Feature Stories

REGIONALS THAT FEED THE JOLIET CENTRAL INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

NORMAL COMMUNITY REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE NORMAL COMMUNITY REGIONAL

106

1st – Kane Robles of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

2nd – Jackson Soney of Normal (Community)

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

113

1st – Caden Correll of Normal (Community)

2nd – Jakob Crandall of Joliet (West)

3rd – Anthony Sutton of Lockport (Twp.)

120

1st – Maddux Tindal of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

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

3rd – Noah Avina of Monicker

126

1st – Jason Hampton of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

2nd – Isaac Zimmerman of Lockport (Twp.)

3rd – Cole Gentsch of Normal (Community)

132

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

3rd – Brayden Manning of Normal (Community)

138

1st – Naseem Jaber of Lockport (Twp.)

2nd – Dawson Mack of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

3rd – Mason Vogt of Minooka

144

1st – Elias Gonzalez of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

2nd – Anthony Diorio of Lockport (Twp.)

3rd – Tremaine Cooper of Joliet (Central)

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

2nd – Carson Weber of Joliet (West)

3rd – Nolan Vogel of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

157

1st – Jaedon Calderon of Lockport (Twp.)

2nd – Carter Mayes of Normal (Community)

3rd – Vince Tindal of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

165

1st – Luke Hamiti of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

2nd – Chris Miller of Lockport (Twp.)

3rd – Kaden Meyer of Minooka

175

1st – Jaren Frankowiak of Normal (Community)

2nd – Issac Clauson of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

3rd – AJ Frescura of Minooka

190

1st – Nico Ronchetti of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

2nd – Drew Silzer of Lockport (Twp.)

3rd – Santino Capodice of Minooka

215

1st – Charles Walker of Joliet (Central)

2nd – Mason Caraway of Normal (Community)

3rd – Derrick Pomatto of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

285

1st – Robbie Murphy of Minooka

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

3rd – Elijah Watt of Joliet (Catholic Academy)

MOLINE REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE MOLINE REGIONAL

106

1st – Maddox Garbis of Plainfield (North)

2nd – Drew Ritchie of Plainfield (South)

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

113

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

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

3rd – Brian Tejeda of Plainfield (East)

120

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

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

3rd – Raynen Ruffin of Oswego (H.S.)

126

1st – Aidan Durell of Plainfield (North)

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

3rd – Aiden Ortiz of Oswego (H.S.)

132

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

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

3rd – Nathan Alli of Plainfield (North)

138

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

2nd – Braeden Grisham of Oswego (East)

3rd – Jack Bowen of Plainfield (Central)

144

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

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

3rd – Kyle Mccormick of Plainfield (South)

150

1st – Van Rosauer of Yorkville (H.S.)

2nd – Dillon Griffin of Oswego (H.S.)

3rd – Muhammad Hasib of Plainfield (East)

157

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

2nd – Kayden Marolf of East Moline (United)

3rd – Hassan Ndiaye of Moline (H.S.)

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

2nd – Chase Pierceall of Plainfield (South)

3rd – Jaxson Soliz of Moline (H.S.)

175

1st – Luke Zook of Yorkville (H.S.)

2nd – Colin Bickett of Plainfield (South)

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

190

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

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

215

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

2nd – Anthony Minnito of Plainfield (Central)

3rd – Josh Edwards of Oswego (East)

285

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

2nd – Jakub Kowal of Plainfield (South)

3rd – Liam Corona of Plainfield (North)

EDWARDSVILLE REGIONAL 

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE EDWARDSVILLE REGIONAL

106

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

2nd – Jackson Schadegg of Belleville (East)

3rd – Connor Castens of Collinsville

113

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

2nd – Clayton McClelland of Quincy (Sr.)

3rd – Dashun Caldwell of Granite City

120

1st – Rocky Seibel of Belleville (West)

2nd – Corbin Zeisset of Belleville (East)

3rd – Jace Brown of Granite City

126

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

2nd – Wyatt Boeing of Quincy (Sr.)

3rd – Delane Mosley of Belleville (East)

132

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

3rd – Adrian Mendez of Granite City

138

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

2nd – Braden Kelly of Belleville (East)

3rd – Cooper Kamm of Quincy (Sr.)

144

1st – Aiden Colbert of Belleville (West)

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

3rd – Marshall Skelton of Alton (Sr.)

150

1st – Brayden Drew of Alton (Sr.)

2nd – Xander Goodwin of Belleville (West)

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

157
1st – Brody Baker of Quincy (Sr.)

2nd – Killian Rauch of Belleville (East)

3rd – Logan Thomas of O`Fallon (H.S.)

165

1st – Terence Willis of Belleville (East)

2nd – Gunnar Derhake of Quincy (Sr.)

3rd – Alex Ramo of Belleville (West)

175

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

2nd – Eli Miller of Granite City

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

190

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

2nd – Scott Snyder of Collinsville

3rd – Ethan Hofmeister of Belleville (West)

215

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

2nd – Justin Riley of Belleville (West)

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

285

1st – Jonathan Rulo of Belleville (East)

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

3rd – King Johnson of Quincy (Sr.)

RICH TOWNSHIP REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE RICH TOWNSHIP REGIONAL

106

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

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

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

113

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

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

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

120

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

2nd – Nadeem Haleem of Tinley Park (Andrew)

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

126

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

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

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

132

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

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

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

138

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

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

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

144

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

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

150

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

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

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

157

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

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

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

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

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

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

175

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

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

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

190

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

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

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

215

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

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

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

285

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

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

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

REGIONALS THAT FEED THE HINSDALE CENTRAL INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH REGIONAL

106

1st – Elio Gil of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Tanner Stone of Downers Grove (South)

3rd – Andy Casmiro of Burbank (Reavis)

113

1st – Joe Bronske of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Javier Corral of Palos Hills (Stagg)

3rd – Kenny Banks of Palos Heights (Shepard)

120

1st – Louie King of LaGrange (Lyons)

2nd – Caden Campo of Chicago (Marist)

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

1st – Michael Esteban of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Roger Martinez of LaGrange (Lyons)

3rd – Lucas Zhao of Downers Grove (South)

