Class 1A Olympia Sectional

Tremont qualified six individuals for the IHSA finals in Champaign and also had three winners to lead the way at the Class 1A Olympia Sectional in Stanford. 

Sectional champions were Tremont seniors Levi Leitner (32-5 at 152), Lucas Wendling (37-2 at 170) and Cooper Wendling (30-3 at 195), Illini Bluffs sophomore Hunter Robbins (28-3 at 106) and junior Paul Ishikawa (35-1 at 138), Canton junior Trevor Hedges (29-5 at 126) and senior Andrew Hedges (18-2 at 145), Oakwood/Salt Fork junior Reef Pacot (39-4 at 132) and senior Joe Lashuay (33-5 at 160), Farmington sophomore Keygan Jennings (42-1 at 113), St. Joseph-Ogden freshman Holden Brazelton (41-3 at 120), Macomb junior Max Ryner (44-5 at 182), Dwight senior Samuel Edwards (18-0 at 220) and University High senior Hunter Otto (28-1 at 285).

Title winners who are three-time state qualifiers and won IWCOA titles are Ishikawa, Lashuay and Cooper Wendling while Pacot is going to state for the third time and placed fourth at the IWCOA and sixth in 2020 in the IHSA finals. Other champions who placed in the last IWCOA finals were Andrew Hedges (third), Otto (third), Trevor Hedges (fourth), Jennings (fifth) and Lucas Wendling (fifth).

Placing second were Notre Dame freshman Ian Akers (33-6 at 106) and senior Joey Mushinsky (37-2 at 160), Ridgeview/Lexington sophomore Braydon Campbell (29-5 at 120) and senior Evan Antonio (38-4 at 220), Illini Bluffs sophomore Ian O’Connor (39-8 at 126) and freshman Jackson Carroll (32-10 at 132), St. Joseph-Ogden sophomore Emmitt Holt (33-7 at 113), Olympia junior William Winter (33-2 at 138), Illini West senior Lance Belshaw (32-7 at 145), University High senior Zachary Gross (31-6 at 152), Canton junior Joseph Norton (36-1 at 170), Hoopeston Area senior Abel Colunga (34-4 at 182), Macomb junior Ethan Ladd (39-8 at 195) and Bismark-Henning Rossville-Alvin Cooperative junior Hunter Wilson (34-13 at 285).

In two interesting title match stories, Lucas Wendling avenged two losses with a 5-2 victory over Norton to hand him his first defeat in 37 matches in the 170 finals in a clash of the top two-ranked in the state. And Lashuay claimed a 7-6 victory over Mushinsky at 160 to deny him of winning a ninth tournament title this season. Colunga is a four-time state qualifier while Antonio has qualified for state three times and took fifth at the IWCOA finals.

In other decisions in title matches, Jennings won 7-2 over Holt at 113, Brazelton edged Campbell 3-1 at 120, Andrew Hedges was a 7-2 winner over Belshaw at 145, Leitner beat Gross 8-4 at 152, Ryner claimed a 3-1 sudden victory over Colunga at 182 and Edwards was a 12-8 winner over Antonio at 220. Ishikawa won at 138 by major decision and individuals winning titles by fall were Trevor Hedges in 6:23 over O’Connor at 126, Robbins at 106, Pacot at 132, Cooper Wendling at 195 and Otto at 285.

Claiming third place were Prairie Central sophomore Donavan Lewis (28-6 at 132) and junior Connor Steidinger (34-4 at 195), Olympia freshman Drew Eimer (40-5 at 106),

Ridgeview/Lexington sophomore Danny Tay (35-6 at 113), Mercer County sophomore Ethan Monson (27-6 at 120), Quincy Notre Dame senior Curtis Steinkamp (41-5 at 126), Dwight senior Dillon Sarff (28-5 at 138), El Paso-Gridley junior Dax Gentes (45-3 at 145), Clinton senior Trevor Willis (31-10 at 152), Deer Creek-Mackinaw junior Gage Sweckard (37-8 at 160), Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher senior Braylen Kean (20-5 at 170), Rantoul senior Keddrick Terhune (22-5 at 182), Hoopeston Area junior Hunter Cannon (33-8 at 220) and Tremont senior Luke Sauder (20-14 at 285). Sarff is a four-time qualifier who placed fourth at the IWCOA, where Monson also took fourth and Terhune placed sixth.

Taking fourth were LeRoy/Tri-Valley freshman Brady Mouser (22-10 at 106), sophomore Connor Lyons (23-12 at 132), junior Tyson Brent (30-3 at 170) and senior Andrew Moore (24-11 at 220), Dwight freshman Dylan Crouch (21-9 at 113) and senior Emmett Emmons (21-13 at 145), Tremont freshman Bowden Delaney (35-5 at 120) and junior TJ Connor (24-12 at 182), Oakwood/Salt Fork freshman Pedro Rangel (30-6 at 126), sophomore Bryson Capansky (37-13 at 138), Kewanee senior Kadin Rednour (35-6 at 152), Knoxville junior Jaxin Johnson (18-8 at 160), The High School of Saint Thomas More sophomore Brody Cuppernell (24-4 at 195) and PORTA junior Isaac Espnschied (23-14 at 285).

Class 1A Coal City Sectional

IC Catholic Prep and Yorkville Christian each had four champions and nine state qualifiers while Coal City advanced eight individuals from the Class 1A Coal City Sectional.

Sectional champions were IC Catholic Prep seniors Nick Renteria (24-1 at 120), Jadon Mims (22-3 at 220) and Isaiah Gonzalez (27-1 at 285) and sophomore Michael Calcagno (17-1 at 182), Yorkville Christian juniors Noah Dial (35-8 at 132), Tyler Martinez (36-10 at 160) and Jackson Gillen (42-5 at 170) and freshman Aiden Larsen (38-6 at 106), DePaul College Prep senior Mikekal McClarin (22-2 at 126) and freshman Max Rosen (27-5 at 113), Peotone senior Kevin Hogan (37-10 at 145) and junior Marco Spinazzola (39-2 at 138), Coal City senior Ashton Harvey (9-1 at 195) and Bishop McNamara junior Luke Christie (25-2 at 152). 

Christie, Gonzalez, Harvey, Hogan, Mims, Renteria and Spinazzola are all headed to state competition for the third time. Gonzalez took second at the IWCOA while Mims was third and Renteria finished fifth at the event.

Taking second place were Yorkville Christian seniors Isaac Bourge (27-10 at 120) and Michael Esquivel (32-13 at 285) and sophomore Grason Johnson (16-17 at 126), Coal City seniors Zach Finch (35-6 at 152) and John Housman (28-7 at 113) and junior Braiden Young (33-8 at 182), IC Catholic Prep senior Brandon Navarro (19-6 at 170) and sophomore Joseph Gliatta (21-6 at 145), Phoenix Military Academy seniors Omar Ramirez (22-5 at 132) and Rafael Soto (26-5 at 138), Manteno senior Gabe Johnson (26-8 at 195) and sophomore Carter Watkins (30-7 at 160), Seneca junior Kyler Hahn (29-9 at 106) and Nazareth Academy freshman Gabe Kaminski (30-4 at 220). Bourge and Navarro will also be at state for the third time.

