By Gary Larsen

Rickover Rumble

One year after placing second, Kelly snared the team title at this year’s 25-team Rickover Rumble on Jan. 3, out-pointing second-place Taft 133.5-118.5. Maine East (112.5) finished third, followed by Westinghouse (106.5) and host Rickover Naval Academy (104) to round out the top five team finishes.
Kelly coach Jazzmine Seely sent three individual champions to the top of the awards stand in Yazmine Garcia (115), Liana Andrade (155) and Sara Martinez (170).

“We brought eight total wrestlers to the tournament, and seven of the eight scored points for us,” Kelly coach Jazzmine Seely said. “Despite competing with only half of our lineup, the team came in with a strong mindset and determination to place higher than last year’s finish.

“Just days before the Rickover Tournament, we competed at one of the toughest two-day national tournaments in the country during the high school season, Wonder Women in Columbia, Missouri. That experience had our girls more than prepared to compete, stay focused, and handle adversity. Although they were tired from travel and constant wrestling, they never gave up.”

1st- Kelly (133.5)

In addition to titles from Garcia, Andrade, and Martinez, Kelly got a third-place finish from Liliana Monserrat Dimas (135), and a fourth from Destiny Hills (110). Jazmin Andrade also placed fifth in the 155 Beginner competition.

“Overall, their performance was outstanding,” Seely said. “We have several first-year wrestlers in our starting lineup who are already making a huge impact, along with returners who have been looking phenomenal all season.

“At the beginning of the season, we were missing some key returners, which affected the team early on. However, many first-year wrestlers stepped up, made major strides, and filled those roles, while our returners stayed committed from the end of last season through the entire offseason. All the offseason work, early morning practices, and two-a-days are starting to pay off.

“We’re confident, motivated, and ready for anyone and anything moving forward.”

2nd- Taft (118.5)

The Eagles got a runner-up finish from Layla Zbiewc (130), thirds from Alyssa Martel (115) and Evelyn Rodriguez (145), fourths from Jennifer Arenas (125) and Kylie Kowalisyn (135), and a fifth from Kameron Harvey (105).

3rd- Maine East (112.5)

Coach Lizeth Torres got an individual title from Alena Oshana (130), seconds from Evelyn Torres (100) and Eliana Badeen (110), a third from Angie Wszolek (190), and a fourth from Kee’Mora Arterberry (155).

Additional champions

100 Dakota Perez (Rickover) 

105 Litzy Estrada-Aguado (Rickover)  

110 Ariel Woodfin (Thornton)

120 Demetria Griffin (Hope)

125 Kendra Chatman (Goode)

135 Avery Crouch (Dwight)  

140 Adilynn Avilez (Dwight)

145 Neriah Treadway (Hancock)

190 Valerie Franco (Fenwick)

235 Miniyai Adams (Thornton)

Additional runners-up

105 Elizabeth Amaya-Avila (St. Francis De Sales)

115 Emily Mastropaolo (Fremd)

120 Gianna Araujo-Dominguez (Argo)

125 Elena Raymond (Argo)

135 Riley Moore (Highland Park)

140 Lexie Hoobler (Highland Park)

145 Jordan Scroggins (Durand)

155 Talifa Khamreava (Niles W)

170 Midna Lozoya (Rickover)

190 Vargas Belen (Fenwick)

235 Sky Vazquez (Elmwood Park)

Team scores
Kelly 133.5, Taft 118.5, Maine East 112.5, Westinghouse 106.5, Rickover Naval Academy 104, Thornton 98, Lockport 77, Dwight 69, Highland Park 65.5, Mundelein 62, Chicago Hope Academy 60.5, Niles North 60, Niles West 55, Argo 44, Fenwick 41, Fremd 39.5, Durand 37, Elmwood Park 34, Sarah Goode 27.5, Hancock 25.5, St. Francis De Sales 21, Chicago Academy 20, Proviso East 16, Mansueto 9, Hubbard 4, Stillman Valley 4

With 10-match minimums:
Unbeaten
135 Dwight’s Avery Crouch (16-0)

Once-Beaten
110 Thornton’s Ariel Woodfin (10-1), 140 Dwight’s Adilynn Avilez (13-1)

15-plus match winners
100 Rickover’s Dakota Perez (15-3), 100 Maine East’s Evelyn Torres (15-4), 105 Rickover’s Litzy Estrada-Aguado (18-5), 110 Maine East’s Eliana Badeen (16-8), 125 Sarah Goode’s Kendra Chatman (11-2), 170 Rickover’s Midna Lozoya (17-3)

20-plus match winners
130 Maine East’s Alena Oshana (26-3)

Championship match results
100 Dakota Perez (Rickover) F 3:07 Evelyn Torres (Maine E)

105 Litzy Estrada-Aguado (Rickover) F 1:33 Elizabeth Amaya-Avila (SFDSales)

110 Ariel Woodfin (Thornton) D 19-14 Eliana Badeen (Maine E)

115 Yazmine Garcia (Kelly) F 2:20 Emily Mastropaolo (Fremd)

120 Demetria Griffin (Hope) TF 3:54 Gianna Araujo-Dominguez (Argo)

125 Kendra Chatman (Goode) F 0:35 Elena Raymond (Argo)

130 Alena Oshana (Maine E) F 3:42 Layla Zbiec (Taft)

135 Avery Crouch (Dwight) F 3:35 Riley Moore (Highland Park)

140 Adilynn Avilez (Dwight) F 0:41 Lexie Hoobler (Highland Park)

145 Neriah Treadway (Hancock) F 0:33 Jordan Scroggins (Durand)

155 Liana Andrade (Kelly) F 1:16 Talifa Khamreava (Niles W)

170 Sara Martinez Lopera (Kelly) F 0:31 Midna Lozoya (Rickover)

190 Valerie Franco (Fenwick) F 3:31 Vargas Belen (Fenwick)

235 Miniyai Adams (Thornton) F 0:29 Sky Vazquez (Elmwood Park)

Third-place results

100 Karyme Estrada (Maine E) TF 5:06 Mia Castillo (Rickover)

105 Jaden Concepcion (Chicago Ac) F 4:27 Brooklin Scott (Westinghouse)

110 Italia Cernas (Mundelein) F 2:38 Destiny Hills (Kelly)

115 Alyssa Martel (Taft) F 1:37 Nour Al Radi (Niles W)

120 Paige Finnegan (Rickover) F 3:15 Isabella Rojas (Lockport)

125 Grace Eiland (Hope) F 2:49 Jennifer Arenas (Taft)

130 Kamara Hill (Thornton) F 2:51 Aubrey Walton (Westinghouse)

135 Liliana Monserrat Dimas (Kelly) F 1:45 Kylie Kowalisyn (Taft)

140 Khloe Heerdegen (Mundelein) F 1:08 Heaven Rodriguez (Hancock)

145 Evelyn Rodriguez (Taft) F 1:45 Kimberlyn Diaz (Mundelein)

155 Liya Sandor (Niles N) F 1:00 Kee’Mora Arterberry (Maine E)

170 Lexi Rosenthal (Highland Park) D 5-3 Nii’Lah Wilson-Smith (Westinghouse)

190 Angie Wszolek (Maine E) F 0:30 Emma Wilson (Niles W)

235 Jessica Ahn (Niles N) F 3:20 Nia Smith (Thornton)

Eisenhower duals

Plainfield South coach Tom Redmond’s girls snatched the title at this year’s 11-team Eisenhower Girls Mega Dual tournament, going 5-0 in duals capped by a 47-29 win over Marist in the championship round.

Plainfield South won 53-21 over host Eisenhower, 54-24 over Fenton, 47-36 over Oak Forest, and 66-18 over Prospect to reach the title dual against Marist.

“Overall, I was thrilled with a strong day of wrestling against quality competition across the entire lineup,” Redmond said. “We saw standout individual performances from Amie Fuentes (100), Kayla Ochotorena (115), Lexi Kachiroubas (120), Zola Estes (140), Layla Spann (170), and Myra Patrick (190).

“Just as importantly, there were noticeable improvements throughout the lineup in technique, confidence, and aggression. The performance provides a strong platform to build from in the final stretch of the season as we prepare for the Conference Tournament and the State Series.”

Marist went 5-1 in duals and reached the championship dual with wins over Richards (78-6), Hoffman Estates (51-30), Shepard (54-30), Lemont (72-12) and De La Salle (36-35).
Hoffman Estates placed third and Fenton took fourth at Eisenhower.

Unbeaten in matches wrestled (4-match minimum)
100 Oak Forest’s Alexandra Sebek (5-0), Plainfield South’s Amie Fuentes (4-0)
110 Fenton’s Kai Zamora (4-0)
115 Shepard’s Alyshae Martinez (4-0)
120 Plainfield South’s Alexia Kachiroubas (4-0)
130 Fenton’s Giselle Castillo (4-0)
135 De La Salle’s Mercedes Carrasco (4-0)
155 Hoffman Estates’ Sydnee Allen (5-0)
170 Plainfield South’s Layla Spann (5-0)

Final results
1st- Plainfield South 47, Marist 29
3rd- Hoffman Estates 47, Fenton 30
5th- Shepard 42, Oak Forest 35
7th- De La Salle 33, Eisenhower 18
9th- Prospect 24, Lemont 18

Championship dual

Plainfield South 47, Marist 29

125 – Ava Enright ((Marist) over Yuliana Manrique (Plainfield S) TF 17-0

130 – Samantha Durbin ((Marist) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf

135 – Talea Ferguson (Marist) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf

140 – Zola Estes (Plainfield S) over Elora Hiatt ((Marist) Fall 0:28

145 – Jordan Hozzian ((Marist) over Liliana Kenost (Plainfield S) Fall 5:28

155 – Samantha Fontaine ((Marist) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf

170 – Layla Spann (Plainfield S) over Sarah Parker ((Marist) TF 18-3

190 – Kimyra Patrick (Plainfield S) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf

235 – Tashi Wilson (Plainfield S) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf

100 – Amie Fuentes (Plainfield S) over Shae Halleran ((Marist) Fall 1:00

105 – Sophia Zuno (Plainfield S) over Carmella Ramirez ((Marist) Dec 11-6

110 – Na`Ryah Figueroa (Plainfield S) over Katelyn Drzayich ((Marist) Dec 12-11

115 – Kayla Ochotorena (Plainfield S) over Meghan Ciukaj ((Marist) Fall 1:40

120 – Alexia Kachiroubas (Plainfield S) over Abby Woods ((Marist) Fall 1:11

Statistics
Hoffman Estates finished with the most pins in the tournament with 23, followed by Plainfield South with 22 and Shepard with 19. De La Salle had the most tech falls in the least time, with four in 15:51. Plainfield South had three tech falls in 12:53.

Marist scored the most team points with 320; Plainfield South had 267; and Hoffman Estates had 253.
Individually, Marist’s Sarah Parker posted with the most pins in the least time, with five in 3:07, while Eisenhower’s Isabella Haro and Plainfield South’s Layla Spann tied for the fastest fall, in 15 seconds.
De La Salle’s Mercedes Carrasco had the most tech falls in the least time with three in 10:06, followed by Plainfield South’s Spann with three techs in 12:53. Oak Forest’s Iyobosa Odiase had the fastest tech fall in 1:06.
Fenton’s Giselle Castillo scored the most team points with 42, and De La Salle’s Carrasco had the most single-match points with 24 and the most total match points with 79.

2026 Kaneland Knights Girls’ Invite

Host Kaneland stretched the field at this year’s 12-team Invite, winning 166-98 over second-place Belvidere North thanks to 11 girls placing in the top six of their weight classes, led by returning state champion Angelina Gochis (120).

Sycamore (95) finished a close third followed by Newman Central Catholic (54) and Morris (53) among the top five teams.

“The team wrestled well today and I believe are finally starting to round into form,” Kaneland coach Josh West said. “We have been battling some injuries and sickness like most teams, but the team battled today — fought in and out of positions and overall wrestled a great tournament.”

1st- Kaneland (166)

Knights coach Josh West sent six girls to the title mat, with Gochis dominating the field at 120. Kaneland also got second-place finishes from Amadahy Torres (100), Giselle Havron (105), Chloe Cervantes (130), Madison Manier (135), Alexis Zahlit (170) and Sadie Kinsella (190), thirds from Thalia Paton (110), Alena Padavana (125) and Caitlyn Manier (145), and fourths from Bella Gruber (130) and Kara Colles (235).

2nd- Belvidere North (98)

The Blue Thunder got an individual title from Addison Ramirez (115) for coach Justin Barber, plus runner-up finishes from Lillian Davis (110) and Emily Taylor (145), a third from Jillian Moore (155), and fourths from Edith Stark (105), Kaylee Snow (120) and Samantha Garnhart (135).

3rd- Sycamore (95)
Spartans coach Randy Culton entered five girls in the tournament and four of them won individual titles in Winter Beard (135), Ema Durst (145), Frankie McMurtry (170) and Jasmine Enriquez (235). Ella West (105) added a third-place medal for Sycamore.

Team scores
Kaneland 166, Belvidere North 98, Sycamore 95, Newman Central Catholc 54, Morris 53, Princeton 46.5, Olympia 45, Crete-Monee 44, Guilford 34, Coal City 30.5, St. Charles North 26, Taylorville 7

Close calls
The finals match at 190 between Guilford’s returning state qualifier Anjanne Haywood (16-4) and another returning state qualifier in Kaneland’s Sadie Kinsella (10-5) was a doozy, with Haywood winning a sudden victory decision 6-3.

With a 10-match minimum:
Unbeaten
110 Newman Central Catholic’s returning state qualifier Blair Grennan (11-0), 145 Sycamore’s returning state medal-winner Ema Durst (18-0)

Once-beaten
235 Sycamore’s Jasmine Enriquez (19-1)

15-plus match winners
120 Kaneland’s returning state champion Angelina Gochis (16-2), 170 Sycamore’s Frankie McMurtry (18-5), 190 Guilford’s Anjanne Haywood (16-4)

Statistics
Kaneland led all teams present with 16 pins in the tournament, followed by Sycamore with 11 and Belvidere North with 10. Kaneland also scored the most total match points with 162, followed by Belvidere North with 84 and Sycamore with 72.

Individually, Crete-Monee’s Dimond Calvin-Bowsky had the most pins in the least time, with five falls posted in 7:59, while Sycamore’s Ella West had the fastest pin in 0:21. Princeton’s Rylee Backes posted the fastest tech fall in 3:31.

Kaneland’s returning state champion Angelina Gochis scored the most team points with 24, followed by Coal City’s Riley Kuder with 23.5, whose 22 single-match points also led the field. Kaneland’s Thalia Paton scored the most total match points with 40, followed by Kuder with 35.

Crete-Monee’s Calvin-Bowsky also provided the largest seed-place difference, as the No. 8 seed placed third at 120 pounds.

Championship match results
100 Chloe Collins (Olympia) d. Amadahy Torres (Kaneland) (F 1:15)

105 Rylee Backes (Princeton) d. Giselle Havron (Kaneland)  (F 2:34)

110 Blair Grennan (Newman CC) d. Lillian Davis (Belvidere N)  (F 1:14)

115 Addison Ramirez (Belvidere N) d. Natalie Petri (Olympia)  (F 2:25)

120 Angelina Gochis (Kaneland) d. Kaylee Benyo (Newman CC)  (F 1:43)

125 Zara Lugo (Morris) d. Jadeyn Klingenberg (Princeton)  (MD 14-4)

130 Riley Kuder (Coal City) d. Chloe Cervantes (Kaneland)  (TF 4:24)

135 Winter Beard (Sycamore) d. Madison Manier (Kaneland)  (F 1:04)

140 BYE

145 Ema Durst (Sycamore) d. Emily Taylor (Belvidere N)  (F 4:36)

155 Nicolette Boelman (Morris) d. Evalyn Sheahan (Morris)  (F 2:32)

170 Frankie McMurtry (Sycamore) d. Alexis Zahlit (Kaneland) (F 3:12)

190 Anjanne Haywood (Guilford) d. Sadie Kinsella (Kaneland) SV-1 6-3

235 Jasmine Enriquez (Sycamore)d. Savanna Trevino (Belvidere N) (F 1:56)

Third-place match results

100 Lynorah Hansen(Newman CC) d. Jaylynn Devore (Taylorville)  F 1:06)

105 Ella West (Sycamore) d. Edith Stark (Belvidere N)  (MD 9-1)

110 Thalia Paton (Kaneland) d. Norah Minuth (Coal City)  (MD 11-0)

115 lily Robinson (Olympia) d. Arianna Farb (Guilford)  (F 3:18)

120 Dimond Calvin-Bowsky (C.-Monee) d. Kaylee Snow (Belvidere N)  (F 1:08)

125 Alena Padavana (Kaneland) d. Salam Al Bathmah (Guilford)  (F 5:36)

130 Tiara Ching (St. Charles N) d. Bella Gruber (Kaneland)  F 1:08)

135 Brynn Dergo (Morris) d. Samantha Garnhart (Belvidere N)  (F 2:54)

140 BYE

145 Caitlyn Manier (Kaneland) d. Leah Brammeier (Olympia)   (MD 12-4)

155 Jillian Moore (Belvidere N)  d. Dailyn Pruitt (C.-Monee)   (F 5:18)

170 Avalena Wunderlich (Princeton)d. Sydney Beard (C.-Monee) (F 1:18)

190 Julissa Rendon (St. Charles N)d. Kaylee Slattery (C.-Monee) (F 4:58)

235 Jaelin Brown (C.-Monee)d. kara colles (Kaneland) (F 1:19)

Naperville Central Girls Invitational
No team scoring took place at the Naperville Central Girls Invitational on Jan. 2, but more than 110 girls from 20 teams put in a solid day’s work in Naperville.
When it was over, Lane Tech and Maine South each had three champions and Leyden had two

Lane had nine girls who finished in the top four of their weight classes, followed by Willowbrook with seven, Downers Grove North with six, and Addison Trail and Wheaton Warrenville South with five apiece.
Maine South, Lyons Township and host Naperville Central each had four wrestlers finish in the top four, while Leyden and Naperville North had three apiece.
A pair of champions in Naperville were returning state medal-winners. Leyden’s Zoey Dodgers won the title at 110, after going 26-3 and placing fifth in Illinois at 105 last season. Crystal Lake South’s Annalee Aarseth won the title at 115, after going 17-3 and placing second at 110 last season.

Statistics
Lane led all teams with 21 pins, followed by Maine South and Leyden with 19 apiece. Lane also had the most tech falls with three, followed by Addison Trail with two. Lane scored the most team points with 201, followed by Willowbrook with 178 and Leyden with 152 points.
Individually, Newman Central Catholic’s Kaylee Benyo had the most pins in the least time with four in 1:57. Addison Trail’s Madeline Beltran posted the fastest fall in 10 seconds, and Montini’s Sarah Bell had the fastest tech fall in 0:47.
Willowbrook’s Kaya Lindegren finished with the most single-match points with 19, while Crystal Lake South’s Annalee Aarseth scored the most total match points with 52.
Lane’s Eila Barbour provided the largest seed-place difference, as the No. 13 seed won the title at 155 pounds.

With a 10-match minimum:
Unbeaten

135 Lane’s Zabby Badru (15-0)

Once-beaten
100 Lane’s Sofia Guerrero (13-1)
105 Maine South’s Katelin Gallegos (9-1)
110 Newman Central Catholic’s Blair Grennan (11-1)
135 Lyons’ Sofia Turek (12-1)
235 Maine South’s Sophia Fortis (12-1)

15-plus wins
110 Willowbrook’s Nayeli Salgado (16-4)
120 Naperville Central’s Gracie Meluch (26-8), WW South’s Sommer Kibbe (16-3)
130 DG North’s Jahdi’yah Hibbler (18-4)
135 WW South’s Heidi Bourne (15-5)
140 DG North’s Valentina Gonzalez (16-6)
170 Addison Trail’s Sylvia Lupa (15-2)

Championship match results
100 Sofia Guerrero (Lane) F 0:16 Kendall Niday (Naperville N)
105 Katelyn Gallegos (Maine S) F 1:03 Valeria Hernandez (Lane)
110 Zoey Dodgers (Leyden) F 1:56 Blair Grennan (Newman CC)
115 Annalee Aarseth (Crystal Lake S) F 6:00 Annika Lee (Maine S)
120 Sarah Bell (Montini) F 1:23 Angelina Manlapaz (Willowbrook)
125 Sabrina Bono (Leyden) F 2:33 Zoe Connelly (Lyons)
130 Jahdi’yah Hibbler (DG North) F 3:04 Drea Lazzara (Addison Trail)
135 Zabby Badru (Lane) F 3:04 Sofia Turek (Lyons)
140 Addison Barnes (Maine S) F 5:10 Valentina Gonzalez (DG North)
145 Louisa Enslen (WW South) F 2:33 August Pulli (Lyons)
155 Eila Barbour (Lane) F 4:00 Samantha Stillo (DG North)
170 Sylvia Lupa (Addison Trail) F 1:57 Kenaiece Barrett (Lane)
190 Jimena Saenz (Willowbrook) F 5:11 Hannah Long (DG North)
235 Sophia Fortis (Maine S) F 3:30 Mayes Jynelle (WW South)

Third-place match results
100 Melina Valdez (Addison Trail) F 1:47 Lynorah Hansen (Newman CC)
105 Jocelyn Seludo (Naperville C) F 1:11 Lena Vigue (Naperville N)
110 Nayeli Salgado (Willowbrook) F 3:55 Estrella Jaimes (WW South)
115 Lauren Guerrero (Lane) F 0:30 Maria Villegas De Avila (Willowbrook)
120 Gracie Meluch (Naperville C) D 13-11 Sommer Kibbe (WW South)
125 Evolet Mata (Addison Trail) F 2:25 Avery Kinley (Naperville N)
130 Imyah Jackson (Lane) TF 4:41 Melva Gallego-Sugar (Naperville C)
135 Brithany Mondragon (Addison Trail) TF 3:29 Natalia Cordova (Lane)
140 Caroline Ratliff (WW South) inj.dft. Katilyn Kapral (DG North)
145 Ashlyn Fargher (Rock Falls) F 2:53 Rose Zimmer (Lyons)
155 Layla Moreland (Lane) F 0:58 Arianna Rico (Naperville C)
170 Jazilah Gatlin (Willowbrook) F 2:57 Anne Desruisseaux (DG North)
190 Minallely Medina (Leyden) F 5:40 Ema Hulin (Willowbrook)
235 Maryorith Huertas (Willowbrook) inj.dft. Olivia Ramirez (Proviso E)

By Mike Garofola for the IWCOA

Grant’s Loffredo Duals

The names of the participants here at the Loffredo Duals have changed during its short history – but no doubt, this year’s version inside Benedetti Fieldhouse at Grant drew its best field yet.

Class 3A super-powers Marmion Academy (10-1-0) and Joliet Catholic Academy (11-1-0) were on hand, as were the host No. 7 Grant Bulldogs, as well as No. 13 Oak Park and River Forest.

Warren Township with its returning state champions, the No. 1 duo of Caleb Noble and Aaron Stewart, along with teammates Ilya Dvoryannikov and Royce Lopez, both No. 2 in the state polls, along with Crystal Lake South, Glenbrook South and South Elgin made for an impressive lineup of star power.

True to form, reigning dual-team state champion No. 1 Marmion Academy, and No. 2 Joliet Catholic Academy, as well as Grant and OPRF, easily advanced into the semifinals.

Once there, Marmion sent off Grant, 39-27, using four tech-falls and a pair of pins to safely go through, while the Joliet Catholic claimed a 47-3 victory over OPRF with five pins and a tech fall.

The highly-anticipated final between the top two teams in class 3A remained close after major decision victories from Nicholas Garcia and Demetrios Carrera drew the Cadets within three (14-11) of Ryan Cumbee’s men.

However, it would be a 25-point unanswered explosion by Joliet Catholic that blew open this contest to an eventual 39-17 triumph.

A couple of days later, the Hilltoppers would supplant the Cadets atop the Rob Sherrill / IWCOA state polls.

“We have continued to improve as a team since the Dvorak, then The Flavin,” said Cumbee, whose club would finish eighth and fifth overall at those two high profile two-day tournaments.

“We have a very good team from top-to-bottom, but it is important that we continue to go into the room and work hard each and every day,” said Cadets senior Joey Favia, No. 2 in the state at 285-pounds, who lists the Air Force, Indiana, and Gardner-Webb among his top three college destinations next fall.

“Our four seniors, Garcia, Carrera, Zach Stewart, and myself have to provide strong leadership for the younger guys, and we have some really good ones, but it’s all about our work ethic, and being strong mentally,” continued Favia.

Zach Stewart was unavailable for the weekend.

Grant (14-4-0) would bounce back from its loss to Marmion to defeat OPRF, 38-31 to earn third place.

The Bulldogs big three of Vince Jasinski (144), Erik Rodriguez (150) and Casey Gipson (215) would collect 15 points to help the cause.

“We knew we would take some losses along the way with the upgrade in our non-conference and tournament schedule,” began Jasinski, now 21-2 on the season.

“All of our four losses are to teams in the top 10 in the state, and the competition we’ve had thus far will help better prepare all of us for what is ahead in the postseason,” added Jasinski, who threw high praise towards his teammate Rodriguez, who recently would commit to Central Michigan University.

Aforementioned Caleb Noble, champion at Barrington, Neuqua Valley and Hinsdale Central, and third at the Ironman, has made his college commitment one year prior to his senior year at Warren Township.

The two-time state champion has signed on to wrestle at Arizona State University during the fall of 2027.

“I am really excited about my decision to attend ASU – the vibe there was great, the staff, my future teammates, and the campus made me feel right at home, so I know I made the right choice for myself,” said Noble, whose only loss on the season came at the Ironman to No. 2 Justin Farnsworth (Pennsylvania) who is a Rutgers-commit.

Noble is currently No. 6 in the most current national poll.

Granite City’s Red Schmitt Holiday tournament

This long-running two-day tournament in Granite City would see yet another team from Missouri lift the championship trophy.

One year after Hickman out of Columbia, Missouri rolled to a 120-point victory, it would be Jackson High School taking home the silverware.

The Indians amassed 314.5 overall points, 69.5 more than second place Joliet West (245.0) whose tourney high 32 pins helped the Tigers outscore third-place Christian Brothers College, also from Missouri.

Illinois clubs Mascoutah, Quincy and Yorkville Christian would finish in the top ten of the leader board at six, seven and eight.

This tournament has not been kind to those from Illinois when it comes to individual championships claimed of late, however this season the state would fare better.

Wheaton-Warrenville South sophomore Rocco Valvano kept his record without a blemish when his tech-fall victory in the 106-pound moved his record to 26-0 after earning his third major of the season.

With his high-profile teammates Niko Odiotti and Kai Calcutt away for the weekend, Loyola Academy senior Gavin Pardilla (26-5) impressed all throughout to win the 126-pound crown.

Mascoutah senior Brock Ross (19-0) grabbed his third major of the season, and second straight here following his major decision victory at 157 pounds.

Ross is currently the No. 5 man in the most recent state poll.

Alton senior Brayden Drew (18-2) won his first title of the campaign after his major decision victory over Colin Peyton (Batavia, 14-3) in the 165-pound final.

And last but certainly not least, No. 1 Jonathan Rulo (17-0) continues on his quest for a second consecutive state title at 285 pounds.

The Belleville East senior now has three major titles on the season: Barrington, Dvorak and now Granite City.

1st: Jackson, MO (314.5)

The Jackson Indians were one of three clubs from Missouri who were chasing eventual team champion Hickman a year ago, but this year would be different. Their tourney-best 564 total match points were enough to give them the big trophy after two days of action.

The Indians were unable to send any of their men to the top of the podium, however Kade King (138, 16-3), Jayden Eddy (144, 21-4), Joah Moore (190, 20-3) and Brysen Wessell (285, 17-4) all claimed second-place medals.

Wessell won here last season at 285.

Mitchel Baker (132), and Gannon West (150) added points to the cause with their third-place medals, with teammates Grady Rice (126) and Sawyer Goodwin (165) both fourth overall.

The tourney champs were tops in combined pins and near falls with 38.

2nd: Joliet West (245.5)

The Tigers traveled downstate hoping to add a second team title to their trophy case after a win at Richmond-Burton a couple of weeks ago, but despite its 32 pins, and seven top-five medal winners, it wasn’t enough to topple the eventual champion from Jackson.

No. 6 Coehn Weber (24-5) finished best among his teammates with his second place medal at 150, while teammates Casey Koerner (106), Jakob Crandall (126, 23-8) and Aiden Brown (165) were all third respectively.

The trio of Nick Murdock-Schey (113), Tristan Radeke (175) and Andrew Klobnak (285) all would earn fifth-place medals.

Next up for the Tigers is a SW Prairie Conference match at Plainfield Central on Friday evening, before taking part in the Morris Quad one day later.

3rd: Christian Brothers College, MO (203.5)

The Cadets received a trio of individual championships Kosta Hatzigeorgiou (120, 12-3), Tanner Faulkner (175, 16-3) and another from Trey Craig (190, 12-1), who was third a year ago at the Missouri state tournament, and runner-up in 2024.

Craig, a two-time champion here, claimed the three fastest tech-fall times for the tournament. He finished with a sparkling 43-6 record last season.

Waylon Burress was second at 126, while teammate and heavyweight Joe Kopp was third.

Additional individual champions:

Rocco Valvano (106, Wheaton-Warrenville South, 26-0), Jameson Young (113, North Point, MO., 23-5), Gavin Pardilla (126, Loyola Academy, 26-5), Riley Summer (132, Lafayette, MO., 20-3), Caleb Frankenberger (138, Lafayette, MO., 12-1), Brody Kell (144, North Point, 23-1), Jayson Bellamy (150, Paducah Tilghman, KY., 17-1), Brock Ross (157, Mascoutah, 19-0), 165- Brayden Drew (165, Alton, 18-2), Carter Brown (215, Lafayette, MO., 22-2), Jonathan Rulo (285, Belleville East, 17-0).

Addition runners-up:

Braxton McCall (106, Mascoutah), Matthew Deutch (113, Waterloo), Daniel Myint (120, Loyola Academy), Will Kelly (132, Triad), Grady Neal (157, Metamora), Colin Peyton (165, Batavia), Ben Hall (Paducah Tilghman, KY.), Rage Henderson (215, Paducah Tilghman).

Final Team Scores

Jackson, MO. 314.5, Joliet West 245.5, CBC, MO. 203.5, Paducah Tilghman, KY. 199.0, Lafayette, MO. 196.0, Mascoutah 194.5, Quincy, 193.5, Yorkville Christian 183.5, North Point, MO. 183.0, Batavia 180.5, Waterloo 177.0, Wheaton-Warrenville South 170.5, Belleville East 151.5, Triad 133.0, Metamora123.0, Granite City 116.0, Andrew 111.5, Loyola Academy 108.0, Alton 104.5, Joliet Central 101.5, Collinsville 93.5, Whitfield, MO. 73.5, Normal Community West 66.5, Holt Wentzville, MO. 63.0, Hazelwood West, 57.5, Mt. Vernon 50.0, O’Fallon 34.5.