132

1st – George Marinopoulos of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Griff Powell of LaGrange (Lyons)

3rd – Anthony Mayen of Hinsdale (Central)

138

1st – Jonathan Fields of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Jack Kutchek of LaGrange (Lyons)

3rd – Jonathan Martinez of Hinsdale (Central)

144

1st – Donavon Allen of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Samer Suleiman of Palos Hills (Stagg)

3rd – Drew Woolsey of Downers Grove (South)

150

1st – Tommy Fidler of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – TaVayris Howard of Palos Heights (Shepard)

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

1st – Ethan Sonne of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Charles Shane of Oak Lawn (Community)

3rd – Mickey Ahrens of LaGrange (Lyons)

165

1st – Will Denny of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Cornell Fennessee of LaGrange (Lyons)

3rd – Jihad Suleiman of Palos Hills (Stagg)

175

1st – Noah Greene of Downers Grove (South)

2nd – Kevin Tomkins of Chicago (Marist)

3rd – Aidan Hill of Palos Heights (Shepard)

190

1st – Ricky Ericksen of Chicago (Marist)

2nd – Zachary Kruse of Hinsdale (Central)

3rd – Ryker Czubak of Downers Grove (South)

215

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

2nd – Nicky Arquilla of LaGrange (Lyons)

3rd – Daniel Mensah of Downers Grove (South)

285

1st – Jacobi Spraggins of Downers Grove (South)

2nd – Jack Watson of Chicago (Marist)

3rd – Jimmy Hillmann of LaGrange (Lyons)

NAPERVILLE NORTH REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE NAPERVILLE NORTH REGIONAL

106

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

2nd – Dalton Meluch of Naperville (Central)

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

1st – Rocco Hayes of Orland Park (Sandburg)

2nd – Adam Beedon of Naperville (North)

3rd – Aris Neal of Villa Park (Willowbrook)

120

1st – Ismael Chaidez of Lombard (Glenbard East)

2nd – Tyler Tiancgo of Downers Grove (North)

3rd – Oscar Kalman of Orland Park (Sandburg)

126

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

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

132

1st – Madden Parker of Orland Park (Sandburg)

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

3rd – Vince Bern of Naperville (Central)

138

1st – Brady Ritter of Orland Park (Sandburg)

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

3rd – Caden Chiarelli of Downers Grove (North)

144

1st – Ryan Hinger of Orland Park (Sandburg)

2nd – Aaron Camacho of Bolingbrook

3rd – Aidan Cummings of Downers Grove (North)

150

1st – Tyler Sternstein of Naperville (North)

2nd – CJ Bierman of Naperville (Central)

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

157

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

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

3rd – Adnan Askar of Orland Park (Sandburg)

165

1st – Tommy McDermott of Bolingbrook

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

3rd – Wyatt Hochgraber of Orland Park (Sandburg)

175

1st – Henry Rydwelski of Naperville (Central)

2nd – Ahmad Alomari of Orland Park (Sandburg)

3rd – Jack Lasota of Downers Grove (North)

190

1st – Paul Peradotti of Naperville (Central)

2nd – Orlando Hoye of Lombard (Glenbard East)

3rd – Chris Davis of Orland Park (Sandburg)

215

1st – Tavfik Ibragimov of Naperville (North)

2nd – Malic Breish of Orland Park (Sandburg)

3rd – Nate Olona of Downers Grove (North)

285

1st – William Erbeck of Naperville (Central)

2nd – Peter Rodriguez of Downers Grove (North)

3rd – Omar Alhmoud of Orland Park (Sandburg)

MORTON REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE MORTON REGIONAL

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

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

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

113

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

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

3rd – Julian Govea of Chicago (Curie)

120

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

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

3rd – Daniel Garcia of Chicago (Hubbard)

126

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

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

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

132

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

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

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

138

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

2nd – Aldo Gutierrez of Summit (Argo)

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

144

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

2nd – Jacob Van Allen of Summit (Argo)

3rd – Fabian Salazar of Chicago (Hubbard)

150

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

2nd – Leovardo Juarez of Chicago (Kelly)

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

157

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

2nd – Mylan Williams of Chicago (Curie)

3rd – Emiliano Ruiz of Chicago (Kelly)

165

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

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

3rd – Quenton Mingo of Harvey (Thornton)

175

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

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

3rd – Mike Starzyk of Summit (Argo)

190

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

2nd – Eduardo Seija of Chicago (Curie)

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

215

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

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

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

285

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

2nd – Remy Avalos of Summit (Argo)

3rd – Dameon Norman of Chicago (Kenwood)

MARMION REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE MARMION REGIONAL

106

1st – James Morrison of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Gabe Richmond of Aurora (West Aurora)

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

113

1st – Aidan McClure of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Kai Enos of Batavia

3rd – Jeremiah Haynes of Aurora (West Aurora)

120

1st – Colton Wyller of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Joseph Huicochea of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Elias Chaney of Batavia

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

2nd – Kyle Pasco of Batavia

3rd – Peter Kabene of Aurora (West Aurora)

132

1st – Demetrios Carrera of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Jack Platt of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Nathan Duffield of Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)

138

1st – Evan Matkovich of Aurora (West Aurora)

2nd – Jack Duraski of Batavia

3rd – Grayson Garcia of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

144

1st – Zach Stewart of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Marcus Quintana of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Cole Hubbard of Batavia

150

1st – Ashton Hobson of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Malan Hatfield of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Curtis Burke of Naperville (Neuqua Valley)

157

1st – Dominic Serio of Aurora (West Aurora)

2nd – Chase Osborne of Batavia

3rd – Andrew Haritos of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

165

1st – Dayne Serio of Aurora (West Aurora)

2nd – Colin Peyton of Batavia

3rd – Anthony Haddad of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

175

1st – Vincenzo Testa of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Manny Chavez of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Jack Brown of Batavia

190

1st – Luke Boersma of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

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

3rd – Deividas Lewiton of Naperville (Neuqua Valley)

215

1st – Joseph Favia of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Asher Sheldon of Batavia

3rd – Fernando Anaya of Aurora (West Aurora

285

1st – Mateusz Nycz of Aurora (Marmion Academy)