In the closest title matches, Gillen won 3-1 over Navarro at 170, Christie was a 9-5 winner over Finch at 152 and Gonzalez won 6-0 over Esquivel at 285. Renteria and Hogan won major decisions while Dial claimed a win by technical fall and Larsen, Rosen, McClarin, Spinazzola, Martinez, Calcagno and Harvey all won by fall and Mims claimed his title by injury defaut. 

Finishing in third place were Coal City junior Derek Carlson (30-6 at 160), sophomore Brant Widlowski (39-7 at 120) and freshman Culan Lindemuth (36-8 at 106), Reed-Custer senior Ryan Tribble (26-6 at 138) and junior Kody Marschner (36-1 at 220), IC Catholic Prep sophomore Omar Samayoa (18-6 at 132) and freshman Andrew Alvarado (20-11 at 113), Seneca senior Owen Feiner (44-6 at 145), St. Laurence senior Mike Gentile (27-7 at 170), Westmont senior Jaylan Lacy (38-3 at 195), Peotone senior Oscar Villalobos (37-14 at 182), DePaul College Prep junior Emmett Jeske (22-10 at 285), Yorkville Christian junior Drew Torza (35-14 at 152) and Phoenix Military Academy sophomore Jose Lua (26-6 at 126).

Marschner was unbeaten heading into the sectional but he suffered his first loss in the semifinals 10-9 to Mims and responded to that setback with two wins. Both Marscher, who was second at the IWCOA, and Tribble will be making their third state appearances.

Taking fourth place were Manteno seniors Wyatt Young (22-9 at 170) and Colin Zeppi (25-7 at 182), Phoenix Military Academy sophomores Vin Moreno (27-3 at 120) and Brendyn Shields (9-7 at 285), Bowen senior Michael Alade (20-3 at 132), Yorkville Christian senior Braulio Flores (30-20 at 138), Chicago Hope Academy senior Franky Saez (28-5 at 152), Coal City senior Dylan Cronk (22-13 at 220), Marine Leadership Academy junior David Esteban (8-10 at 113), Reed-Custer junior Landon Markle (33-10 at 145), St. Laurence junior Henry Coughlin (26-11 at 160), Lisle junior Joe Raineri (26-12 at 195), IC Catholic Prep sophomore Bryson Spaulding (13-8 at 126) and Harlan freshman Jonking Williams (20-5 at 106).

Note: a complete story will be posted about the Class 1A Princeton Sectional

FROM THE IWCOA: If you are enjoying these articles, please consider a small donation to the IWCOA so that we can continue funding feature stories for our website and social media. The IWCOA is non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Click this link to make a donation. Thank you!

by Mike Garofola
For the IWCOA

No. 1 DeKalb (14-0-0) continued its dream season when it advanced 12 into the state tournament, including 4 individual champions who will all set sail for State Farm Arena when the 3A state tournament begins at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

The Barbs, led by a superb senior group, and top rated Bradley Gillum (182) and Tommy Curran (145) were head and shoulders above a quality field inside William Perry Gymnasium at host Conant High School in Hoffman Estates – which is something both men anticipated the moment they set foot in the Barbs room.

“We knew when we all came in that we could do something really special here at DeKalb, and with the addition of a few new faces along the way, we’re in position to have a successful (individual) state tournament and a great chance at dual-team state,” said Gillum.

“We’ve been talking about what we could do when we’re all seniors. We know with continued hard work we’re capable of some great things, both individually and team-wise. Now we just have to go out and do it during the next two weeks,” added Curran.

The ‘knock-out’ stage of the state series began in earnest all across the state, with the blood round, as always, being an unfriendly place to be for those who knew it was win or go home for those living on the edge.

St. Charles East is sending a half-dozen downstate, followed by Glenbard West with five, then Batavia, Conant, and Glenbard North each. East coach Jason Potters’ also had three individual champions.

Here is a closer look at the 14 weight classes:

106 – Ino Garcia, Batavia

The hits just keep coming for Batavia sophomore Ino Garcia (38-4), who continues to raise the bar at 106 following his 9-5 decision over the talented freshmen from Schaumburg, Brady Phelps (27-3), who took control of his own fate with superb work to reach the final.

“Ino was been one of the best six-pounders in the start since the very beginning, and the only reason, in my opinion that he didn’t finish among the top at this weight last season was because he let nerves get to him in the postseason,” Batavia coach Scott Bayer said.

“This year he’s just been a hammer. He bumped up to go against top kids at 113, where three of his four losses have come, each by a single point or a single scoring maneuver.”

“What has allowed him to wrestle his best right now, and what will keep him on a continued path for the rest of his life, is that he makes the conscious choice to be one of the most competitive, humble, focused, and coachable kids in our program.

“He has great parents, and an equally great coach, Ryan Farwell, one of our assistants.”

Garcia, who began this weekend as the No. 9 man in the state polls, collected his fifth major of the season.

Schaumburg coach Mike Levanti was happy with the two-day effort put forth by Phelps.

“The most impressive thing about Brady is how much he loves to compete, and his work habits are very good and getting better,” Levanti said.

“We knew Garcia would be a problem. He’s giant for this weight class. But we appreciate the effort and (Phelps) gave himself a chance to win in the third period.”

Freshmen Kalani Khiev (Glenbard North, 29-10) and Kaden Klapprodt (DeKalb, 25-7) also both earned well-deserved spots downstate.

113 Zack Parisi, York

With no clear cut favorite in this division, it would be Zach Parisi (39-4) who would navigate around and past a trio of difficult stops along the way to claim his biggest prize of the season.

The York sophomore, who up until this weekend had collected four majors this season, began this weekend on his front foot by defeating the ever-improving Ulises Rosas (Glenbard West, 33-9) with an 11-6 decision. Parisi then edged top- seeded Aidan Huck, 28-9) of Batavia to set up a final with Callen Kirchner (29-8) of Schaumburg.

Once there, Parisi would decision Kirchner, 3-1.

Aidan Huck (Batavia, 28-9) who won at the Erb (Glenbrook South) and last week at regionals, came back to defeat Rory Burright (DeKalb, 16-4) to claim the third- place medal.

120 – Ben Davino, St. Charles East

Ben Davino unleashed a devastating all-out attack on this weight class, recording three consecutive tech-falls to easily capture the 120-pound title, his fourth major of the season.

“Davino (33-1) put on another dominating performance,” Saints coach Jason Potter said of Davino, currently ranked No. 1 in Rob Sherrill’s IWCOA rankings.

“When you’re at his level it can be difficult to see growth but I feel like every week he adds more to his offense and his overall game. He can score from any position, and he goes out there to not only win, but wants to put on a show at the same time.”

Davino has kept his shoulder to the wheel.

“I’ve been working on opening up more and with each day in the room, I like to advance my game at each level and just have fun when I go out there,” said Davino, the reigning 2021 IWCOA state champion.

No. 9 Sean Berger (York, 38-5) would defeat No. 7, Daniel Aranda (27-8) in his semifinal (8-4) to advance into the final with Davino, and later, Aranda, 5th last summer at the IWCOA state championships, would grab third place honors over Glenbard North sophomore, Christian Chavez (13-6) who is a state qualifier for the first time.

DVC champion, Aranda (27-8) came back from his heart-breaking semifinal defeat to Berger, and defeated Christian Chavez (Glenbard North, 13-6) with a pin to earn third place honors, and his second trip downstate

126 Paul Wood, Glenbard North

Paul Woo continued his postseason success following his his victory over Schaumburg junior Caden Kirchner (30-8) by a fall at 2:34.