Championship match results

106- Rocco Valvano (WW South) d. Braxton McCall (Mascoutah) (TF 17-1)

113- Jameson Young (North Point) d. Matthew Deutch (Waterloo) (F 0:49)

120- Kosta Hatzigeorgiou (CBC) d. Daniel Myint (Loyola Academy) (D 3-2)

126- Gavin Pardilla (Loyola Academy) d. Waylon Burress (CBC) (TF 15-0)

132- Riley Sumner (Lafayette) d. Will Kelly (Triad) (D 1-0)

138- Caleb Frankenberger (Lafayette) d. Kade King (Jackson) (F 3:59)

144- Brody Kell (North Point) d Jayden Eddy (Jackson) (MD 15-3)

150- Jaylin Bellamy (Paducah Tilghman) d. Coehn Weber (Joliet W) (D 4-2)

157- Brock Ross (Mascoutah) d. Grady Neal (Metamora) (MD 17-3)

165- Brayden Drew (Alton) d. Colin Peyton (Batavia) (MD 12-1)

175- Tanner Faulkner (CBC ) d. Ben Hall (Paducah Tilghman) (D 4-2)

190- Trey Craig (CBC) d. Joah Moore (Jackson) (MD 10-2)

215- Carter Brown (Lafayette) d. Rage Henderson (Paducah Tilghman) (TF 15-0)

285- Jonathan Rulo (Belleville West) d. Brysen Wessell (Jackson) (D 4-0)

Third-place match results

106- Casey Koerner (Joliet W) d. Christian Prietto-Bottoms (Paducah Tilghman) (D 5-0)

113- Clayton McClelland (Quincy) d. Phoenix Senodenos (Yorkville Christian) (M.FFT)

120- Nolan Winde (Whitfield) d. Colin Crouch (Triad) (D 6-0)

126- Jakob Crandall (Joliet West) d. Grady Rice (Jackson) (D 8-6)

132- Mitchel Baker (Jackson) d. Derik Lohmeyer (Quincy) (MD 12-4)

138- Mason Wood (Normal Community West) d. Jacob Sutphin (Alton) (D 5-3)

144- Connor Graham (Metamora) d. Adrian Wadas-Luis (Yorkville Christian) ( MD 21-9)

150- Gannon Rice (Jackson) d. Brody Baker (Quincy) (SV 4-1)

157- Tyson Forbes (Hazelwood West) d. Carter Stritzel (Lafayette) (SV 9-6)

165- Aiden Brown (Joliet West) d. Sawyer Goodwin (Jackson) (F 1:35)

175- Jordan Sonon-Hale (Mascoutah) d. Tyler Gleason (Yorkville Christian) (F 1:38)

190- Killian Rauch (Belleville East) d. Eli Miller (Granite City) (F 1:30)

215- Jackson Allen (Yorkville Christian) d. Jayden Lambert (Metamora) (SV 9-6)

285- Joe Kopp (BBC) d. Andrew Klobnak (Joliet West) (D 1-0)

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

Morton New Year Invite

Homewood-Flossmoor won its second team title in the span of a week for coach Scott Aronson, taking the crown at this year’s 11-team JS Morton New Year Invite on Dec. 30. The Vikings also won the title at Palatine’s 23-team Sally Berman tournament on Dec. 23.

H-F won 181-170 over second-place host Morton, followed by St. Laurence (165.5), Metea Valley (104) and Lake Park (101) to round out the top five. The Vikings won a tight race among the top three teams of the tournament.

“We are very excited about our prospects this season,” Aronson said. “We have a very solid lineup with every girl at every weight being a very strong wrestler.  It leaves us with few weaknesses right now.”
The Vikings sent eight girls to the finals, getting individual titles from returning state medal-winner London Gandy (125), Madelynn McClements (130), Denise Brown (145) and Olivia Haywood (155). 

1st – Homewood-Flossmoor (181)

In addition to titles from Gandy, McClements, Brown and Haywood, Aronson got seconds from Amirat Toheeb-Lawal (115), Amara Nwoye (135), Kennedy Dade (140) and Kendra Hayden (190), thirds from Taniyah Bradley (120) and Rachel Nugin (170), and a fifth from Na’imah Lamon (155)

“They’re a young team, most being juniors or sophomores, and most of them wrestled club all off season,” Aronson said. “Our tournament and dual record are beginning to reflect this. I can’t speak to state qualifiers but I am hoping these successes speak well of the upcoming post-season.”

2nd – Morton (170)

Coach Fernando Arratia sent four champions to the top of the awards stand, in Andaira Marron (100), Jordan Rodriguez (105), Karla Munoz (110) and Anali Wilson (170), plus seconds from Isis Marcano (120) and Genessi Ceballos (155), a third from Victoria Vargas (115), a fourth from Luissiana Guerrero (120), and fifths from Daniela Orozco (125), Liliana Ionescu (135) and Dionna Burks (140).

3rd – St. Laurence (165.5)

Coach Arturo Nesci got an individual title from Nina Nesci (120), seconds from Cecelia Riccordino (100) and Jenayah Velazquez (125), thirds from Claire McKeon (130), Hannah Marusarz (140) and Delia Humphrey (155), a fourth from Amelia Pazmino (105), a fifth from Evalin Campos-Cuellar (115), and a sixth from Magdalena Roa (135).

Additional champions

115 Janiya Moore (Metea Valley), 135 Ava Burns (Lake Park), 140 Alketa Picari (Metea Valley), 190 Valerie Franco (Fenwick), 235 Jessica Ahn (Niles North)

Additional runners-up
105 Sophia Almaraz (Morton Grey), 130 Hala Elhelou (Metea Valley), 145 Neriah Treadway (Hancock), 170 Leilani Brindis (Rolling Meadows), 235 Monserrath Romero-Manon (Noble/Mansueto)

Team scores
Homewood-Flossmoor 181, Morton 170, St. Laurence 165.5, Metea Valley 104, Lake Park 101, Morton Grey 59, Rolling Meadows 58, Fenwick 43, Niles North 32.5, Hancock 25, Noble/Mansueto 7

The unbeatens (10-match minimum)
120 St. Laurence’s Nina Nesci (14-0), 170 Morton’s Anali Wilson (20-0)

The once-beatens (10-match minimum)
100 Morton’s Andaira Marron (13-1)

20-plus match winners
105 Morton’s Jordan Rodriguez (20-3), 115 Metea Valley’s Janiya Moore (24-3), 135 Lake Park’s Ava Burns (23-4), 140 Alketa Picari (24-3), 170 Leilani Brindis (22-4)

Statistics
St. Laurence led all teams with 24 pins, followed by Homewood-Flossmoor with 21 and Morton with 19. Metea Valley led the tournament with six tech falls, followed by Morton with four. St. Laurence also led the way with 246 total match points, ahead of Morton’s 234.

Individually, Lake Park’s Ameinah Hill had the most pins in the least time with three in 1:09, while Homewood-Flossmoor’s Kennedy Dade posted the fastest fall in 0:09. Metea Valley’s Alketa Picari had the most tech falls in the least time with three in 11:06, and scored the most total match points in the tournament with 61. Metea Valley’s Janiya Moore had the fastest tech fall in 1:48.

Lake Park’s Ava Burns and St. Laurence’s Nina Nesci tied for the most team points scored with 26, and Morton’s Genessi Ceballos scored the most single-match points with 24. St. Laurence’s Evalin Campos-Cuellar provided the largest seed-place difference as the No. 10 seed placed fifth at 115 pounds.

Championship match results
100 Andaira Marron (Morton) F 3:51 Cecelia Riccordino (St. Laurence)

105 Jordan Rodriguez (Morton) F 5:36 Sophia Almaraz (Morton Grey)

110 Karla Munoz (Morton) F 3:05 Stephanie Rosado (St. Laurence)

115 Janiya Moore (Metea) MD 16-5 Amirat Toheeb-Lawal (H-F)

120 Nina Nesci (St. Laurence) F 1:08 Isis Marcano (Morton)

125 London Gandy (H-F) TF 3:07 Jenayah Velazquez (St. Laurence)

130 Madelynn McClements (H-F) F 1:28 Hala Elhelou (Metea)

135 Ava Burns (Lake Park) F 2:15 Amara Nwoye (H-F)

140 Alketa Picari (Metea) D 4-2 Kennedy Dade (H-F)

145 Denise Brown (H-F) F 1:52 Neriah Treadway (Hancock)

155 Olivia Haywood (H-F) F 3:55 Genessi Ceballos (Morton)

170 Anali Wilson (Morton) F 3:38 Leilani Brindis (Rolling M)

190 Valerie Franco (Fenwick) F 4:59 Kendra Hayden (H-F)

235 Jessica Ahn (Niles N) fft. Monserrath Romero-Manon (Noble/Mansueto)

Third-place match results

100 Sonya Amin (Metea) F 3:27 Arantza Garcia (Morton)

105 Guadalupe Nava Perez (Rolling M) F 2:31 Amelia Pazmino (St. Laurence)

110 Olivia DiCosola-Hernandez (Lake Park) D 8-4 Amaia Lepe (Morton Grey)

115 Victoria Vargas (Morton) F 4:45 Dasia Dantzler (Rolling Meadows)

120 Taniyah Bradley (H-F) D 9-3 Luissiana Guerrero (Morton)

125 Elida Garcia Torres (Lake Park) F 3:04 Zoe McLaughlin (Morton Grey)

130 Claire McKeon (St. Laurence) F 4:50 Silvia Sayadian (Lake Park)

135 Cecilia Andino (Fenwick) SV-1 13-10 Emily Sugano (Metea)

140 Hannah Marusarz (St. Laurence) MD 11-0 Heaven Rodriguez (Hancock)

145 Janet Brindis (Rolling M) F 3:33 Dariia Dzhumasheva (Metea)

155 Delia Humphrey (St. Laurence) F 1:24 Liya Sandor (Niles N)

170 Rachel Nugin (H-F) F 0:36 Sophia Castillo (Rolling M)

190 Aimee Escalante-Papp (Lake Park) F 0:59 Daisy Fitzgerald (Lake Park)

235 Ameinah Hill (Lake Park) F 0:39 Elise Brown (St. Laurence)

Mather Lady Ranger 2026 Tournament

St. Laurence snared the team title at Mather’s 21-team Lady Ranger Tournament, edging Warren 212-202 in a heated battle for the crown. Lincoln-Way’s District 210 girls (132) placed third followed by Buffalo Grove (95) and Noble/ITW Speer (89) to round out the top five team finishes.

St. Laurence coach Arturo Nesci’s girls placed third less than a week earlier at Morton’s New Year Invite.
The Vikings’ Nina Nesci (120) won her second individual title in a week and St. Laurence got individual titles from Delia Humphrey (155) and Elise Brown (235) in the win at Mather.

1st- St. Laurence (212)
In addition to titles from Nesci, Humphrey and Brown, the Vikings got seconds from Amelia Pazmino (105) and Stephanie Rosado (110), thirds from Cecelia Riccordino (100), Evalin Campos-Cuellar (115), Magdalena Roa (135) and Hannah Marusarz (140), and sixths from Jenayah Velazquez (125), Jocelyn Gonzalez-Ruiz (145), Avery Evans (170), and Natalie Davalos (190).

2nd- Warren (202)
Coach Nick Grujanac got individual titles from Aaliyah Vazquez (115), Jane Kelly (135), Tyanna Jackson (140) and Ellery Brown (145), a second from Haley Fugelseth (155), thirds from Emma Silvetti (120) and Makaylee Welch (155), and a fourth from Mya Castillo (125).

3rd- District 210 (132)
Second-place finishes came from Aubrey Barnes (120) and Kate Bohms (145) for District 210, which also got thirds from Georgia Erhardt (110) and Page Cronin (170), fourths from Genesis Guerrero (110) and Brianna Palomares (190), fifths from Amelia Galarza (105) and Dani Schedin (125), and a sixth from Leeya Kruizenga (100).

Additional champions
100 Harlem’s Mya Olejiniczak, 105 Lake View’s J Colbert, 110 Glenbard South’s Lashuna York, 125 Evanston’s Samantha Gipson, 130 Madison Heneks, 190 Mather’s Julissa Az

Additional runners-up
100 Speer’s Adali Cruz, 115 Buffalo Grove’s Aaliyah Sullivan, 125 Buffalo Grove’s Caroline Marogy, 130 Evanston’s Aileen Trejo, 135 Deerfield’s Jenny Garcia, 140 Barrington’s Nicole Dziura, 170 Speer’s Oliyah McKay, 190 Back of the Yards’ Nyomi Ascencio, 235 Mother McAuley’s Madilyn Gonzalez

Team scores
St. Laurence 212, Warren 202, District 210 132, Buffalo Grove 95, Noble/ITW Speer 89, Harlem 85, Evanston 82.5, Deerfield 80.5, Mather 76, Mother McAuley 74.5, Back of the Yards 49, Glenbard South 38, Lake View 33.5, Barrington 24, Little Village 16, Lake Forest 16, Horizon/Southwest Chicago 13, Lindblom 10, Elk Grove 10, Amundsen 3, Rockford East 0

Close calls
In the closest finals match of the day, Warren’s Ellery Brown won a 5-4 decision over District 210’s Kate Bohms at 145 pounds. Also at 145 on the third-place mat, Evanston’s Isabella Vernon won a 3-0 decision against Lindblom’s Laila Yunusa.

Statistics
Warren led all teams present with 33 pins, followed by St. Laurence with 26 and St. Laurence with 21. Warren also had the most tech falls in the least time with two in 6:55, followed by Harlem with two techs in 7:23. Warren also led the field with 259 total match points, followed by St. Laurence with 217 and Glenbard South with 188.

Individually, Warren’s Hanna Bairstow had the most pins in the least time with four in 5:10, and District 210’s Sydney Kettering posted the fastest pin at 11 seconds. Warren’s Aaliyah Vazquez had the fastest tech fall in 2:00. Warren’s Bairstow and teammate Tyanna Jackson tied for the most team points scored with 30, Glenbard South’s Isabel Carrera scored the most single-match points with 22, and Warren’s Vazquez also finished with the most total match points with 39.

Championship match results
100 Mya Olejiniczak (Harlem) MD 17-4 Adali Cruz (Speer)

105 J Colbert (Lake View) F 0:47 Amelia Pazmino (St. Laurence)

110 Lashuna York (Glenbard S) F 3:59 Stephanie Rosado (St. Laurence)

115 Aaliyah Vazquez (Warren) TF Aaliyah Sullivan (Buffalo Grove)

120 Nina Nesci (St. Laurence) F 2:32 Aubrey Barnes (D 210)

125 Samantha Gipson (Evanston) F 0:040 Caroline Marogy (Buffalo Grove)

130 Madison Heneks (Harlem) TF Aileen Trejo (Evanston)

135 Jane Kelly (Warren) F 0:18 Jenny Garcia (Deerfield)

140 Tyanna Jackson (Warren) F 4:57 Nicole Dziura (Barrington)

145 Ellery Brown (Warren) D 5-4 Kate Bohms (D 210)

155 Delia Humphrey (St. Laurence) F 0:22 Haley Fugelseth (Warren)

170 Hanna Bairstow (Warren) F 2:28 Oliyah McKay (Speer)

190 Julissa Az (Mather) F 1:39 Nyomi Ascencio (BOTY)

235 Elise Brown (St. Laurence) F 2:12 Madilyn Gonzalez (Mother Mc)

Third-place match results
100 Cecelia Riccordino (St. Laurence) F 0:41 Ashley Lopez (BOTY)

105 Bella Garcia (Speer) F 1:23 Camila Ramirez (Little Village)

110 Georgia Erhardt (D 210) F 1:43 Genesis Guerrero (D 210)

115 Evalin Campos-Cuellar (St. Laurence) F 4:33 Mylee Turnmire (Harlem)

120 Emma Silvetti (Warren) F 0:49 Marianna Perez (Mother Mc)

125 Holly Rowan (Mother Mc) F 2:56 Mya Castillo (Warren)

130 Bree Hirsch (Lake Forest) F 1:58 Uliana Persky (Deerfield)

135 Magdalena Roa (St. Laurence) F 1:09 Erza Kelani (Mather)

140 Hannah Marusarz (St. Laurence) F 3:59 Kerr Serrette (Buffalo Grove)

145 Isabella Vernon (Evanston) D 3-0 Laila Yunusa (Lindblom)

155 Makaylee Welch (Warren) F 1:57 Esther Kim (Deerfield)

170 Paige Cronin (D 210) F 1:43 Krishna Garfias (Mather)

190 Phoenix Boyson (Mother Mc) F 1:39 Brianna Palomares (D 210)

235 Esmerelda Bustamante (Speer) F 1:04 Leilany Ramirez-Chavez (Buffalo Grove)

Bolingbrook’s Donna Jahn Invitational

There was no team scoring at Bolingbrook’s Donna Jahn Invitational, but plenty of stars were present among the 16 teams present.

Glenbard West sophomore Khloe Perez placed fourth in state at 110, District 230’s Jade Hardee was third at 100, and the two squared off in the finals at 155 in Bolingbrook, with Perez winning a 7-0 decision.
Winning the title at 120 was host Bolingbrook’s Alejandra Flores, who placed fourth in state at 115 last year. And a state runner-up last year at 120 pounds, Glenbrook North’s Ariella Dobin won the title at 125 in Bolingbrook.

Individual champions
100 Melissa Melgar (W Aurora)

105 Alisa Carter (Joliet Central)

110 Norah Cwik (Bartlett)

115 Khloe Perez (Glenbard West)

120 Alejandra Flores (Bolingbrook)

125 Ariella Dobin (Glenbrook North)

130 Catherine Diehl (Wheaton Academy)

135 Isabella De La Vega (D 230)

140 Batula Nasib (West Chicago)

145 Jaylin Ingram (Joliet Central)

155 Melissa Nance (Hillcrest)

170 Payton Temple (Clifton Central)

190 Irma Villa (Palatine)

235 Cynthia Rios (Bolingbrook)

Runners-up
100 Paola Patino (Bartlett)

105 Brissia Bucio (West Chicago)

110 Mikaela Najera (Bolingbrook)

115 Jade Hardee (D 230)

120 Keily Centeno (Joliet Central)

125 Sophie Crescenzo (Lisle)

130 Lilly White (Bartlett)

135 Gia Cozzani (Glenbard West)

140 Emma Guethle (Joliet Central)

145 Lilyana Barraza (Joliet Central)

155 Savannah Burns (Bolingbrook)

170 Aiva Wikar (Palatine)

190 Jordyn Coleman-Harrison (Hillcrest)

235 Aniaah Garcia (Palatine)

Statistics
Joliet Central led all teams with 29 pins at day’s end, followed by District 230 with 26, West Chicago with 23, and Bolingbrook with 21. Glenbard West and Joliet Central tied for the most tech falls with two apiece. Joliet Central also led all teams with 304 total match points, followed by Bolingbrook with 221 and West Aurora with 202.
Individually, West Aurora’s Aaliyah Walker had the most pins in the least time, with four falls in 5:56, and Glenbard West’s Khloe Perez had the fastest tech fall in 1:14. Hillcrest’s Melissa Nance posted the fastest fall in 0:12, one second faster than the 13-second fall posted by West Chicago’s Olivia Halminiak.
West Aurora’s Melissa Melgar scored the most team points in the tournament with 29, West Aurora’s Raysa Castaneda scored the most single-match points with 23, and Bartlett’s Liliana Chavez scored the most total match points with 49.

Championship match results

100 Melissa Melgar (W Aurora) F 0:59 Paola Patino (Bartlett)

105 Alisa Carter (Joliet C) D 6-2 Brissia Bucio (WEGO)

110 Norah Cwik (Bartlett) F 0:38 Mikaela Najera (Bolingbrook)

115 Khloe Perez (Glenbard W) D 7-0 Jade Hardee (D 230)

120 Alejandra Flores (Bolingbrook) F 1:37 Keily Centeno (Joliet C)

125 Ariella Dobin (Glenbrook N) F 2:13 Sophie Crescenzo (Lisle)

130 Catherine Diehl (W Academy) D 9-5 Lilly White (Bartlett)

135 Isabella De La Vega (D 230) F 1:10 Gia Cozzani (Glenbard W)

140 Batula Nasib (WEGO) F 5:53 Emma Guethle (Joliet C)

145 Jaylin Ingram (Joliet C) F 4:53 Lilyana Barraza (Joliet C)

155 Melissa Nance (Hillcrest) F 0:54 Savannah Burns (Bolingbrook)

170 Payton Temple (Clifton C) F 1:02 Aiva Wikar (Palatine)

190 Irma Villa (Palatine) F 0:26 Jordyn Coleman-Harrison (Hillcrest)

235 Cynthia Rios (Bolingbrook) F 0:20 Aniaah Garcia (Palatine)

Third-place match results
100 Lillyana Iman (Glenbard W) F 3:47 Kahlynn Spurgeon (Bartlett)

105 Taniyah Moss (Hillcrest) TF Ivette Quintana (Bolingbrook)

110 Shaila Aguirre (Joliet C) MD 9-1 Monica Sanchez (WEGO)

115 Lainey Ehler (Oakwood/Salt Fork) F 5:03 Sherylin Garcia (Palatine)

120 Yurithdzy Vilchis (Prairie C) F 0:42 Kate Wochner (Oakwood/Salt Fork)

125 Karolina Konopka (Glenbard W) MD 13-0 Anaya Campbell (Bolingbrook)

130 Izabel Barrera (Joliet C) MD 15-1 Hala Salem (D 230)

135 Talah Hamed (D 230) F 0:31 Maelyn Chromcak (Bolingbrook)

140 Rylee Hernandez (Tinley Park) F 3:29 Amanda Lezama (Bolingbrook)

145 Maren Minarcik (W Aurora) F 2:26 Diamond Schield (Bartlett)

155 Leilani Robles (Joliet C) F 3:13 Evelyn Castro (Palatine)

170 Olivia Halminiak (WEGO) F 3:07 Tiffany Manungu (W Aurora)

190 Weni Koudi (WEGO) F 2:08 Aliyah Mendoza (D 230)

235 Brianna McCormick (Lisle) D 4-0 Milan Aldana (Joliet C)

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

Lady Wildcat Wrestling Invite ’26

Twenty-two teams squared off at Marion’s Lady Wildcat Wrestling Invite ’26, and the team champion didn’t have to take a bus ride home.

Host Marion snared the team title, out-pointing second-place Waterloo 149-101, with Freeburg (85.5) third and two Kentucky teams placing fourth and fifth, in Paducah Tilghman (81) and McCracken County (68).

Marion coach Lukas Cullum got an individual title from Joelene Nappier-Feth (130) to lead his Wildcats, which saw nine girls place in the top six of their weight classes. Marion also tied with Waterloo for the most pins in the tournament with 16, and led all teams with four tech falls on the day, three of which came from Alauni Muex (120). Marion also led all teams with 214 total match points.

“This Lady Wildcat team is hungry. Not a single one of them will back down regardless of experience,” Cullum said. “They came out and showed what we are creating here at Marion — a high-level, competitive women’s program.

“The team is currently 10-3 in dual play, a record we are very proud of with six freshmen in our lineup. We expect this squad to continue to get better.”
 

1st-Marion (149)

The Wildcats’ Nappier-Feth improved to 16-0 on the season and pinned her way to the title at 130 pounds, as she “put on a dominant performance, securing the outstanding wrestler (award),” Cullum said. “She put the whole 130-pound weight class on notice.”

Marion also got second-place finishes from DJ Tucker-Lester (140) and Sofia Hernandez-Pina (190), thirds from Vida Follis (115) and Alauni Muex (120), and fourths from Kishelle Gray (115), Addison Arnold (135), Natalie Davis (170) and Carmen Holderfield (235).

“A big shout-out to Alauni Meux, who continues to impress at 120,” Cullum said. “And to D.J. Tucker for crushing through the 140’s and taking second. Vida Follis came out looking strong and Sophia “Mija” Hernandez put on an incredible performance at 190. I’m immensely proud and excited to coach such a hungry and driven team.”

2nd-Waterloo (101)

Coach Ryan Wiggers’ Bulldogs got an individual championship from Izabell McBride (190) to lead the way, along with a second from Niyah Stein (235), and fourths from Brooklyn Truman (130) and Neveah Gentelin (140).

3rd-Freeburg (85.5)
Coach Dan Quartz got individual titles from Brielle Becker (105) and Grace Stratton (155), a second from Elise Byman (145), and a third from Aubrey Rutmanis (110) in spearheading the Lady Midgets’ third-place finish.

Additional champions

100 Dalis Johnston (Paducah Tilghman)

110 Madison Poll (St. Thomas More)

115 Haydyn Williamson (Anna-Jonesboro)

120 Eelynn Hayden (McCracken County)

135 Jacee Mardirosian (Cartersville)
140 Kaileigh Hall (Paducah Tilgham)

145 Daniya Musgrave (Mt. Vernon)

170 Jemeriah Hopkins (Paducah Tilgham)   

235 Lillian Harned (McCracken County)

Additional runners-up
100 Charlee Emmerich (Effingham)

105 Brylee Russell (Pinckneyville/Trico)

110 Jillian Conn (McCracken County)

115 Kenni Lafollete (Johnston City)

120 Emmery Evans (McCracken County)

130 Sophia Bechelli (W Frankfort)

135 Alana Finney (Salem)

155 Nahima Mateo (Murphysboro)

170 Braeliana Gosney (Mt. Vernon)

 
Team scores
Marion 149, Waterloo 101, Freeburg 85.5, Paducah Tilgham, KY 81, McCracken  County KY 68, Murphysboro 65, Carterville 63, Mt. Vernon 58, Anna-Jonesboro 56.5, West Frankfort 56, Pinckneyville/Trico 46, Benton 39.5, Johnston City 37, St. Thomas More 35.5, Carbondale 35, Sparta/Steelville 31, Breeze Central 20, Salem 20, Fairfield 16, Effingham 14, Herrin 7, Red Bud 3

The unbeatens (10 match-minimum)
McCracken County, KY’s Eelynn Hayden (22-0 at 120), Marion’s Joelene Nappier-Feth (16-0 at 130), Freeburg’s Grace Stratton (18-0 at 155)

The once-beatens (10-match minimum)
Carterville’s Jacee Mardirosian (15-1 at 135), Salem’s Alana Finney (9-1 at 135), Murphysboro’s Nahima Mateo (10-1 at 155)

Statistics
Waterloo and Marion tied for the most pins recorded in the field with 16 apiece, followed by Murphysboro and Carterville with 11 each. Marion’s four tech falls led all teams followed by Paducah Tilgham, KY with two. Marion recorded the most total match points with 214, followed by Carterville’s 109. Murphysboro and Paducah Tilgham tied with 95 total match points each.
Individually, Freeburg’s Grace Stratton had the most pins in the least time, with four falls in 3:56, while Marion’s Alauni Muex finished with the most tech falls in the least time, with three techs in 8:55. Freeburg’s Aubrey Rutmanis had the fastest tech fall in 1:39.
Freeburg’s Stratton also scored the most team points in the tournament with 28, while Marion’s Vida Follis scored the most single-match points with 26. Marion’s Muex led all wrestlers with 71 total match points, followed by teammate Follis with 49.
The largest seed-place difference came from McCracken County, Kentucky’s Eelynn Hayden, who was seeded No. 13 but won the individual title at 120 pounds.

Championship match results
100 Dalis Johnston (Paducah Tilghman) F 1:06 Charlee Emmerich (Effingham)

105 Brielle Becker (Freeburg) F 2:30 Brylee Russell (Pinckneyville/Trico)

110 Madison Poll (St. Thomas More) MD 10-2 Jillian Conn (McCracken Co)

115 Haydyn Williamson (Anna-Jonesboro) F 4:33 Kenni Lafollete (Johnston City)

120 Eelynn Hayden (McCracken Co) MD 15-4 Emmery Evans (McCracken Co)

125 No wrestlers entered

130 Joelene Nappier-Feth (Marion) F 1:37 Sophia Bechelli (W Frankfort)

135 Jacee Mardirosian (Cartersville) F 3:24 Alana Finney (Salem)

140 Kaileigh Hall (Paducah Tilgham) F 3:25 DJ Tucker-Lester (Marion)

145 Daniya Musgrave (Mt. Vernon) F 5:22 Elise Byman (Freeburg)

155 Grace Stratton (Freeburg) F 2:41 Nahima Mateo (Murphysboro)

170 Jemeriah Hopkins (Paducah Tilgham) F 4:07 Braeliana Gosney (Mt. Vernon)

190 Izabell McBride (Waterloo) F 1:56 Sofia Hernandez-Pina (Marion)

235 Lillian Harned (McCracken Co) F 1:47 Niyah Stein (Waterloo)

Third-place match results
100 Faith Husky (Johnston City) F 1:47 Shaina Pierce (Pinckneyville/Trico)

105 Remi Taylor (Fairfield) F 2:30 Kylie Davie (Carterville)

110 Aubrey Rutmanis (Freeburg) F 1:40 Chloe Williams (West Frankfort) 

115 Vida Follis (Marion) TF 4:32 Kishelle Gray (Marion)

120 Alauni Muex (Marion) TF 3:13 Kathleen Loyola (Carbondale)

125 No wrestlers entered

130 Adin Denoon (Mt. Vernon) F 1:31 Brooklyn Truman (Waterloo)

135 Payten Hollenkamp (Breeze C) F 3:55 Addison Arnold (Marion)

140 Marriah Jackson (Carbondale) F 0:50 Nevaeh Gentelin (Waterloo)

145 Josselin Mateo (Murphysboro) F 2:00 Claire Simmons (St. Thomas More)

155 Addison Mabry (Benton) F 2:35 Everleigh Orendoff (Carterville)

170 Biannca Timmons (Anna-J) F 2:12 Natalie Davis (Morton)

190 Lillian Browning (W Frankfort) F 2:21 Madelynn Skidmore (Sparta/Steelville)

235 Payten Roseberry (Pinckneyville/Trico) F 0:45 Carmen Holderfield (Marion)

Ottawa Holiday Hootenanny

Lane Tech had five girls place in the top six of their weight classes, led by individual champions Sofia Guerrero (100) and Eila Barbour (145), to win the team title at this year’s 30-team Ottawa Holiday Hootenanny.

Coach Liam Cummins’ squad won 128.5-117 over second-place Conant, followed by Glenbard North (110.5) Ottawa (102.5) and Sycamore (92) to round out the top five finishes.
Lane’s 220 total match points were of any team in the tournament.

“Our wrestlers understand they have an obligation to one another, when the obligation is fulfilled we succeed as a team,” Cummins said. “Every match, every medal counts and they wrestle knowing that.”

1st- Lane Tech (128.5)

In addition to individual titles from Guerrero and Barbour, Lane got thirds from Zabby Badru (140) and Layla Moreland (155), and a fifth from Kenaiece Barrett (170).

2nd- Conant (117)

The Cougars and coach Brad Bessemer had a pair of runners-up in Giselle Varelas (115) and Brooklyn Jones (120), a third from Jasmine Zavaleta (135), a fourth from Susan Bilyal (155), a fifth from Ava Adomi (235), and a sixth from Claudia Weglarz (170).