2nd – Alfonso Aguilar of Aurora (West Aurora)

3rd – Leonidas Hobson of Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)

By Mike Garofola for the IWCOA

REGIONALS THAT FEED THE BARRINGTON INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

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

DUNDEE-CROWN REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE DUNDEE-CROWN REGIONAL

106

1st – Daniel Berdich of Stevenson

2nd – Matthew Blanke of Barrington

3rd – Lucas Crandall of Fremd

113

1st – Oleksandr Havrylkiv of Buffalo Grove

2nd – Kaleb Pratt of Barrington

3rd – Evan Mishels of Stevenson

120

1st – Ryan Dorn of Barrington

2nd – Ayush Bajaj of Stevenson

3rd – MYKOLA SHAMRAY of Buffalo Grove

126

1st – Saul Ramirez of Barrington

2nd – Marcelo Cantu of Stevenson

3rd – Max Duberstein of Fremd

132

1st – Shawn Kogan of Stevenson

2nd – Jimmy Whitaker of Barrington

3rd – Chris Gerardo of Dundee-Crown

138

1st – Drew Fifield of Fremd

2nd – Mikey Polyakov of Stevenson

3rd – Brennan O`Donnell of Barrington

144

1st – Evan Gosz of Fremd

2nd – Maddux Orozco of Barrington

3rd – Donovan Acosta of 

150
1st – Daniel Blanke of Barrington

2nd – Valentin Vihrov of Stevenson

3rd – Jadon Wheatley of Dundee-Crown

157

1st – Silas Oberholtzer of Barrington

2nd – Alan Allende of 

3rd – Koko Kachakov of Rolling Meadows

165

1st – Lucas Nance of Fremd

2nd – Chris Chi of Buffalo Grove

3rd – Sam Cushman of Barrington

175

1st – Trey Widlowski of 

2nd – Philip Boyko of Stevenson

3rd – Josh Rappa of Rolling Meadows

190

1st – Everett Ciezak of Stevenson

2nd – John Rappa of Rolling Meadows

3rd – Zach Anderson of Dundee-Crown

215

1st – Clarence Jackson of Barrington

2nd – Teigen Moreno of Dundee-Crown

3rd – Maciej Szelazek of Lake Zurich

285

1st – Andrew Timmons of Stevenson

2nd – Owen Jakubczak of Fremd

3rd – Roy Ramirez of Dundee-Crown

GLENBROOK SOUTH REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE GLENBROOK SOUTH REGIONAL

106

1st – Niko Odiotti of Loyola Academy

2nd – Caleb Son of Glenbrook North

3rd – Carlo Difalco of Prospect

113

1st – Daniel Lehman of Hersey

2nd – Quentin Williams of Loyola Academy

3rd – Alex Gudgeon of Highland Park

120

1st – Anthony Orozco of Hersey

2nd – Daniel Myint of Loyola Academy

3rd – Ermuun Urtnasan of Glenbrook South

126

1st – Riddick Variano of Hersey

2nd – Matthew Miralles of New Trier

3rd – Karol Kosciarz of Prospect

132

1st – Elijah Garza of Hersey

2nd – Ryan Georgopoulos of New Trier

3rd – Roman Ocampo of Glenbrook South

138

1st – Nolan Variano of Hersey

2nd – Jordan Mokhtarian of Glenbrook North

3rd – Ronin Umali of Prospect

144

1st – Maksim Mukhamedaliyev of Hersey

2nd – Zachary Hempen of Niles North

3rd – Sharjeel Saqibuddin of New Trier

150

1st – Rodrigo Arceo of Hersey

2nd – Oliver Quiros of Niles North

3rd – Daniel Malan of Loyola Academy

157

1st – Frankie Tagoe of Hersey

2nd – Tagg Miller of New Trier

3rd – Bennett Westfallen of Prospect

165

1st – Joseph Quirk of Prospect

2nd – Grant Moga of Hersey

3rd – Henry Downing of Glenbrook South

175

1st – Shane Onixt of Glenbrook North

2nd – Gavin Payne of Prospect

3rd – Connor Moga of Hersey

190

1st – Jonathan Slump of Hersey

2nd – Shiloh Martinez of Niles North

3rd – August Close of Loyola Academy

215

1st – Kai Calcutt of Loyola Academy

2nd – Daniel Derbedyenyev of Highland Park

3rd – Nick Larsen of Hersey

285

1st – Hunter Johnson of Glenbrook South

2nd – James Brouilette of Prospect

3rd – Harrison Lacaeyse of Hersey

HONONEGAH REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE HONONEGAH REGIONAL

106

1st – Kristian DeClercq of Hononegah

2nd – Dominic Angileri of Guilford

3rd – Cael Saldana of Huntley

113

1st – Colin Abordo of Huntley

2nd – Isaiah Martinez of Hononegah

3rd – Deegan Kirschke of Hampshire

120

1st – Jackson Olson of Hononegah

2nd – Enrique Garcia of Jacobs

3rd – Cameron Abordo of Huntley

126

1st – Ben Arbotante of Jacobs

2nd – Julian Gutierrez of Huntley

3rd – Maddox Franklin of Hononegah

132

1st – Rocco Cassioppi of Hononegah

2nd – Alexander Gutierrez of Huntley

3rd – Izayah Olejniczak of Harlem

138

1st – Thomas Silva of Hononegah

2nd – Gavin Nischke of Huntley

3rd – Owen Recoy of Harlem

144

1st – Matthew Keaty of Huntley

2nd – Nathan Gomez of Jacobs

3rd – Evan Musil of Hononegah

150

1st – Bruno Cassioppi of Hononegah

2nd – Chris Napiorkowski of Hampshire

3rd – Arshoun Island of Auburn

157

1st – Radic Dvorak of Huntley

2nd – Max Haskins of Hononegah

3rd – Michael Brannigan of Hampshire

165

1st – Brody Sendele of Hononegah

2nd – Johnathan Strauss of Jacobs

3rd – Lucas Bittman of Huntley

175

1st – Connor Diemel of Hononegah

2nd – Aidan Rowells of Hampshire

3rd – Alex Vega of Huntley

190
1st – Kurt Smith of Hononegah

2nd – Jesse Lovell of Huntley

3rd – Uriah Beamon of Hampshire

215

1st – Wyatt Theobald of Huntley

2nd – Lucas Retzler of Jacobs

3rd – Ethan Ballard of Hononegah

285

1st – Chandler Jack of Harlem

2nd – Knox Homola of Hampshire

3rd – Maximus Garcia of Jacobs

REGIONALS THAT FEED THE CONANT INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