The Glenbard North senior, who two years ago lost in the blood round to eventual 106-pound state champion, Joe Fernau, then of Montini, used a pin in his quarter-final, then a 5-2 decision over Dominick Mallinder (Lake Park) to reach his third final of the postseason.

Woo’s win over Kirchner earned him his first sectional crown and a top four seed in Champaign.

No. 8 Dominik Mallinder ( 28-5) earned his second trip downstate, one year after his runner-up finish at the IWCOA state tournament at 126. Sean VanSleet (York, 31-8) celebrated his first visit downstate.

132 – Tyler Guerra, St. Charles East

The start of an avalanche against his opponents began at the DuKane Conference tournament, through the DeKalb regional, and ended when St. Charles East sophomore Tyler Guerra marched through one of the toughest brackets at Conant.

Guerra would cruise on his way to his DuKane crown with a pin, then tech-fall in his final, followed by a command performance at regionals where he stunned top seed, and No. 4 Danny Curran (DeKalb) during a 5-0 regional final.

Pace, perseverance, and an unerring finish returned the No. 3-rated 32-pounder atop the podium on Saturday, when he won by major decision over No. 8 Pierre Baldwin (36-3) of West Chicago, who is now a three-time state qualifier.

“Tyler is wrestling at his best at the right time of the year,” Saints coach Jason Potter said.

“He has found great balance between his attacks, and his defense on his feet, and he has really bought into being a hammer on top.

“For the second straight week, he has ridden out the top contenders at his weight, and his ability to stay relaxed in big moments has impressed me most. I’m excited to see what he can do at state.”

Baldwin (36-3), sixth at the IWCOA state tournament last summer, pinned Curranat 7:26 in a semifinal contest. Curran went on to finish third overall, while Colin Roque (26-5) of Taft became the second CPS wrestler to advance downstate from this venue.

138 – Kaden Fetterolf, Batavia

It was yet another sensational individual performance from Kaden Fetterolf of Batavia, who for the fourth time this season would defeat league rival Mike DiBenedetto in a championship match.

The Bulldogs junior registered a 6-0 decision over DiBenedetto (Lake Park, 34-6) to earn his earn a top four seed this weekend in Champaign.

“It’s always difficult to wrestle anyone three or four times in one season, but right now, I feel like I am putting more distance between him and I,” said Fetterolf (38-5), who like DiBenedetto is now a three-time state qualifier.

Fetterolf, fifth overall at last year’s IWCOA state championships, was an IHSA state qualifier as a freshman. He went 30-14 that year, going 1-2 overall in the tournament in a star-studded 106-pound weight class.

“It was a good experience in (Champaign) and one that I learned a lot from,” said Fetterolf, who this season has 19 pins and is second on the club in near falls with 70.

Fetterolf, who went into this weekend as the No. 5 man in the state, recorded a 17-4 major in his opener, then cruised into the final with No. 7 DiBenedetto with a pin at 5:54.

Austin Martin (DeKalb, 28-9), and regional champion Jacob Lachs (Glenbard West, 31-12) finished third and fourth, respectively.

145 – Tommy Curran, DeKalb

North Carolina State-bound, and top-rated Tommy Curran (28-1) pinned his way to his second straight sectional title when he recorded his 18th fall of the campaign over St. Charles East sophomore Gavin Connolly (28-8) at 5:06.

Curran, now with four major titles to his name this season, will go after an elusive first state title after claiming a pair of second place trophies (2021, 2020) which preceded his sixth-place finish as a freshmen at 113.

“I am feeling really good right now,” Curran said. “One of the things I’ve been working at is to open things up more, plus my movement. Right now I feel confident and capable of winning a state title next weekend if I stay focused on one match at a time.

“My visit to NC State with my brother (Danny) was a really good one. The head coach and his staff were impressive, and I really like their overall program. It’s going to be a great place for both of us.”

Connolly (25-8) who would avenge back-to-back losses to eventual third-place medal winner, Cael Andrews (Batavia, 38-8) with his 5-0 shutout over the Batavia junior to advance into the final with Curran.

“Gavin had opportunities to avenge previous losses on Saturday, and he did just that,” Saints coach Jason Potter said. “He beat Cael (Andrews, Batavia) in his semifinal after dropping his last two to Andrews at conference and regionals.”

CPS, and regional champion, Finn Merrill (Lane, 34-10) is on his way to Champaign for the first time in his career.

152 – Ethan Stiles, Conant

The top half of the 152-pound bracket had all the look of a Navy Seals testing grounds with Nos. 2 (Ethan Stiles, 26-1) and No. 3 (Damien Lopez, 26-4) on a semifinal collision course come Saturday morning.

Plenty of hardware between these two state giants, and most important, bonus points towards the seeding of the top four in Champaign next weekend.

“Lopez is so good, and extremely tough – obviously we did not take him lightly at all,” said Conant head coach, Andrew Guilde.

“That said, our plan was simple: get to our offense, and ride tough on top. We knew if the first take-down went our way,Ethan could ride tough on top.”

Stiles did just that, and after a scoreless opening period, Stiles got an escape, a takedown, and rode Lopez hard to change the course of the match.

“(They) took neutral in third, Ethan was able to to get another takedown to make it 5-0, and he then rode Damien out for the win.

“Ethan was dialed in all weekend, and he’s ready to make his push for a second consecutive state title. He haselevated his mat wrestling all season long, and he’s getting better with each day.”

Stiles, who leads the Cougars in takedowns, defeated Glenbard West senior Brennan Skoda (34-6) with a tech-fall at 4:23 to collect his sectional title.

Lopez went on to beat Devin Medina (Wheaton North, 40-11) in the third-place bout.

160 – Brody Murray, St. Charles East

Like his teammate, Tyler Guerra, Brody Murray has separated himself from all others at 160-pounds since the start of the postseason.

Two pins led to the Saints sophomore lifting the individual trophy at regionals, leading up to another dazzling two days of work at Conant, culminating in his 7-0 decision over Glenbard West star Max Konopka (34-5) in a comprehensive six minute effort.

“I’ve been watching a lot of film lately in anticipation of facing (Joe) Olade (Lake Park) who we knew was strong, and an upper body guy,” offered Murray, before his 7-1 victory over Olade. Olade later took an injury default in his third place bout with Caleb Wall of DeKalb.

“Brody has put great back-to-back performances for us, and I really like how he’s approaching his matches, and the way he’s able to control the pace of the match,” Saints coach Jason Potter said.

“Earlier in the season, we felt he was giving up points he didn’t need to, so the focus has been to be stingy with his defense. He and Gavin (Connolly) have made great strides and it showed this weekend.”

“Max has a rhythm to his matches, and not to take anything away from Brody (he) wrestled such a strong match, but all of the blood time seemed to throw off the flow of the match, and I believe it Max was distracted by it,” said Glenbard West head coach, Nick Posegay.

“We’ll work on avoiding that distraction before state.”

The aforementioned Wall (20-8) and Olade (30-4) are first time state qualifiers.