3rd- Glenbard North (110.5)

The Panthers got a title from Suzanne Stalley (155), seconds from Daisy VillaGonzalez (100) and Keagan Edwards (135), and thirds from Ezri Incrocci (120) and Asreilla Wallace (235) for coach Chris Edwards.

Additional champions

110 Rozlyn Mosher (Erie)

115 Autumn Starr (Bloomington)

120 Gracie Meluch (Naperville Central)

125 Kiely Domyancich (LaSalle-Peru)

130 Catherine Diehl (Wheaton Academy)  

135 Michelle Naftzger (Erie)  

140 Ema Durst (Sycamore)

170 Frankie McMurtry (Sycamore)  

190 Anjanne Haywood (Guilford)

235 Jasmine Enriquez (Sycamore)

Additional runners-up

105 Olivia Agajanian (Sandwich)

110 Eliana Badeen (Maine East)

125 Samantha Greisen (Seneca)

130 Riley Kuder (Coal City)

140 Quinn Janssens (Oswego East)

145 Ithandehui Rosas (Harvard)

155 Alicia Swank (Bloomington)

170 Caliyah Campbell (OPRF)

190 Sadie Kinsella (Kaneland)

235 Juliana Thrush (Ottawa)

Team scores
Lane Tech 128.5, Conant 117, Glenbard North 110.5, Ottawa 102.5, Sycamore 92, Bolingbrook 88.5, LaSalle-Peru 86.5, Erie 74, Sandwich 74, Richwoods 70, Maine East 69, Harvard 60, Oak Park and River Forest 53.5, Bloomington 49, Oswego East 49, Streator/Woodland 46, Naperville Central 41.5, Lemont 41, Kaneland 39, Kankakee 35.5, Marquette 29.5, Wheaton Academy 29.5, Seneca 28.5, Larkin 28, Coal City 25.5, Guilford 25.5, Deer Creek-Mackinaw 24, Morris 23.5, Putnam County/Hall 23, Rock Falls 16

Close calls
The closest finals match of the day came when Erie’s Michelle Naftzger won a 1-0 decision against Glenbard Norths Keagan Edwards at 135 pounds.
The third-place final at 125 carried even more drama, with Richwoods’ Jaydah Green winning an 11-8 sudden victory decision over Lemont’s Molly O’Connor.

Statistics
Conant led all teams with 18 pins, Lane with 17and Bolingbrook with 14. Lane had the most tech falls in the least time, with three at 9:25 and Lane scored the most total match points with 220, followed by Ottawa with 169 and Sandwich with 150.
Individually, Deer Creek-Mackinaw’s Kaleigh Mehrkens finished with the most pins in the least time, with five at 7:50, while Zabby Badru had the most tech falls in the least time, with two in 5:03. Badru also scored the most single match points with 22. Conant’s Brooklyn Jones posted the fastest pin at 0:10 and Erie’s Ayden Grawe had the fastest tech fall at 2:22. Larkin’s Susan Cruz scored the most total match points with 61.

Championship match results

100 Sofia Guerrero (Lane) F 0:45 Daisy VillaGonzalez (Glenbard N)

105 Lily Deibel (Marquette) TF 15-0 Olivia Agajanian (Sandwich)

110 Rozlyn Mosher (Erie) F 2:33 Eliana Badeen (Maine E)

115 Autumn Starr (Bloomington) F 4:55 Giselle Varelas (Conant)

120 Gracie Meluch (Naperville C) F 1:14 Brooklyn Jones (Conant)

125 Kiely Domyancich (LaSalle-Peru) MD 11-3 Samantha Greisen (Seneca)

130 Catherine Diehl (Wheaton Ac) TF 19-3 Riley Kuder (Coal City)

135 Michelle Naftzger (Erie) D 1-0 Keagan Edwards (Glenbard N)

140 Ema Durst (Sycamore) F 4:57 Quinn Janssens (Oswego E)

145 Eila Barbour (Lane) F 4:53 Ithandehui Rosas (Harvard)

155 Suzanne Stalley (Glenbard N) D 5-0 Alicia Swank (Bloomington)

170 Frankie McMurtry (Sycamore) F 5:10 Caliyah Campbell (OPRF)

190 Anjanne Haywood (Guilford) D 5-1 Sadie Kinsella (Kaneland)

235 Jasmine Enriquez (Sycamore) D 4-2 Juliana Thrush (Ottawa)

Third-place match results

100 Evelyn Torres (Maine East) F 1:10 Sharleen Barrera (Bolingbrook)

105 Ivette Quintana (Bolingbrook) MD 16-6 Susan Cruz (Larkin)

110 Lily Gwaltney (Ottawa) F 5:53 Mikaela Najera (Bolingbrook)

115 Laila Vaughn (Streator/Woodland) F 1:59 Payton Henson (Streator/Woodland)

120 Ezri Incrocci (Glenbard N) F 1:28 Karlie Hardekopf (Sandwich)

125 Jaydah Green (Richwoods) SV 11-8 Molly O’Connor (Lemont)

130 Alena Oshana (Maine E) F 3:34 Anaya Campbell (Bolingbrook)

135 Jasmine Zavaleta (Conant) F 0:40 Jaiyden Provance (Ottawa)

140 Zabby Badru (Lane) F 2:51 Isabella Miller (OPRF)

145 Alivia Butler (Ottawa) D 12-9 Ashlyn Fargher (Rock Falls)

155 Layla Moreland (Lane) F 5:02 Susan Bilyal (Conant)

170 Ella Irwin (Putnam Co/Hall) Founder 1:46 Sydney Johnson (Richwoods)

190 Kaleigh Mehrkens (Deer Creek-Mac) F 0:41 Sofia Perez (Kankakee)

235 Asreilla Wallace (Glenbard N) F 1:47 Lily Higgins (LaSalle-Peru)

Benton’s Rangerette Rumble

Frankfort’s Lady Redbirds carried the day at this year’s 10-team Rangerette Rumble, hosted by Benton. Frankfort got individual titles from Chloe Williams (110), Catelynn Reese (125) and Lillian Browning (190) among a field of eight girls who placed in the top six of their weight classes.

Frankfort edged Anna-Jonesboro 123-111, followed by Carterville (94), Robinson (86) and host Benton (85) to round out the top five team finishes.

1st- Frankfort (123)
Nobody in the finals survived the first period against champions Williams, Reese and Browning, and Frankfort got a third-place finish from Sophia Bechelli (130), and fourths from Aleah Davidson (120), Kolbie Wortman (130), Autumn Pulliam (145) and Alexa McKeown (155).

2nd- Anna-Jonseboro (111)
Coach Chase Hargrave got individual titles from Haydyn Williamson (115) and Biannca Timmons (170), and the Lady Wildcats got seconds from Izzy Giron (120), Jozilyn Kerr (145) and June Markham (190), a fourth from Kinley Leek (125) and a sixth from Lyra Casper (155).

3rd- Carterville (94)
Lady Lions coach Daniel Alderman got a pair of individual titles from Jacee Mardirosian (140) and Everleigh Orendoff (155), thirds from Lizzy Morehead (115) and Marlie Lloyd (190), fifths from Emily Hawkins (110) and Peyton Applehans (130), and sixths from Kendyl Bilderback (110), Joplin Harrison (120), Lilah Mowrer (145) and Joanna Lee (235).

Team scores

Frankfort 123, Anna-Jonesboro 111, Carterville 94, Robinson 86, Benton 85, Belleville East 80.5, Mascoutah 65.5, Fairfield 61, Unity 52, Charleston 46

Additional champions
105 Madison Siler (Robinson), 120 Morgan Krone-Smallhorn (Charleston), 130 Ava Beldo (Unity), 145 Macee Hammond (Robinson), 235 Phoenix Molina (Unity)

Additional runners-up
105 Serenity Canady (Robinson), 110 Brooklyn Miller (Robinson), 115 Trinity Phelps (Benton), 125 Zoey Nelson (Mascoutah), 130 Camila Irby (Belleville E), 140 Caitrin Melvin (Belleville E), 155 Jauylin Robinson (Belleville E), 170 Lilianne Johnson (Benton), 235 Olivia Rosine (Charleston)

Close calls
The title match at 105 was a wild one between teammates, with Robinson’s Madison Siler winning a 14-12 decision over Serenity Canady.

Statistics
Carterville led all teams with 18 pins in the tournament, followed by Benton and Frankfort with 17 apiece. Mascoutah led in tech falls with two and scored the most total match points with 148, followed by Carterville with 137.
Individually, Frankfort’s Lillian Browning had the most pins in the least time with four in 1:44, while teammate Sophia Bechelli posted the fastest pin in 0:05. Belleville East’s Camila Irby had the fastest tech fall in 2:26.
Mascoutah’s Shayla Garner and Pakaporn Dunham tied for the most single-match points with 19, and Dunham finished with the most total match points with 51, followed by Robinson’s Madison Siler with 48.

Championship match results

105 Madison Siler (Robinson) D 14-12 Serenity Canady (Robinson)

110 Chloe Williams (Frankfort) F 0:20 Brooklyn Miller (Robinson) 

115 Haydyn Williamson (A-Jonesboro) F 1:53 Trinity Phelps (Benton)

120 Morgan Krone-Smallhorn (Charleston) F 5:39 Izzy Giron (A-Jonesboro)

125 Catelyn Reese (Frankfort) F 0:37 Zoey Nelson (Mascoutah)

130 Ava Beldo (Unity) F 5:48 Camila Irby (Belleville E)

140 Jacee Mardirosian (Carterville) F 1:48 Caitrin Melvin (Belleville E)

145 Macee Hammond (Robinson) F 1:19 Jozilyn Kerr (A-Jonesboro)

155 Everleigh Orendoff (Carterville) F 1:55 Jauylin Robinson (Belleville E)

170 Biannca Timmons (A-Jonesboro) F 0:57 Lilianne Johnson (Benton)

190 Lillian Browning (Frankfort) F 1:05 June Markham (A-Jonesboro)

235 Phoenix Molina (Unity) F 1:00 Olivia Rosine (Charleston)

Third-place match results

105 Shayla Garner (Mascoutah) TF Remi Taylor (Fairfield )

110 Klaramae Turpin (Mascoutah) F 1:24 Maliya Rush (Fairfield)

115 Lizzy Morehead (Carterville) F 0:25 Kami Sager (Fairfield)

120 Kylie Davie (Benton) F 2:13 Aleah Davidson (Frankfort)

125 Cecilia Correa (Belleville E) F 2:40 Kinley Leek (A-Jonesboro)

130 Sophia Bechelli (Frankfort) F 0:05 Kolbie Wortman (Frankfort)

140 Gabriela Richards (Mascoutah) F 1:12 Gabrielle Berry (Belleville E)

145 Madelyn Cockrum (Benton) F 1:43 Autumn Pulliam (Frankfort)

155 Addison Mabry (Benton) F 1:03 Alexa McKeown (Frankfort)

170 Destiny Cox (Fairfield) F 1:44 Carlie James (Benton) 

190 Marlie Lloyd (Carterville) F 1:43 Ashlynn Blevins (Fairfield)

235 Lexie Desett (Benton) F 0:48 Lexi Karnes (Benton)

By Chris Walker for the IWCOA

DEKALB – Marmion didn’t win the Don Flavin Invitational last season, but that didn’t stop the Cadets from later winning a state title.

The Cadets have continued to do a whole lot of winning since then as they won the Don Flavin Invitational at DeKalb, sweeping their way to a 6-0 tournament in this dual team tournament on Dec. 29-30, 2025.

Leading the way for the Cadets were Colton Wyller (106), James Morrison (113), Nicholas Garcia (132), Ashton Hobson (150/157), Vinnie Testa (190) and Joey Favia (285) who wrestled to victory in each of their half dozen matches during the team’s six dual meets over two days.

“Yeah, they wrestled tough, especially that second day, competed hard,” Marmion coach Anthony Cirrincione said. “We’re still one piece away from being at full strength, but we’re in a good spot and a lot better than last year when we weren’t healthy until regionals.”

This latest team victory follows similar success this season for Marmion with titles also at the Cadet Classic as well as the Dan Gable Donnybrook.

Marmion 

Marmion won its first Flavin title since 2022. The Cadets finished in second place last year behind Detroit Catholic Central but when all was said and done at the IHSA Class 3A state finals, the Cadets were state dual team champions for the first time in program history.

Their victory in DeKalb, after two long days of wrestling on Monday and Tuesday is another step toward the Aurora school’s hope of defending its team title.

“Well, to be honest, we thought we would be hard pressed to be in a position better than we were last year and we’re older and wiser at a lot of weights and only graduating the three contributing seniors,” Cirrincione said. “They’re getting after it and showing they are a team.”

In Marmion’s 33-28 win over IC Prep, IC Prep’s Joey Pontrelli scored a 21-7 major against Alex Korpan to get the dual started at 165 and Brody Kelly followed with a quick pin over Daniel Skura. But the Cadets would win eight of the next 11 matches, including at 132, before forfeiting at 157 with the victory already locked up, leading 33-22.

One of the premier battles was at 132, where the Class 2A top ranked wrestler (Max Cumbee) met the 3A’s best (Nicholas Garcia). Garcia scored a 2-1 tiebreaker win.

In their preceding duals, top-ranked Marmion overwhelmed no. 3 ranked Montini, 49-13, winning 11 matches, getting a pair of pins as well as a couple wins due to injuries to AJ Tack (190) and Chris Navarro (150). Marmion opened Tuesday’s action in the Champion’s Pool with a 42-24 victory over Kaukana, Wisc.

On Monday, the Cadets began their journey towards a title with a 61-13 win over Lyons. They followed that with a 56-12 win over Glenwood, ranked 3rd in Class 2A, before a 55-18 win against St. Charles East, the fourth ranked team in Class 3A.

Top performers for the Cadets included Colton Wyller (6-0 at 106), James Morrison (6-0 at 113), Nicholas Garcia (6-0 at 132), Ashton Hobson (6-0 at 150/157), Vinnie Testa (6-0 at 190) and Joey Favia (6-0 at 285) as those six wrestlers went a combined 36-0. 

Other top finishers for the Cadets were Aidan McClure (5-1, at 126), Demetrios Carrera (5-1 at 138) and Logan Conover (5-1, at 144).

“On the first day we made an assessment as the coaches that the boys hear a lot of voices at the same time and it’s not always the same thing,” Cirrincione said. “Sparty Chino, one of the assistant coaches, said we need to look at how we did today as a coaching staff and we figured we’d only wrestled one dual against Lockport the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We need to regroup the kids so they need to hear one voice and we kind of went back to our old ways. We had a driver and passenger driving in the front seat. Day two we made an adjustment as a staff and it was good for us.”

Last season, the Cadets defeated Montini and IC Prep in the Champion’s Pool but fell to 2024 Flavin champ, Detroit Catholic Central.

IC Catholic Prep

Last year, IC Catholic earned a spot in the Champion’s Pool as well, but took fourth place. This time, the Knights were the runner-up to Marmion. Last year here, IC Prep dropped a 37-30 decision to Marmion.

The Knights beat Montini (42-24) and Kaukana, Wisc. (51-18) to set the stage for an invitational-deciding dual against Marmion.

Dominic Pasquale (3-0 at 126), Frank Nitti (6-0 at 144) and Brody Kelly (5-0 at 175) went undefeated. Also leading the Knights were Kannon Judycki (5-1 at 120), Aidan Arnett (5-1 at 157/165), Mike Bird (4-1 at 113) and Foley Calcagno (4-1 at 215).

IC Catholic rolled into the Champion’s Pool with dominating wins in the Rich Harvey Bracket, including against Moline (55-20), Washington (50-16) and Yorkville (60-15).

Montini

Ranked 2nd in Class 3A, the Broncos may be one of the most talented teams in the state, but they still had the daunting task of facing the top-ranked teams in 2A and 3A back-to-back in the Champion’s Pool.

They opened action on Tuesday afternoon with a 48-24 loss to IC Prep, the top ranked team in Class 2A,  followed by a 49-13 loss to Marmion, the top ranked team in Class 3A. They concluded their run in the tournament with a rare third-straight defeat to Kaukana (48-17).

Montini had earned its berth into the top bracket after beating Glenbard East (66-12), West Aurora (47-27) and Grant (48-24)

Allen Woo (6-0 at 120) and Bobby Ruscitti (6-0 at 126) led the Broncos while Erik Klichurov (5-1 at 113) was the only other Montini wrestler besides Ben Evenson (1-1 at 215) to not suffer more than a single defeat.

Joliet Catholic Academy

Joliet Catholic Academy won the Gold Pool with victories over St. Charles East (36-25), Yorkville (57-15) and Grant (54-12).

Leading the way for the Hilltoppers were Adante Washington (6-0 at 144/150), Nolan Vogel (6-0 at 165) and Lukas Foster (5-0 at 126/132). 

Kane Robles (5-1 at 106), Colton Schultz (5-1 at 113), Jason Hampton (5-1 at 138/132) and Daniel Dalach (5-1 at 285) also were quite successful.

“We left a better team than when we entered,” Joliet Catholic Academy coach Ryan Cumbee said. “Mission accomplished. 30 days until the state series-the only time results mean anything.”

St. Charles East

The Saints bounced back from the loss to Joliet Catholic Academy to beat Grant (34-25) and Yorkville (38-22) to take second place in the Gold Pool.

Dom Munaretto (6-0 at 120) and Cooper Murray (6-0 at 215/285) won all of their matches while Kaden Potter (126), Declan Sons (132), Jayden Hernandez (138) Isaac Lenard (157/150) and Gavin Woodmancy (157/150) each went 4-2.

Yorkville

The Foxes opened with a tight victory over Naperville Central (38-12) and got past Barrington (37-25) before being humbled by top-ranked 2A IC Prep (60-15) to conclude their first day of action.

A tough loss to Grant wasn’t how the Foxes were hoping to begin play in the Gold Cup, but that loss (36-32) was the continuation of what ultimately would turn into a four-game dual match slide.

“It was a tough second day and we knew we were going to have a tough three matches,” Foxes coach Jake Oster said. “We were missing our 215 (Avery Lane who went 2-1 on Monday) who was out for the day at a funeral. And we were planning another guy at 190 and he ended up having emergency appendix surgery so we bumped guys around. So we didn’t have that going into the dual against Grant and let some slip in some of the matches where we could’ve sealed it off with a couple of wins. Just came up short and they (Grant) had two hammers at the end so we knew that the last two weights we had to be up pretty good and lost right before that and it put a damper on our chances.”

The Foxes dropped a 57-15 decision to Joliet Catholic Academy, ranked no. 2 in Class 3A, and closed the tournament with a 38-22 loss to St. Charles East.

Donovan Rosauer (6-0 at 150/157) was unblemished to lead the Foxes.

Caleb Viscogliosi (3-1 at 175/190), Donncha Souza (3-1 at 150/157) and Xavion Ulloa (3-1 at 285) also enjoyed success in their respective matches for Yorkville.

“It’s a long two days and we had six solid duals so our guys were feeling it,” Oster said. “Some were feeling sorry for themselves, some guys went 0-6 and probably haven’t gone 0-6 before which speaks volumes about the toughness of this tournament and how mentally tough you’ve got to be in something like this. It shows where we got to be better. It’s a good thing to have in the middle of the year.”

Grant

Grant got past Yorkville (36-12) for its lone victory during Tuesday’s final day of competition. Grant could not sustain that success, dropping its final two duals to St. Charles East (34-25) and Joliet Catholic Academy (54-12).

The Bulldogs picked up wins in Monday’s Wayne Miller Bracket over Hersey (49-28) and Lincoln-Way West (39-30) before falling to Montini (48-24) in the bracket’s first-place match.

Erik Rodriguez (6-0 at 144/150) and Vince Jasinski (6-0 at 144/150) didn’t lose to lead the Bulldogs. Brady Myatt (4-2 at 113), Larry Quirk (4-2 at 113) and Casey Gipson (4-2 at 190/215) also delivered strong performances. 

Providence Catholic

Providence Catholic defeated Glenbard West (47-21) in its first dual in the Silver Pool. The Celtics followed with wins over Washington (48-26) and Lincoln-Way West (51-17) to win the pool.

Christian Corcoran (6-0 at 113), Nate Ortiz (6-0 at 120) and Justus Heeg (6-0 at 157) swept their way to victories in all of Providence’s duals while Tommy Banas (5-1 at 138), Luke Banas (5-1 at 144) and Ameer Khalil (5-1 at 175/190) also had strong tournaments.

Barrington

In the Bronze Pool, Barrington survived Sandburg (37-35) and Glenwood (37-36) back-to-back after opening with a win over West Aurora (47-30).

The Broncos crushed Pewaukee, Wisc., 62-12 to open the tournament, but dropped tighter matches to Yorkville (37-25) and Washington (38-34).

Kaleb Pratt (6-0 at 120/126), Jimmy Whitaker (6-0 at 144/150), Matthew Blanke (4-0 at 126/120) and Ryan Dorn (6-0 at 132/138) enjoyed their final tournament of 2025 with victory after victory after victory. Sam Cushman (5-1 at 175/190) also found a great deal of success in DeKalb.

Other winners included Lincoln-Way East in Pool A, Glenbard North in Pool B, Lyons in Pool C  and Prospect in Pool D.

Top performers for the Griffins were Kaidreaus Richardson (6-0 at 150), Colton Zvonar (4-0 at 190) and Gage LaDere (4-0 at 285).

Marco Rafael (4-1 at 157) paced the Panthers who received 4-2 records from Dominic Melody (106), Roman Barracca (113), Lukas Thompson (120), Vannak Khiev (126), Julian Guerra (132) Trey Thompson (138) and Tyler Hvorick (215). 

Griff Powell (6-0 at 138) led Lyons. Luca Ligammari (106), Joey Colantuono (126), Cornell Fennessee (165), Anthony Johnson (175), Luke Wilhelm (190) and Jimmy Hillmann (285) all went 4-2.

James Brouilette (6-0 at 285), Brock Wrede (5-0 at 190/215) and Gavin Payne (5-0 at 165) didn’t suffer any defeats for Prospect. Joseph Quirk (5-1 at 175/190) and Owen Dewey (4-1 at 215) also performed well.

Statistics of note

Luxemburg-Casco’s Logan Ellwanger and Providence Catholic’s Justus Heeg tied for the most team points with 36, while Minooka’s Maddux Tindal and West Aurora’s Marcus Quintana each had 35 points. Luxemburg-Casco’s Carson Neubert, St. Charles East’s Dom Munaretto, Joliet Catholic Academy’s Nolan Vogel, Barrington’s Kaleb Pratt and Prospect’s James Brouilette each had 34 points. Glenbard West’s Aidan Ortega, Washington’s Josh Hoffer, Grant’s Vince Jasinski, Marmion’s Vinnie Testa, Hersey’s Oleksandr Havrylkiv and Barrington’s Jimmy Whitaker all had 33 points.

Lincoln-Way West’s Brady Glynn recorded five technical falls, joining Naperville Central’s Paul Peradotti, for most in the tournament.

Brouilette, Tindal, Ellwanger, Hoffer and Quintana were the five wrestlers who registered five victories by fall. Whitaker accomplished the feat in the lest amount of time, besting TInfal (5:13 to 5:36). 

Luxemburg-Casco and Glenbard North had 26 pins each collectively as a team to lead the 32-team field, while Marmion had 25, Providence had 23 and Barrington, Kaukana and Lyons each had 21.

Championship meet in Champion’s Pool of Don Flavin Dual Team Invitational Tournament

Marmion 33, IC Prep 28

165 – Joey Pontrelli (ICP) over Alex Korpan (M), MD 21-7

175 – Brody Kelly (ICP) over Daniel Skura (M), F 0:41

190 – Vinnie Testa (M) over Aquilla Ekhomu (ICP), F 0:19

215 – Foley Calcagno (ICP) over Luke Boersma (M), TF 20-5

285 – Joey Favia (M) over Anthony Sebastian (ICP), D 6-3

106 – Colton Wyller (M) over Mike Bird (ICP), M 15-1

113 – James Morrison (M) over Drew Murante (ICP), M 13-4

120 – Kannon Judycki (ICP) over Brody Page (M), SV-1 4-1

126 – Aidan McClure (M) over Sam Murante (ICP), DQ

132 – Nicholas Garcia (M) over Max Cumbee (ICP), TB-1 2-1

138 – Demetrios Carrera (M) over Jack Hanrahan (ICP) MD 10-2

144 – Frank Nitti (ICP) over Logan Conover (M), MD 14-6

150 – Ashton Hobson (M) over Jacob Alvarez (ICP), D 11-4

157 – Aiden Arnett (ICP), FORF.

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

Floyd Bee Memorial Holiday Tournament

The boys from Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher snared the team title at this year’s 32-team Floyd Bee Memorial tournament, topping second-place Normal Community 500.5-457 at Lincoln.
It was the program’s first Floyd Bee title for coach Josh Carter. GCMS/ Fisher placed fourth two years ago and third at last season’s holiday tournament.

St. Patrick (405.5) placed third followed by Rock Island (372) and Bloomington (309.5) to round out the top five team finishes.

“There were some good teams at the Lincoln tournament and some very good individuals as well,” Carter said. “I was pretty pleased with how we competed overall, but there are still areas we need to get better at.

“Our program has always focused more on competing well and making improvements throughout the season than on the results themselves. Our motto is “Compete with gratitude. Trust the process. Surrender the outcome.” We believe that if we can do that we will be where we need to be in February.”

1st- Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher (500.5)

The middle-weight trio of returning state qualifiers Nolan Lowe (144), Hunter Brandon (150) and Hudson Babb (157) all won titles for GCMSF, with No. 3 Babb improving to a perfect 21-0 season record. Lowe and Brandon each moved to 21-3 on the year.

Among wrestlers finishing in the top six, returning state medal-winner and No. 5 Landen Lage (23-2) placed second at 138 and GCMSF got a third from Camden Brucker (132), fourths from Ian Rotramel (113) and Cooper Miller (165), a fifth from Bentley Fields (106) and a sixth from Gage Martin (126).

“We try to build a schedule that will help the wrestlers be prepared for the level of competition they will see in the postseason,” Carter said. “The Lincoln tournament was a step in the right direction, but we still have two more tournaments that are extremely tough and several duals with very talented teams, so we cannot become complacent with where we are.”

2nd- Normal Community (457)

Coach Trevor Kaufman got individual titles from No. 5 Jackson Soney (106), Ethan Cavallo (132) and Carter Mayes (165), a second from Elijah Conda (113), thirds from Austin Chiesi (150) and Daniel Bourbalas (190), a fourth from Luke Eganhouse (144), and fifths from Johnny Thomas (120) and Mason Caraway (285).

3rd- St. Patrick (405.5)

Four wrestlers scaled the top of the podium for coach Dominic Angelo, in No. 7 Jack Koenig (113), a two-time state medal-winner No. 6 Danny Goodwin (120), Pat Hulne (138) and a two-time state medal-winner in No. 4 Van Grasser (175). The Shamrocks also got a fourth from Calvin Stahl (126), and fifths from Antonio Reyes (144), and Mark Bilek (150).

Team scores
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher 500.5, Normal Community 457, St. Patrick 405.5, Rock Island 372, Bloomington 309.5, Marengo 259.5, Sterling 247, Galesburg 233.5, DePaul Prep 223, East Peoria 223, Peoria Notre Dame 221.5, Lemont 218.5, Jerseyville 210.5, Heyworth 209, Rochester 159.5, East St. Louis 151, Thornton 147.5, Jacksonville 131.5, Carbondale 131, Centennial 128, Lincoln 120.5, Dunlap 119, Danville 115.5, North Boone 115, Pekin 108.5, Springfield 94, Springfield 94, Taylorville 71, Limestone 50, Glenwood 37, Highland 35, St. Thomas More 22, Urbana 7.5

Additional champions
126 Cory Zator (Lemont), 190 Judah Heeg (Lemont), 215 Alec Del Toro (East Peoria), 285 Hunter Wahtola (DePaul College Prep)

Additional runners-up
106 Maddox Williams (Jerseyville), 120 Gabe Marella (North Boone), 126 Colin Bosak (DePaul College Prep), 132 Remington Joesting (Peoria Notre Dame), 144 Tyler Barlow (Bloomington), 150 Brody Cabrera (Bloomington), 165 Anthony Makwala (Galesburg), 175 Colton Mosack (Dunlap), 190 Sergio Baity (Centennial), 215 Rowan Stockwell (Rock Island), 285 Brady Mullens (Peoria Notre Dame)

The unbeatens (15-match minimum)
St. Patrick’s No. 6 returning state medal-winner Danny Goodwin (33-0 at 120), GCMSF’s Hudson Babb (21-0 at 157)

The once-beatens (15-match minimum)
Normal Community’s No. 5 Jackson Soney (19-1 at 106) Lemont’s No. 3 returning state champion 2A Judah Heeg (21-1 at 190), East Peoria’s Alec Del Toro (18-1 at 215), DePaul Prep’s No. 2 returning state medal-winner Hunter Wahtola (20-1 at 285)

Statistics
Galesburg finished with the most pins in the least time, with 22 in 52:23, and St. Patrick had the most tech falls in the least time, with 10 in 37:36. St. Patrick also had the most total match points with 450.
Individually, Bloomington’s Leighton Vandegraft had the most pins in the least time, with four at 3:30, Lemont’s Judah Heeg had the most tech falls in the least time with four in 8:20. Bloomington’s Seville Dangerfield had the fastest fall in the least time at 12 seconds, and Marengo’s Ryan Hess had the fastest tech fall, at 1:11. North Boone’s Eli Bryan scored the most single match points with 23, and St. Patrick’s Danny Goodwin scored the most total match points with 83.

The largest seed-place difference came from 23rd-seeded Dunlap’s Colton Mosack, who placed second at 175 pounds.