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

ADDISON TRAIL REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE ADDISON TRAIL REGIONAL

106

1st – MJ Rundell of OPRF

2nd – Nikolas Duarte of A. Trail

3rd – Jayden Scott of Proviso East

113

1st – Zander Spatafore of Elk Grove

2nd – Santiago Trejo-Huerigo of A. Trail

3rd – Chase Murrell of Proviso East

120

1st – Jamiel Castleberry of OPRF

2nd – Tommy Conners of York

3rd – Zion Martinez of A. Trail

126

1st – Mondo Martinelli of York

2nd – Gabe Rojas of OPRF

3rd – Jayden Otero of Proviso East

132

1st – Zev Koransky of OPRF

2nd – Michael Miranda of Leyden

3rd – Nicasio Acino of Elk Grove

138

1st – Joseph Knackstedt of OPRF

2nd – Deniko Fox of Chicago Crane Medical Prep

3rd – Jimmy Jacinto of A. Trail

144

1st – Frank Nitti of York

2nd – AJ Noyes of OPRF

3rd – Matthias Hautzinger of A. Trail

150

1st – David Ogunsanya of OPRF

2nd – Jackson Hanselman of York

3rd – Matt DiMaria of Elk Grove

157

1st – Marquis Deloach of Proviso West

2nd – Ryan Wozniak of OPRF

3rd – Benjamin Gorny of York

165

1st – Zach Michaud of OPRF

2nd – Angel Heard of Proviso West

3rd – Alen Bautista of A. Trail

175

1st – Hugh Vanek of OPRF

2nd – Isaiah Robinson of Proviso West

3rd – Christopher Quizhpi of Leyden

190

1st – Dominic Ganir of Leyden

2nd – Emmanuel Leal of A. Trail

3rd – Dylan Crump of Proviso East

215

1st – Mikey Grazzini of York

2nd – Eric Harris of OPRF

3rd – Erick Worwa of Leyden

285

1st – Mikey Milovich of Elk Grove

2nd – Martaevion Howard of Proviso East

3rd – Terrence Garner of OPRF

LAKE PARK REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE LAKE PARK REGIONAL

106

1st – Austin Phelps of Schaumburg 

2nd – Liam Lovelace of Lake Park

3rd – Evan Hamilton of South Elgin

113

1st – Nicholas Dilallo of South Elgin

2nd – Bryce Mensik of Lake Park

3rd – Damian Ramos of Conant

120

1st – Brady Phelps of Schaumburg 

2nd – Luis Flores of Conant

3rd – Giovanni Parente of Lake Park

126

1st – AJ Quevedo of Schaumburg 

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

132

1st – Aiden Quevedo of Schaumburg 

2nd – Sergio Hernandez of Lake Park

3rd – Mike Goolish of Conant

138

1st – Nick Merola of Lake Park

2nd – Aamir Nieves Allen of South Elgin

3rd – Brody Hinkle of Schaumburg 

144

1st – Victor Chevganov of Conant

2nd – Damari Miller of Larkin

3rd – Justin Cortes-Apolinar of Schaumburg 

150

1st – Callen Kirchner of Schaumburg 

2nd – Juan Cortes of Streamwood

3rd – Max Wala of Lake Park

157
1st – Dmytro Patykovskyi of 

2nd – David Miranda of Larkin

3rd – Emilio Guzman of Elgin 

165

1st – Jackson Spizzirri of Conant

2nd – Jayden Valentino of 

3rd – Daniel Duran of Schaumburg 

 MD 11-2

175

1st – Fabian Ramirez of Elgin 

2nd – Gabe Inorio of Streamwood

3rd – Sean Christoffel of Schaumburg 

190

1st – Jace Wolf of Streamwood

2nd – Karl Pretzer of South Elgin

3rd – Josh Benson of Schaumburg 

215

1st – Deremit Zamora of South Elgin

2nd – Montez Miller of Elgin 

3rd – Matthew Carver of Schaumburg 

285

1st – Jeffrey Rustemi of Lake Park

2nd – Victor Juarez of Elgin 

3rd – Christopher Arciniega-Sanchez of Schaumburg 

MAINE SOUTH REGIONAL 

It was a historic day for Lane wrestling.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE MAINE SOUTH REGIONAL