170 – Lukes Schmerbach, DeKalb

Plenty of hard work and a little good fortune helped put Lukes Schmerbach in place to enjoy a memorable final season at DeKalb. The Barbs senior took full advantage of good health to provide head coach Sam Hiatt with another terrific piece in his all-star lineup.

Schmerbach (31-2) gave his sectional opponents little chance to challenge over the two days here – including a masterful effort in the 170-pound final with Mikey Rosch (28-17) from Wheaton North that ended in a 16-6 major decision victory.

“Two times I tore my labrum, once during my sophomore year that required reconstructive surgery, then last year when I injured it again at Izzy Style,” Schmerbach said. “The labrum was replaced with a cadaver labrum that was drilled into the bone.”

To no one’s surprise, Schmerbach has an interest in kinesiology, physical therapy, or chiropractic care in college.

“It’s great to see Lukes having such a solid season after his sophomore year was cut short, then missing all of last season,” says Hiatt.

“Even with my injuries, it’s been a great four years at DeKalb, and one that all of us who are seniors were really looking forward to us having the year we’re having as a team, and individuals,” said Schmerbach, who has (14) pins on the season.

Regional champion Nick Matubas (Willowbrook, 32-5) was third overall, while Elijah Chiaro (St. Charles East, 22-7) was fourth.

182 – Bradley Gillum, DeKalb

An avalanche named Bradley Gillum (27-2) fell upon the 182-pound weight class over two days of play, and the No. 1 man in the state would validate his lofty status with yet another superb performance, ending with a 7-1 decision over Batavia star Jackson Tonkovich (28-5), who was sixth at the IWCOA last season.

The reigning state champion and now, four-time state qualifier added to his impressive team stats resume with a pair of pins to send him into his final. Gillum also has a second-place finish at the formidable Dvorak tournament on his season’s resume.

“This is an important win for me personally and the biggest is obviously next week. After that we’re going to work hard to get ourselves to the dual-team state tournament, where we’ll look to win it all,” said Gillum, who has committed to wrestle next season at SIU-Edwardsville.

“I looked around at lot, had some schools looking at me during a long process but SIU was always there for me, and when I went on my visit, I just loved the campus, coaching staff, and everything about the college,” said Gillum, who was the 2019 under-16 Greco-Roman national champion.

“I’ve been working hard on my conditioning, and looking to clean things up, and be as sharp as I can heading into this final weekend. I know as the No. 1-ranked guy in the state, everyone will bring their best when they face me.”

Third place AJ Hernandez (Conant, 24-11), and fourth place Seth Skamra (Addison Trail, 25-8) will be making their debut in Champaign.

“(Hernandez) does nothing but put a smile on my face,” Conant coach Andrew Guilde said.

“He wasn’t rattled after his loss to (Tonkovich) in the quarters, he knew after that it was just one match at a time, and he’s a young man who just believes in himself, knowing it would come down to a tough blood round match.”

195 – Henry Chang, Conant

What a ride Henry Chang has been on during these past three weekends of wrestling.

The Conant senior claimed the top prize in a wicked-good 195 weight class to add to his post season collection, which now includes both an MSL and regional championship trophy.

“Henry was phenomenal all weekend long,” began Guilde.

“He had lost twice before to (Colin) O’Neill (22-5) from Leyden, who has great defense, so we worked on getting guys out of position, and finishing his take-downs. That was the difference in (that) semifinal.”

Chang won 6-3 in his semifinal match.

On the top half of the bracket, it was two 95-pound monsters meeting in the semfinal: No. 1, Philip Dozier (Glenbard West, 40-2) versus No. 6 Bryson Buhk (25-9) from DeKalb.

“(Buhk) had a good practice plan against us, and unfortunately Philip didn’t change up his attacks when his first approach wasn’t working,” Glenbard West coach Nick Posegay said. “Usually he is flexible enough to do so.”

Buhk won by fall over Dozier.

“We learned some valuable lessons each time out and I know Philip’s focus is on his goals at state.”

Chang would go on to defeat Buhk with the same tactical approach taken with the aforementioned O’Neill – good position, clean finishes, and wrestling tough.

“Henry lost earlier in the season to Buhk also, so we knew what to expect – he’s such a hard worker, and has no quit in him, the entire coaching staff is so proud of him,” Guilde said.

Dozier would use two pins to push him over 100 for his career to earn third place honors, while senior Brady Tosterud (Elk Grove, 20-8) is on is way downstate for the first time in his career.

220 – Gavin Engh, DeKalb

Gavin Engh (24-7) became the fourth and final man from DeKalb to collect a sectional title, after his 5-2 decision over Leyden senior, Gus Tosterud (24-7), who is making his second consecutive appearance at state.

Engh, No. 10 in the IWCOA rankings prior to this weekend, won the DVC title three weeks ago, then followed up with a regional crown in his home gym.

Engh would add two more pins to his resume, giving him 14 on the season to book his place opposite Testerud. Engh’s second pin came at the expense of CPS champ Ryan Porebski (Taft, 33-8) who later fell short in the blood round to Chance Guziec.

Guziec (30-8, 13 pins) will join the aforementioned Brady Tosterud on the bus to Champaign to give the Grens two state qualifiers.

“I really cannot remember the last time we had two go downstate, but with Chance, he is been wrestling really intelligent of late,” Elk Grove coach Dan Vargas said. “He has a plan for each period, minimizes his mistakes, and makes sure to put himself in positions he is his strongest at.” 

 Conant sophomore Harley Stary (20-17) worked his way back through the consolation brackets to earn his place downstate.

“Harley is just a sophomore, who didn’t wrestle last season because of COVID, so he spent most of this year just catching up, and getting used to varsity wrestling,” Guilde said.

“He is all guts and to take a year off, then qualify for state is a testament to his work ethic, and belief in himself, and his unwillingness to give up.”

285 – Paulie Robertson, Glenbard North

No. 2 Paulie Robertson (Glenbard North, 28-1) began his quest to reach the state final, with No. 1 Ryan Boersma (Mt. Carmel, 36-2) firmly in his sights as we head into the final weekend of the season.

Boersma, the reigning state champion dealt Robertson his lone defeat of the season in the Dvorak final, 4-1.

“I learned a lot from that loss and I’ve filed it away, and plan to be ready if and when I face Boersma again,” Robertson said after his DuKane Conference tournament victory, which he followed with another major at regionals.

Robertson would defeat Morley Coval, 4-2 in his sectional final to earn a top four seed in Champaign, while Glenbard West head coach, Nick Posegay cannot wait for his big man to begin play on Thursday inside State Farm Arena.

“Morley is one of those rare kids who does not see rankings after someone’s name on the IWCOA website. That approach that has helped him make his way up the ladder,” West coach Nick Posegay said.

“Early season wins over state-ranked opponents such as Jordan Lewis (Downers Grove North) and RJ Schneider (Providence Catholic) gave him confidence. He’s a thinker, and very strategic wrestler, and with him closing the gap on Paulie is a natural extension of that.”

Third place Austin Barrett (St. Charles East, 25-12) and Adam Lambaz are first time IHSA state qualifiers. For Barrett it was his hard fought 4-3 victory over CPS champion Grzegorz Krupa in the blood round that ensured his spot in the state field.

“One of the more exciting matches for us this weekend was Austin’s comeback victory in the blood round,” Saints coach Jason Potter said.

“He doesn’t have years of experience in the sport like so many others, but he loves the sport and he believes in the work ethic wrestling has taught him.