Championship match results

106 Jackson Soney (Normal Community) F 1:12 Maddox Williams (Jerseyville)

113 Jack Koenig (St. Patrick) TF 2:14 Elijah Conda (Normal Community)
120 Danny Goodwin (St. Patrick) TF 3:51 Gabe Marella (N. Boone)

126 Cory Zator (Lemont) F 4:37 Colin Bosak (DePaul)
132 Ethan Cavallo (Normal Community) D 6-5 Remington Joesting (Notre Dame)

138 Pat Hulne (St. Patrick) D 7-2 Landen Lage (GCMS/Fisher)

144 Nolan Lowe (GCMS/Fisher) TF 4:22 Tyler Barlow (Bloomington)

150 Hunter Brandon (GCMS/Fisher) F 0:34 Brody Cabrera (Bloomington)

157 Hudson Babb (GCMS/Fisher) F 1:00 Nicholas Hartley (Jerseyville)

165 Carter Mayes (Normal Community) F 4:39 Anthony Makwala (Galesburg)

175 Van Grasser (St. Patrick) TF 3:58 Colton Mosack (Dunlap)

190 Judah Heeg (Lemont) TF 2:10 Sergio Baity (Centennial)
215 Alec Del Toro (E Peoria) F 2:47 Rowan Stockwell (Rock Island)

285 Hunter Wahtola (DePaul) F 3:41 Brady Mullens (Notre Dame)

Third-place results

106 Alex Powers (Lemont) D 7-6 Angelo Parker (Rock Island)

113 Cooper Bye (Bloomington) D 6-4 Ian Rotramel (GCMS/Fisher)

120 Emmet Roeder (Heyworth) F 3:53 Hunter Hodge (Jerseyville)

126 Cael Lyons (Sterling) D 11-7 Calvin Stahl (St. Patrick)
132 Camden Brucker (GCMS/Fisher) MD 11-0 Henry Miller (Rock Island)

138 Mitchell Aukes (Marengo) fft. Jordan Kholian (Jacksonville)

144 Nehemie Mbangi (Centennial) fft. Luke Eganhouse (Normal Community)

150 Austin Chiesi (Normal Community) TF 5:32 Emmanuel Arreola (Sterling)

157 Corey Robinson (E St. Louis) F 1:42 Logan Stout (Heyworth)

165 James Escobar (Rochester) F 3:35 Cooper Miller (GCMS/Fisher)

175 Conner Sacco (Marengo) F 1:55 Josiah Williams (Danville)

190 Daniel Bourbalas (Normal Community) TF 6:00 Dalton Oakman (E Peoria)

215 Jarrod Fulcher (Heyworth) F 1:46 Connor Broughton (Rochester)

285 Jaylen Raab (Bloomington) D 6-2 Emilio Guzan (Rock Island)

Unity Christian New Year’s Duals

Prospect dominated its way to eight dual wins Saturday, claiming the top prize at Unity Christian’s 17-team New Year’s Dual tournament.

Prospect finalized its team title with a 46-29 win over Mattoon in the finals. Coach Ashton Brown’s boys also beat Ridgeview (68-12), Mahomet-Seymour (66-9), Illinois Valley Central (72-2), Clinton (73-6), Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin/Armstrong (78-6), Unity Christian (55-18), Pittsfield (60-18) en route to the team title.

“I was very proud of how our kids have rallied together and rebounded after a very tough start to our winter break,” Brown said. “We started break losing our first seven duals and beginning with Day Two at the Flavin we finished with eleven dual wins in a row.

“We have a large group of sophomores that showed much growth for us down in Unity. Filling in at 165, sophomore Daniel Bekteshi went 5-1. Luis Mercado went 5-0 at 138 lbs with three pins and two major decisions after starting the year 0-7.

“Owen Dewey went 8-0 at Unity Christian and improved his record to 21-7 at 220. Additionally, Carlo Difalco has made great strides this season after a 10-19 record his sophomore year. He went 6-0 (at Unity Christian) and improved his record to 24-10. We have a sophomore-heavy lineup that has taken a lot of lumps early in the season with a dual record of 3-11 heading into last week’s Flavin. It has been very exciting to see these kids stay persistent and hungry while chasing growth on the mat.”

Mattoon reached the title dual for coach Brett Porter by beating Pittsfield (47-36), DeLand-Weldon (75-6), St. Teresa (60-16), Normal University (77-6), BHRA/A (78-6) and Mahomet-Seymour (47-30).

Mahomet-Seymour went 8-1 on the day to place third for coach Rob Ledin, with its lone loss coming against Prospect in the second round of competition. Mahomet-Seymour capped its day by placing third with a 58-23 win over Pittsfield.

Championship round dual scores
1st – Prospect 46, Mattoon 29
3rd – Mahomet-Seymour 58, Pittsfield 23
5th – Heyworth 36, Rochester 34
7th – BHRA/A 54, Unity Christian 23

Championship dual results
Prospect 46, Mattoon 29

157 – Nicolas Mansour (Prospect) d. Unknown (Unattached) Forf

165 – Daniel Bekteshi (Prospect) d. Daijuan Hester (Mattoon) Fall 2:31

175 – Joseph Quirk (Prospect) d. Jacob Philpott (Mattoon) Fall 1:07

190 – Brock Wrede (Prospect) d. McKell Burks (Mattoon) Fall 3:02

215 – Owen Dewey (Prospect) d. Carson Kimbro (Mattoon) Fall 1:07

285 – Mitchell Clapp (Mattoon) d. James Brouilette (Prospect) Dec 1-0

106 – Creed Cole (Mattoon) d. Ben Grund (Prospect) TF 19-3

113 – Carlo Difalco (Prospect) d. Jaxtyn Howell (Mattoon) Maj 18-8

120 – James Fidler (Prospect) d. Liam Clark (Mattoon) Fall 0:56

126 – Tristan Porter (Mattoon) d. Andrew Stapleton (Prospect) TF 17-2

132 – Jaxson Bagwell (Mattoon) d. James Fidler (Prospect) Fall 1:59

138 – Luis Mercado (Prospect) d. Memphys Howell (Mattoon) Fall 4:40

144 – Dakari Brown (Mattoon) d. Ryan Chartouni (Prospect) Maj 14-3

150 – Harley Pierce (Mattoon) d. Ali Mohammadi (Prospect) Fall 0:50

Third-place dual
Mahomet-Seymour 58, Pittsfield 23
157 – Nino Caballero (M-Seymour) d. Landyn Seal (Pittsfield) Fall 1:42

165 – Jake Oitker (Pittsfield) d. Keilen Mustread (M-Seymour) TF 21-1

175 – Frank Watson (M-Seymour) d. Jake Ator (Pittsfield) Fall 2:55

190 – Bodine Marable (Pittsfield) d. Nathan Lewis (M-Seymour) Fall 1:15

215 – Fisher McEuen (Pittsfield) d. Sam Cobb (M-Seymour) Fall 0:56

285 – Jose Torres (M-Seymour) d. Hunter Waters (Pittsfield) Inj 2:35

106 – Grant Morphew (M-Seymour) d. Unknown (Unattached) Forf

113 – Mitchell Matigian (M-Seymour) d. Unknown (Unattached) Forf

120 – Alex Johnson (M-Seymour) d. Hayden Thompson (Pittsfield) MD 11-3

126 – Emmanuel Diaz (M-Seymour) d. Ayden Sledge (Pittsfield) Fall 0:27

132 – Jude Wild (M-Seymour) d. Unknown (Unattached) Forf

138 – Logan Borrowman (Pittsfield) d. Lucas Dhom (M-Seymour) Fall 0:59

144 – Niko Truax (M-Seymour) d. Jace Perry (Pittsfield) Fall 0:59

150 – Renn VanDeveer (M-Seymour) d. Logan Boehmer (Pittsfield) Fall 1:07

Statistics
Unity Christian’s Garrett VerHeecke had the most pins in the least time, with seven falls in 7:35. Brother Clinton VerHeecke was second with seven pins in 8:18 for Unity Christian. Illinois Valley Central’s Toliver Maison, Heyworth’s Logan Stout, and Rochester’s Jack Zucco also each had seven pins on the day.
Rochester’s James Escobar finished the tournament with the most tech falls in the least time, with four techs in 16:13. Centennial’s Mbangi Nehemie had three techs in 7:04. Escobar also had the fastest tech fall in 1:13, while Nehemie was second with a tech fall in 1:18.
Three wrestlers tied for the most team points scored with 54, in Mahomet-Seymour’s Grant Morphew, Alleman’s Truman Marner, and Rochester’s Jack Zucco. Clinton’s Moody McCoy had the most single-match points with 26, and Heyworth’s Tristan Stamp had the most total match points with 100.
Prospect led all teams with 48 pins on the day, followed by Mattoon with 42 and Heyworth with 35. Prospect and Rochester tied for the most tech falls with seven apiece, followed by Centennial with five.
Prospect scored the most team points with 519, followed by Mahomet-Seymour with 439 and Mattoon with 413. Prospect also led the field with 618 total match points, followed by Mattoon with 441 and Heyworth with 382.

Unbeaten records in matches wrestled

8-0: 157 Unity Christian’s Clinton VerHeecke, 165 Rochester’s Jame Escobar
7-0: 126 Rochester’s Miles Carroll, 138 Rochester’s Jack Zucco, 144 Unity Christian’s Garrett VerHeecke, 175 Heyworth’s Tristan Stamp, 285 Mattoon’s Mitchell Clapp
6-0: 132 St. Teresa’s Dwaine Goforth, 150 Mattoon’s Harley Pierce
5-0: 113 Prospect’s Carlo Defalco, 126 Mattoon’s Tristan Porter, 138 Prospect’s Luis Mercado, 190 Pittsfield’s Bodine Marable, 215 Prospect’s Owen Dewey

2025 Sandwich Dual Team Tournament
Sandwich went a perfect 4-0 for coach Derek Jones in claiming the top spot at this year’s 12-team dual team tournament at Sandwich. Oak Lawn finished second, with Plainfield Central third and Rockford East fourth to round out the top four team finishes.

1st place-Sandwich
Sandwich topped Oak Lawn 47-17 in the first-place dual, after topping Genoa-Kingston (80-0), Dwight (78-0) and Rockford East (54-26). As the 18th-ranked team in 1A, Sandwich got perfect 3-0 records in matches wrestled from Hunter Whitecotton (106/113), Jaxson Blanchard (144), No. 3 Cooper Corder (150) and No. 10 Kaden Clevenger (285). Going 2-0 in matches wrestled were Aiden Sinetos (113), Dom Urbanski (126), No. 8 Joshua Kotalik (175). Logan Murphy (138) won two matches for Sandwich, as did Jack Forth (157), while Kai Kern (190) went 1-0 in his lone match of the day.

2nd place-Oak Lawn
Oak Lawn went 3-1 on the day in placing second for coach Cody Matthewson, and battled through some hard-fought duals to get there, beating Saint Viator 40-36 before winning on tie-break criteria over Rock Falls, 35-34. Oak Lawn then won 44-34 over Plainfield Central to reach the finals against Sandwich.
Oak Lawn had four wrestlers go 3-1 on the day in Romeo Gonzalez (138), Khalid Eid (144), Faris Elayyan (150) and Charles Shane (157). Winning two matches for Oak Lawn were Aden Long (106), Caiden Dodson (132), Anthony Potempa (175) and Andrew Cetera (215).

3rd place-Plainfield Central
Plainfield Central went 3-1, capped by a 48-24 win in the third-place dual against Rockford East. Plainfield Central also beat Durand/Pecatonia (71-12) and St. Bede (51-24) for coach Terry Kubski before its semifinal round loss to Sandwich.
Goin 3-0 on the day in matches wrestled for the Wildcats were Brody Rangel (138) and Ty Sabin (190). Armani Esparza (144/150) went 3-1, and winning two matches were Jesse Berman (113), Jayden Mizelle (120/126), Aiden Kupsche (150), Emiliano Ramirez (175).

4th place-Rockford East
Coach Gene Lee’s E-Rabs went 2-2, topping Peotone (40-23) and Somonauk (50-6) before falling to Sandwich (54-26) and Plainfield Central (48-24).
The E-Rabs got perfect 4-0 days in matches wrestled from No. 5 returning state medal-winner Dana Wickson (157) and No. 4 returning state medal-winner Ty Smart (165/175). Victor Onofre (132) went 3-0 on the mat for the E-Rabs.
Winning twice in matches wrestled for Rockford East were Sebastian Abwe (120) and Logan Funk (138).

Placement duals
1st-Sandwich 47, Oak Lawn 17
3rd-Plainfield Central 48, Rockford East 24
5th-Rock Falls 54, Genoa-Kingston 30
7th-Peotone 36, Durand/Pecatonia 30
9th-Saint Viator 36, Dwight 15
11th-St. Bede 53, Somonauk 6

Championship dual
Sandwich 47, Oak Lawn 17
132 – Caiden Dodson (Oak Lawn) d. Gus Harmon (Sandwich) F 1:35

138 – Romeo Gonzalez (Oak Lawn) d. Logan Murphy (Sandwich) F 1:35

144 – Jaxson Blanchard (Sandwich) d. Khalid Eid (Oak Lawn) MD 10-2

150 – Cooper Corder (Sandwich) d. Faris Elayyan (Oak Lawn) TF 19-3

157 – Jack Forth (Sandwich) d. Charles Shane (Oak Lawn) D 8-7

165 – Eli Futrell (Sandwich) d. Adam Balog (Oak Lawn) D 14-10

175 – Joshua Kotalik (Sandwich) d. Anthony Potempa (Oak Lawn) F 1:22

190 – Kai Kern (Sandwich) d. Byron Starks (Oak Lawn) F 3:07

215 – Andrew Cetera (Oak Lawn) d. Luis Murillo (Sandwich) F 5:28

285 – Kaden Clevenger (Sandwich) d. Adam Tumeh (Oak Lawn) F 0:58

106 – Hunter Whitecotton (Sandwich) d. Aden Long (Oak Lawn) D 8-4

113 – Aiden Sinetos (Sandwich) d. Jacob Wood (Oak Lawn) F 1:47

120 – Connor Blanchard (Sandwich) d. Unknown (Unattached)  fft.

126 – Double fft.

Third-place dual

Plainfield Central 48, Rockford East 24
132 – Victor Onofre (Rockford E) d. Nathan Duran (Plainfield C) MD 9-0

138 – Brody Rangel (Plainfield C) d. Logan Funk (Rockford E) F 0:35

144 – Armani Esparza (Plainfield C) d. Jason Pierce (Rockford E) F 3:43

150 – Chris Burgos (Rockford E) d. Aiden Kupsche (Plainfield C) TF 21-6

157 – Dana Wickson (Rockford E) d. Gabriel Guerra (Plainfield C) TF 17-2

165 – Double Forfeit

175 – Ty Smart (Rockford E) d. Emiliano Ramirez (Plainfield C) TF 19-4

190 – Ty Sabin (Plainfield C) d. Unknown (Unattached) Forf

215 – Nicholas Breier (Plainfield C) d. Unknown (Unattached) Forf

285 – Nathan Reyes (Plainfield C) d. Gabe Underhill (Rockford E) F 0:48

106 – Hayden Roach (Rockford E) d. Jesse Berman (Plainfield C) TF 18-1

113 – Rick Berger (Plainfield C) d. Unknown (Unattached) Forf

120 – Jayden Mizelle (Plainfield C) d. Sebastian Abwe (Rockford E) F 1:42

126 – Liam Thompson (Plainfield C) d. Unknown (Unattached) Forf

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

MACHESNEY PARK – Last year, IC Catholic Prep was a new entrant to Harlem’s Al Dvorak Invitational and snapped St. Charles East’s two-year run as champions by edging the Fighting Saints 204.5-202 for top honors.

The defending Knights saw a similar scenario play out at this season’s 37th-annual tournament that featured 46 teams as they were unable to defend their championship as another new entrant, Hickman of Columbia, Missouri, captured the title by 231-225 margin.

IC Catholic Prep, the defending IHSA Class 2A champions and top-ranked in 2A, was hoping to add to first-place finishes at Barrington’s Moore-Prettyman-Dunn and Washington Community but Hickman, which took second to Liberty in Class 4A at the 2025 Missouri State High School Activities Association State Championships, was successful in its debut at the Dvorak, which it moved to after winning two-straight titles at Granite City’s William ‘Red’ Schmitt Tournament.

While coach Dan Pieper’s champion Kewpies only had one title winner, Jordan Fincher (165) and one runner-up, Beau Waldron (190), they had six other individuals who placed sixth or better, Brady McMurtry (3rd at 138), Taryn Nichols (3rd at 157), Luke Hayden (3rd at 175), Dominic Marchack (4th at 113), Hogan Benter (4th at 132) and Shane Oswald (6th at 150).

As was the case in decisive first-place finishes in its initial two tournaments at Fort Zumwalt North and the War in Wentzville, Hickman went with just 11 competitors. The Kewpies are the first out-of-state team to win the Dvorak since Detroit Catholic Central in 2021.

Leading the way for coach Danny Alcocer’s runner-up Knights were champion Brody Kelly (175) and runners-up Aiden Arnett (157), Foley Calcagno (215) and Anthony Sebastian (285). Other Knights who placed in the top-eight were Frank Nitti (3rd at 144), Jack Hanrahan (4th at 138), Mike Bird (5th at 106) and Jacob Alvarez (8th at 150).

And as was the case at both Barrington and Washington Community, IC Catholic Prep had 12 individuals who competed at the Dvorak. 

However, two key Knights who placed highly in the team’s first two tournaments, Max Cumbee and Sam Murante, didn’t participate in the Dvorak. Cumbee, who won the IHSA 2A 126 title last season and is a two-time medalist who’s ranked first at 132, placed first at the two invites while Sam Murante, who took third in 2A at 113 last season and is top-ranked at 126, took third place at both Barrington and Washington Community.

IC Catholic Prep took second place again earlier this week at DeKalb’s Flavin when it fell 33-28 to the defending Class 3A champions and top-ranked team in 3A, Marmion Academy. Next weekend, the Knights are among several Illinois teams who are scheduled to take part in one of the nation’s top tournaments, the Doc Buchanan Invitational in Clovis, California.

Montini Catholic, third-ranked in Class 3A, scored 206 points to finish third for the third-straight year. Top performers for the Broncos, who are led by Mike Bukovsky, the only coach in IHSA history who has won multiple state titles in three sports (wrestling, football and softball), were champions Erik Klichurov (113) and Bobby Ruscitti (126) and second-place finishers Allen Woo (120) and Mikey Malizzio (132). Others who placed in the top-eight were Gavin Ericson (4th at 285), AJ Tack (5th at 175) and Santino Tenuta (6th at 165).

Providence Catholic, which is ranked second in Class 2A, moved up from 30th place in 2023 to 11th place a year ago and finished in fourth place with 174 points. Leading the way for the Celtics, who are coached by 2022 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Donald Reynolds, were champions Tommy Banas (138) and Justus Heeg (157) while Jasper Harper (5th at 165), Griffin Heeney (6th at 120), Max Mandac (7th at 126), Luke Banas (7th at 144) and Lucas Forsythe (8th at 132) also placed in the top-eight.

Other teams who scored 100 points were St. Charles East (163.5, No. 4 in 3A), Hononegah (151, No. 14 in 3A), Tuttle, OK (148), Joliet Catholic Academy (145.5, No. 2 in 3A), Marist (131, No. 7 in 3A), Loyola Academy (127.5, HM in 3A), Yorkville (126, No. 8 in 3A), Edwardsville (122, No. 19 in 3A), Lincoln-Way Central (108.5, HM in 3A) and Lincoln-Way East (100, No. 13 in 3A).  

St. Charles East’s Dom Munaretto (120), became a rare four-time champion at the Dvorak while  Hononegah’s Rocco Cassioppi (150) won his third-straight title in the invite. Others who were champions after taking firsts in 2024 were Marian Central Catholic’s Jimmy Mastny (190), Loyola Academy’s Kai Calcutt (215), Belleville East’s Jonathan Rulo (285) and Heeg.

Loyola Academy also had two title winners with Niko Odiotti (106) joining Calcutt. The other two Dvorak champions were Joliet Catholic Academy’s Jason Hampton (132) and St. Rita of Cascia’s Jack Hogan (144).

Hononegah had three individuals who claimed second place, Jackson Olson (126), Bruno Cassioppi (165) and Brody Sendele (175). Additional second-place finishers were Edwardsville’s Michael McNamara (106), Grayslake Central’s Vince DeMarco (113), Joliet Catholic Academy’s Adante Washington (138), Crystal Lake Central’s Nicolas Marchese (144) and Yorkville’s Donovan Rosauer (150).

In the closest title matches, Banas edged Washington 5-4 at 138, Fincher got past Bruno Cassioppi 3-1 at 165, Ruscitti beat Olson 4-1 at 126 and Hogan defeated Marchese 7-4 at 144.

Heeg had the most team points with 36.5 while Rulo ranked second with 36 points and Fincher, Kelly and Mastny tied for third with 35.5 points. Additional champions who scored 30 or more team points were Hogan (34), Banas (33), Cassioppi (32.5), Munaretto (32.5), Hampton (32), Odiotti (31.5), Calcutt (30.5) and Klichurov (30).

Individuals who were Dvorak finalists who had the top records following the tournament were Munaretto (17-0), Fincher (16-0), Klichurov (15-0), Ruscitti (14-0), Rulo (11-0), Kelly (22-1), Mastny (22-1), Rocco Cassioppi (20-1), Heeg (19-1), Hogan (18-1), Hampton (15-1), Rosauer (15-1), Calcutt (21-2), Odiotti (21-2), McNamara (16-2), Waldron (14-2), Marchese (19-3), Banas (16-3), Sendele (16-3) and Washington (15-3).

Additional third-place medalists were Hersey’s Oleksandr Havrylkiv (126) and Frank Tagoe (165), Normal Community’s Jackson Soney (106), Notre Dame College Prep’s Ray Long (120), Marist’s Tommy Fidler (150), Saint Viator’s Jaxon Penovich (190), St. Charles East’s Cooper Murray (215), Lincoln-Way Central’s Aiden Hennings (285), Milton, WI’s Kolten Mueller (113) and Tuttle, OK’s Chance Fisher (132).

Others who finished in fourth place were  Joliet Catholic Academy’s Lukas Foster (126) and Nolan Vogel (157), Edwardsville’s Ryan Richie (144) and Roman Janek (215), Tuttle, OK’s Maxwell Bradley (120) and Rylend Slover (150), Freeport’s Treyden Diduch (106), Lincoln-Way Central’s Jalen Byrd (175), Fremd’s Lucas Nance (190) and Milton, WI’s Gage Gross (165).

Lockport Township’s Isaac Zimmerman was the only individual who recorded five pins and did that in 4:45 while Hampton was the lone competitor to capture four wins by technical fall. Fremd’s Drew Fifield and Hampton tied for most total match points with 103 while Penovich was third with 95 points. And Hersey’s Nolan Variano was seeded 33rd and placed eighth at 144.

In team statistics, Hickman, MO recorded 25 falls while Yorkville was second with 17 and IC Catholic Prep and Tuttle, OK tied for third with 16 pins. Providence Catholic had the most wins by technical fall with 12 while Hononegah and IC Catholic Prep tied for second with 10. IC Catholic Prep led the way for the most total match points with 514, while Providence Catholic had 497 and St. Charles East was third with 489 points.

Note: All rankings in the following story are courtesy of Illinois Best Weekly

Here’s a look at the champions and their weights at Harlem’s Al Dvorak Invitational:

106 – Niko Odiotti, Loyola Academy

Niko Odiotti has already won titles in as many tournaments as some individuals will compete in during the regular season after capturing his fourth title in five tries by taking first place at 106 at the Dvorak with a 7-2 decision over Edwardsville sophomore Michael McNamara. Last season, he fell 4-1 to Oak Park and River Forest’s Michael Rundell in the IHSA Class 3A 106 title match. He  would not only like to get back to the 3A Grand March this season, but also to become his program’s third IHSA champion, joining his brother Massey (2023) and Kai Calcutt (2024). The Loyola Academy sophomore is top-ranked at 106 in 3A and has also won titles at Addison Trail, Barrington and Neuqua Valley while taking fifth at the Ironman in Ohio. Odiotti (21-2), who did not compete in last year’s Dvorak, earned his spot in the 106 finals with a win by technical fall in 2:44 over Freeport’s Treyden Diduch. He joined Kai Calcutt (215) as a champion and was one of five top-eight placewinners for the Ramblers, who are coached by 2023 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Matt Collum. He also tied for 11th place for the most team points with 31.5.

“I started off the year pretty strong,” Odiotti said. “I took two losses at the Ironman and the tournament’s tough. But it’s a good learning experience to come here and I worked on what I needed to this week, and I was prepared for this tournament. I think we have one of the best coaching staffs ever. Everybody has a good relationship with each other. Everyone wants everyone to get better, and we push each other hard and it shows on the mat. We have good leaders in our room that push us. After the state finals loss, I had to get right to work. I wrestled Freestyle and Greco and I went to Fargo and placed in both styles. I got back right to the room, always practicing. The goal is in February. I fell short last year. I’m trying to make sure it won’t happen again.”

McNamara (16-2) took second place at 106 in the Dvorak for the second year in a row and he also finished second at Francis Howell North, Missouri. A state qualifier last season, he is ranked fourth in 3A at 106. He advanced to the title match with a 3-0 decision over Normal Community’s Jackson Soney in the semifinals. He was the lone finalist and one of four top-five finishers for coach Eric Pretto’s Tigers. In the third-place match, Soney (15-1) won by fall in 0:50 over Diduch (20-2). For fifth place, IC Catholic Prep’s Mike Bird (13-6) won an 11-0 major decision over Bolingbrook’s Julian Medina (8-4). And in the seventh-place match, Milton, WI’s Brodey Lewis (15-2) won by technical fall in 4:19 over Tuttle, OK’s Cooper McElroy (11-9).

113 – Erik Klichurov, Montini Catholic

Erik Klichurov took seventh place in his first visit to the Dvorak last year and then capped his freshman season by placing third in Class 2A at 106. Ranked fourth in 3A at 113, he improved to 15-0 after winning a 7-1 decision over a defending champion in the event, Grayslake Central junior Vince DeMarco, in the 113 title match. He also won a championship at the Donnybrook in Iowa and assured himself of a second trip to a tourney finals when he won by fall in 5:08 over Marian Central Catholic’s Hogan Rice in the semifinals. He joined Bobby Ruscitti (126) as a champion and Allen Woo (120) and Mikey Malizzio (132) as a finalists in addition to three other top-six placers for the Broncos, who are coached by Mike Bukovsky, a 2023 recipient of the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame – Illinois Chapter.

“It feels great,” Klichurov said. “It’s been a goal of mine to come here and win because last year I came here and I fell short of my goal and this year I had to prove myself. Practice, putting more hours in the gym. There’s always room for improvement, always places that you can work on. And I train with my partners and coaches, and they help me. (Montini Catholic) It’s a special place. Every guy in the room has a goal, and they’re always out there trying to fight with each other. That’s the environment they want to be in. You want to be in that winner-environment. “

DeMarco (17-4) was hoping to repeat as a champion at the Dvorak and add to titles that he’s won this season at Glenwood and Prospect after placing fourth at Barrington to kick off his junior season. He lost 15-12 in the IHSA 2A title match at 106 last season to Notre Dame College Prep’s Ray Long after taking fourth at 106 in 2024. The lone medal winner for coach Matthew Joseph’s Rams is ranked second in 2A at 113. He advanced to his third-straight tourney finals with a pin in 3:41 in the semifinals over Milton, WI’s Kolten Mueller (16-1), who took third place with a 12-6 decision over Hickman, MO’s Dominic Marchack (14-2). In the fifth-place match, Rice (13-4) claimed a 7-6 decision over Lockport Township’s Noe Hernandez (15-9). And for seventh place, Fremd’s Lucas Crandall (17-6) won 8-6 over Wheeling’s Frankie Katz (11-5).

120 – Dom Munaretto, St. Charles East

Dom Munaretto joined the exclusive club of individuals who have won four Dvorak titles when he captured top honors at 120 with a 10-2 decision over Montini Catholic junior Allen Woo in a matchup of two-time IHSA champions. Munaretto claimed the Class 3A title at 120 last season after beating Schaumburg’s Brady Phelps. He lost 4-2 to Marmion Academy’s Nicholas Garcia in the 3A title match at 113 in 2024 and won the 3A title at 106 in 2023 over Belvidere North’s Brayden Teunissen. He hopes to join his former teammate Ben Davino as his school’s second three-time IHSA champion and also become their initial four-time IHSA medalist (Note: Davino also took first place in 3A at 113 at the IWCOA Open Championships in 2021). Top-ranked at 120 in 3A, Munaretto (17-0) won a title at the Ironman in Ohio in his only other tournament. He advanced to the 120 finals with a win by technical fall in 2:00 over Tuttle, OK’s Maxwell Bradley. Munaretto was the lone finalist and one of seven top-eight placewinners for the Fighting Saints, who took fifth place and are coached by 2025 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Jason Potter. He also tied three-time Dvorak champion Rocco Cassioppi for eighth in team points with 32.5.

“My thoughts going into the year is just doing better than I did last year,” Munaretto said. “It’s always just about improvement. So improving results on the mat and off the mat, just like technical results, stuff like that. I was looking to improve every aspect of my game. Ironman is an amazing tournament, the toughest in-season tournament in the country. (Competing at St. Charles East) It’s also having great partners and having coaches coming in and helping me out. They were getting on the staff because a lot of my teammates who are now in college are gone. I just have a lot of great coaches, partners, and a lot of people to look to for help and answers..”

Woo (14-4) captured the IHSA Class 2A title at 113 last season with a 4-1 win in sudden victory over St. Patrick’s Danny Goodwin and he also took first place in 2A at 106 in 2024 with a 7-4 decision over Wauconda’s Gavin Rockey. Ranked fourth in 3A at 120, he also placed second at the Donnybrook in Iowa in his only other tournament thus far. He advanced to the 120 title match with a 2-0 decision in the semifinals over Notre Dame College Prep’s Ray Long, who won the 2A title at 106 last season over Grayslake Central’s Vince DeMarco. Woo was one of four finalists and seven top-six placewinners for the third-place Broncos, who are coached by Mike Bukovsky, a 2008 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee who is the only coach in IHSA history to win state championships in three sports and he’s won 12 state titles overall. Long (19-2),who’s ranked fifth in 3A at 120, claimed third place with a 14-8 decision over Bradley (13-2). In the fifth-place match, Loyola Academy’s Daniel Myint (16-6) won an 8-0 major decision over Providence Catholic’s Griffin Heeney (12-8). And for seventh place, Buffalo Grove’s Mykola Shamray (14-3) was a winner by fall in 1:51 over Hononegah’s Kristian DeClercq (11-7).

126 – Bobby Ruscitti, Montini Catholic

Bobby Ruscitti made an impressive debut at the Dvorak by capturing the 126 title with a 4-1 decision over Hononegah senior Jackson Olson. The Montini Catholic junior, who is top-ranked at 126 in 3A and also won a title in his first tournament, the Dan Gable Donnybrook in Iowa, joined Erik Klichurov (113) as a champion and runners-up Allen Woo (120) and Mikey Malizzio (132) as finalists to go along with three other top-six placewinners for the third-place Broncos, who are coached by Mike Bukovsky, who’s led the program to eight state titles and was a 2020 IWCOA Lifetime Service Award Recipient. Ruscitti (14-0) and Klichurov (15-0) were two of the five champions who left the competition with unbeaten records. He earned his spot in the 126 title match with a 9-2 decision over Joliet Catholic Academy’s Lukas Foster in the semifinals.

“I’m super excited,” Ruscitti said. “We have a one-, two-, three-punch in the finals and that’s always great and we have Michael Malizzio in the finals, as well. We all complement each other very well and we’re a super tough team. If we just do what we do best, we should be very good. This year, I’m really focusing on my diet, really dialing in at practice and making sure I’m working on the positions I really need to work on. (Competing for Mike Bukovsky). He’s a great coach and everything about him is great. He helps me with my wrestling and helps me really focus on what I really need to do. It’s a great group. Everyone’s just helping each other get better at wrestling, and that’s what our goal is at Montini, getting each of us better at wrestling for the state series.” 