106

1st – Jeremiah Arroyo-McMullan of Chicago Lane

2nd – Erle Rosete of Maine South

3rd – Duncan Tenezaca of Maine East

113

1st – Bernardo Roque of Chicago Taft

2nd – Luca Burgio of Maine West

3rd – Jairo Kish of Maine East

120

1st – Logan Battersby of Maine West

2nd – David Ruiz of Chicago Taft

3rd – Joaquin Salameda of Chicago Lane

126

1st – Brett Harman of Maine South

2nd – John Moor of Maine East

3rd – Angel Rivera of Chicago Taft

132

1st – Alex Valentin of Chicago Lane

2nd – Dulguun Nyamdavaa of Maine East

3rd – Jack Handley of Maine South

138

1st – Caden Ljubenko of Maine South

2nd – Lucas Youmara of Niles West

3rd – Adrian Junco of Chicago Taft

144

1st – Jake Colleran of Maine South

2nd – Vermaat VanderBrug of Chicago Lane

3rd – Shane Burns of Maine West

150

1st – Gavin Hoerr of Maine South

2nd – Dylan Kroschel of Maine West

3rd – Cole Calace of Chicago Lane

157
1st – Nasser Hammouche of Chicago Lane

2nd – Luke Gloetzner of Maine South

3rd – Louis Avalos of Maine West

165

1st – Peter Greco of Maine West

2nd – Aidan Swenson of Maine South

3rd – Gabe Peto of Chicago Lane

175

1st – Eyob Abebe of Chicago Lane

2nd – Ken Coleman of Evanston 

3rd – Zbigniew Kordalewski of Maine West

190

1st – Brian Henry of Evanston 

2nd – Jose Lagunas of Chicago Lane

3rd – Josh Taylor of Chicago Taft

215

1st – Evan Jocic of Chicago Taft

2nd – Adrian Meza of Chicago Lane

3rd – Thomas Leach of Maine South

285

1st – Tyler Fortis of Maine South

2nd – Jeremy Marshall of Evanston 

3rd – Manny Olojo of Niles West

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

REGIONALS THAT FEED THE HINSDALE SOUTH INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD REGIONAL

106

1st – Liam Kissane of St. Laurence

2nd – Steven Guzman of R.-Brookfield

3rd – Nicholas Anguiano of Hancock

113

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

2nd – Nate Martinez of St. Laurence

3rd – Ithan Payne of Lindblom

120

1st – Victor Alvarado of Kennedy

2nd – Edgar Mosquera of R.-Brookfield

3rd – Benito Chavez of Little Village

126

1st – Jovanni Harris of Little Village

2nd – Ezequiel Farias of Hancock

3rd – Adrian Pintado of St. Laurence

132

1st – Jacob Godoy of R.-Brookfield

2nd – Khalid Eid of St. Laurence

3rd – David Bahena of Little Village

138

1st – Tony Lombardo of R.-Brookfield

2nd – Alexander Gonzalez of Lindblom

3rd – Anthony Suarez of Little Village

144

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

2nd – Sergio Ramirez of Lindblom

3rd – Josh Martinez of St. Laurence

150

1st – Habibullo Begov of Kennedy

2nd – Julian Chavez of Back of the Yards

3rd – Tony Miranda of R.-Brookfield

157

1st – Ethan Rivas of R.-Brookfield

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

3rd – Christian Vega of Kennedy

165

1st – Jack Claussen of St. Laurence

2nd – Erick Arroyo of Lindblom

3rd – Max Strong of R.-Brookfield

175

1st – Matthew Zalinski of St. Laurence

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

3rd – Malakai Davis of Hancock

190

1st – Matthew Elzy of R.-Brookfield

2nd – Andrew Banazak of St. Laurence

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

215

1st – Xavier Bitner of St. Laurence

2nd – Aiden Quezada of Lindblom

3rd – Juan Zavala of Solorio

285

1st – Josue Olivo of Lindblom

2nd – Angelo Guiterez of St. Laurence

3rd – Joey Alberts of R.-Brookfield

OAK FOREST REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE OAK FOREST REGIONAL

106

1st – Jason Schickel of Oak Forest

2nd – Patrick O`Connell of Tinley Park 

113

1st – Jacob Sebek of Oak Forest

2nd – Edwin Gomez of Thornton Fractional North

120

1st – Hunter Kroll of Oak Forest

2nd – Tristan Cooks of Marian

3rd – Maurice Walker of Thornton Fractional North

126

1st – James Mair of Oak Forest

2nd – Chase Tankson of Marian

3rd – Malachi Turner of Bremen

132

1st – Izaiah Gonzalez of Bremen

2nd – Deshawn Jones of Thornton Fractional North

3rd – Carter Leshock of Tinley Park 

138

1st – Melik Robinson of Thornton Fractional North

2nd – Josh Schickel of Oak Forest

3rd – Bronx Debergh of Marian

144

1st – Austin Perez of Oak Forest

2nd – Roderick Shepherd of Tinley Park 

3rd – Gerard Fleming of C.-Monee

150

1st – Kiaven Sullivan of Hillcrest

2nd – Walter Hoevker of Bremen

3rd – Jonah Greenwood of Marian

157

1st – Joseph Merritt of Thornton Fractional North

2nd – Shelby Dockery of Marian

3rd – Jarele Johnson of C.-Monee

165

1st – Joey Baranski of Marian

2nd – Jaylene Johnson of C.-Monee

3rd – Blake Bussie of Oak Forest

175

1st – Jason Janke of Oak Forest

2nd – Adrian Esparza of Marian

3rd – Jaime Martinez of Bremen

190

1st – Jacob Vinardi of Kankakee Sr.

2nd – Nathan Izguerra of Oak Forest

3rd – Jadyn Thomas of Marian

215

1st – Andrius Vasilevskas of Oak Forest

2nd – Malakai Scott of C.-Monee

3rd – Jalauni Johnston of Thornton Fractional North

285

1st – Sebastian Sanderson of Tinley Park 

2nd – Jose Montesino of Oak Forest

3rd – Marco Olvera of Bremen

RICHARDS REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE RICHARDS REGIONAL

106

1st – Erik Klichurov of Montini

2nd – Christian Corcoran of Providence Catholic

3rd – Alex Powers of Lemont 

113

1st – Allen Woo of Montini

2nd – Elijah Sawyers of Agricultural Science

3rd – Nathan Ortiz of Providence Catholic

120

1st – Mikey Malizzio of Montini

2nd – Max Mandac of Providence Catholic

3rd – Alexander Schuetz of Hinsdale South

126

1st – Bob Ruscitti of Montini

2nd – Lucas Forsythe of Providence Catholic

3rd – Parker Ludwig of Lemont 

132

1st – Tommy Banas of Providence Catholic

2nd – Cory Zator of Lemont 

3rd – Isaac Mayora of Montini

138

1st – Kam Luif of Montini

2nd – Luke Banas of Providence Catholic

3rd – Diego Myers of Glenbard South

144

1st – Jin Tai of Glenbard South

2nd – MAURICE BUSH of Agricultural Science

3rd – Andrew Pellicci of Providence Catholic

150

1st – Justus Heeg of Providence Catholic

2nd – Brady Miller of Hinsdale South

3rd – Leo Flores of Oak Lawn Richards

157

1st – Jasper Harper of Providence Catholic

2nd – Kevin May of Montini

3rd – Nick Miller of Hinsdale South

165

1st – Santino Tenuta of Montini

2nd – Logan Price of Glenbard South

3rd – Brayden McKay of Providence Catholic

175

1st – AJ Tack of Montini

2nd – Declan Dircks of Providence Catholic

3rd – Reid Sebahar of Glenbard South

190

1st – Mike Taheny of Oak Lawn Richards

2nd – Judah Heeg of Lemont 

3rd – Jaxon Lane of Montini

215

1st – Danny Langner of Glenbard South

2nd – Koda Miller of Providence Catholic

3rd – DONOVAN KENERSON of Agricultural Science
285

1st – Gavin Ericson of Montini

2nd – Mike Sisk of Providence Catholic

3rd – Ambrose Davis of Glenbard South

ST. RITA REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE ST. RITA REGIONAL