“Wrestling coaches all over the country try to get football players to just how much this sport can help them, and most coaches have a list of top college and pro football players who have wrestled, and use it to prove the point.”

“I am looking forward to the day when Austin’s name in on that list, so I can help the next generation of football players see the value of our sport.”

FROM THE IWCOA: If you are enjoying these articles, please consider a small donation to the IWCOA so that we can continue funding feature stories for our website and social media. The IWCOA is non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Click this link to make a donation. Thank you!

---

By Gary Larsen
For the IWCOA

Naperville Central

At day’s end, Joliet Central led all teams in Naperville with five state qualifiers of their nine wrestlers entered, and led all teams with 103.5 points to finish atop the field in team scoring. Minooka’s 11-girl team finished second with 81 points, West Aurora’s three wrestlers scored 68 points in third, Lockport’s nine wrestlers were fourth with 66 points, and Hononegah’s four wrestlers rounded out the top five team finishes with 65 points.

Three wrestlers will enter the state finals from the Naperville Central sectional with unbeaten records to their name, in Glenbard North’s Gabriella Gomez (8-0 at 105), Plainfield South’s Alexis Joniak (8-0 at 130), Batavia’s Sydney Perry (17-0 at 145).
Yorkville’s Natasha Markoutsis (26-1 at 125), Larkin’s Maria Ferrer (20-1 at 170), and Lockport’s Skylar Wojcik (6-1 at 235) all enter the state finals with a single loss on their records.

Here are the 1st- and 3rd-place match results and state qualifiers:

Naperville Central championship
100 Angelina Cassioppi (Hononegah) over Emma Engels (Bartlett) F 1:38
105 Gabriella Gomez (Glenbard North) over Ella McDonnell (Morris) F 1:38
110 Shea Reisel (Somonauk co-op) over Victoria Macias (Burlington Central) F 1:21
115 Yami Aguirre (Yorkville) over Itsel Vivanco (Joliet Central) 9-1
120 Cadence Diduch (Freeport) over April Ortiz (Joliet Central) F 1:31
125 Natasha Markoutsis (Yorkville) over Dahlia Leighton (Glenbard East) F 1:25
130 Alexis Janiak (Plainfield South) over Katie Ramirez (Bolingbrook) TF 3:41
135 Netavia Watson (Boylan) over Sandra Sanchez (Batavia) F 1:47
140 Sara Meyer (Ottawa) over Madison Schlismann (Joliet Central) F 5:23
145 Sydney Perry (Batavia) over Dyani Rivera (West Aurora) F 2:48
155 Giselle Ayala (Larkin) over Violet Cherep (DG South) F 1:28
170 Rose Casssioppi (Hononegah) over Ionicca Rivera (West Aurora) F 1:02
190 Brittney Moran (West Aurora) over Gracie Swierczynski (DG South) F 1:30
235 Skylar Wojcik (Lockport) over Keira Enright (Plainfield South) F 4:46
Naperville Central 3rd-place matches
100 Kat Bell (Montini) over Kameyah Young (East Aurora) F 5:39
105 Brooklyn Doti (Minooka) over Chloe Wong (Joliet West) F 1:13
110 Grace Laird (Joliet Catholic) over Angelina Carpintero (Bartlett) F 2:56
115 Eliana Paramo (Joliet West) over Brooklyn Sheaffer (Yorkville Christian) SV-1 6-4
120 Stejah Allen (Joliet West) over Soraya Walikonis (Burlington Central) F 3:45
125 Dyani Torres (Kaneland) over Charlene Bahnfleth (West Chicago) F 3:42
130 Khatija Ahmed (Glenbard West) over Jayda Rosenow (Erie co-op) F 0:43
135 Stephanie Serna (Joliet Central) over Elizabeth Ruter (Oregon) 8-2
140 Jaiden Moody (Minooka) over Ani Navarro (Glenbard West) F 1:28
145 Elisa Russell (Rock Falls) over Lexie Carden (Durand co-op) F 5:29
155 Maya Kalombo (WW South) over Marisa Janecek (Kaneland) F 1:49

170 Maria Ferrer (Larkin) over Kelli Watkins (Lockport) Inj. 0:00
190 Jayden Huesca Rodriguez (W. Chicago) over Aurelia Gil-Lane (Bolingbrook) F 1:09
235 Fernanda Miranda (Joliet Central) over Linnie Saldeen (Glenbard West) 5-3

Richwoods

Host Richwoods and its nine wrestlers entered finished atop the team scoring, 80-70 over second-place Edwardsville and its eight sectional wrestlers. Richwoods advanced five wrestlers to this year’s state finals in Bloomington.
Goreville (five wrestlers) placed third with 69 points, Belleville East (five) scored 62 points to finish fourth, and Lawrenceville co-op (two) rounded out the top five team finishers with 49 points.

Wrestlers from the Richwoods sectional who will arrive with unbeaten records at this year’s IHSA state finals are Richwood’s Kyley Bair (19-0 at 105), Glenwood’s Maya Davis (5-0 at 115), Edwardsville’s Mackenzie Pratt (9-0 at 120), and Belleville East’s Kiara Ganey (11-0 at 235).

Here are the 1st- and 3rd-place match results and state qualifiers:

Richwoods championship matches
100 Brianna Richey (Lawrenceville co-op) over Rebecca Ferguson (Rock Island) 5-4
105 Kyley Bair (Richwoods) over Alexcia Hardin (Belleville East) F 2:14

110 Shaina Hyre (Lawrenceville co-op) over Brooklyn Murphy (Jacksonville) 3-2

115 Maya Davis (Glenwood) over Mikah Merrill (Goreville) M. For.
120 Mackenzie Pratt (Edwardsville) over Avery Smith (Red Budd co-op) F 1:28

125 Lauren Dothager (Vandalia) over Bri Bynum (Sherrard) F 0:56
130 Berlin Kiddoo (Westville co-op) over Abby Rhodes (Edwardsville) 7-0

135 Alivia Ming (Goreville) over Kelly Ladd (Macomb) F 2:19

140 Antonia Phillips (Alton) over Savannah Hamilton (El Paso-Gridley) 6-0

145 Hayley Nappier-Feth (Richwoods) over Sanaa Hampton (Rock Island) F 2:59

155 Lexi Ritchie (Unity) over Jaida Johnson (Richwoods) TF

170 August Rottmann (Highland) over Kami Ratcliff (Belleville East) F 4:26

190 Keely Rulo (Cahokia) over Ruby Sepeda (Moline) 3-0
235 Kiara Ganey (Belleville East) over Shelby Hailey (Normal Community) F 1:57

Richwoods 3rd-place matches

100 Olivia Coll (Edwardsville) over Sammy Lehr (Normal West) F 1:00
105 Bailey Lusch (East Peoria) over Molly Merrill (Goreville) F 2:51

110 Maddaline Bryant (Charleston) over Baya Perez (Richwoods) F 0:17

115 Alexis Seymour (Jacksonville) over Isabella Motteler (Richwoods) 12-11

120 Pyper Wood (Normal Community) over Josie Barham (Deer Creek-M.) F 5:33
125 Taylor Dawson (Collinsville) over Oregan Dover (Anna-Jonesboro) TF
130 Avery Schlickman (GCMS co-op) over Jordan Bicknell (Olympia co-op) 15-13
135 Ava Vasey (Unity) over Jaylah Dalton (Pekin) F 1:55
140 Maggie Ramaker (Trico) over Charley McColpin (Robinson) F 2:52
145 Arie Johnson (Richwoods) over Aubrianna Putman (Canton) F 2:39

155 Samir Elliott (Granite City) over Autumne Williams (Limestone) F 0:32
170 Faith Barrett (Mt. Vernon) over Katie Marvel (Canton) 7-1
190 Olonna Rehmer (Belleville East) Bye
235 Oriana Casey (Warsaw) Bye

Evanston
Schaumburg’s 12 wrestlers entered finished atop the field with 117 points, while Hoffman Estates’ eight girls finished second with 88, and Lakes’ five wrestlers placed third with 67 points. Fenton’s six wrestlers posted 65 points in finishing fourth in team points and Zion-Benton’s four wrestlers rounded out the top five team finishes with 64 points.