Olson (12-5), who’s ranked second to Ruscitti in 3A at 126, also took second place in his first tournament, which was at Marmion Academy. A fourth-place finisher in 3A at 120 last season, he joined champion Rocco Cassioppi (150) and runners-up Bruno Cassioppi (165) and Brody Sendele (175) as finalists for coach Tyler DeMoss’ Indians, who finished in sixth place. Olson got to the 126 title match after claiming a win by technical fall in 5:42 in the semifinals over Hersey’s Oleksandr Havrylkiv (16-4), who bounced back to claim third place with a 3-2 decision over Foster (12-3). In the fifth-place match, Loyola Academy’s Gavin Pardilla (19-5) claimed a 7-1 decision over Tuttle, OK’s Cooper Jackson (9-5). And for seventh place, Providence Catholic’s Max Mandac (15-6) won by fall in 5:53 over St. Charles East’s Kaden Potter (9-5). 

132 – Jason Hampton, Joliet Catholic Academy

Jason Hampton was able to compete in the Dvorak for the first time and the Joliet Catholic Academy senior made the most of the opportunity by claiming the title at 132 with a win by technical fall in 5:40 over Montini Catholic junior Mikey Malizzio. He improved to 15-1 by adding to a title win at Prospect and a second at the Dan Gable Donnybrook in Iowa. Hampton, who’s ranked second at 132 in 3A, is looking to cap his career with his first state title and become JCA’s sixth IHSA champ after taking third last season at 126 in 3A, falling 6-5 to Maine South’s Teddy Flores in the 3A 120 title match in 2024 and finishing fourth at 113 in 2A in 2023. He reached the 132 title match with another win by technical fall, this time in 5:31 over Tuttle, OK’s Chance Fisher. He was the lone champion and joined runner-up Adante Washington (138) as a finalist for the eighth-place Hilltoppers, who are coached by 2025 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Ryan Cumbee. Hampton was the only competitor to capture four wins by technical fall, tied Fremd’s Drew Fifield for most match points with 103 and ranked tenth in team points with 32.

“I’m excited,” Hampton said. “There’s big things coming from this team this year. (Competing for JCA) It’s a lot to live up to. I’m going to exceed the coach’s expectations, but it’s pretty hard when one of the alumni is a national champion. I got fourth place freshman year, second sophomore, and third last year. Yeah, one more to go. I’ve really worked on my setups and just staying in a better position. And then when I do get to the leg, just finishing cleaner and keeping the pace up. A lot of kids can’t keep the pace up, so as long as I keep my pace going, I’m untouchable. Coach (Ryan) Cumbee, he’s a great coach. He’s a character and there’s never a dull moment with him. And then coach (Ben) Gerdes is a great technician and he helped me a lot this offseason and coach Cumbee helps me with my mentality.”

Malizzio (13-4) finished in fifth place at the Dan Gable Donnybrook in his first tourney. Ranked third at 132 in 3A, he lost 2-0 on a tiebreaker to Washington Community’s Noah Woods in the IHSA 2A 120 title match last season and took third at 113 in 2A in 2024. He joined champions Erik Klichurov (113) and Bobby Ruscitti (126) and runner-up Allen Woo (120) as finalists for the third-place Broncos, who are coached by Mike Bukovsky, who was a Grand Marshal at the 2017 IHSA Finals. He advanced to the 132 finals with a 7-2 decision over Hickman, MO’s Hogan Benter in the semifinals. For third place, Fisher (13-2) won a 4-2 decision over Benter (12-4). In the fifth-place match, Lockport Township’s Isaac Zimmerman (17-7) got his tournament-high fifth pin in 0:17 over St. Charles East’s Declan Sons (11-7). And for seventh place, Marist’s Te’Jon Beals (16-5) won a 12-1 major decision over Providence Catholic’s Lucas Forsythe (11-8).

138 – Tommy Banas, Providence Catholic

Tommy Banas took fifth at 132 in the IHSA 2A Finals last season after placing sixth at 126 in 2024. Now the Providence Catholic junior looks to finish much higher on the awards stand in Champaign and he definitely made a good statement by winning the Dvorak title at 138 when he claimed a 5-4 decision over Joliet Catholic Academy junior Adante Washington. Banas (16-3), who’s top-ranked at 138 in 2A, also won a title at Joliet Central and took third at Barrington. He earned his spot on the 138 title mat by winning a 7-1 decision over Hickman, MO’s Brady McMurtry in the semifinals. Banas, who took third place at last year’s Dvorak, joined Justus Heeg (157) as a title winner and finalist as well as five others from his team who placed eighth or better for the fourth-place Celtics, who finished with 174 points, and are coached by 2022 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Donald Reynolds. He also took seventh in team points with 33.

“We were down for a while, but we brought it back up and we’re here to stay,” Banas said. “Honestly, I think we have the best coaches in the state. We have everybody, so it pushes us. 

(Competing in the Ironman) Yeah, it’s tough down there, for sure. But getting the best looks, getting those tough matches, seeing where I’m at and seeing what I need to work on, it’s good.

I’m always pushing myself to practice the hardest. Always looking for extra work, seeing what I need to work on after my losses and even after my wins, what I need to work on. I’m always trying to look into the future.”

Washington (15-3), who’s ranked fourth at 138 in 3A, won a title at Prospect and took fifth at the Dan Gable Donnybrook in Iowa in his other tournament competition. An IHSA qualifier in 2024, he joined champion Jason Hampton (132) as a finalist for the Hilltoppers, who finished eighth in their new tournament and are coached by 2025 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Ryan Cumbee. He earned his spot in the 138 finals with a 15-4 major decision over Marist’s Axel Rodriguez. For third, McMurtry (16-2) won a 14-1 major decision over IC Catholic Prep’s Jack Hanrahan (21-5). St. Charles East’s Liam Aye (15-5) claimed fifth place by medical forfeit over Rodriguez (19-4). And for seventh, Fremd’s Drew Fifield (19-5), who tied Jason Hampton for the most match points with 103, won a 17-4 major decision over Yorkville’s Nolan Chrisse (10-4).

144 – Jack Hogan, St. Rita of Cascia

Jack Hogan was disappointed with falling short of a medal at the IHSA 2A Finals last season after placing third at 106 in 2024 and an eighth-place finish at the Dvorak was also not what he had hoped for. As he heads into the 2026 portion of his senior season at St. Rita of Cascia as the top-ranked individual at 144 in 2A, he’s got his sights on not only winning a second state medal but also doing what his coach, Ryan Klinger, and eight others from the school have achieved, to be an IHSA champion. He improved to 18-1 after winning a 7-4 decision over Crystal Lake Central junior Nicholas Marchese in the 144 title match. This was his third title and fourth finals. He also took firsts at Addison Trail and Plano and a second at Joliet Central. The lone finalist for the Mustangs earned his spot in the 144 finals with a victory by technical fall in 4:22  over St. Charles East’s Gavin Woodmancy. He also ranked sixth in team points with 34.

“(Competing at St. Rita) It’s just a brotherhood,” Hogan said. “I mean, there’s so much culture within the school. It’s just once you’re in there and you’re bought in, you’re going to stay there all four years and you’re going to become a man. In the summer, I’m mostly focused on practice. I don’t compete too often. I competed probably more this summer, just one or two tournaments compared to zero last summer. I just worked on everything that I should have improved on during the season last year. And I feel like overall the biggest factor was jumping up weight classes. I was 120 last year and was cutting a bunch of weight. If you’re focused on that and not focused on getting better, then how are you supposed to improve? I’ve got a lot of good partners inside and outside of the school. A couple of my older brothers, college buddies, come in and practice with me, and that gets me better. I’ve got a lot of great partners inside the room, and Micah Spinazzola (both are from Peotone), I definitely feel like he should have placed higher. One of my goals I wanted to do was to be an undefeated state champ this year, but I took one loss in the (Joliet Central) McLaughlin Classic. You’ve just got to build from it.”

Marchese (19-3), who’s ranked second behind Hogan at 144 in 2A, was at Marian Central Catholic last season and was a 1A state qualifier. This was his second tournament of the season and he also took second at Barrington. He made quite an improvement from a year ago at the Dvorak, when he lost in the quarterfinals and failed to get a medal. He captured a 10-5 victory over IC Catholic Prep’s Frank Nitti in the 144 semifinals to become the lone finalist for coach Justen Lehr’s Tigers. Nitti (16-4) won 4-1 in sudden victory over Edwardsville’s Ryan Richie (19-2) to claim third place. Woodmancy (14-5) collected a win by technical fall in 1:50 over Yorkville’s Vincent Konecki (14-5) in the fifth-place match. For seventh place, Providence Catholic’s Luke Banas (15-7) recorded a fall in 1:04 over Hersey’s Nolan Variano (10-10), who had the largest seed-place difference in the event, placing eighth after being seeded 33rd.

150 – Rocco Cassioppi, Hononegah

Rocco Cassioppi made it three-for-three in Dvorak championship matches when the Hononegah junior captured the 150 title with a win by technical fall in 4:22 over Yorkville junior Donovan Rosauer. He also finished first at 126 in 2024 and won a title at 106 in 2023 in Harlem’s prestigious invite. Cassioppi (20-1), who is top-ranked at 150 in 3A, opened his season with a title win at Marmion Academy and then took third place at the Ironman in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where he suffered his lone loss. He won a 5-4 decision over Marist’s George Marinopoulos in the IHSA 3A Finals at 132 last season after falling 6-5 to Warren Township’s Caleb Noble in the 3A 106 title match in 2024. He was the lone champion and was joined by runner-ups Jackson Olson (126), Bruno Cassioppi (165) and Brody Sendele (175) as finalists for coach Tyler DeMoss’ Indians, who finished in sixth place. He tied St. Charles East’s Dom Munaretto, who won his fourth Dvorak championship, for eighth place for the most team points with 32.5.

“I feel pretty good but it’s hard seeing my teammates lose in the finals,” Cassioppi said. “It’s probably the saddest I’ve been after winning a tournament. There’s still a lot of work to be done, for sure, but I’m happy with the progress I’m making. I teched my way through the tournament here. It’s a lot about confidence in my own abilities and my attacks. That’s one thing that my brother’s struggling with right now, just being off the mat so long. Both Brody and Bruno, but once they get their confidence, they’re going to be just as good, probably better than me. I mean, they both whooped me in the room. I think it’s going to be more hard hand fighting, that’s the biggest thing I struggled with this weekend. I felt like I was getting popped, but now I realize that it’s just hard hand fighting and I’ve just got to get used to it. I’m used to 106 light hand fighting. Big difference. (Winning another Dvorak title) It’s really good for my confidence. Just reinforcing in my mind that I am the best, and I’ve just got to keep believing it.”

Rosauer (15-1), who’s ranked third at 150 in 3A, suffered his first loss of the season in the title match. This was also his initial tournament of the season and he hopes to improve upon a fourth-place finish at 150 at last season’s IHSA 3A Finals. He advanced to the 150 title match by claiming an 8-4 decision over Hickman, MO’s Shane Oswald in the semifinals. Rosauer was the lone finalist and one of three top-eight placewinners for coach Jake Oster’s Foxes, who took 11th place. Marist senior Tommy Fidler (21-3) finished in third place by winning a 7-2 decision over Tuttle, OK’s Rylend Slover (14-2). In the fifth-place match, Joliet West’s Coehn Weber (17-4) claimed a 14-5 major decision over Oswald (11-5). And St. Charles East’s Isaac Lenard (12-3) took seventh place by medical forfeit over IC Catholic Prep’s Jacob Alvarez (13-5). 

157 – Justus Heeg, Providence Catholic

Justus Heeg rolled to his third tournament title in four attempts by claiming top honors at 157 at the Dvorak with a 13-4 major decision over IC Catholic Prep sophomore Aiden Arnett.  He added to championships at Barrington and Joliet Central and advanced to a tourney finals for the fourth time, with his lone loss a 2-1 decision to Washington Community’s Wyatt Medlin in the 157 finals of the Ironman in Ohio. Heeg (19-1), who’s top-ranked at 157 in 2A, won the IHSA Class 2A title at 150 last season with a win by technical fall over Mascoutah’s Brock Ross after taking first place at 133 in Minnesota’s MSHSL Class 2A Finals in 2024 while competing for Simley as an eighth grader. One of the six champions who also won a Dvorak title in 2024, the sophomore earned his spot in the 157 title match with a victory by technical fall in 2:52 over Wauconda’s Brian Hart. Heeg led all competitors with 36.5 team points. He joined Tommy Banas (138) as a champion and finalist and was one of seven top-eight placewinners for the fourth-place Celtics, whose coach is Donald Reynolds, a 2022 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee.

“I’ve been feeling good, coming off a tough loss at Ironman, but got right back at it on Monday and came here and handled it,” Heeg said. “All of us guys in the room, we’re all pushing each other, so it’s good to see us all continue and do great in these tournaments. I’ve been spending time in the sauna, ice baths, keeping myself healthy, stretching, you know, going hard in practice when I need to and going light when I need to.” 

Arnett (16-4), who’s ranked second behind Heeg at 157, won a title at Washington Community and also took second at Barrington. He dropped a 1-0 decision to Washington Community’s Peyton Cox in the IHSA 2A Finals 144 title match last season. Arnett, who took third place in last year’s Dvorak, earned his spot in the 157 finals by capturing a 21-8 major decision over Marist’s Ethan Sonne. He joined champion Brody Kelly (175) and runners-up Foley Calcagno (215) and Anthony Sebastian (285) as one of four finalists and eight individuals who placed eighth or better for coach Danny Alcocer’s Knights, who were edged by Hickman, MO 231-225 for the title of the 46-team competition. For third place, Hickman, MO’s Taryn Nichols (16-2) prevailed 11-10 over Joliet Catholic Academy’s Nolan Vogel (17-3). Hart (20-5) claimed fifth place by medical forfeit over Sonne (13-2). And in the seventh-place match, Loyola Academy’s Daniel Malan (20-3) captured a 9-1 major decision over Lincoln-Way East’s Max Mularz (17-4).

165 – Jordan Fincher, Hickman, MO

Jordan Fincher was one of two individuals who won a Dvorak title as a member of a team that was new to the field this year. The senior from Hickman, which is in Columbia, Missouri, moved to 16-0 on the season after capturing a 3-1 decision over Hononegah junior Bruno Cassioppi in the 165 title match. He was the lone champion and joined runner-up Beau Waldron (190) as finalists and six others who placed eighth or better for coach Dan Pieper’s champion Kewpies, who took second in Class 4A behind perennial champion Liberty in the Missouri State High School Activities Association State Championships in Columbia last season. In the state finals, Fincher took fourth at 150 in 2025 and also placed third at 144 in 2024. He reached the 165 title match after getting a win by technical fall in 3:11 over Providence Catholic’s Jasper Harper. Fincher tied IC Catholic Prep’s Brody Kelly for third place for the most team points with 35.5.

“It does feel good,” Pieper said. “We didn’t know what to expect but we knew that this was going to be a grinder. It’s well recognized across the midwest as one of the toughest tournaments to get into and that’s why we wanted to get in here and see where we competed. Illinois wrestling is one of the toughest to compete against, so to come in here and do what these kids did today I can’t say enough about how much these kids love to compete and just want to get after the best kids that they can find at their weights. For us, we’re in mid-Missouri, and we’re a big school in mid-Missouri, so we have to travel, either to Kansas City or St. Louis. So if we’re going to get out, let’s get after some of these nationally-ranked schools and see how we can compete and see where we kind of hit. It helps us because we’re trying to chase Liberty in Missouri right now. They’re six-time.state champs at this point and we’re trying to knock them off if we can at any point but you know this is helping us to get battle-tested right here. I think that the culture that we build with this group and they’re competitors, they don’t care who you are and they don’t care where you’re ranked nationally. They want to test themselves against you. If we lose, we’re going to get right back at it and we’re going to try it again. They have short memories. We have some young kids and we’re still working on that. But most of them have short memories, and most of them just love to compete. As a coach, when you find a group of kids that just loves to compete, it makes life a lot of fun and a little bit easier sometimes.”

Cassioppi (15-4) fell just short of joining his brother Rocco (150) as a Dvorak champion. He was one one of four finalists for coach Tyler DeMoss’ Indians with Jackson Olson (126) and Brody Sendele (175) joining him as runners-up. Ranked third at 165 in 3A, this was his best tourney finish following a third at Marmion Academy and a fourth at the Ironman. He qualified for the IHSA 3A Finals last season but didn’t get a medal after placing third at 113 in 2024. He earned his spot in the 165 finals due to a forfeit by Montini Catholic’s Santino Tenuta. In the third-place match, Hersey’s Frank Tagoe (16-3) won a 12-3 major decision over Milton, WI’s Gage Gross (17-2). Harper (11-4) claimed fifth place by medical forfeit over Tenuta (7-2). For seventh, St. Rita of Cascia’s Micah Spinazzola (17-4) got a pin in 1:29 over Marist’’s Ronin Haran (17-6).

175 – Brody Kelly, IC Catholic Prep

Brody Kelly did all that he could to try to help his IC Catholic team get past newcomer Hickman, MO for the team championship at the Dvorak. He became his team’s lone title winner when he won a 10-3 decision over Hononegah junior Brody Sendele in the 175 finals. Kelly (22-1) finished tied for the third-best total of team points with 35.5, which was the same total as  Hickman’s only champion, Jordan Fincher (165). He joined runners-up Aiden Arnett (157), Foley Calcagno (215) and Anthony Sebastian (285) as finalists and four others who were top-eight finishers for coach Danny Alcocer’s Knights, who lost the title to the Kewpies, 231-225. Top-ranked at 175 in 2A, he added to title wins at Barrington and Washington Community and he suffered his lone defeat at the Ironman in Ohio where he took third. A three-time IHSA qualifier, he won the 2025 2A 175 title by technical fall over Geneseo’s Kye Weinzierl after falling 3-2 to Montini Catholic’s David Mayora in the 2024 2A 150 title match. He earned his spot in the 175 finals with a win by technical fall in 5:02 over Lincoln-Way Central’s Jalen Byrd.

“I think that we wrestled not the best as a team today or yesterday,” Kelly said, “I think a couple of us could have done better on the back side and we could have wrestled a little harder even on the front side not giving up easy scores and just kind of like fighting harder. I’ve been doing pretty good. I kind of have been proving myself and I think it was more like a mental thing. Actually, it was wrestling better and not getting in my head before matches, especially, like, big matches with good, ranked kids. So I kind of just changed my mentality and kind of just focused more on my offense instead of what they’re going to do and focused more on how I can score instead of stopping how they’re going to score. The team, we’re very close. We all hang out outside of wrestling, and we have a really good bond together. And I think that kind of helps us while we’re wrestling to be more supportive for each other and actually care about how other people are doing. And I think that’s really important on the team because if your teammates aren’t supporting you, you might wrestle worse. And if they’re there, you get more energy out of them, like cheering you on, and you’ll wrestle harder and probably better.”

Sendele (16-3) joined champion Rocco Cassioppi (150) and second-place finishers Jackson Olson (126) and Bruno Cassioppi (165) as finalists for coach Tyler DeMoss’ Indians, who took sixth place. Top-ranked in Class 3A at 175, he took first place at Marmion Academy in his only other tournament. He lost by technical fall to Marist’s Will Denny in the 3A 165 title match last season after finishing third in 3A at 157 in 2024. He advanced to the 175 title match with a 3-1 decision over Hickman, MO’s Luke Hayden, who won a Missouri Class 4 championship at 165 last season. Hayden (16-1) bounced back from that loss to capture third place with a fall in 1:06 over Byrd (18-3). For fifth place, Montini Catholic’s AJ Tack (9-3) claimed a 16-2 major decision over Lockport Township’s Chris Miller (12-6). And for seventh place, Moline’s DeAnthony Simpson (17-4) was a winner by fall in 3:10 over Wauconda’s Brody McKenna (21-5).

190 – Jimmy Mastny, Marian Central Catholic

Jimmy Mastny was used to being joined by many of his teammates both before and after he made his usual trip to the top of the awards stands at tournaments, as was evidenced by the fact that Marian Central Catholic won the IHSA 1A Dual Team title when he was a freshman and then fell to eventual champion Coal City and settled for third in 1A when he was a sophomore last season. But of the 19 team members that helped lead the Hurricanes to their only state title in 2023-2024, only three remain and the program now is in 2A. Mastny (22-1) was one of six individuals who won Dvorak titles in both 2024 and 2025 after he got a victory by technical fall in 3:38 over Hickman, MO junior Beau Waldron in the 190 finals. Top-ranked at 190 in 2A, the junior added to title wins at Marmion Academy and the Dan Gable Donnybrook in Iowa and his lone setback came in overtime in the semifinals of the Ironman in Ohio. He won by fall over Orion’s Maddux Anderson to take first in 1A at 190 last season and pinned Oakwood/ Salt Fork’s Bryson Capansky to claim first in 1A at 157 in 2024. He was the lone finalist for the Hurricanes, who are co-coached by Jordan Blanton and Ryan Prater. He earned his spot in the 190 finals with a 13-1 major decision over Fremd’s Lucas Nance following a 1-0 decision over Saint Viator’s Jaxon Penovich in the quarterfinals. He ranked fifth in most team points with 34.5. 

“I felt pretty good, “ Mastny said. “At the finals match, I got to my offense a lot more than most of the other matches, so I felt pretty good. (Competing in the Ironman) It was a good tournament. Obviously, the semifinals didn’t go the way I wanted to, but it’s nice to bounce back and take third. We’re still one of the top programs in the state, so it’s always nice to scrap with them.” 

Waldron (14-2) joined champion Jordan Fincher (165) as the two finalists for coach Dan Pieper’s Kewpies, who beat out IC Catholic Prep 231-225 to win the Dvorak in their first appearance, thanks in large part to having eight individuals who placed sixth or better. Waldron, who was a state runner-up at 175 last season, earned his spot in the 190 finals with a fall in 2:54 over Lincoln-Way Central’s Justin Langford. Penovich (19-3) is ranked second to Mastny at 190 in 2A and has won titles at Vernon Hills and Fenton and he beat Loyola Academy’s Quinn Herbert 13-5 for the 2024 IHSA 3A 190 title after placing fifth at 195 in 3A in 2023 while at Prospect. Penovich wrestled back to take third place after getting a win by technical fall in 5:49 over Nance (19-4). For fifth place, Notre Dame College Prep’s Jeramy Hamm (23-5) won by fall  in 1:33 over Langford (16-7). And in the seventh-place match, Lincoln-Way East’s Colton Zvonar (15-3) captured a victory by technical fall in 1:46 over Tuttle, OK’s Wyatt Whitener (12-6).

215 – Kai Calcutt, Loyola Academy

Kai Calcutt not only was one of six individuals who won Dvorak titles in both 2025 and 2024 after taking top honors at 215 but the senior also was one of two Loyola Academy competitors who claimed first-place in the competition, with sophomore Niko Odiotti kicking off the finals with a title win at 106. Calcutt improved to 21-2 after capturing a 19-6 major decision over IC Catholic Prep senior Foley Calcagno in the 215 title match. The two champions joined three others who placed in the top eight for the Ramblers, who are coached by Matt Collum, a 2023 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee. He is top-ranked at 215 in 3A and this was his fourth title in four attempts in Illinois tournaments, with his other championships at Addison Trail, Barrington and Neuqua Valley. He earned his spot in the finals by claiming an 8-2 decision over St. Charles East’s Cooper Murray. He’s his school’s only three-time IHSA medalist and its second state champion, with Massey Odiotti being the program’s first title winner in 2023. He’s appeared in three-straight dramatic IHSA 3A title matches, winning 3-1 by sudden victory over Marmion Academy’s Joseph Favia at 215 in 2024, falling 7-5 to Joliet Central’s Charles Walker at 215 last season and losing 3-2 on an ultimate tiebreaker to Yorkville’s Ben Alvarez at 220 in 2023.  

“A little adversity, especially coming from football,” Calcutt said. “A couple bangs on my body, but nothing I can’t fight through. It’s a mentality at the end of the day. I only get one time of this in my life, so I’ve got to make the best of it. It’s a great chapter for my season, it’s kind of the place where I’m at. Definitely room to get better, but I’m excited. (Coach Matt Collum) He’s a really laid-back coach, which I love. It’s kind of how I learn the best. He knows us inside out. He’s a great coach and he does good in the room. The last four years have been awesome. Great, different bonds and brotherhood, especially in wrestling, it’s fun.” 

Calcagno (16-4) joined champion Brody Kelly (175) and runners-up Aiden Arnett (157) and Anthony Sebastian (285) as finalists for coach Danny Alcocer’s Knights, who took second place to Hickman, MO by a 231-225 margin. Ranked third in 2A at 215, he earned his spot in the finals with a 4-0 decision over Saint Viator’s Wynn Philippi. He won a title at Washington Community and also took second at Barrington. He’s a three-time IHSA medalist, taking third at 215 last season, third at 190 in 2024 and sixth at 182 in 1A in 2023. For third place, Murray (15-3) captured a 4-0 decision over Edwardsville’s Roman Janek (14-3). In the fifth-place match, Lincoln-Way East’s Justin Powers (17-4) won by fall in 1:50 over Marist’s Tom O’Brien (15-7). And for seventh, Wheeling’s Eddie Juarez (16-3) pinned Harlem’s Chandler Jack (17-7) in 3:25.   

285 – Jonathan Rulo, Belleville East       

Jonathan Rulo made history for Belleville East last season when he became his program’s first IHSA champion, as well as its initial three-time medalist and two-time state finalist after winning the 3A title at 285 with a 7-2 decision over Round Lake’s William Cole. The senior hopes to repeat as a champion and become a four-time all-stater as he wraps up his wrestling career. He’s also been an all-stater and one of the state’s top prospects in football and the defensive lineman has committed to play at the University of Cincinnati. Rulo, who is 11-0, also lost 5-3 to Downers Grove North’s Ben Bielawski in the 2023 3A Finals at 285 and took third at 285 in 2024. Top-ranked at 285 in 3A, he’s now won three tournaments, taking first at Barrington to open the season and won the title at Granite City on Tuesday. He became one of six individuals who won a Dvorak title in both 2025 and 2024 after recording a fall in 0:43 over IC Catholic Prep junior Anthony Sebastian in the finals. Recipient of the Dvorak’s Outstanding Wrestler Award, he reached the 285 finals with a 7-2 decision over Montini Catholic’s Gavin Ericson. He ranked second in team points with 36 and was the lone medalist for coach Rashad Riley’s Lancers.

“Jonathan was quite ecstatic to wrestle in the Dvorak because it was a chance to build on his Barrington performance, which wasn’t great in his mind,” Lancers coach Rashad Riley said. “He was really hoping to wrestle (Jaylen) Torres of St. Francis but unfortunately he’s out with an injury. Tournament wise the plan was to make guys open up and score points which he did a good job of although, he’s a little upset he didn’t do more in that semifinal match against Montini’s Erikson, but now we got something to work towards. We got to see some ranked wrestlers and it was a great test for him coming into the second half of the season.”

Sebastian (14-4) joined champion Brody Kelly (175) and second-place finishers Aiden Arnett (157) and Foley Calcagno (215) as one of the four finalists for coach Danny Alcocer’s Knights, who took second after being outscored 231-225 by Hickman, MO to miss out on winning a second-straight Dvorak title. He earned his spot in the 285 title match by claiming a 4-0 decision over Saint Viator’s Wynn Philippi. Ranked third in 2A at 285, he took first place at Washington Community and also finished second to Rulo at Barrington. He earned his first all-state medal last season when he took fourth at 285. For third place, Lincoln-Way Central’s Aiden Hennings (22-2) won a 4-1 decision over Ericson (9-2). In the fifth-place match, Edwardsville’s Braylon Hill-Lomax (17-4) claimed a 4-3 decision over Philippi (19-7). And for seventh place, Notre Dame College Prep’s Sean Cook (18-4) won by fall in 1:34 over Moline’s Alijah Martin (14-9).

Final standings of Harlem’s Dvorak Wrestling Tournament

Hickman, MO 231, IC Catholic Prep 225, Montini Catholic 206, Providence Catholic 174, St. Charles East 163.5, Hononegah 151, Tuttle, OK 148, Joliet Catholic Academy 145.5, Marist 131, Loyola Academy 127.5, Yorkville 126, Edwardsville 122, Lincoln-Way Central 108.5, Lincoln-Way East 100, Lockport Township 87.5, Marian Central Catholic 85, St. Rita of Cascia 84.5, Joliet West 78.5, Normal Community 77, Glenbard North 75, Hersey 71.5, Notre Dame College Prep 71, Milton, WI 71, Belleville East 65, Fremd 63.5, Wauconda 63.5, Crystal Lake Central 61.5, Wheeling 60.5, Moline 60, Grayslake Central 53.5, Plainfield North 49.5, Bolingbrook 46.5, Buffalo Grove 45.5, Saint Viator 45.5, Freeport 44, Libertyville 44, Conant 39, Harlem 36, Huntley 35, Schaumburg 28, St. Francis 14, Jacobs 12, Belvidere 9, Dakota 6, Hoffman Estates 3.5, Belvidere North 0

Championship matches of Harlem’s Dvorak Wrestling Tournament

106 – Niko Odiotti (Loyola Academy) over Michael McNamara (Edwardsville), D 7-2

113 – Erik Klichurov (Montini Catholic) over Vince DeMarco (Grayslake Central), D 7-1

120 – Dom Munaretto (St. Charles East) over Allen Woo (Montini Catholic), MD 10-2

126 – Bobby Ruscitti (Montini Catholic) over Jackson Olson (Hononegah), D 4-1

132 – Jason Hampton (Joliet Catholic Academy) over Mikey Malizzio (Montini Catholic), TF 5:40

138 – Tommy Banas (Providence Catholic) over Adante Washington (Joliet Catholic Academy), D 5-4

144 – Jack Hogan (St. Rita of Cascia) over Nicholas Marchese (Crystal Lake Central), D 7-4

150 – Rocco Cassioppi (Hononegah) over Donovan Rosauer (Yorkville), TF 4:22

157 – Justus Heeg (Providence Catholic) over Aiden Arnett (IC Catholic Prep), MD 13-4

165 – Jordan Fincher (Hickman, MO) over Bruno Cassioppi (Hononegah), D 3-1

175 – Brody Kelly (IC Catholic Prep) over Brody Sendele (Hononegah), D 10-3

190 – Jimmy Mastny (Marian Central Catholic) over Beau Waldron (Hickman, MO), TF 3:38

215 – Kai Calcutt (Loyola Academy) over Foley Calcagno (IC Catholic Prep), MD 19-6

285 – Jonathan Rulo (Belleville East) over Anthony Sebastian (IC Catholic Prep), F 0:43

Third-place matches of Harlem’s Dvorak Wrestling Tournament

106 – Jackson Soney (Normal Community) over Treyden Diduch (Freeport), F 0:50

113 – Kolten Mueller (Milton, WI) over Dominic Marchack (Hickman, MO), D 12-6

120 – Ray Long (Notre Dame College Prep) over Maxwell Bradley (Tuttle, OK), D 14-8

126 – Oleksandr Havrylkiv (Hersey) over Lukas Foster (Joliet Catholic Academy), D 3-2

132 – Chance Fisher (Tuttle, OK) over Hogan Benter (Hickman, MO), D 4-2

138 – Brady McMurtry (Hickman, MO) over Jack Hanrahan (IC Catholic Prep), MD 14-1

144 – Frank Nitti (IC Catholic Prep) over Ryan Richie (Edwardsville), SV 4-1

150 – Tommy Fidler (Marist) over Rylend Slover (Tuttle, OK), D 7-2

157 – Taryn Nichols (Hickman, MO) over Nolan Vogel (Joliet Catholic Academy), D 11-10

165 – Frank Tagoe (Hersey) over Gage Gross (Milton, WI), MD 12-3

175 – Luke Hayden (Hickman, MO) over Jalen Byrd (Lincoln-Way Central), F 1:06

190 – Jaxon Penovich (Saint Viator) over Lucas Nance (Fremd), TF 5:49

215 – Cooper Murray (St. Charles East) over Roman Janek (Edwardsville), D 4-0

285 – Aiden Hennings (Lincoln-Way Central) over Gavin Ericson (Montini Catholic), D 4-1

By Mike Garofola for the IWCOA

70th Berman Holiday Tournament

Canton showed a field of 2A and 3A rivals that it belonged, with a terrific start-to-finish effort that gave the Little Giants their second tournament crown of the season, adding to its win at the Seneca Fighting Irish Invite in early December.