106

1st – Brayden Mateja-Bates of Evergreen Park

2nd – Owen Manning of Brother Rice

3rd – KeAndre Beal of Goode STEM Academy

113

1st – Danny Tait of Brother Rice

2nd – Cartiere Jackson of Goode STEM Academy

120

1st – Jack Hogan of St. Rita

2nd – Jayden Cervantes of Evergreen Park

3rd – Logan Connors of Brother Rice

126

1st – Adrian Cervantes of Evergreen Park

2nd – Jayden Carrasco of Washington

3rd – Cleto Protti of St. Rita

132

1st – Bobby Conway of Brother Rice

2nd – Lucas Landry of Evergreen Park

3rd – Luke Pappalas of St. Rita

138

1st – Oliver Davis of Brother Rice

2nd – Chance Woods of Evergreen Park

3rd – Nino Protti of St. Rita

144

1st – Jonathan Harris of Brother Rice

2nd – Esau Ruvalcava of Evergreen Park

3rd – Enzo Canali of St. Rita

150

1st – Jack O`Connor of Brother Rice

2nd – Xavier Woods of Goode STEM Academy

3rd – David Johnson of Evergreen Park

157

1st – Frank Miceli of Brother Rice

2nd – Andrew Lehman of St. Rita

3rd – Ashton Gray of Evergreen Park

165

1st – Micah Spinazzola of St. Rita

2nd – Josh Matheny of Evergreen Park

3rd – Jack McGinnis of Brother Rice

175

1st – Dan Costello of Brother Rice

2nd – Kevin James of St. Rita

3rd – Owen Brady of Evergreen Park

190

1st – James Crane of Brother Rice

2nd – James Bansley of St. Rita

3rd – Dylan Wilborn of Goode STEM Academy

215

1st – Genesis Ward of Evergreen Park

2nd – Colin Goggin of Brother Rice

3rd – Mitch Street of St. Rita

285

1st – Pat Conneely of St. Rita

2nd – Charlie Stec of Brother Rice

3rd – Tayshawn Larry of Simeon

REGIONALS FEEDING THE CRYSTAL LAKE CENTRAL INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

DEPAUL COLLEGE PREP REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE DEPAUL REGIONAL

106

1st – Dominic Pasquale of IC Catholic

2nd – Aedan Dillow of DePaul College Prep

3rd – Harrison Brown of Fenwick

113

1st – Sam Murante of IC Catholic

2nd – Dimitri Dobre of DePaul College Prep

3rd – CJ Brown of Fenwick

120

1st – Kannon Judycki of IC Catholic

2nd – Colin Bosak of DePaul College Prep

3rd – ALEX VILLANUEVA of St. Ignatius

126

1st – Max Cumbee of IC Catholic

2nd – COLIN MCCANN of St. Ignatius

3rd – Solanus Daley of Fenwick

132

1st – Deven Casey of IC Catholic

2nd – Nabiel Rosario of DePaul College Prep

3rd – LUKE SANCHEZ of St. Ignatius

138

1st – Jacob Alvarez of IC Catholic

2nd – COLTON HUFF of St. Ignatius

3rd – Max Kenny of Fenwick

144

1st – Aidan Arnett of IC Catholic

2nd – Max Rosen of DePaul College Prep

3rd – Brian Timpone of Fenwick

150

1st – Drew Gerstung of DePaul College Prep

2nd – Joey Pontrelli of IC Catholic

3rd – Eiam Staple of Fenwick

157

1st – Aiden Burns of Fenwick

2nd – NATE SANCHEZ of St. Ignatius

3rd – Matthew Brendel of DePaul College Prep

165

1st – Nate Brown of IC Catholic

2nd – Andrew Brendel of DePaul College Prep

3rd – Myles Moriarty of Fenwick

175

1st – Brody Kelly of IC Catholic

2nd – Dominic Esposito of Fenwick

3rd – CHARLIE HOWELL of St. Ignatius

190

1st – Isaac Barrientos of IC Catholic

2nd – Jack Paris of Fenwick

3rd – Alex Drees of DePaul College Prep

215

1st – Foley Calcagno of IC Catholic

2nd – MELSON NAGASSA of St. Ignatius

3rd – Zikomo Mbiewew of Fenwick

285

1st – Hunter Wahtola of DePaul College Prep

2nd – Anthony Sebastian of IC Catholic

3rd – Gianni Bertacchi of Fenwick

ST. PATRICK REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE ST. PATRICK REGIONAL