Evanston sectional champions advancing to the state finals with unbeaten season records were Lakes’ Olivia Heft (11-0 at 115), Taft’s Kaila De Toro (4-0 at 125), Grant’s Crystal Villegas (15-0 at 130), and Palatine’s Jasmine Hernandez (27-0 at 145).

Sectional champs advancing downstate with a single loss this season were Grant’s Ayane Jasinski (8-1 at 100), Niles West’s Al Ghala Mariam Al Radi (14-1 at 135), Zion-Benton’s Rachel Williams-Henry (11-1 at 140), Schaumburg’s Valeria Rodriguez (27-1 at 155), and Fenton’s Noelia Vazquez (22-1 at 190).

Here are the 1st- and 3-place match results and state qualifiers:

Evanston championship matches
100 Ayane Jasinski (Grant) over Autumn Oregon-Williams (Addison Trail) F 0:37

105 Harlee Hiller (Loyola) over Vianny Hernandez (Round Lake) F 0:35

110 Taylor Casey (Huntley) over Ariana Flores (Evanston) F 6:00

115 Olivia Heft (Lakes) over Justyce Sieber (Warren) F 2:50
120 Hannah Suboni-Kaufman (Maine East) over Ireland McCain (Round Lake) F 1:17
125 Laila Del Toro (Taft) over Bethany Regione (Schaumburg) F 5:16

130 Crystal Villegas (Grant) over Madeline Zerafa-Lazarevic (Schaumburg) F 6:00
135 Al Ghala Mariam Al Radi (Niles West) over Keira Dafnis (Wauconda) F 0:43
140 Rachel Williams-Henry (Zion-Benton) over Noemi Marchan (Lane) F 3:20
145 Jasmine Hernandez (Palatine) over Adriana Demos (Warren) F 6:00
155 Valeria Rodriguez (Schaumburg) over Yamile Penaloza (Fenton) F 3:58
170 ILeen Castrejon (Zion-Benton) over Naomi Miles (Lake Forest) F 2:31
190 Noelia Vazquez (Fenton) over Josephine Larson (Lakes) F 6:00
235 JD Quijano-Perez (Addison Trail) over Jasmine Mejia (Rickover Naval Academy) Inj.

Evanston 3rd place matches

100 None
105 Samarah Goldstein (Stevenson) over Snow Khi (Grant) F 1:30

110 Amy Villegas (Maine East) over Evelyn Simon (Hoffman Estates) F 1:44

115 Sophia Ball (Hoffman Estates) over Madyson Meyer (Schaumburg) 13-3
120 Nyah Lovis (Lane) over Gianna Rossi (Hoffman Estates) 3-1
125 Emmlina O’Brien (Hoffman Estates) over Noelani Rodriguez (Waukegan) F 4:47
130 Abby Ji (Hoffman Estates) over Yannel Perez (Fenton) F 0:40
135 Samantha Anderson (Conant) over Ava Babbs (Lakes) F 4:42
140 Emma Garrett (McHenry) over Victoria Ryszawa (Jacobs) 8-2
145 Kaia Fernandez (Barrington) over Sajra Sulejmani (Stevenson) F 1:03
155 Julianna Conroy (Buffalo Grove) over Alize Ramirez (Evanston) 6-3
170 Alexandra Strzelecki (Huntley) over Denver Gier (Cary-Grove) F 0:40
190 Eliette Gomez (Waukegan) over Alya Razzak (Schaumburg) F 1:06
235 Kennedi Atkocaitis (Taft) over Medina Kadic (Ridgewood) F 0:50

By Steve Millar 

After becoming one of the first girls wrestlers ever to win a sectional championship in an Illinois High School Association state series, Morton junior Leilany De Leon was blown away by the moment.  

“It’s history,” De Leon said. “I still can’t believe it.” 

That was a common theme Saturday at the Andrew Sectional – one of four sectionals in the state that marked the start of the first IHSA girls wrestling state series.  

Many of the tournament’s most successful wrestlers were just as excited about the tournament itself – and the fact that there were so many girls wrestling – than with the fact they had just won a championship.  

“When I was a freshman, I would see girls on teams with only one or two girls and then these teams started growing,” Morton senior Jennifer Villagomez said. “It makes me so happy.” 

It was a big day for Morton, which qualified nine for the inaugural girls wrestling state meet, set for Feb. 25-26 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. 

Villagomez (110), De Leon (120) and senior Karla Topete (130) were sectional champs for the Mustangs.  

Also qualifying for state for Morton were Ximena Juarez (2nd, 125), Neida Arreola (3rd, 115), Diana Rodriguez (3rd, 190), Aseel Jadallah (3rd, 235), Paris Flores (4th, 100) and Faith Comas (4th, 135). 

Homewood-Flossmoor was just behind Morton with eight state qualifiers, led by champions Attalia Watson-Castro (135) and Ini Odumosu (190). Also qualifying for the Vikings were Ava Anderson (2^nd, 100), Nina Hamm (2^nd, 115), Grace Gibbs (3^rd, 140), Kristen Roberts (4^th, 155), Madison Skowronski (4^th,  170) and Jocelyn Williams (4^th, 235).  

Oak Park-River Forest had six qualifiers: Keydy Peralta (1^st, 145), Trinity White (1^st, 170), Bella Tyma (2^nd, 135), Sarah Epstein (2^nd, 235), Bentley Hills (3^rd, 100) and Tiffany White (4^th, 190).  

Andrew co-op, which also features wrestlers from fellow District 230 schools Sandburg and Stagg, did not have any champions but also qualified six.  

They were Avery Santiago (2^nd, 140), Ava McGuire (2^nd, 145), Emma Akpan (2^nd, 170), Mickaela Keane (2^nd, 190), Katherine Cygan (4^th, 125) and Alyssa Keane (4^th, 130).  

Many programs had their moments to shine as champions came from 10 different schools: Morton, H-F, Oak Park-River Forest, T.F. South, Lincoln-Way Central, Bowen, Coal City, Chicago Washington, Oak Forest and Curie.  

Lincoln-Way Central’s Gracie Guarino summed up the day by echoing the thoughts of many of her fellow competitors. 

“It feels like a dream,” Guarino said.  

Here are the stories of the individual champions at the Andrew Sectional: 

100 – Dutchess King, T.F. South 

King, a senior, has been wrestling throughout her high school career and was grateful to have an IHSA state series happen before she graduated. 