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to come here to compete against bigger schools, and I would say we did quite well today,” Canton coach Zach Crawford said.

“Our three individual champions, Dyllan Steele, Jacob Hardesty, and Connor Williams obviously wrestled well. They were very strong throughout the tournament.”

The Little Giants (7-3-0) won their own regional last year easily, then fell short in their class 1A dual-team sectional against Stanford Olympia, who would lose to eventual state champion Coal City in its dual-team state quarterfinal.

The Berman Holiday Classic is the longest -running boys wrestling tournament in the state, aside from the state tournament, and is named after Al and Sally Berman, two names synonymous with Palatine High School wrestling.

Al Berman began as the freshman coach at Palatine in 1969, moved on to the man in charge of the Junior Varsity through the 1989 sports season.

It was during this time that he met and married Sally, and together they worked what was then called the Palatine Holiday Wrestling Tournament.

The Bermans would work at a variety of tournaments in and around the area, while continuing to be the glue that held together the Pirates’ programs.

In 1993, the tournament was officially renamed the Berman Holiday Wrestling Classic. Al Berman was named to the IWCOA Hall of Fame in 2001, and two years later, the Berman’s were inducted into the Palatine High School Hall of Fame in honor of a lifetime of contributions to the community.

Final Team Standings

Canton 179.5, Palatine 167.5, Lake Zurich 145.0, Stevenson 138.5, Zion-Benton 136.0, Oswego East 93.5, Buffalo Grove 88.5, St. Ignatius 80.0, Rolling Meadows 71.0, Lane Tech 69.5, Leyden 66.5, Metea Valley 62.0, St. Viator 45.5, Grayslake North 40.0, Bremen 25.0, Hillcrest 23.5.

1st: Canton (179.5)

The 200 mile-plus trip to Palatine would be an enjoyable one for individual champions: Dyllan Steele (120, 17-0), Jacob Hardesty (132, 16-1) and heavyweight Connor Williams (16-0) all found in the state’s top 10, but it always takes support from others in order to have the chance to lift the team championship trophy.

Maddux Steele (126, 15-2), Alex Carrier (157) and Daniel Kees (165, 13-5) were all deserving of their second place medals, with Jireh Hodges (138) and Grady Smith (150) third overall. Dean Bruketta would pitch in with his fourth place finish at 113.
“We got ourselves a good experience against guys we will never see, and the hope is this trip here will help us going forward, and the goal is to see if all comes together for us in the postseason,” Crawford said.

2nd Palatine (167.5)

The host Pirates, and its head coach Tulga Zuunbayan, who would star at Wheeling, then Rolling Meadows, earning three trips downstate, would in second all throughout the day to earn the runners-up trophy.

“I thought we wrestled pretty well as a team, and especially (Dunamis) Philip at (13) and Karl Bep at (65) who were both champions here at home,” said Zuunbayan, who would finish up his prep career with a 142-16 overall record before going on to win a National Junior College championship while at nearby Harper College.

“My defense today was really good, especially in my final because it was so high scoring (18-11) – but I give all the credit to Jesus, who is so important in my life,” said the freshman Philip, who is now 10-2.

“Dunamis is a shy young man, but his faith is very strong,” said Zuunbayan.

“As far as (Bep) he’s the leader in our room, a four-year guy, whose energy, and personality is something we all appreciate,” echoed Zuunbayan, and Pirates long-time assistant Chris Winters, who was head coach (2019-2020) in between Jeff Keske, now head coach at Fremd, and Javier Rivera, whom Zuunbayan took over for last season.

The Pirates, ninth here a year ago, would also receive second place medals from: Aidan Noe (106) and Ilya Pilshchikov (10-2) at 215, with teammate Daniel Derevlyak third at 157.

Joel Aragon (120) and Jacari Turner (285) were fourth, and Miguel Allende (144) and Josiah Carrillo (150) fifth.

3rd: Lake Zurich (145.0)

The Bears are in a steady rebuilding project under head coach Mike Buhr, who watched his best man, Rocco DiCanio (22-3) overwhelm the competition at 215 to give the Bears its lone title on the day.

“Rocco is just a great leader, who gets better each time out, and the perfect guy to lead a really young group that we have,” said Buhr, of his sophomore who was fifth at Barrington at the start of the season.

Evan Honegger earned second place honors at 138, Ivan Pantoja (190) third, Jonathan Diaz fourth at 126, with the foursome of: Joey Pacini (113), Cole Wojtalewicz (120, 4 pins), Edgar Bonilla (157) and Filip Kawalec (165) all grabbing fifth place medals.

The Bears were in fifth place on the leaderboard just after the lunch break, but it would be its eight medal day that helped them squeeze past NSC rival Stevenson by one-half point, and into third place.

Additional champions:

Jeremiah Arroyo-McMullan (106, Lane), Mykola Shamray (126, Buffalo Grove), 

Dylan Solesky (138, Zion-Benton), Colton Huff (144, St. Ignatius), William Guziec 

(150, Stevenson), Anthony Malone (157, Zioń-Benton), Josh Rappa (175, Rolling Meadows), John Rappa (190, Rolling Meadows), 

Additional runners-up:

Danny Huerta (113, Leyden), Braden Sroka (120, Zioń-Benton), Malachi Turner (132, Bremen), Kingsley Chen (144, Stevenson), Noah Snów (150, Oswego East),

Dominic Ganir (175, Leyen), Eduardo Albarran (190, Zion-Benton), David Williams (285, Grayslake North).

Buffalo Grove sophomore Mykola Shamray (14-1) would be named O.W. after his championship performance at 126 pounds.

The unbeatens (minimum 10 matches wrestled)
Canton’s Dyllan Steele (17-0 at 120), Buffalo Grove’s Mykola Shamray (13-1 at 126), Rolling Meadows’ John Rappa (13-0 at 190), Canton’s Connor Williams (16-0 at 285)

The once-beatens (minimum 10 matches)
Lane’s Jeremiah Arroyo-McMullan (22-1 at 106), Canton’s Jacob Hardesty (16-1 at 132), St. Ignatius’ Colton Huff (16-1 at 144), Rolling Meadows’ Josh Rappa (11-1 at 175)

Statistics
Lake Zurich posted the most pins in the least time, with 16 in 36:11, while Rolling Meadows had the most tech falls in the least time, with four techs in 9:58. Stevenson scored the most total match points with 298, followed by Palatine with 287.

Individually, Lake Zurich’s Cole Wojtalewicz finished with the most pins in the least time, with four falls in 7:30. Metea Valley’s Lucas Marcoux had the most tech falls in the least time, with three techs in 13:25. Marcoux also scored the most total match points in the tournament with 65. St. Ignatius’ Colton Huff and Lane’s Jeremiah Arroyo-McMullan tied for the fastest pin, at 25 seconds. Rolling Meadows’ John Rappa posted the fastest tech fall, at 1:04.

Zion Benton’s Anthony Malone and Lake Zurich’s Rocc DiCanio tied for the most team points scored with 28, and Metea Valley’s Adam Loos had the most single-match points with 25.

Buffalo Grove’s Christiano Marogy provided the largest seed-place difference, as the No. 16 seed placed sixth at 215.

Championship match results:

106- Jeremiah Arroyo-McMullan (Lane) d. Aidan Noe (Palatine) (TF 1:59, 19-4).

113- Dunamis Philip (Palatine) d. Danny Huerta (Leyden) (MD 22-11).

120- Dyllan Steele (Canton) d. Braden Sroka (Zioń-Benton) (MD 9-0).

126- Mykola Shamray (Buffalo Grove) d. Maddux Steele (Canton) (D 6-0).

132- Jacob Hardesty (Canton) d. Malachi Turner (Bremen) (TF 3:40, 21-5).

138- Dylan Solesky (Zion-Benton) d. Evan Honegger (Lake Zurich) (MD 13-1).

144- Colton Huff (St. Ignatius) d. Kingsley Chen (Stevenson) (TF 5:09, 15-0).

150- William Guziec (Stevenson) d. Noah Snów (Oswego East) (D 4-3).

157- Anthony Malone (Zion-Benton) d. Alex Carrier (Canton) (D 10-6).

165- Karl Bep (Palatine) d. Daniel Kees (Canton) (TF 2:58, 21-5).

175- Josh Rappa (Rolling Meadows) d. Dominic Ganir (Leyden) (TF 3:06, 16-0).

190- John Rappa (Rolling Meadows) d. Eduardo Albarran (Zion-Benton) (MD 16-2).

215- Rocco DiCanio (Lake Zurich) d. Ilya Pilshchikov (Palatine) (F 2:20).

285- Connor Williams (Canton) d. David Williams (Grayslake North) (D 4-2).

Third-place match results:

106- Thomas Emery (St. Viator) d. Aidan Noe (Palatine) (TF 1:59, 19-4).

113- Jayden Garcia (Rolling Meadows) d. Dean Brunette (Canton) (TF 3:23, 18-3).

120- Evan Mishels (Stevenson) d. Joel Aragon (Palatine) (TF 2:33, 16-1).

126- Alex Villanueva (St. Ignatius) d. Jonathan Diaz (Lake Zurich) (MD 13-4).

132- Colin McCann (St. Ignatius) d. Joaquin Salameda (Lane) (F 3:16).

138- Jireh Hughes (Canton) d. Angel Santana (Lane) (F 1:53).

144- Marcus Smith (Oswego East) d. Daniel Chacia (St. Viator) (F 3:19).

150- Grady Smith (Canton) d. Gage Tate (Zion-Benton) (F 4:48).

157- Daniel Derevlyak (Palatine) d. Johnny Khurshedov (Buffalo Grove) (INJ).

165- Payton McNabb (Zion-Benton) d. Larry Watson (Hillcrest) (D 2-1).

175- Sonny Tugs (Buffalo Grove) d. Carpel Herry (Zion-Benton) (4-3).

190- Ivan Pantoja (Lake Zurich) d. Tului Hurelbaatar (Stevenson) (INJ).

215- Melson Ngassa (St. Ignatius) d. Jovan Cerny (Oswego East) (INJ).

285- Dave Reardon (St. Ignatius) d. Jacari Travis (Palatine) (F 0:59).

Steve Eckert Holiday Wrestling Classic

Naperville North made it two tournament titles in a row, winning Morton’s 18-team Steve Eckert Classic just one week after winning the team title at West Chicago.
Naperville North coach Tom Champion sent five to the title mat, getting individual titles from Michael Arrendondo (132) and Tavfik Ibragimov (215) to lead the Huskies to a 190-152.5 final cushion over second-place Maine West. Bolingbrook (144.5) placed third, followed by host Morton (143.5) and Riverside-Brookfield (135.5) to round out the top five.

1st- Naperville North (190)
In addition to titles from unbeaten Arrendondo (21-0) and unbeaten No. 4 Ibragimov (21-0), North got runner-up finishes from Max Venecia (144), Kai Balice (150), and JT Hill (190), thirds from Cam Krueger (106) and Jaden Milner (165), a fifth from Hank Burresh (113), and sixths from Antonis Rasoulis (120) and Kienan Rubald (175).

2nd-Maine West (152.5)
Maine West coach Demetrios Vrettos got a third-place finish from Lucas Masek (285), fourths from Lincoln Curley (106), Hafid Alicea (144), Louis Avalos (150), and Nathan Dorado (190), fifths from Adrian Trejo (126), Joshua Villacis (138), and Marcel Debski (215), and sixths from Tyson Dorado (113) and Ben Crumlish (132).

3rd- Bolingbrook (144.5)
A pair of individual champs in Elijah Flowers (144) and Geno Vargas (165) led the way for Raiders coach Dylan Burnoski, who also got a second from Nate Zeffield (285), and fourths from Jeremiah Starks (138), Diego Segura (157) and Logan Sogavo (175).

Team scores
Naperville North 190, Maine West 152.5, Bolingbrook 144.5, JS Morton 143.5, Riverside-Brookfield 135.5, Burlington Central 121.5, Fenwick  120.5, St. Laurence 106, Stagg 98, Shepard 94.5, Montini 91, Nazareth Academy 86, Little Village 76, Maine East 65.5, Hancock 48.5, Argo 30.5, Ridgewood 25.5, Phoenix Military Academy 7

Additional champions
106 Angelo Alcantar (Morton), 113 Liam Kissane (St. Laurence), 120 Eduardo Vences (Central), 126 Alek Ramos (Nazareth), 138 Tony Lombardo (R-B), 150 Brandon Leech (Shepard), 157 Samer Suleiman (Stagg), 175 Santiago Moya (Morton), 190 Matthew Zalinski (St. Laurence), 285 Ruben Tello (Little Village)

Additional runners-up
106 Riley Cavaliere (R-B), 113 Tristan Rodriguez (Morton), 120 Rich Gulli (Nazareth), 126 Harrison Brown (Fenwick), 132 Adrian Pintado (St. Laurence), 138 Will Howenstein (Montini), 157 Ronald Perez (Central), 165 Joey Massey (Shepard), 175 Malaki Davis (Hancock), 215 Xavier Bitner (St. Laurence)

The unbeatens (minimum 10 matches)
Nazareth’s Alek Ramos (17-0 at 126), Naperville North’s Michael Arrendondo (21-0 at 132), Naperville North’s Tavfik Ibragimov (21-0 at 215)

Statistics
Maine West finished with the most pins in the tournament with 23, followed by Naperville North’s 21 pins. Montini had the most tech falls with six, followed by Shepard with five. Fenwick scored the most total match points with 320, followed by Bolingbrook with 306.

Individually, Bolingbrook’s Diego Segura had the most pins in the least time, with four falls in 8:47, and Maine East’s Mustafa Al-Temeeni had the fastest fall at 8 seconds. Nazareth Academy’s Alek Ramos had most tech falls in the least time, with three in 13:15.

Shepard’s Brandon Leech scored the most team points with 29, and the most single-match points with 25. The largest seed-place difference came from Stagg’s Samer Suleiman, who was seeded 16th and won the title at 157 pounds.

Championship match results
106-Angelo Alcantar (Morton) MD 15-5 Riley Cavaliere (R-B)
113-Liam Kissane (St. Laurence) TF 4:00 Tristan Rodriguez (Morton)
120-Eduardo Vences (Central) F 1:47 Rich Gulli (Nazareth)
126-Alek Ramos (Nazareth) TF 4:44 Harrison Brown (Fenwick)
132-Michael Arrendondo (Naperville N) F 2:34 Adrian Pintado (St. Laurence)
138-Tony Lombardo (R-B) D 12-6 Will Howenstein (Montini)
144-Elijah Flowers (Bolingbrook) F 2:19 Max Venecia (Naperville N)
150-Brandon Leech (Shepard) TF 6:00 Kai Balice (Naperville N)
157-Samer Suleiman (Stagg) D 3-1 Ronald Perez (Central)
165-Geno Vargas (Bolingbrook) MD 15-6 Joey Massey (Shepard)
175-Santiago Moya (Morton) D 8-4 Malakai Davis (Hancock)
190-Matthew Zalinski (St. Laurence) D 6-5 JT Hill (Naperville N)
215-Tavfik Ibragimov (Naperville N) D 8-3, Xavier Bitner (St. Laurence)
285-Ruben Tello (Little Village) F 1:13 Nate Zeffield (Bolingbrook)

Third-place match results
106-Cam Krueger (Naperville N) MD 15-3 Lincoln Curley (Maine W)
113-Maurizio Campana (Fenwick) D 7-4 Emilio Fortiz (Nazareth)
120-Javier Corral (Stagg) D 5-0 Benito Chavez (Little Village)
126-Cade Vazquez (Montini) D 13-11 Nicolas Jaramillo (Morton)
132-Izaiah Gonzalez (R-B) TF 2:00 Joaquin Fortiz (Nazareth)
138-Mohamad Khater (Ridgewood) MD 11-3 Jeremiah Starks (Bolingbrook)
144-Joel Waggoner (Montini) MD 12-2 Hafid Alicea (Maine W)
150-Burke Burns (Fenwick) TF 4:37 Louis Avalos (Maine W)
157-Will Konder (Montini) D 4-2 Diego Segura (Bolingbrook)
165-Jaden Milner (Naperville N) F 2:59 Brayden Driscoll (Stagg)
175-Nick O’Connor (R-B) F 5:03 Logan Sogavo (Bolingbrook)
190-Gerald Evans (R-B) F 2:32 Nathan Dorado (Maine W)
215-Michael Junitz (Central) MD 14-4 Zikorno Mbewe (Fenwick)
285-Lucas Masek (Maine W) D 7-3 Daniel Cisneros (Maine E)


Glenbard South Varsity Tournament
Host Glenbard South ruled the roost at its 15-team tournament Saturday for the second straight year, winning 200.5-182.5 over second-place East Aurora. Leyden (161) was third followed by St. Francis (154) and Northridge Prep (123) to round out the top five.
Glenbard South got individual titles from Jin Tai (150) and Dallin Ames (175) to lead the Raiders.
“Jin is a returning state qualifier with goals of making it on the podium,” Glenbard South coach Kenny Paoli. “He recorded three wins on the day, two by tech fall and a pin in the finals. Dallin is an up-and-coming sophomore whose strength and athleticism make him dangerous on the mat. He recorded three wins in the tournament, all of them coming by pin.”

1st- Glenbard South (200.5)
In addition to individual titles from Tai and Ames, coach Kenny Paoli got seconds from Logan Murphy (113), Ruben Kasman (157) and Anthony Kinney (165), fourths from Max Klaus (120), Aiden Munoz (132) and Kurt Lewandowski (144), fifths from Rocco Marcantonio (126) and Griffin Pawelski (138), and a sixth from Lucas Benning (106).
“We are a fairly young team with seven underclassmen in the varsity lineup but we are filling a varsity lineup for the first time in a long time at Glenbard South,” Paoli said. “The team is currently 7-3 and our goal is to win a regional championship this year, something that has never been done in school history.”

2nd- East Aurora (182.5)
East Aurora coach Frank Davison got runner-up finishes from Benjamin Hinton (106) and Zaid Lupian (138), plus thirds from Jorge Farias (157) and Kevin Sanchez (165), a fourth from Emmanuel Diaz (190), fifths from Alejandro Camarillo (113) and Roman Cepeda (215), and sixths from Salvador Rodriguez (132), Jose Guzman (144), Alexander Chaves (150) and Josias Garcia (175).

3rd- Leyden (161)
Danny Huerta (113) and Erick Worwa (190) won individual titles for coach John Kading, and the Eagles got thirds from Dominic Ganir (175) and Zachary Jaffray (215), fourths from Xiavier Herrera (157) and Alexander Aguinaga (285), fifths from Eli Uribe (150) and Jason Castro (165), and a sixth from Zabiel Lagunas (138).

Team scores

Glenbard South 200.5, East Aurora 182.5, Leyden 161, St. Francis 154, Northridge Prep 123, Kelly 111.5, Elgin 98, Highland Park 80.5, Noble/ITW Speer 76, Goode STEM Academy 61, Horizon/Southwest Chicago 55.5, Harvest Christian 48.5, Waukegan 47, Westmont 42.5, Lindblom 34.5

Additional champions
106 Ira Medina (Waukegan), 120 Patrick Manio (Northridge), 126 Brian Martinez (Highland Park), 132 Brennan O’Donnell (Harvest Christian), 138 Paul Coco (St. Francis), 144 Jayden Veal (Good/STEM Academy), 157 Emilio Guzman (Elgin), 165 Chase Siguenza (St. Francis), 215 Victor Juarez (Elgin), 285 Rafael Castrejon-Tello (Westmont)

Additional runners-up
106 Benjamin Hinton (East Aurora), 120 Santino Pignatelli (St. Francis), 126 Andrew Chirinos (Waukegan), 132 Patrick Kopecky (Northridge), 144 Max Mulhearn (Harvest Christian), 150 Javier Rodriguez (Northridge), 175 James Reitman (St. Francis), 190 Samel Marrero (Horizon/SW Chicago), 215 Nick Belcore (Northridge)

The unbeatens (10-match minimum)
Goode/STEM Academy’s Jayden Veal (14-0 at 144)

The once-beaten (10-match minimum)
Glenbard South’s Jin Tai (19-1 at 150)

Statistics
Leyden led all teams present with 23 pins, followed by East Aurora with 21. Glenbard South had the most tech falls in the least time with five in 10:18, followed by East Aurora with five at 16:34. East Aurora and Leyden finished tied for the most total match points with 315, followed by Glenbard South with 313.
Individually, Kelly’s Leovardo Juarez had the most pins in the least time, with four falls in 6:36, while Noble/ITW Speer’s Adrian Ortiz had the fastest fall in 15 seconds. Glenbard South’s Jin Tai had the most tech falls in the least time, with two in 3:04, and the fastest tech fall in 1:04.
Highland Park’s Brian Martinez and Leyden’s Danny Huerta tied for the most team points scored with 29.5, and there was a three-way tie for the most single-match points at 29 between Waukegan’s Ira Medina, and Leyden’s Danny Huerta and Dominic Ganir. Leyden’s Zabiel Lagunas finished with the most total match points with 70.

Championship match results
106-Ira Medina (Waukegan) TF 4:29 Benjamin Hinton (E Aurora)
113-Danny Huerta (Leyden) F 5:39 Logan Murphy (Glenbard S)
120-Patrick Manio (Northridge) F 1:11 Santino Pignatelli (St. Francis)
126-Brian Martinez (Highland Park) F 4:47 Andrew Chirinos (Waukegan)
132-Brennan O’Donnell (Harvest Ch) TF 2:56 Patrick Kopecky (Northridge)
138-Paul Coco (St. Francis) TF 3:02 Zaid Lupian (E Aurora)
144-Jayden Veal (Goode/STEM) F 5:35 Max Mulhearn (Harvest Ch)
150-Jin Tai (Glenbard S) F 2:52 Javier Rodriguez (Northridge)
157-Emilio Guzman (Elgin) MD 14-1 Ruben Kasman (Glenbard S)
165-Chase Siguenza (St. Francis) D 6-1 Anthony Kinney (Glenbard S)
175-Dallin Ames (Glenbard S) F 2:48 James Reitman (St. Francis)
190-Erick Worwa (Leyden) D 5-3 Samel Marrero (Horizon/SW Chicago)
215-Victor Juarez (Elgin) F 3:48 Nick Belcore (Northridge)
285-Rafael Castrejon-Tello (Westmont) F 1:26 Christopher Johnson (E Aurora)

Third-place match results
106-Jonathan Mendoza-Rodriguez (Lindblom) D 7-0 Jayden Robles (Kelly)
113-Christopher Gaytan (Kelly) D 14-7 Ithan Payne (Lindblom)
120-Adrian Ortiz (Noble/ITW Speer) TF 4:09 Max Klaus (Glenbard S)
126-Arden Baglaev (Westmont) TF 4:49 Isaah Montes (Kelly)
132-Leon Stille (Highland Park) D 8-6 Aiden Munoz (Glenbard S)
138-Alontae Lorek (Horizon/SW Chicago) TF 1:58 Isaiah Poole (Goode/STEM)
144-Leovardo Juarez (Kelly) TF 4:19 Kurt Lewandowski (Glenbard S)
150-Jayden Corchado (Highland Park) F 3:05 Lev Svoboda (St. Francis)
157-Jorge Farias (E Aurora) TF 3:54 Xiavier Herrera (Leyden)
165-Kevin Sanchez (E Aurora) F 1:23 Amir Carruthers (Horizon/SW Chicago)
175-Dominic Ganir (Leyden) F 3:00 Josiah Turner (Elgin)
190-Kylexy Sosa (Elgin) fft. Emmanuel Diaz (E Aurora)
215-Zachary Jaffray (Leyden) F 0:25 Yovany Amaya (Noble/ITW Speer)
285-Thomas Suter (Northridge) F 5:21 Alexander Aguinaga (Leyden)

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

Jacksonville Crimsons Girls Invitational

Belleville West was at it again on Saturday.

One week after winning the team title at the 33-team Joe Bee Memorial tournament, coach Mech Spraggins’ girls entered a field of 42 teams at Jacksonville’s Crimsons Girls Invite and again walked away with the top prize.

The Maroons won 146.5-137 over Collinsville in a hard-fought battle in Jacksonville. Triad (129.5) placed third, followed by Mahomet-Seymour (96) and Westville (92) to round out the top five.

Belleville West got a title from unbeaten Brooke Stellhorn (15-0 at 190), her third tournament win this season, to lead the Knights’ stable of eight girls finishing in the top six of their weight classes.
And none were any more pivotal than sophomore Dasonni Greene.

“Dasonni Greene is my third string 170-pounder who I asked to step up while my other 170-pounders were out for personal reasons,” Spraggins said. “Warming up before the tournament,  I kinda go around to each girl and see how they feel and joke about what time they went to bed. I stopped at Dasonni and said “it’s on you to pick up the slack.”

“That she did, as she would be a deciding factor on winning our first Jacksonville tournament.”
Dasonni’s third-place finish helped key the team win — which the Belleville West girls weren’t even aware of until after they’d loaded up the team bus and left Jacksonville.

At tournament’s end, Collinsville was given the team title. But as Belleville West was on the highway home, an astute look at the results by a dedicated member of the program turned things around.
“Sarah Pacha is a Trackwrestling statistician and our dietician/team mom and everything else that I can’t handle on the team,” Spraggins said. “She discovered Dasonni’s points hadn’t been factored in. I immediately had her contact Jacksonville’s tournament director Josh Stuart who acted promptly, seeing there was an issue and immediately looked into the scoring. He straightened the problem out immediately, which actually gave us the edge over Collinsville for first place.”

1st- Belleville West (146.5)

In addition to Stellhorn’s individual title, Spraggins also got a second-place finish from Riley Weems (110), a third from Dasonni Greene (170), a fourth from Ja’yla Hurst (135), fifths from Alyssa Hardt (140) and Andre’a Kirkpatrick (235), and sixths from Haylee Hooks (115) and Moriah Lampley (155).

2nd- Collinsville (137)
Coach Adam Gillespie got individual titles from Londyn Long (120) and Leann Cory (145), a second from Addyson Bailey (140), and fifths from Ivana Torres (110) and Emma Ford (120).

3rd- Triad (129.5)
Makenna Steele (135) and Kaitlin Wood (155) won titles for the Knights, who also got a fifth-place finish from Terryiah Lamb-Carraway (170) and sixths from Daisy Smith (120), Imani Hawkins (130) and Beckah Burrelsman (235).

Team scores
Belleville West 146.5, Collinsville 137, Triad 129.5, Mahomet-Seymour 96, Westville 92, Glenwood 86, Jacksonville 83, East Peoria 82.5, Urbana 81.5, Mascoutah 68, Carbondale 52, Unity 52, Charleston 46, Rantoul 46, Vandalia 44, ROWVA 41, Normal West 38, Canton 34, El Paso-Gridley 34, Decatur Eisenhower 33, Macomb 32, Peoria Notre Dame 32, Alton 29, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher 29, Mt. Zion 27.5, Centennial 27, Illinois Valley Central 27, Mt. Vernon 26, Olympia 24.5, Beardstown 23, O’Fallon 23, North Mac 19, Hillsboro 17, Morton 17, Farmington 16.5, Highland 16, Rochester 16, Clinton 13, Heyworth 11, Taylorville 10.5, Jerseyville 7

Additional champions
100 Kadi Wilbern (Glenwood), 105 Shayla Garner (Mascoutah), 110 Leena Cavender (Jacksonville), 115 Kiana Mayne (El Paso-Gridley), 120 Morgan Krone-Smallhorn (Charleston), 130 Sydney Cannon (Mt. Zion), 140 Rickasia Ivy (Urbana), 170 Jaycee Weitekamp (Mahomet-Seymour), 235 Phoenix Molina (Unity)

Additional runners-up
100 Jasmine Johnson (Rantoul), 105 Jhayla Lawson (Mascoutah), 115 Kiley Knight (Westville, 120 Kathleen Loyola (Carbondale), 125 Aryanna Jones (Alton), 130 Ava Beldo (Unity), 135 Kyah Kaonohi (East Peoria), 145 Kyla Ford (Carbondale), 155 Dezyrae Murray (East Peoria), 170 Brynn Swyers (Vandalia), 190 Addison Briggs (Westville), 235 Lillian Disanto (Urbana)

The unbeatens (10-match minimum)
Mt. Zion’s Sydney Cannon (13-0 at 130), Urbana’s Rickasia  Ivy (19-1 at 140), Belleville West’s Brooke Shellhorn (15-0 at 190)

The once-beatens (10-match minimum)
Triad’s Makenna Steele (13-1 at 135)

Championship match results
100-Kadi Wilbern (Glenwood) F 1:39 Jasmine Johnson (Rantoul)
105-Shayla Garner (Mascoutah) F 2:34 Jhayla Lawson (Mascoutah)
110-Leena Cavender (Jacksonville) D 6-1 Riley Weems (Belleville W)
115-Kiana Mayne (El Paso-G) F 1:10 Kiley Knight (Westville)
120-Morgan Krone-Smallhorn (Charleston) TF 4:28 Kathleen Loyola (Carbondale)
125-Londyn Long (Collinsville) F 5:10 Aryanna Jones (Alton)
130-Sydney Cannon (Mt. Zion) F 1:40 Ava Beldo (Unity)
135-Makenna Steele (Triad) F 1:21 Kyah Kaonohi (E Peoria)
140-Rickasia Ivy (Urbana) F 2:00 Addyson Bailey (Collinsville)
145-Leann Cory (Collinsville) F 1:28 Kyla Ford (Carbondale)
155-Kaitlin Wood (Triad) F 0:51 Dezyrae Murray (E Peoria)
170-Jaycee Weitekamp (Mahomet-S) F 2:48 Brynn Swyers (Vandalia)
190-Brooke Stellhorn (Belleville W) F 2:40 Addison Briggs (Westville)
235-Phoenix Molina (Unity) F 3:18 Lillian Disanto (Urbana)

Third-place results
100-Chloe Collins (Olympia) F 1:24 Elizabeth Austin (Morton)
105-Madilyn Becker (Mahomet-S) fft. Sandy Clark (Clinton)
110-Annalee Haschemeyer (Canton) F 4:38 Jaylynn Elmore (ROWVA)
115-Kaitlyn Knight (Jacksonville) fft. Asher Ronan (North Mac)
120-Lucie Eisenbarth (Rochester) D 5-2 Lilyana Malagon (Illinois Valley C)
125-Zoey Nelson (Mascoutah) F 1:58 Maryn Tarver (Hillsboro)
130-Daisy Gil (Beardstown) F 2:50 Laney Cook (Westville)
135-Sammy Baker (Notre Dame) D 6-5 Ja’yla Hurst (Belleville W)
140-Elsie Dozier (Glenwood) F 3:40 Makenna Roedl (Westville)
145-McKenzie Miller (GCMS/F) F 1:14 Dru Hyde (Macomb)
155-Arian Sabu (Normal W) F 0:46 Zaniah Manuel (Eisenhower)
170-Dasonni Greene (Belleville W) F 3:16 Mallory Feldhaus (E Peoria)
190-Avery Lundgren (Macomb) F 2:27 Patience Riggs (ROWVA)
235-Olivia Rosine (Charleston) TF 6:00 Madeleine Cooley (Jacksonville)

Bradley-Bourbonnais’ Boilermaker Battler

Triad conquered the field at this year’s 23-team Bradley-Bouronnais Boilermaker Battler, winning 163-140 over second-place host Bradley-Bourbonnais. Lane (139.5) placed third followed by Plainfield South (131) and South Elgin (121) to round out the top five.