106

1st – Ray Long of Notre Dame

2nd – Jack Koenig of St. Patrick

3rd – Oscar Ruiz-Villa of Elmwood Park

113

1st – Daniel Goodwin of St. Patrick

2nd – Waide Moravek of Notre Dame

3rd – Tristyn Santiago of Fenton

120

1st – Calvin Stahl of St. Patrick

2nd – Gabriel Hernandez of Fenton

3rd – Quentin Rodriguez of Elmwood Park

126

1st – John Sheehy of Notre Dame

2nd – Dean Angelo III of St. Patrick

3rd – Michael Aiello of Elmwood Park

132

1st – Brady Krueger of Notre Dame

2nd – Giovani Irizarry of St. Patrick

3rd – Mohamad Khater of Ridgewood

138

1st – Patrick Hulne of St. Patrick

2nd – Randy Lazaro of Schurz

3rd – Esteban Bello of Fenton

144

1st – John Carr of Notre Dame

2nd – Isaac Depakakibo of Ridgewood

3rd – Arlind Rexha of Senn

150

1st – Joseph McCarthy of Notre Dame

2nd – Andrew Rieger of St. Patrick

3rd – Josh Dickeson of Fenton

157

1st – Deniz Ozturk of Notre Dame

2nd – Jose Honorato of Fenton

3rd – Mark Bilek of St. Patrick

165

1st – Van Grasser of St. Patrick

2nd – Omar Diaz of Fenton

3rd – Dean Lazaris of Notre Dame

175

1st – Adrian Zepeda of Amundsen

2nd – Dereck Mazariegos of Fenton

3rd – Peter Escamilla of Notre Dame

190

1st – Michael Keany of Notre Dame

2nd – James Reshof of Amundsen

3rd – Danny Martinez of Fenton

215

1st – Ian McKendrick of Notre Dame

2nd – Salvador Espinoza of St. Patrick

3rd – Gavin Stewart of Fenton

285

1st – Thomas Klos of Fenton

2nd – Abraham Bonano of St. Patrick

3rd – Connor Moynihan of Notre Dame

ANTIOCH REGIONAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE ANTIOCH REGIONAL

106

1st – Vince DeMarco of Grayslake Central

2nd – Christopher Talbert of Crystal Lake South

3rd – Haydren Gomez of Antioch

113

1st – Jackson Marlett of Crystal Lake Central

2nd – Noah Kwasiborski of Antioch

3rd – Jayden Rudnicki of Lakes

120

1st – Hunter Lenz of Cary C.-Grove

2nd – Jake Lowitzki of Prairie Ridge

3rd – Payton Ramsey of Crystal Lake Central

126

1st – Gavin Hanrahan of Antioch

2nd – Mikey Meade of Prairie Ridge

3rd – Dylan Ramsey of Crystal Lake Central

132

1st – Nathan Randle of Crystal Lake South

2nd – Liam Halloran of Grayslake Central

3rd – Daniel Snow of Crystal Lake Central

138

1st – Aidan Eisenberg of Grayslake Central

2nd – Jacob Turner of Cary C.-Grove

3rd – Brandon Carbone of Crystal Lake Central

144

1st – Chase Nobiling of Antioch

2nd – Aiden Marrello of Crystal Lake South

3rd – Trevor Hengl of Grayslake Central

150

1st – Dominic Garcia of Antioch

2nd – Owen Anderson of Grayslake North

3rd – Nicholas Zuehlke of Crystal Lake Central

157

1st – Jacob Ronsman of Grayslake North

2nd – Warren Nash of Grayslake Central

3rd – Dominic Vitale of Crystal Lake Central

165

1st – Noah Pechotta of Cary C.-Grove

2nd – Marcus Macias of Antioch

3rd – Tommy Tomasello of Crystal Lake Central

175

1st – Ben Vazquez of Antioch

2nd – Aiden Rodriguez of Prairie Ridge

3rd – Tyler Porter of Crystal Lake Central

190

1st – Cayden Parks of Crystal Lake Central

2nd – Julian Ramos of Lakes

3rd – Frank Matviychuk of Prairie Ridge

215

1st – Tommy McNeil of Crystal Lake Central

2nd – David Williams of Grayslake North

3rd – Owen Shea of Antioch

285

1st – Lucas Burton of Cary C.-Grove

2nd – Logan Gough of Crystal Lake Central

3rd – Robert White of Grayslake North

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

Urbana has enjoyed a proud history in wrestling, dating back to the first IHSA Finals in 1937, when it tied for fourth. Things were still going very well during the 1980s, when 1991 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Wayne Mammen led it to eight-straight regional titles through 1990.

But while the school has had four athletes who’ve won multiple state medals and four who’ve competed for IHSA titles in the last 35 years, most notably University of Illinois redshirt senior Luke Luffman, who earned four medals and won IHSA Class 2A championships at 220 in 2017 and 2018 and at 285 in 2019, the Tigers had not won any regional team titles since 1990.

That changed last Saturday at the Pontiac Regional where a third-year girls program led by coach Phil Sexton that only had three individuals, including two freshmen, who took 21st place at the Richwoods Sectional in 2023 was able to win top honors in the 26-team competition by scoring 90 points, which was seven points ahead of Prairie Central, who collected 83 points.

Paris (79.5), Pontiac (77), Oakwood/ Salt Fork co-op (59.5), Westville (56.5), Mahomet-Seymour (54.5), Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op (54), Clinton (51.5), Clifton Central (46), Normal West (45), Deer Creek-Mackinaw (39.5) and Dwight (36.5) were next-best.

A couple of things are pretty clear when you take a quick look at the results of the Pontiac Regional compared to how the top six teams in the standings placed a year ago while competing in either the Mt. Zion or Minooka regionals.

What a difference a year meant and addition definitely led to subtraction. The top six teams averaged a gain of 16.67 positions in the standings from their 2024 regional showing, with the biggest gainers being 29 spots by Pontiiac (fourth from 33rd), 24 by Prairie Central (second from 26th), 20 by Oakwood/ Salt Fork (fifth from 25th) and 18 by Westville (sixth from 24th).

The addition of four regionals from eight to 12 and more competitors on those teams are major reasons why those huge shifts occurred and the improvements in finishes didn’t stop there. Twenty of the 25 teams that scored points finished in a better position than they did a year ago. 

There was a real buzz in Pontiac over where girls wrestling is headed in east central Illinois. And just four years into it being an officially-sanctioned sport by the IHSA, it will be very exciting to see how much others will be able to accomplish building on the great foundation that many of the trailblazers who participated in the regional have already established in such short order.

The champion Tigers advanced five of their seven individuals to the Highland Sectional, which takes place on February 14-15. Their lone champion was Rickasia Ivy (26-4 at 140) while Tauhnisjha Hart (130) claimed second place. Placing third and also advancing to the sectional were Tamya Terry (135), Franciana Kalanga (190) and Lillian Disanto (235). Randi Campe (125) and Fra`ncette Musau (145) didn’t place but contributed key team points to the winning effort.