“I’ve been wrestling all these years and wishing I could go to regionals and sectionals and they didn’t have this back then,” King said. “For it to come true for once, I’m proud of everyone here. It’s a male-dominated sport. You don’t see females doing this.  

“I didn’t even have to win to be happy today.” 

King (17-10) pinned Morton’s Paris Flores in the semifinals then beat H-F’s Ava Anderson by a 16-4 major decision in the finals.  

Anderson (15-7) sealed her trip to state with a 7-1 semifinal win over Oak Park-River Forest’s Bentley Hills. 

Hills bounced back to take third with a 2-1 win over Flores.  

Flores had sealed her spot at state in the blood round by pinning Westinghouse’s Kimani Glasper. 

105 – Gracie Guarino, Lincoln-Way Central 

Guarino (23-14) has been a mainstay in the lineup for a successful Knights team and has held her own against boys all season, so she was confident coming into Saturday.   

Guarino got off to a heck of a start, pinning all three of her opponents in less than a minute. 

She finished it off with a 51-second pin of Reed-Custer’s Judith Gamboa in the finals.  

“There were a little bit of nerves, but I was pretty confident the whole way through,” Guarino said. “I knew I was going to do good. I just did everything I know to do.” 

Guarino has had big goals since she finished third at the IWCOA girls state meet in June as a freshman and is looking forward to the challenge that awaits her in Bloomington. 

“It’s going to be tough, but I’m ready,” she said. “I’m very excited for it.” 

Gamboa has a pair of pins on her way to the finals, finishing off Oak Forest’s Hanan Abdallah in 1:15 in the semifinals to clinch her trip to state. 

Marine Leadership Academy senior Alani Barajas took third, pinning Abdallah in 3:01. 

Abdallah, who finished fourth, came through with a pin of Oak Park-River Forest’s Ana Banuelos in the blood round to seal her state-qualifier status. 

110 – Jennifer Villagomez, Morton 

Villagomez (14-1), a senior, beat Andrew’s Sophia Figueroa 7-3 in the quarterfinals and Hubbard’s Diana Cervantes 6-4 in the semifinals before pinning Hillcrest’s Cha’Anna Kassim in 3:38 in the finals to become a sectional champion. 

Villagomez said she fell short of making it to the IWCOA state meet in past seasons, so this was her redemption. 

“I felt like this year I was ready to come forward after so many hard practices,” Villagomez said. “I feel like it was all worth it.” 

Villagomez was just as excited about her teammates’ success as the Mustangs had nine state qualifiers. 

“I feel like a proud mom since I’m one of the co-captains,” she said. “I feel so proud of everyone that they wrestled so hard and didn’t give up. I try to help them at practice and tell them, ‘Oh, do this,’ and to see them do it in matches makes me feel so proud of everyone.” 

Kassim had two pins to reach the finals, including one in two minutes in the semifinals over Lincoln-Way Central’s Emily Peyton. 

Cervantes and Peyton bounced back with big wins in the blood round to seal their trips to state.  

Cervantes pulled out a dramatic 7-6 victory over the top seed, Oak Park-River Forest’s Camila Neuman. Peyton pinned Andrew co-op’s Sophie Figueroa. 

Cervantes then pinned Peyton in 3:27 in the third-place match. 

115 – Monica Griffin, Bowen 

As Bowen’s only female wrestler, Griffin (17-3) has taken on and overcome many challenges.   

“You have to be able to push through everything, even when you’re wrestling boys or girls,” she said. “You have to practice hard and just be dedicated to everything.” 

Griffin dominated Saturday, pinning all three of her opponents, including H-F’s Nina Hamm in 1:07 in the finals.  

A wrestler since fifth grade, Griffin was proud to compete in the historic event.  

“They’re just now recognizing us females, so it’s like a relief,” she said. 

Hamm had a pair of pins to reach the finals, including one in 2:42 over Morton’s Neida Arreola in the semifinals. 

Arreola bounced back to take third, edging T.F. South’s  Quincy Onyiaorah 3-1.  

Onyiaorah won by 11-1 major decision over Hillcrest’s Ashli Dodson in the blood round to become a state qualifier.  

120 – Leilany De Leon, Morton 

De Leon (10-2) was able to outlast her opponents and finish them off late, with two of her three pins coming in the third period. 

She pinned Kankakee’s Estefany Mendez in 5:22 in the finals.  

De Leon, a junior, was convinced to try wrestling two years ago and is now hooked. 

“My freshman year on cross country, there was a senior telling me all season to do wrestling,” De Leon said. “I decided I’d just try out for it. I wasn’t going to join the team, but all the seniors wanted me to and I was like, ‘I can’t leave.’  

“Then I started doing it and I didn’t want to leave.” 

Mendez had a pair of pins, including one in 1:17 in the semifinals over Curie’s Vanessa Torres.  

Torres came back to take third with a pin of Riverside-Brookfield’s Eleanor Aphay in 2:56.  

Aphay, who finished fourth, had sealed her trip to state by pinning Oak Park-River Forest’s Maria Diaz in the blood round. 

125 – Carly Ford, Coal City 

Ford (13-3), a senior, wishes she would have more than one chance to compete in an IHSA state series, but she is happy to experience it once. 

“It feels pretty good,” she said. “I’ve obviously done IWCOA before, but I’m happy to be a part of this. I’m a senior, so I won’t get to do it again, but it’s great to see all the girls out here.  

“I’m happy for all the girls who get to compete in future years.” 

Ford had two pins on her way to the finals, then beat Morton’s Ximena Juarez with a technical fall, 18-3, in 5:28, in the championship match. 

She is looking forward to the state meet. 

“It feels like this is what I’ve worked for all four years,” Ford said. “Obviously it’s sad, because I’m a senior, so it’s my last meet, but I’m excited for it.” 

Juarez earned a 6-2 win over Andrew co-op’s Katherine Cygan in the semifinals to clinch her spot at state. 

Lincoln-Way Central’s Ashley Villa took third. After being pinned by Ford in the semifinals, she came back with two pins of her own, including one in 1:54 over Cygan in the third-place match. 

Cygan, who finished fourth, outlasted Oak Park-River Forest’s Pearl Lacey in a high-scoring blood round match, prevailing 15-13.  

130 – Karla Topete, Morton 

Topete (14-1), a senior, had major decisions in her first two matches before pinning Oak Forest’s Sabrina Sifuentez in 1:07 in the finals to become Morton’s third champion of the day.  

“It’s pretty exciting,” Topete said. “I’ve been wrestling since sixth grade and there was a time where there were no girls. So, aside from winning, just seeing all these girls is amazing.” 

Topete said she was drawn in by her interest in another kind of wrestling as a kid. 

“I liked the WWE,” she said. “My dad found a camp and we just went from there. I didn’t think it was going to be like this. I thought it was going to be a ring with stairs. But this is fun, too.” 

Sifuentez had two pins on her way to a runner-up finish, including one in 1:41 over Wilmington’s Priscilla Prescott in the semifinals.  

Lincoln-Way West’s Alaina Hollendoner, who lost 8-0 to Topete in the semifinals, came back to take third with a 5-1 win over Andrew co-op’s Alyssa Keane. 

Keane pinned Prescott in the blood round on her way to finishing fourth.  