Four Triad girls reached the finals for coach Lucas Bernal, and eight total girls finished in the top six of their weight classes.

“I thought our ladies stepped up and made a statement with grit and determination,” Bernal said. “We are traveling more this season to seek out more competition. We knew coming in there were going to be some tough teams.

“We put four girls in the finals with our team captain Cloe Graumenz leading the way

  The rest of our ladies battled and sealed the team race for us.”
The Knights added a team title to a growing resume this season. They also placed second at Granite City’s 29-team tournament on Dec. 5, and a third-place finish at Jacksonville’s 42-team Crimsons invitational.

“Triad girls wrestling is having our best season yet,” Bernal said. “Sophomore Makena Steele has made the finals in each of our tournaments. Another standout is senior Kaitlin Wood who has also made multiple finals and has excelled.

“My assistant coach Ali Hillard works a lot with our girls and has really been the foundation of our team’s success. We are very proud of what we have accomplished and where we are heading.”

1st-Triad (163)
Triad had four second-place finishers lead the way to a team title in Cloe Graumenz (115), Imani Hawkins (130), Makenna Steele (135), and Beckah Burrelsman (235). The Knights also got a third from Adaliah Roth (145), a fourth from Kaitlin Wood (155), and fifths from Daisy Smith (120) and Terryiah Lamb-Carraway (170).

2nd-Bradley-Bourbonnais (140)
The Boilermakers got a pair of individual titles from Aubrianna Rapier (135) and Kaylee Morris (235), a second from Kylie Rapier (155), a third from Alexis McCullough (170), fourths from Rihanna Randall (110) and Gabriella Morrs (145), and sixths from Ember McGarvey (145) and Mya Robinson (170).

3rd-Lane (139.5)
Lane got a pair of individual titles from returning state qualifiers Sofia Guerrero (100) and Zabby Badru (140), plus thirds from Allison Gutierrez (135) and Layla Moreland (155), a fourth from Kanaiece Barrett (170), and a sixth from Valeria Hernandez (105).

Team scores
Triad 163, Bradley-Bourbonnais 140, Lane 139.5, Plainfield South 131, South Elgin 121, Harlem 95.5, Tinley Park 86, Deerfield 85, Princeton 83.5, St. Charles East 74.5, Kankakee 58.5, Streator 51, Lake Park 50, Clifton Central 46.5, St. Thomas More 39, Plainfield Central 30, Rantoul 32, Prairie Central 30, Herscher 24, Manual 22, Oakwood/ Salt Fork 17, Deer Creek-Mackinaw 15, Plainfield North 9

Additional individual champions
105 Rylee Beckes (Princeton), 110 Sydney Stieb (St. Charles East), 115 Laila Vaughn (Streator), 120 returning state qualifier Yurithdzy Vilchis (Prairie Central), 125 Taniyah Sherman (Kankakee), 130 Madison Heneks (Harlem), 145 Jaqueline Martinez (South Elgin), 155 returning fourth in state Allison Garbacz (South Elgin), 170 returning state qualifier Layla Spann (Plainfield South), 190 returning state runner-up Payton Temple (Clifton Central)

Additional runners-up
100 Mya Olejiniczak (Harlem), 105 Reese Nicolas (Lake Park), 110 Madison Poll (St. Thomas More), 120 Jayden Melendez (Tinley Park), 125 Jadeyn Klingenberg (Princeton), 140 Tamirea Welch (Kankakee), 145 Madison Mauer (Deerfield), 170 Henna Mullikin (Herscher), 190 Kimyra Patrick (Plainfield South)

Statistics
Triad finished with the most pins of any team with 19, followed by South Elgin and Bradley-Bourbonnais with 17 apiece. Princeton had the most tech falls of any team present with three. Plainfield South finished with the most total match points with 185 followed by Lane with 165.
Individually, South Elgin’s Annie Romo had the most pins in the least time, with five falls in 5:08. Princeton’s Abby Harris had two tech falls in 6:13 to lead the field with the most techs in the least time and St. Charles East’s Sydney Stieb had the day’s fastest tech fall in 1:04. Princeton’s Harris also scored the most total match points with 56, followed by Harlem’s Eve Tollett with 43.

Championship match results
100-Sofia Guerrero (Lane) D 20-16 Mya Olejiniczak (Harlem)
105-Rylee Beckes (Princeton) F 1:54 Reese Nicolas (Lake Park)
110-Sydney Stieb (SC East) F 1:33 Madison Poll (St. Thomas More)
115-Laila Vaughn (Streator) MD 17-9 Cloe Graumenz (Triad)
120-Yurithdzy Vilchis (Prairie C) F 1:27 Jayden Melendez (Tinley Park)
125-Taniyah Sherman (Kankakee) F 1:23 Jadeyn Klingenberg (Princeton)
130-Madison Heneks (Harlem) F 1:45 Imani Hawkins (Triad)
135-Aubrianna Rapier (Bradley-B) F 0:31 Makenna Steele (Triad)
140-Zabby Badru (Lane) F 3:12 Tamira Welch (Kankakee)
145-Jaqueline Martinez (S Elgin) F 4:31 Madison Mauer (Deerfield)
155-Allison Garbacz (S Elgin) F 1:47 Kylie Rapier (Bradley-B)
170-Layla Spann (Plainfield S) F 2:20 Henna Mullikin (Herscher)
190-Payton Temple (Clifton C) F 3:01 Kimyra Patrick (Plainfield S)
235-Kaylee Morris (Bradley-B) F 1:35 Beckah Burrelsman (Triad)

Third-place match results
100-Jasmine Johnson (Rantoul) F 0:18 Kiani Nevel (Harlem)
105-Leila Ruiz (S Elgin) F 1:46 Veronica Mendoze (Rantoul)
110-Anni Romo (S Elgin) F 2:57 Rihanna Randall (Bradley-B)
115-Abby Harris (Princeton) D 13-10 Kate Wochner (Oakwood)
120-Alexia Kachiroubas (Plainfield S) MD 11-1 Autumn Badon (SC East)
125-Elida Garcia (Lake Park) F 0:48 Eve Tollett (Harlem)
130-Uliana Persky (Deerfield) F 0:49 Madi Radke (S Elgin)
135-Allison Gutierrez (Lane) F 0:56 Abigail Harris (Tinley Park)
140-Rylee Hernandez (Tinley Park) F 0:28 Olivia Pearson (SC East)
145-Adaliah Roth (Triad) F 0:40 Gabriella Morris (Bradley-B)
155-Layla Moreland (Lane) F 2:52 Kaitlin Wood (Triad)
170-Alexis McCullough (Bradley B) F 1:25 Kenaiece Barrett (Lane)
190-Zanasia Simmons (Manual) Avalena Wunderlich (Princeton)
235-Tash Wilson (Plainfield S) TF 15-0 Estella Godinez (Tinley Park)

5th Sally Berman Tournament

That Homewood-Flossmoor carried off the championship trophy was a testament to its tourney-best 20 pins, and 229 total match points claimed.

The Vikings didn’t have an individual champion but depth and balance carried the day; nine of coach Scott Aronson’s girls medaled in the top six of their weight classes.

Homewood-Flossmoor won 150.5-138.5 over second-place Grant, as one of six teams finishing with more than 100 team points in a highly-competitive chase for the team title.

Conant (124) placed third, followed by West Chicago (119), District 230 (118.5) and Downers Grove South (107.0) in a tight race at Palatine.

Final Team Standings:

Homewood-Flossmoor 150.5, Grant 138.5, Conant 124.0, West Chicago 119.0, District 230 118.5, Downers Grove South 107.0, Oswego East 90.0, Round Lake 85.5, Lake Zurich 81.0, Bolingbrook 80.5, Bartlett/Palatine 80.0 (each), Grayslake North 72.5, Lakes Community 68.0, Zion-Benton 67.5, Evanston 57.0, Hinsdale South 55.0, New Trier 54.5, Oak Forest 49.0, Dundee-Crown 46.5, Burlington Central 33.0, Waukegan 27.0, Fremd 23.0, St. Viator 23.0

1st: Homewood-Flossmoor (150.5)

The Lady Vikings would medal in nine of the 14 weight classes on Saturday, led by second-place finishes from Rachel Nugin (170) and Kendra Hayden (190), thirds from returning state qualifier Lonon Gandy (125) and Amara Nwoye (130), fourths from Kennedy Dade (140) and Na’imah Lemon (155), and sixths from Taniyah Bradley (120), Madelynn McClements (135) and Denise Brown (145).

2nd: Grant (138.5)

Second place Grant had the most top-five medal winners with eight, with 125 champion Myla Reyes leading the way with (30) total match points.

The junior went from the No. 19 seed all the way to the top in her respective weight division. 

Sophomores Kaylee Albovais (100), America Camacho (115, 14-2), and freshman Abby Quirk (135) were all second.

Annabelle Melton (140) was third, and Jaiydyn Hoffmann was fifth at 120.

3rd: Conant (124.0)

The Lady Cougars would always be within striking distance of a top three finish, never falling below fourth place behind Downers Grove South (70.0-68.0) or later 

West Chicago (104.0-102.0) before finally taking over for good during the final session to claim third place by five points over West Chicago.

It’s top wrestler, No. 10 Jasmine Zavaletta, 38-13 a state qualifier a year ago with a 38-13 overall record, won her second major title of the season in terrific fashion at 135 pounds.

Teammate Brea Hoffman was second at 125, with Giselle Varelas fifth at 115.

Varelas recorded the fastest tech-fall (2:00) of the tournament, while sophomore Jayiana Newcombe the quickest pin at 12 seconds in 155-pound quarterfinal wrestle-back contest.

Additional individual champions:

Ester Migues-Gayton (100, Grayslake North), Brissia Bucio (105, West Chicago),

Sunny Aitzemkour (110, New Trier), Jade Hardee (115, Andrew), Piper Booe (120, Andrew), Emily Ortiz (130, Zion-Benton), Quinn Janssens (140, Oswego East), Ella Cooper (145, Oswego East), Callie Carr (155, Hinsdale South), Nancy Licona (170, Round Lake), Irma Villa (190, Palatine), Ti’ara Saunders (235, Lake Zurich).

Additional runners-up:

Melanie Granda (105, Grant), Norah Cwik (110, Bartlett), Mackensie Szajda (120, West Chicago), Brea Hoffman (125, Conant), Lilly White (130, Bartlett), Allison Garcia (140, Downers Grove South), Allyson Alvarenga (145, Grayslake North), 

Lyobosa Odiase (155, Oak Forest), Rachel Nugin (170, Homewood-Flossmoor),

Kendra Hayden (190, Homewood-Flossmoor)

Big matches:
A pair of previously unbeaten returning state qualifiers squared off on the the title at 130 pounds, with Zion-Benton’s Emily Ortiz (9-0) winning by fall at 2:22 over Bartlett’s Lilly White (17-1).
Two previously unbeaten girls also squared off at 155, with returning state champion Callie Carr (17-0) winning by fall at 2:36 against Oake Forest’s Lyobosa Odiase (10-1).

Close calls:
A pair of two-point decisions took place in the finals, with New Trier’s Sunny Aitzemkour winning 8-6 over Downers Grove South’s Cassie Chavez at 110, and Lake Zurich’s Ti’ara Saunders winning a 4-2 decision at 235 against Conant’s Ava Adorni.

The unbeatens. (10-match minimum)

Hinsdale South’s returning state champions Callie Carr (17-0 at 155)

The once-beatens (10-match minimum)
Bartlett’s Lilly White (17-1 at 130), Conant’s Jasmine Zavaleta (16-1 at 135), Oswego East’s Quinn Janssens (14-1 at 140), Oak Forest’s Lyobosa Odiase (10-1 at 155), Palatine’s Irma Villa (20-1 at 190)

Championship match results:

100- Ester Migues-Gayton (Grayslake N) d. Kaylee Albovais (Grant) (F 1:54).

105- Brissia Bucio (West Chicago) d. Melanie Granda (Central) (MD 15-2).

110- Sunny Aitzemkour (New Trier) d. Cassie Chavez (DG South) (D 8-6).

115- Jade Hardee (Andrew) d. America Camacho (Grant) (F 1:29).

120- Piper Booe (Andrew) d. Mackensie Szajda (West Chicago) (F 4:48).

125- Myla Reyes (Grant) d. Brea Hoffman (Conant) (F 5:42).

130- Emily Ortiz (Zion-Benton) d. Lilly White (Bartlett) (F 2:22).

135- Jasmine Zavaleta (Conant) d. Abby Quirk (Grant) (F 1:28).

140- Quinn Janssens (Oswego E) d. Allison Garcia (DG South) (F 1:55).

145- Ella Cooper (Oswego E) d. Allyson Alvarenga (Grayslake N) (F 2:35).

155- Callie Carr (Hinsdale S) d. Lyobosa Odiase (Oak Forest) (F 2:36).

170- Nancy Licona (Round Lake) d. Rachel Nugin (H-F) (F 3:50).

190- Irma Villa (Palatine) d. Kendra Hayden (H-F) (F 1:31).

235- Ti’ara Saunders (Lake Zurich) d. Ava Adorni (Conant) (D 4-2).

Third-place match results:

100- Sam lewis (Oak Forest) d. Esther Vega (Waukegan) (F 2:53).

105- Esme Grugel (Dundee-Crown) d. Jamie Poblete (West Chicago) (TF 2:47).

110- Tatum De La Vega (Andrew) d. Cassie Chavez (DG South) (F 3:30).

115- Evalyn Idzik (St. Viator) d. Osmairi Medina Alvarado (Lane) (F 4:39).

120- Georgia Hay (Lake Zurich) d. Jaiydyn Hoffman (Grant) (F 4:15).

125- London Gandy (H-F) d. Ruby Gavina (Dundee-Crown) (D 3-1).

130- Amara Nwoye (H-F) d. Marissa Mayfield (Round Lake)(D 11-8).

135- Maserati Valenzuela (Zion-Benton) d. Juliana Loynes (Hinsdale S) (F 3:00).

140- Annabelle Melton (Grant) d. Kennedy Dade (H-F) (F 2:49).

145- Angie Arrendondo (DG South) d. Liliana Chavez (Bartlett) (F 1:28).

155- Myriah Jefferson (Round Lake) d. Na’imah Lamon (H-F)(F 5:30).

170- Claudia Weglarz (Conant) d. Olivia Halminiak (West Chicago) (F 0:30).

190- Zuza Cebulski (DG South) d. Brianna Gomez (Bolingbrook) (D 7-1).

235- Cynthia Rios (Bolingbrook) d. Mackenzie Mansavage (Conant) (F 1:40.

Glenbard North Winter Classic
Glenbard North hosted an eight-team dual tournament Dec. 22, with McHenry finishing first for coach James Buss. The Warriors went 3-0 with wins over Curie (72-6) and Willowbrook (51-24) before topping host Glenbard North 57-24.
Willowbrook finished third with a 48-27 win over Oswego, West Chicago won 34-30 over Curie for fifth place, and Romeoville placed seventh with a 54-12 win over Larkin.

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

HINSDALE – When two teams are involved a real battle for top honors in a major tournament, like Barrington and Glenbard West certainly were at Hinsdale Central’s 59th-annual Rex Whitlatch Invitational, the deciding factor as to who takes first and who finishes second often comes down to who got the most wins in place matches, who got more bonus points and who won more close matches.

Both the Broncos and Hilltoppers did well in all of those areas and they both should be very proud that they went from vying for sixth place a year ago to seeing who would capture top honors in the 25-team competition that featured nine teams ranked in the top 25 in 3A and 2A and eight others who were honorable mention in those two classes by Illinois Best Weekly. Barrington came in ranked 19th in 3A while Glenbard West was honorable mention in 3A.

In the end, the Broncos edged the Hilltoppers 219.5-217 for first place while Lincoln-Way West got past Oak Park and River Forest 193.5-191.5 for third place. Neenah, Wisconsin (177.5), Carl Sandburg (168), Geneseo (162.5), Minooka (148.5), West Aurora (146.5), Stevenson (120.5), Downers Grove North (119) and Downers Grove South (118) rounded out the top-12.

Coach Dan Keller’s Broncos went 5-2 in place matches and had two falls and three major decisions in those five triumphs to hold off coach Pat McCluskey’s Hilltoppers, who made a late charge by going 7-4 in place matches with their victories being a win by technical fall, a major decision, a medical forfeit and four decisions. Barrington had a 19-12 advantage in pins while both had 11 wins by technical fall and the Broncos had a 490-467 lead in total match points. 

“I’m really proud of the guys,” Keller said. “We scored a lot of bonus points and we’re always preaching on our program. It was kind of a back-and-forth battle. It’s a great tournament and we love coming here. We see a lot of teams that we don’t typically see, some of those south suburb teams that are always tough as nails. So just really, really proud of the guys’ effort and resiliency to kind of stick with it. We ended that placing round with our five wins being bonus-point wins, so that kind of was a summary of what the weekend was for us. We talk a lot in our program about ending with the win, ending with placing matches that are odd numbers is what we want. Obviously, those rounds get tougher and tougher, and you’ve got to raise your level of intensity, and I thought our guys did that really well today.” 

Barrington was led by title winners Ryan Dorn (132) and Jimmy Whitaker (144) and second-place finishers Kaleb Pratt (120) and Saul Ramirez (126). Other top-eight finishers were Daniel Blanke (3rd at 157), Sam Cushman (3rd at 175) and Aaron Jafri (5th at 190). Domenic Nudo (215) and Adriel Arana (285) both added 10 team points, Diego Ramirez (106) scored 6.5, Maddux Orozco (150) scored six points and Michael Fiandaca (165) had two. Other contributors were Ismael Lopez (113) and Dimitry Bordeianu (138). Dorn also claimed first place last year.

“We’ve got some hammers that we think will finish really high, real high on the podium at state, but then we’ve also got a lot of role guys that are really grinding and working really hard and being super coachable and improving,” Keller said. “A lot of times in high-end duals, it’s not your studs or your state placers that win your duals, it’s the role guys. So they’re really doing a great job of understanding their role and in the room, working hard every day, being coachable, trying to fix the things we want to fix. We know it’s late December right now, so it’s not the end of the year. We’ve still got a month and a half until we’ve got to be ready for where we want to be, but we think we will be.”

Top performers for Glenbard West were champions Aidan Ortega (106) and Vince Tortoriello (150) and runner-up Phin Codinha (215). Others who placed in the top-eight were Alejandro Aranda (3rd at 138), Manny Rodriguez (5th at 126), Jondelle Malunay (5th at 157), Marc Tchapda (5th at 285), Tallis Taylor (6th at 165), Cristian Lopez (7th at 113), Brennen Myra (8th at 144) and Vince Schoettle (8th at 175). Andrew Bargiel (190) added 10 points and Ben Sallas (120) also contributed and the team had no entrant at 132. 

Leading the way for third-place Lincoln-Way West, who’s coached by 2020 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Brian Glynn, were title winner Jimmy Talley (215) and second-place finisher Shane Stream (138). Others who turned in top-eight finishes for the Warriors were Carter DiBenedetto (3rd at 126), Brady Glynn (3rd at 132), Max Herman (4th at 165), Kellan Hack (5th at 113), Michael Scott (7th at 106) and Max Munn (7th at 150).

Oak Park and River Forest had the most champions with three, and they were defending IHSA champion Michael Rundell (113) as well as Jamiel Castleberry (126) and David Ogunsanya (157) while Zev Koransky (144) finished in second place. Also finishing in the top eight for coach Jason Renteria’s fourth-place Huskies were Aiden Noyes (3rd at 150) and Jeremiah Hernandez (7th at 165). Rundell also won a Whitlatch title in 2024.

Warren Township had two first-place finishers who are two-time defending IHSA champions and they’ve combined to win seven Whitlatch titles, four-time winner Aaron Stewart (190), who also received the Outstanding Wrestler Award, and Caleb Noble (120), who’s won three in a row.

The other two individuals who repeated as champions were Lyons Township’s Griff Powell (138) and Neenah, WI’s Declan Koch (165). Also capturing their initial Whitlatch titles were West Aurora’s Dayne Serio (175) and Downers Grove North’s Colin Murphy (285).

Two of the champions remained unbeaten, Powell and Koch, who both had 18-0 records. Other title winners who had only lost once were Castleberry (16-1), Murphy (15-1), Noble, Ortega (17-1), Rundell (16-1), Serio (16-1) and Tortoriello (16-1).

Additional second-place finishers were Rockford East’s Dana Wickson (150) and Ty Smart (157), Geneseo’s Izaac Gaines (165) and Kye Weinzierl (175), Stevenson’s Stefan Vihrov (106), 

West Aurora’s Gabriel Richmond (113), Minooka’s Maddux Tindal (132), Wheaton North’s Ryan Rosch (190) and Lyons Township’s Jimmy Hillmann (285).

Three of the title matches featured one-point decisions. In those, Noble edged Pratt 3-2 at 120, Tortoriello got past Wickson 5-4 at 150 and Serio nipped Weinzierl 1-0 at 175.

Stewart had the most team points of any of the champions with 34 while Rundell and Talley tied for second place with 33.5 points. Castleberry, Koch and Powell tied for fourth with 32 team points, Ogunsanya was seventh with 31.5 points, Dorn ranked eighth with 31 points and Noble and Whitaker tied for ninth in most team points with 30.5.

Five seniors claimed top-eight medals for four-straight years. They were four-time champion Stewart, two-time title winner and four-time finalist Koch, two-time runner-up Koransky, 2025 champion Ogunsanya and also Aranda, whose third-place effort this year was his best finish. 

Downers Grove South’s Noah Greene easily had the most total match points with 86 while his Mustangs teammate Jadon Dinwiddie and Glenbard West’s Jondelle Malunay tied for second place with 72 team points.

Five individuals finished with four falls, Barrington’s Sam Cushman, Neenah, WI’s Kaden Roth, Lincoln-Way West’s Michael Scott, Warren Township’s Aaron Stewart and Stevenson’s Aaron Von Heimburg. 

Six competitors claimed three victories by technical fall, Barrington’s Ryan Dorn, Oak Park and River Forest’s Isaiah Gibson, Glenbard West’s Jondelle Malunay, Minooka’s Kaden Meyer, West Aurora’s Dayne Serio and Geneseo’s Kye Weinzierl.

And two of the participants had the largest seed-place difference with an improvement of 14 positions. They were Neenah, WI’s Broden Butzke and Belleville West’s Wyatt Dahm.

Rex Whitlatch, a 2013 recipient of a Lifetime Service Award to Wrestling from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame – Illinois Chapter, was a two-time IHSA champion at Urbana and wrestled at the University of Illinois before beginning his coaching career which eventually saw him become Hinsdale Central’s head coach in 1964, where he started the invite that bears his name. He passed away in 2021 at age 84.

Here are the champions and their weights at Hinsdale Central’s Rex Whitlatch Invitational

106 – Aidan Ortega, Glenbard West

Aidan Ortega enjoyed a successful sophomore season at Glenbard West by qualifying for the IHSA Finals, giving him optimism that he’ll be able to achieve much bigger and better things as a junior. And so far, he’s been doing just that by opening this season with a title at Barrington and a second-place effort at Joliet Central. He advanced to his third tournament finals and won his second championship when he captured a 10-3 decision over Stevenson freshman Stefan Vihrov for the 106 title at the Rex Whitlatch to improve his record to 17-1. 

Ortega, who claimed third place in last year’s Rex Whitlatch Invite, joined Vince Tortoriello (150) as a champion and was also one of three finalists and 11 top-eight finishers for coach Pat McCluskey’s Hilltoppers, who finished second with 217 points, which was just 2.5 points behind champion Barrington. It was quite the improvement for Glenbard West after it took seventh place in last year’s tourney and finished 70 points behind title winner Carl Sandburg. Ranked sixth at 106 in 3A, he followed a win by technical fall with three decisions, with the second one of those an 8-1 victory over Carl Sandburg’s Anthony Hayes in the semifinals.

“I feel like this year we’ve really got a lot of guys that can do something special, and it’s just fun to be a part of the team and be a part of the practices each and every day,” Ortega said. “We just have got good practice partners and good teammates to help push me. And I’m still trying to get better every day, and where I am right now is not enough. Everyone’s got really big goals, and it’s really nice to see, and so the only way we can accomplish those big goals is to put in the work, keep getting better, and I look forward to getting better throughout the season.” 

Vihrov (17-5), who was the lone finalist and one of five top-eight placewinners for coach Shane Cook’s Patriots, opened with a major decision and added a win by technical fall before reaching the 106 title mat with a fall in 5:58 over DeKalb’s Julian Hartwig to advance to his first high school tourney finals. In the third-place match, Hartwig (12-3) captured a 1-0 decision over Hayes (12-4). For fifth place, West Aurora’s Aiden Ambre (11-3) claimed a 14-0 major decision over Warren Township’s Diego Rea. And for seventh place, Lincoln-Way West’s Michael Scott (13-9) won by fall in 4:21 over Minooka’s Justin Majewski (8-5).  

113 – Michael Rundell, Oak Park and River Forest

Michael Rundell has only had one bump along the way in his quest to follow up on his 2025 IHSA 3A title at 106 over Loyola Academy’s Niko Odiotti as he begins his junior season at Oak Park and River Forest and that happened in the season-opening Marmion Academy Classic, when he lost a 7-1 decision in the 113 finals to a two-time defending IHSA champion, Warren Township’s Caleb Noble. A USA Wrestling Athlete of the week in July after claiming a bronze medal in Greco-Roman at the U17 World Championships in Greece, he’s been on a roll since that loss to Noble, improving to 16-1 after taking first at Washington Community and reaching his third finals and capturing another title at 113 in the Rex Whitlatch Invite with a fall in 1:31 over West Aurora sophomore Gabriel Richmond to become a two-time champ in the event.

Rundell joined Jamiel Castleberry (126) and David Ogunsanya (157) as champions and also Zev Koransky (144) as finalists for the Huskies, who are coached by Jason Renteria, a two-time IHSA champion and four-time state finalist for OPRF from 2013-2017. The Huskies got points from 11 individuals and that helped them finish fourth with 191.5 points, which was two points behind third place Lincoln-Way West. Rundell, ranked second to Noble at 113 in 3A, opened with a pin, followed with a win by technical fall and earned his spot in the 113 finals with a pin in 2:25 over Maine South’s George Georgiev. He tied for second in team points with 33.5 with Lincoln-Way West’s Jimmy Talley, one-half point behind Warren Township’s Aaron Stewart.

“I’ve had a pretty good start to this year,” Rundell said. “One loss, and I’m hoping to eventually wrestle him (Caleb Noble) again in the state finals. I’ve been working as hard as I can every day, working until I can’t move anymore. Our coaches are really devoted to trying to get us to be in the best situation possible so there’s really a culture there of just like trying to get better. Just looking at me and my partner, Jamiel Castleberry, we’re grinding every single day, getting extra workouts in together, just everything we can do so that in February we’re ready.”

Richmond (14-2), who joined champion Dayne Serio (175) as one of two finalists and seven top-eight finishers for coach Andrew Plata’s ninth-place Blackhawks, opened with a win by technical fall, followed that with a 13-9 decision and earned his spot in the 113 title match with 12-3 major decision over Neenah, WI’s Broden Butzke. In the third-place match, Carl Sandburg’s Kyle Hayes (12-4) won by fall in 1:34 over Butzke (15-4). For fifth place, Lincoln-Way West’s Kellan Hack (12-8) got a pin in 2:38 over Georgiev (13-4). And in the seventh-place match, Glenbard West’s Cristian Lopez (13-6) won by technical fall in 2:42 over Geneseo’s Tad Moore (12-8).    

120 – Caleb Noble, Warren Township

Caleb Noble made it two-for-two in IHSA championships last season as a sophomore when he beat Normal Community’s Caden Correll to claim first place at 113 in the IHSA 3A Finals to follow up on a 3A title at 106 in 2024. The Warren Township junior hopes to become a three-time champion in 2026 and right now is off to a great start toward that goal after taking first place at Marmion Academy, Neuqua Valley and again at the Rex Whitlatch after he claimed a 3-2 decision over Barrington junior Kaleb Pratt in the 120 title match. His only loss in tournament competition came out of state when he lost a 4-2 decision to Malvern Prep, PA’s Justin Farnsworth in the 113 semifinals of the Ironman in Ohio and settled for a third-place finish.

Noble, top-ranked at 113 in 3A, won his third-straight title in this event and joined four-time Whitlatch winner Aaron Strewart as one of two champions and four top-eight finishers for coach Brad Janecek’s Blue Devils. He kicked off his latest title run with two victories by technical fall and then recorded a pin in 4:13 in the semifinals over Stevenson’s Evan Mishels.  

“I’ve been doing good,” Noble said “I just went to Ironman and I took third there, It was not the way I wanted to get it done. I lost in the semifinals. It was a controversial match and I feel like I should have had more points than I had, but I can complain about it all day, but it’s not going to change anything. So I just had to go to the room and make some adjustments. Other than that, I’ve been having a good season and I can’t complain. Losses are good, it’s not always a bad thing. It’s not fun to lose, but sometimes you need to lose and you just have to get your head screwed on straight. (On winning two state titles) I’m super proud, I can’t complain. My dad is happy, so I’m a happy camper. (Competing at Warren Township) It’s been just a dream. Having two state championships, going for a third. I’m glad that I’m in this position, and hopefully I can steal four, if I’m lucky.” 