135 – Attalia Watson-Castro, Homewood-Flossmoor 

It was an exciting day for the Watson-Castro family as Attalia’s brother, Haku, also qualified for state with a fourth-place finish at 182 at the Class 3A Granite City Sectional.  

“We’ve been planning on this since freshman year, so now that it’s actually happening, it’s really cool,” Attalia Watson-Castro said. “It’s history in the making. This was our only chance to do it since he’s a senior this year.” 

Attalia Watson-Castro (13-1), a junior, pinned all three of her opponents, finishing it off her finals match in 2:31 against Oak Park-River Forest’s Bella Tyma. 

“The key is to just have fun,” Attalia Watson-Castro said. “That’s the main thing. I feel like a lot of girls overthink it. If you have fun, everything comes naturally.” 

Tyma beat Andrew co-op’s Lana Shuaibi 9-5 in the semifinals to seal her trip to state. 

After being pinned by Attalia Watson-Castro in the quarterfinals, Kankakee’s Alejandra Cornejo came back with three pins of her own, including one in 2:58 to beat Morton’s Faith Comas in the third-place match. 

Comas pinned Back of the Yards’ Gisell Patino in the blood round.  

140 – Solmariely Rodriguez, Chicago Washington 

Rodriguez (5-1), a senior, let out a jubilant reaction after pinning Andrew co-op’s Avery Santiago in 39 seconds in the finals.  

“I was shocked when I got the pin,” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ I was running around everywhere.” 

Rodriguez, who had only wrestled in one other event before the sectional this season, looked to get to her offense quickly in the championship match. 

“My coach told me to get out there and get aggressive,” she said. “I’m not really aggressive when I wrestle all the time. So, I was like, ‘OK, go out there and start strong and try to push through.’  

“She shot and I sprawled and then it just happened. It was like a dream.” 

Santiago pinned Oak Forest’s Jade McDaniel in the semifinals on her way to the runner-up finish. 

H-F’s Grace Gibbs, who dropped a tight 3-1 decision to Rodriguez in the quarterfinals, came back with three straight wins. She beat Phoenix’s Selena Lopez 4-1 in the third-place match. 

Lopez, who finished fourth, pinned Oak Park-Forest’s Mayan Awaeli in the blood round to earn her spot at state. 

145 – Keydy Peralta, Oak Park-River Forest 

Peralta (15-2), a junior, cast aside her own doubts to become a sectional champion. 

“It’s really inspiring,” she said. “I didn’t know that I was going to get here. Before this, I was really overthinking it and I didn’t think I was going to place. I gave it my all and now here I am.” 

Peralta pinned both of her opponents, including Andrew co-op’s Ava McGuire in 1:56 in the finals. 

McGuire pinned Back of the Yards’ Joselin Rodriguez in 1:11 in the semifinals on the way to her runner-up finish. 

After being pinned by Rodriguez in the quarterfinals, Oak Forest’s Davia Lea turned the tables by pinning Rodriguez in the third-place match. 

Rodriguez, the fourth-place finisher, sealed her spot at state by pinning Wilmington’s Skylar Ortiz in the blood round.   

155 – Dajia Slaughter, Oak Forest 

Slaughter (11-2), a sophomore, is pulling off a rare feat by competing in two sports in the same season.  

She is also a member of the Bengals’ varsity basketball team.  

“It’s not that hard if you put in the work for both, once you get your schedule put together,” Slaughter said. 

Slaughter pinned both her opponents, including Wilmington’s Dezirae Yanke in 2:23 in the finals.  

“It feels so great,” Slaughter said. “I came along way, so to get first is amazing. I was crying. I never get emotional about any sport. But I was like, ‘Oh my God, I just got first.’ There’s been a lot of hard work, dedication and tears put into this.” 

Yanke, the runner-up, beat Evergreen Park’s Elliana Balderrama 4-0 in the semifinals. 

Balderrama came back with a pair of pins, including one in 3:29 over H-F’s Kristen Roberts in the third-place match. 

Roberts is nonetheless headed to state as the fourth-place finisher thanks to her pin of Andrew co-op’s Janae Vargas in the blood round. 

170 – Trinity White, Oak Park-River Forest 

Coming into the tournament undefeated, White (20-0) felt some pressure, mostly – she said – put on by herself. 

“I feel like it’s so bad being undefeated because I just don’t want to lose,” she said. “But, you know, it’s whatever. I have the will to win and keep on going even when something bad happens like you take a bad shot or something.” 

White, a sophomore, stayed perfect with two pins followed by a tight 3-1 win over Andrew co-op’s Emma Akpan in the finals.  

White’s older sister, Tiffany – a senior – also advanced to state with a fourth-place finish at 190. 

“I’m really happy,” Trinity White said. “I feel like all the hard work and going to practices, practicing with the varsity boys, it was all worth it. It makes me feel really good right now.” 

Akpan had two pins on her way to a runner-up finish, including one in 2:27 over Hoopeston’s Jalyn Cobb in the semifinals. 

After being pinned by White in the semifinals, Kenwood’s Myeisha Davis came back with two pins of her own, including one in two minutes over H-F’s Madison Skowronski in the third-place match. 

Skowronski had pinned Oak Forest’s Bridget Munch in the blood round to punch her ticket to state. 

190 – Ini Odumosu, Homewood-Flossmoor 

Odumosu (21-5), a sophomore, is a first-year wrestler after she began looking for a new sport following her freshman year.  

“As a kid, I remember wrestling with my cousins, playfully,” she said. “I played volleyball but I didn’t really like it. I thought about it and I was like, ‘I like sports that are competitive where I can control.’  

“I heard about wrestling at H-F and I thought it was the perfect opportunity.” 

Odumosu has certainly thrived in her first season. After pulling off a 7-2 overtime victory against Morton’s Diana Rodriguez in the semifinals, she edged Andrew co-op’s Mickaela Keane 3-1 in the finals. 

Keane beat Oak Park-River Forest’s Tiffany White, who entered the match with a 25-0 record, 6-2 in the semifinals to secure her trip to state. 

Rodriguez pinned White in the third-place match, while fourth-place finisher White clinched her state-qualifier status with a pin of Marine Leadership Academy’s Melanie Canales in the blood round. 

235 – Aaliyah GrandBerry, Curie 

GrandBerry (8-0), a sophomore and a first-year wrestler, was more than a little bit nervous heading into the sectional. 

“I didn’t think I was going to make it,” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to die.’ 

“Right now, this feels amazing.” 

GrandBerry pulled off a tight, 3-1 win over Oak Park-River Forest’s Sarah Epshtein in the finals.  

Epshtein had her own dramatic victory in the semifinals, 4-2 in overtime over H-F’s Jocelyn Williams. 

Morton’s Aseel Jadallah pinned Oak Forest’s Jessica Komolafe in the blood round then was awarded third place via default due an injury to Williams.  

Epshtein had her own dramatic victory in the semifinals, 4-2 in overtime over H-F’s Jocelyn Williams.  Morton’s Aseel Jadallah pinned Oak Forest’s Jessica Komolafe in the blood round then was awarded third place via default due an injury to Williams.  

FROM THE IWCOA: If you are enjoying these articles, please consider a small donation to the IWCOA so that we can continue funding feature stories for our website and social media. The IWCOA is non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Click this link to make a donation. Thank you!