Pratt (15-3) was one of four finalists and seven top-five finishers for coach Dan Keller’s champion Broncos. Ranked third at 120 in 3A and a title winner at his school’s invite, he’s a two-time IHSA qualifier who took sixth at 106 in 2024. He opened with two falls and then got a win by technical fall in 3:28 in the semifinals over Willowbrook’s Aris Neal to reach the 120 title mat. In the third-place match, Mishels (16-5) claimed a 13-5 major decision over Downers Grove South’s Tanner Stone (14-5). For fifth place, Downers Grove North’s Damian Garcia (16-2) won by fall in 3:17 over Neal (10-5). And for seventh place, Minooka’s Julian Hanson (12-4) won a 15-4 major decision over Belleville West’s Wyatt Dahm (9-5), who tied for the largest seed-place difference with 14 positions.

126 – Jamiel Castleberry, Oak Park and River Forest 

Jamiel Castleberry added to a season-opening title at Marmion Academy and won his second title in his third trip to a tournament finals after claiming a 16-4 major decision over Barrington junior Saul Ramirez in the 126 title match. The Oak Park and River Forest junior, who’s ranked fourth at 126 in 3A, finished fifth in the IHSA Finals at 120 last season after placing fourth at 106 in 2024. He joined teammates Michael Rundell (113) and David Ogunsanya (157) to give coach Jason Renteria’s fourth-place Huskies a Rex Whitlatch Invite-high three champions.

Castleberry (16-1), who took third place at the 2024 Rex Whitlatch and finished second at Washington Community this season, recorded a pin in his first match and then got wins by technical fall in both the quarterfinals and semifinals, prevailing in 3:46 over Stevenson’s Marcelo Cantu to earn his spot in the 126 finals. He tied Lyons Township’s Griff Powell and Neenah, WI’s Declan Koch for fourth place in most team points with 32.

“My class is pretty good,” Castleberry said. “We’ve got MJ Rundell, a state champ last year, he’s pretty good and I practice with him every day. With me practicing him every day, it kind of makes these tournaments easy. We’ve got a lot of good coaches and have a new head coach, Jason Renteria, a two-time champion and four-time finalist. And we’ve got Jake Rundell, MJ’s brother. We’re hoping to get a team trophy this year. In the last two years, we were like one dual away.”

Ramirez (12-4), an IHSA qualifier last season who’s ranked eighth at 126 in 3A, was one of four finalists and seven top-five placewinners for coach Dan Keller’s champion Broncos, He followed a pin with two victories by technical fall, with the second of those in the semifinals in 4:10 over Lincoln-Way West’s Carter DiBenedetto (14-5), who went on to take third place with an 11-3 major decision over Cantu (11-3). For fifth place, Glenbard West’s  Manny Rodriguez (11-8) won an 18-6 major decision over Carl Sandburg’s Zayne Salah (10-6). In the seventh-place match, Minooka’s Casey Janicki (10-4) got a pin in 1:56 over Neenah, WI’s Garrett Nedens (8-5). 

132 – Ryan Dorn, Barrington

Ryan Dorn was one of six individuals who repeated as champions at the Rex Whitlatch Invite and this also happened to be the first tournament title that the Barrington junior has captured this season after taking second place in his own Moore-Prettyman-Dunn Invite to kick things off in 2025-2026. Now he’s looking to take the next step forward at a more significant competition at the end of this season, the IHSA Finals, where the fourth-ranked individual at 132 in 3A looks to reach the awards stand this season after coming up short of that goal the past two seasons.

Dorn (14-2) joined Jimmy Whitaker (144) as one of two champions, four finalists and seven top-five finishers for coach Dan Keller’s Broncos, who made the move from sixth-place in 2024 to champions this year after edging Glenbard West 219.5-217 for top honors of the event. He earned his spot on top of the awards stand for the second time with an 11-0 major decision over Minooka junior Maddux Tindal in the 132 title match. His other three matches were wins by technical fall, making him one of six in the invite who achieved that feat, and he earned his spot in the 132 title match with a win in 5:36 over Maine South’s Brett Harman in the semifinals. He finished in eighth place for the most team points with 31, which also led the Broncos.

“Our goal is obviously to win the tournament and as a team, I think we’re doing pretty well,” Dorn said. “Some of our guys dropped out, but I think as a team we’re doing well. We work hard in the room and then we’re really close as a team. Our bond is good and we’re really tight and I feel that makes us wrestle better. I’m just working hard, me and my main practice partner, Kaleb Pratt, who took second, but he had a close match against a good opponent.”

Tindal (10-2) was the lone finalist and one of eight top-eight finishers for the eighth-place Indians, who are coached by 2025 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Michael Kimberlin. Ranked sixth at 132 in 3A and a state qualifier last season after placing third in Texas in 2024, Tindal made it to the finals of a tournament for the first time this season after opening with a win by technical fall, following with a pin and then capturing a 10-5 decision in the semifinals over Lincoln-Way West’s Brady Glynn (16-4), a state qualifier last year who’s ranked tenth at 132 in 3A, took third with a 7-6 win over Harman (15-3). For fifth place, Downers Grove South’s Jadon Dinwiddie (17-3) claimed a 16-10 decision over DeKalb’s Ayden Shuey. And for seventh, Carl Sandburg’s Macarten Parker (11-5) won by fall in 1:26 over West Aurora’s Peter Kabene (9-10). 

138 – Griff Powell, Lyons Township

Griff Powell is not only excited to be able to compete for his father, also Griff Powell, at Lyons Township, but he recently announced that he will be able to follow in his footsteps at the University of Illinois, where his dad was a four-time NCAA qualifier and an All-American in 2002. The Lions senior, who’s ranked second at 138 in 3A, hopes to improve upon his sixth-place finish at 132 last season and also do something that only Will Lepsi and Bill Zeman have achieved at Lyons Township, which is to be an IHSA champion who is also a two-time medalist. He added to a season-opening title at Barrington by winning the Rex Whitlatch Invitational title at 138 when he captured a 14-3 major decision over Lincoln-Way West junior Shane Stream.

Powell (18-0), who joined Neenah, WI’s Declan Koch (18-0 at 165) as the only unbeaten champions at the Rex Whitlatch, was his team’s lone title winner and joined Jimmy Hillmann as finalists and two others who were top-eight placewinners for the Lions. After opening with a quick pin, he was a winner by technical fall in his next matches. He earned his spot in the 138 finals after beating Glenbard West’s Alejandro Aranda in 4:39 in the semifinals. He tied Oak Park and River Forest’s Jamiel Castleberry and Koch for fourth for most team points with 32.

“It’s awesome,” Powell said. “It feels good, it’s a reassuring thing, knowing I’m getting better every day and just dominating the competition, that’s the goal. I think the biggest thing is separating myself from other competition, knowing I’m better, knowing guys can’t compete with me and trying to dominate them. I practice with our coaches. Some of our guys, they’re less experienced, but it’s good practicing some new moves on them and It helps you understand the moves better. (About signing with Illinois). It’s awesome. It’s going to be fun getting down there, experiencing the new level and getting better.” 

Stream (14-3) joined champion Jimmy Talley (215) as one of the two finalists and eight who placed eighth or better for the third-place Warriors, who are coached by 2020 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Brian Glynn, an Illini teammate of Powell’s in 2001-2002 and an All-American at the UI in 2004 and 2005. Ranked ninth at 138 in 3A, Stream hopes to get back to state after falling one win shy of advancing from the Joliet Central Sectional. After opening with two falls, he reached the 138 title match with a 12-6 decision over Geneseo’s Landen Vincent. Aranda (16-5), one of five seniors who placed in the top eight at the Whitlatch for the fourth time, took third with an 11-6 decision over Oswego’s Aiden Ortiz (15-3). For fifth place, Vincent (9-4) won by fall in 1:47 over Neenah, WI’s Jaxon Ennis (15-5). For seventh, Downers Grove North’s Alex Hengles (16-2) won by technical fall in 4:00 over Hinsdale Central’s Anthony Mayen (12-5).   

144 – Jimmy Whitaker, Barrington

Jimmy Whitaker did not participate in last year’s Rex Whitlatch Invite so for the Barrington senior to win a title at 144 was certainly a big deal, both individually and for his role on the team. With every point at a premium in the chase for the team title between the Broncos and Glenbard West, the 2024 state qualifier who’s ranked ninth in 3A at 144, joined Ryan Dorn (132) as one of two champions and four finalists for coach Dan Keller’s championship team, which claimed top honors in the 25-team invite with 219.5 points, which was 2.5 points better than the Hilltoppers. 

Whitaker (14-3), who finished fourth at his school’s Moore-Prettyman-Dunn Invite to begin the season, won a 16-6 major decision over Oak Park and River Forest senior Zev Koransky in the 144 title match. He had a quick pin in his opener, followed that with a win by technical fall and then captured a 7-1 decision over Stevenson’s Val Vihrov in the semifinals. He was one of seven Broncos who took fifth or better to help them improve from a sixth place finish in 2024.

“It just feels like our team’s starting to finally come together,” Whitaker said. “The last few years, we’ve been very good. I think this year, a lot of kids are starting to step it up a lot more, and we’re starting to win a lot of these bigger matches more often. A lot of it came from the offseason and in the fall I was working out at Relentless, and I think they’re a really good program. Coming back from an injury was kind of hard but I’ve bounced back this year. I like how hard-working our group is. Every single day, people are pushing each other. I feel like there’s a lot of leaders on my team.” 

Koransky (13-4), who is ranked tenth at 144 and qualified for state in 2025 and 2023, also was a runner-up at Washington Community after placing fourth at Marmion Academy. He was one of four finalists and the lone runner-up for the fourth-place Huskies, who are now coached by Jason Renteria, who was a two-time IHSA champion and four-time medalist at OPRF. He followed a fall with a 9-3 decision and then recorded a win by technical fall in 4:41 over Carl Sandburg’s Oscar Kalman in the semifinals. He was one of five seniors, and two from OPRF with David Ogunsanya the other, who placed in the top eight four times at the Whitlatch. In the third-place match, Vihrov (18-3) won a 13-2 major decision over Kalman (11-4). For fifth place, Downers Grove North’s Caden Chiarelli (9-4) recorded a pin in 4:34 over Geneseo’s Malaki Jackson (9-7), And in the seventh-place match, Wheaton North’s Jacob Veltri (14-4) captured a 16-2 major decision over Glenbard West’s Brennen Myra (14-7).

150 – Vince Tortoriello, Glenbard West

Vince Tortoriello made the significant jump from being an eighth-place finisher last year at 150 as a junior to becoming a champion as a senior at that same weight in the Rex Whitlatch Invite. Not only is that type of improvement difficult to achieve in one of the state’s perennially-toughest competitions but it was also very important for Glenbard West, which was in the title hunt throughout two days after making the leap from seventh place and 70 points behind champion Carl Sandburg in last year to battling down to the wire with Barrington until the final matches.

Tortoriello (16-1) joined Aidan Ortega (106) as a champion and was one of three finalists and eight others who placed eighth or better to help the Hilltoppers to collect 217 points, which was just 2.5 points behind the champion Broncos, who improved from a sixth-place finish a year ago. A state qualifier for the first time last season who’s ranked eighth at 150, he added to a title at Joliet Central and a runner-up finish at Barrington when he edged Rockford East senior Dana Wickson 5-4 in the 150 title match. After opening with two victories by technical fall, Tortoriello captured another tight decision, 4-2, over Maine South’s Gavin Hoerr in the semifinals. 

“Our team did really good,” Tortoriello said. “We had a huge improvement from last year, which is great to see. We’ve been at a lot of tough tournaments this year. Our coach changed up our schedule from last year, so we’re seeing better competition before state. It’s been a real great time being able to compete in these big tournaments. These long tournaments really help you get better and prepare you for state, and you get to spend a lot of time with your team, which really helps. Definitely my favorite thing about our team is that we’re really close. We’ve all been together since freshman and sophomore year. We’re a really close team and we’re really close with our coaches as well, so it’s been great. Really, I just haven’t stopped working. Last year, I didn’t get the results that I wanted at downstate, so I put my whole offseason or preseason into it, and I’ve been really working at it, and the results are paying off.”

Wickson (12-4), ranked fifth at 150 in 2A, also claimed second place at his own E-Rab Giardini Invite. A two-time state qualifier who was fifth at 150 last season, he joined classmate Ty Smart (157) as second-place finishers to lead the way for coach Gene Lee’s E-Rabs. After opening with two first-period falls, Wickson prevailed 7-5 by ultimate tiebreaker over West Aurora’s Evan Matkovich in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Oak Park and River Forest’s Aiden Noyes (15-4) won by fall in 1:50 over South Elgin’s Logan Dilallo (13-3). Matkovich (11-6) claimed fifth place by medical forfeit over Hoerr (13-2), who’s ranked tenth at 150 in 3A and was an IHSA qualifier in 2024. And in the seventh-place match, Lincoln-Way West’s Max Munn (15-6) won a 5-2 decision over Minooka’s Ben Cyrkiel (12-4). 

157 – David Ogunsanya, Oak Park and River Forest

David Ogunsanya got a taste of the awards stand at the IHSA Finals in 2024 when he placed sixth at 150 but he fell short of a medal in his return trip to Champaign. Now the Oak Park and River Forest senior is hoping that one last appearance downstate sees him finish with one of the top medals at his weight class. His 14-5 major decision over Rockford East senior Ty Smart to claim the 157 title at the Rex Whitlatch Invite is a big step toward that goal after placing second at Washington Community and fourth in his season-opening tournament at Marmion Academy.

Ogunsanya (14-3) joined Michael Rundell (113) and Jamiel Castleberry (126) as one of three title winners, which was an invite-high, for the fourth-place Huskies, who are coached by one of OPRF’s three four-time state medal winners, Jason Renteria, who also was a two-time IHSA champion. Ranked fifth at 157 in 3A and a third-place Whitlatch finisher a year ago, he opened with a win by technical fall, followed with a pin and earned his spot in the 157 title match with another victory by technical fall, in 4:17, over Barrington’s Daniel Blanke in the semifinals. He finished seventh for the most team points with 31.5. He also joined teammate Zev Koransky and three others as the only seniors who had top-eight finishes in all four of their years at the invite.

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“One of the biggest things I would say that’s different is in my freshman year, we were pushing, we were growing, we were building, and we were in that phase,” Ogunsanya said. “But now, one of the biggest things that I appreciate is just the energy and the youthfulness that each coach brings. You can tell they’re always giving 120 percent of their energy. There are times where coaches will reach out or I’ll reach out to them and they’re willing to spend two hours, three hours outside of their time on those practice days when they have work in the morning and things like that. They’re just willing to sacrifice, give everything to coach these young wrestlers that are rising up. So I think that’s really the biggest thing, that’s a big change. And then with coach Jason Renteria, it really helps because not only is he a four-time finalist and a two-time state champ from OPRF, but also he has collegiate experience. He trained with the Iowa Hawkeyes and he trained with Nebraska. So he’s with all these big names, and he has a lot of connections. He’s just getting us out there, giving us the opportunities, the challenges, the difficulties and just allowing us to grow from those struggles.” 

Smart (15-2), who joined classmate Dana Wickson (150) as finalists for coach Gene Lee’s E-Rabs, was hoping to add to the title that he captured at his own Giardini Invite. A two-time state qualifier who placed fifth at 157 last season and is ranked third at 157 in 2A, his first two victories were by technical fall and he earned his spot on the 157 title mat with a 6-4 decision over Neenah, WI’s Landen Sheppard in the semifinals. Blanke (15-3), an IHSA qualifier last year who’s ranked sixth at 157 in 3A, claimed third place with a pin in 2:25 over Sheppard (16-3). Glenbard West’s Jondelle Malunay (21-5) claimed fifth place by medical forfeit over Maine South’s Caden Ljubenko (14-3), who’s ranked tenth at 157 in 3A. And for seventh, West Aurora’s Malan Hatfield (13-4) won 10-7 over Carl Sandburg’s Obaida Hasan (13-4).

165 – Declan Koch, Neenah, WI

Declan Koch won his second-straight Rex Whitlatch Invite title after capturing an 8-0 major decision over Geneseo junior Izaac Gaines in the 165 title match. The Neenah, WI senior also joined Lyons Township 138 champion Griff Powell as the only two title winners who were still unbeaten, and both had 18-0 records. Koch was the lone finalist and one of nine top-eight finishers for coach Kyle Kleuskens’ fifth-place Rockets. He’s a three-time WIAA medalist and has finished in second place in Division 1 in the last two seasons. After opening with two falls, he claimed a 13-1 major decision over Lincoln-Way West’s Max Herman in the semifinals. He was a four-time finalist in the Whitlatch, placing second in 2022 and 2023, and also was one of the five seniors in the competition who finished in the top eight for four-straight years. 

Gaines (16-2), who joined Kye Weinzierl (175) as one of two-second-place finishers and seven top-eight placewinners for coach Tom Rusk’s seventh place Maple Leafs, earned his spot in the 165 finals with a fall in 1:30 over Glenbard West’s Tallis Taylor in the semifinals. A two-time state qualifier who’s ranked second at 165 in 2A and won a title at Rockford East, he claimed victories by technical fall in his first two matches. In the third-place match, Carl Sandburg’s Brady Ritter (15-2), a two-time IHSA qualifier who was ranked fourth at 157 in 3A, won an 8-1 decision over Herman (16-5), who’s ranked fifth at 165 in 3A. Minooka junior Kaden Meyer (10-4) took fifth with a fall in 1:55 over Taylor (13-5). And for seventh, Oak Park and River Forest’s Jeremiah Hernandez (13-7) won a 13-7 decision over Lyons Township’s Cornell Fennessee (12-7).

175 – Dayne Serio, West Aurora

Dayne Serio finished sixth last season at 165 in 3A to claim his first medal in his second trip to the IHSA Finals. Now he’d like to accomplish what his brother Dominic, who’s now competing at Ohio University, was able to achieve last season when he became a two-time state medalist and appeared in the 3A 157 title match, where he was edged 4-3 by Mount Carmel’s Liam Kelly, to become just the ninth individual from West Aurora to win multiple state medals. He won his first title of the season at the Rex Whitlatch after placing third at Marmion Academy in his only other tournament by claiming a 1-0 decision over Geneseo senior Kye Weinzierl in the 175 finals.

Serio (16-1) was the lone champion, a finalist along with runner-up Gabriel Richmond (113) and one of seven top-eight placewinners for coach Andrew Plata’s Blackhawks, who finished in ninth place. Ranked third at 175 in 3A, he claimed wins by technical fall in each of his other three matches, joining Weinzierl and four other individuals as the only ones in the competition who were able to achieve that feat. Serio, who finished in third place at last year’s Whitlatch, earned his spot in the 175 championship match with a victory in 1:12 over Barrington’s Sam Cushman. 

“Every time I’m in the practice room I think about my losses and how I can improve on that,” Serio said “And that pretty much just sparks a flame. So when I’m thinking that I’m tired, I’m tired, I’m done, I just keep going. I hate losing, I hate losing, I don’t like that feeling. Our team is literally a family and everybody loves each other and everybody’s friends. We all go out to lunch and go out to dinner. And we do summer workouts, about four days a week in the summer. It’s nonstop. We’re all family there. It’s a great atmosphere. Hopefully at the end of the year, the expected reward is going to be a little bigger.”  

Weinzierl (9-1), who fell to IC Catholic Prep’s Brody Kelly in last season’s IHSA 2A title match at 175, joined runner-up Izaac Gaines (165) as the top finishers among seven top-eight medal winners for coach Tom Rusk’s Maple Leafs, who finished in seventh place. Ranked second to Brody Kelly in 2A at 175, this was the first tournament of the season for the three-time state qualifier. As with Serio, his other three matches were victories by technical fall and the third of those came in 3:49 over Carl Sandburg’s Adnan Askar in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Cushman (13-5) won by fall in 2:39 over Askar (12-4). For fifth place, Downers Grove South’s Noah Greene (15-7), who collected the most total match points with 86, won by technical fall in 5:22 over Maine South’s Marty Greif (5-6). And Neenah, WI’s Connor Simons (8-6) took seventh place by medical forfeit over Glenbard West’s Vince Schoettle (10-6).

190 – Aaron Stewart, Warren Township

Aaron Stewart has faced some very challenging opponents in the early going of his senior season for Warren Township and lost to three of them, Marian Central Catholic’s Jimmy Mastny in the 190 finals at Marmion Academy to begin the season and then one week before the Rex Whitlatch Invite, back-to-back setbacks at the prestigious Ironman in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio to Lawrence North, IN’s Michael White and Blair Academy, NJ’s Salah Tsarni. But as the IHSA 3A champion at 175 in 2025 over Homewood-Flossmoor’s RJ Robinson and at 157 in 2024 knows all too well, it’s not where you start, but where you finish. The three-time state medalist who took third at 152 in 2023 is determined to end his Blue Devils career as a three-time IHSA champion. 

Stewart became a rare four-time Rex Whitlatch champion when he won the 190 title with a fall in 1:16 over Wheaton North senior Ryan Rosch. He joins junior teammate and fellow two-time IHSA champion Caleb Noble (120) as two of the six repeat title winners, as well as the best finishers among four top-eight medalists for coach Brad Janecek’s Blue Devils. The top-ranked individual at 190 in 3A who also won a title at Neuqua Valley, opened his run to his fourth title with a pair of pins in the first minute before earning his spot in the 190 finals with a fall in 3:23 over Minooka’s Santino Capodice in the semifinals. He was of five individuals, and the lone champ, to record four falls. And he led all of the title winners for the most team points with 34.

He was also one of five seniors who placed in the top eight for four-straight years in the invite.   

“We come to this tournament every year and I think I’ve won every year,” Stewart said. “I’ve gone to Nationals, Worlds, so this is just a tournament where I come to work on my techniques and to get better. There’s never a day off. For me, I practice seven days a week, 365 days a year, you can’t take any days off if you want to be the best. (Reason for Warren Township’s success) Definitely our coaches. The coaches always care for us, work for us, they’re family to us. And our guys, we’re family, too. Most of these guys in our room, we grew up together since we were four or five years old. We’ve been together forever. Just knowing these guys, it makes it a lot easier to work harder.”

Rosch (15-2), who’s ranked sixth at 175 in 3A, finished second for a second time with the 2025 IHSA qualifier also taking second place at Barrington to kick off the season. The senior was the lone finalist for coach Tim Walker’s Falcons. He recorded wins by technical fall in his first two matches before earning his spot in the 190 finals with a pin in 1:48 in the semifinals over Neenah, WI’s Kaden Roth (16-2) who went on to claim third with a fall in 1:43 over Capodice (10-4). In the fifth-place match, Barrington’s Aaron Jafri (13-6) claimed a 15-4 major decision over Downers Grove South’s Daniel Mensah (11-6). And for seventh, Lyons Township’s Luke Wilhelm (15-6) won 8-5 by sudden victory over Downers Grove North’s Jack Helsdon (11-8).

215 – Jimmy Talley, Lincoln-Way West

Jimmy Talley definitely dashed some hopes while also boosting the spirits of others as the Lincoln-Way West senior claimed a victory by technical fall in 2:39 over Glenbard West junior Phin Codinha in the 215 finals at the Rex Whitlatch Invitational. That win denied the Hilltoppers’ hopes of passing Barrington for the team title in the late going while also assuring that Talley’s Warriors would finish ahead of Oak Park and River Forest for third-place honors. But of equal  significance for Talley, his first tournament title of the season suggests that he might not just be able to qualify for the IHSA Finals for the first time, but also may be able to win a medal there.

Talley (15-2), ranked ninth at 215 in 3A, won 36 matches last season but failed to advance to the IHSA Finals from the Joliet Central Sectional. He placed fifth at Marmion Academy but then made another big statement at the Dan Gable Donnybrook in Iowa when he placed second to Bettendorf, IA’s Lincoln Jipp at 215. A year ago at the Whitlatch, he took third, but there was no drama this time as he won his initial three matches with first-period falls, with the last of those in 1:45 in the semifinals over Downers Grove North’s Nate Olona. His title run resulted in him tying Oak Park and River Forest’s Michael Rundell for the second-most team points with 33.5, which was just one-half point behind the leader, Warren Township’s Aaron Stewart. A finalist along with runner-up Shane Stream (138), he was one of eight top-eight finishers for the third-place Warriors, who are coached by 2020 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Brian Glynn.

“We’ve got a few guys out now, too and we’re still putting third, putting up good numbers,” Talley said. “(What’s he done to get better) I finally learned to move my feet. In years before, I was just a big defensive wrestler and I finally started moving my feet. (West’s coaching staff) A lot of them are my practice partners, too. I think we have, like nine seniors starting on the team right now. And we’ve all been wrestling with each other for four years.”

Codinha (6-3) joined champions Aidan Ortega (106) and Vince Tortoriello (150) as finalists and was also one of the 11 top-eight finishers for coach Pat McCluskey’s Hilltoppers, who placed seventh last year but made a great run for the team title before being edged by Barrington 219.5-217 for top honors. Codinha, who won 30 matches last season but fell one win shy of advancing from the Naperville North Regional, opened with a quick fall and then won a 19-9 major decision before earning his spot in the 215 finals with a 3-1 decision over Downers Grove South’s Chris Cali. In the third-place match, Geneseo’s Colten Mooney (14-4) claimed a 4-3 decision over Carl Sandburg’s Wyatt Hochgraber (14-4). For fifth place, Olona (14-3) won by fall in 4:20 over Cali (11-7). And for seventh place, Stevenson’s Aaron Von Heimburg (9-5) recorded  a pin in 0:34 over Neenah, WI’s Willy Brucks (10-7).   

285 – Colin Murphy, Downers Grove North

Colin Murphy didn’t compete in last year’s Rex Whitlatch Invite and was listed as having no varsity matches when he competed in Batavia’s Arlis Invite in January as a non-scoring competitor for Downers Grove North and he actually lost a 1-0 decision in the semifinals before settling for sixth place in the tournament. It’s quite a long ways to go from that showing to winning a championship at the Whitlatch Invitational and also being ranked sixth at 285 in 3A, but that’s what has unfolded for the Trojans senior after he claimed first place at 285 by injury default in 4:00 over Lyons Township senior Jimmy Hillmann to improve to 15-1 on the season.

Murphy opened with a fall before winning consecutive 4-1 decisions. The second of those came in the semifinals when he beat Minooka’s Robbie Murphy. He was one of six individuals who placed eighth or better for coach Chris McGrath’s Trojans, who finished 11th. Murphy avenged his only defeat, which came one week earlier in Downers Grove South’s Larry Gassen Duals Invite when he was pinned by Geneseo’s Josh Stahl, who he beat 4-1 in the quarterfinals.

Hillmann (16-3), who joined champion Griff Powell (138) as finalists for coach Griff Powell’s Lions, won three-straight decisions to reach the 285 title match, with the last of those being by a 10-6 score over Glenbard West’s Marc Tchapda in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Robbie Murphy (13-1), a 2025 IHSA qualifier who’s ranked seventh at 285 in 3A, pulled out a 2-1 victory over Stahl (15-3). For fifth place, Tchapda (17-5) won a 6-3 decision over West Aurora’s Alfonso Aguilar (12-6). And in the seventh-place match, Neenah, WI’s Brayden Milbrodt (12-8) was a 5-2 winner over Warren Township’s Nolan Lopez. 

Final standings of Hinsdale Central’s Rex Whitlatch Invitational

Barrington 219.5, Glenbard West 217, Lincoln-Way West 193.5, Oak Park and River Forest 191.5, Neenah, WI 177.5, Carl Sandburg 168, Geneseo 162.5, Minooka 148.5, West Aurora 146.5, Stevenson 120.5, Downers Grove North 119, Downers Grove South 118, Warren Township 105.5, Lyons Township 102, Wheaton North 94.5, Maine South 81.5, Rockford East 73.5, DeKalb 70, Neuqua Valley 52.5, Oswego 50, Hinsdale Central 46.5, Hinsdale South 41.5, South Elgin 29.5, Willowbrook 25, Belleville West 15.5

Championship matches of Hinsdale Central’s Rex Whitlatch Invitational

106 – Aidan Ortega (Glenbard West) over Stefan Vihrov (Stevenson), D 10-3

113 – Michael Rundell (Oak Park and River Forest) over Gabriel Richmond (West Aurora), F 1:31

120 – Caleb Noble (Warren Township) over Kaleb Pratt (Barrington), D 3-2

126 – Jamiel Castleberry (Oak Park and River Forest) over Saul Ramirez (Barrington), MD 16-4

132 – Ryan Dorn (Barrington) over Maddux Tindal (Minooka), MD 11-0

138 – Griff Powell (Lyons Township) over Shane Stream (Lincoln-Way West), MD 14-3

144 – Jimmy Whitaker (Barrington) over Zev Koransky (Oak Park and River Forest), MD 16-6

150 – Vince Tortoriello (Glenbard West) over Dana Wickson (Rockford East), D 5-4

157 – David Ogunsanya (Oak Park and River Forest) over Ty Smart (Rockford East), MD 14-5

165 – Declan Koch (Neenah, WI) over Izaac Gaines (Geneseo), MD 8-0

175 – Dayne Serio (West Aurora) over Kye Weinzierl (Geneseo), D 1-0

190 – Aaron Stewart (Warren Township) over Ryan Rosch (Wheaton North), F 1:16

215 – Jimmy Talley (Lincoln-Way West) over Phin Codinha (Glenbard West), TF 2:39

285 – Colin Murphy (Downers Grove North) over Jimmy Hillmann (Lyons Township), Inj. 4:00

Third-place matches of Hinsdale Central’s Rex Whitlatch Invitational

106 – Julian Hartwig (DeKalb) over Anthony Hayes (Carl Sandburg), D 1-0

113 – Kyle Hayes (Carl Sandburg) over Broden Butzke (Neenah, WI), F 1:34

120 – Evan Mishels (Stevenson) over Tanner Stone (Downers Grove South), MD 13-5

126 – Carter DiBenedetto (Lincoln-Way West) over Marcelo Cantu (Stevenson), MD 11-3

132 – Brady Glynn (Lincoln-Way West) over Brett Harman (Maine South), D 7-6

138 – Alejandro Aranda (Glenbard West) over Aiden Ortiz (Oswego), D 11-6

144 – Val Vihrov (Stevenson) over Oscar Kalman (Carl Sandburg), MD 13-2

150 – Aiden Noyes (Oak Park and River Forest) over Logan Dilallo (South Elgin), F 1:50

157 – Daniel Blanke (Barrington) over Landen Sheppard (Neenah, WI), F 2:25

165 – Brady Ritter (Carl Sandburg) over Max Herman (Lincoln-Way West), D 8-1

175 – Sam Cushman (Barrington) over Adnan Askar (Carl Sandburg), F 2:39

190 – Kaden Roth (Neenah, WI) over Santino Capodice (Minooka), F 1:43

215 – Colten Mooney (Geneseo) over Wyatt Hochgraber (Car Sandburg), D 4-3

285 – Robbie Murphy (Minooka) over Josh Stahl (Geneseo), D 2-1