“It’s awesome and I’m really glad that we got it started at Urbana,” said Sexton, who’s in his 31st season as a coach and his fifth season leading Urbana. “We started off with one girl (Jurdan Tyler) and she was a first-year kid two years ago and she took third in state. And then we got more of her friends to come out and we’ve just exploded since then and more and more girls are coming out because they want to be a part of it because they see there’s options to go to college and options to have success. My girls cheer for everybody, win or lose, they’re at mat side or in the bleachers and are cheering for the kids and it’s just a neat atmosphere.

“And they’ve made a lot of friends with other teams and they go out and cheer for them, as well. It’s just nice to see the girls come together and this sport is just going to keep going up. It’s a lot of fun and I can’t describe how I feel. We have our ups and downs and the girls have just kept me together. And they’re a joy to be at practice and they keep my boys in line. It’s just amazing. We’ve had a motto all year, and it’s do the best that you can. Just give me your best effort and that’s what they’ve done today and it’s been great.

“We’ll keep getting better and keep getting bigger and with the success, we’ll have more and more girls show up. Back in the 1980’s, Urbana wrestling was the best and now we have the girls coming out so we’re the best in the area right now with the girls and we’re trying to build the boys back up. It’s a hotbed, I grew up there and it’s always been a hotbed for wrestling. And with this, it will bring more and more girls out and it will help both Champaign schools and us.”

Runner-up Prairie Central had two champions and two third-place to give it four qualifiers out of the seven who competed. Claiming first-place finishes for coach Scott Ziller’s Hawks were 2024 IHSA 235 champion Chloe Hoselton (20-0 at 235) and Yuri Vilchis (22-10 at 120) while Makiya Baker (125) and Victoria Vadeboncoeur (140) both finished third. Ruby Guzman (110), Valeria Vilchis (130) and Victoria Marquez (135) also contributed to the cause but did not place.

“We’re very proud of how the girls have wrestled all season and especially at regionals,” Ziller said. “It was a day of personal milestones for many of our kids. Chloe of course started her postseason journey in the hunt for her second state championship. She has been a consistent hammer wrestling year-round for years. Not only that, Chloe has been a senior captain for the whole team, boys and girls, and part of our senior leadership council that got together during preseason to define a framework for the culture they wanted to create among the team. That group has helped maintain a positive culture, kept the coaching staff connected to the mental and physical state of the team, and helped us make decisions throughout the season. 

“Yuri has shown so much promise and growth and has worked her butt off year-round since her first time on the mat in preseason open mats in fall of 2023. She seeks out challenging rounds with both boys and girls in practice and competition and is the hardest worker in every weight room she walks into. Makiya and Tori made every preseason workout and have trained hard and been very coachable leading to them qualifying for sectionals in their first season. Talking about the qualifiers is obvious, but also there is Ruby Guzman, who turned a corner toward an attack style of wrestling and was one match from making sectionals this year after being kind of timid and going 0-2 at regionals last year. Vicky Marquez won her first wrestling match at the end of her first season in which she didn’t get much mat time and Val Vilchis made a 100 percent improvement this season from last. 

“Chloe and Yuri have been great leaders directly in practice and examples putting in extra workouts on and off season. They’ve also brought some of the other girls with them on some of those workouts. Chloe and Yuri were the catalyst for the start and growth of our girls program last year and this year. We tried to recruit girls for years and Chloe and Yuri came out last year and brought a few girls with them. They more than doubled the number of sign-ups this year. It was great to see a mostly inexperienced group of girls place a close second in the regional with almost all of them contributing to that team score.”

Paris qualified four of the five individuals that it brought to the regional tournament. Winning a championship for coach Seth Rohrbach’s third-place Tigers was Emma Shelkey (10-0 at 170) while Kaidence Eveland (110) and Emerson Barrett (135) claimed second-place finishes and Paisley Reed (115) took third place.

And fourth place Pontiac had four qualifiers among its six competitors. Winning titles for coach 

Vinnie Hobart’s Indians were Sophia Mussari (12-6 at 115) and Jocelyn Cobix (25-6 at 125) while Alix Robinson (155) took third place and Olivia Miller (170) finished fourth.

Other Pontiac Regional champions were Gibson City Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher’s Justice Milligan (17-0 at 100) and Avery Schlickman (18-5 at 145), Rantoul’s Jasmine Johnson (8-7 at 105), Oakwood/ Salt Fork’s Taylor Wells (12-6 at 110), Centennial’s Ava Beldo (22-5 at 130), Dwight’s Avery Crouch (4-0 at 135), Bloomington’s Alicia Swank (19-5 at 155) and Clifton Central’s Payton Temple (21-1 at 190).

There was a tie for the lead in most team points for champions with 27.5 between Pontiac teammates Cobix and Mussari while Wells ranked third with 25.5 points. There was a six-way tie for fourth place with 24 team points between Beldo, Milligan, Schlickman, Shelkey, Temple and Vilchis while Crouch finished with 23.5 points.

Also claiming second-place finishes were Oakwood/ Salt Fork’s Lainey Ehler (120) and Taylor Owens (145), Westville’s Kiley Knight (115) and Addison Briggs (190), Unity’s Anna Vasey (155) and Phoenix Molina (235), Olympia’s Mya Downs (100), Clinton’s Bella Villanueva (105), University High’s Hailey Watson (125), St. Joseph-Ogden’s Maddie Wells (140) and Deer Creek-Mackinaw’s Bella Brooks (170).

The closest title matches were at 155, where Swank got past Vasey with a 2-0 decision, and at 235, where Hoselton prevailed 4-0 over Molina in a rematch of the 2024 IHSA Finals at 235.

Additional third-place finishes were Clinton’s Ariana Humes (110) and Diana Naxi (170), 

Mahomet-Seymour’s Sierra Tuttle (100), Clifton Central’s Lilly Plumley (120), Champaign Central’s Londyn Grant (130) and Herscher’s Henna Mullikin (145).

Fourth-place showings were also turned in by Normal West’s Cheyenne Anderson (115), Kitzia Racey (120), Vivian Guither (145) and Cadence Duvall (235), Mahomet-Seymour’s Madilyn Becker (110), Kaisley Shotkoski (140) and Jaycee Weitekamp (190), Clinton’s Sandy Clark (100), Dwight’s Adilyn Avilez (125), Westville’s Laney Cook (130), Bloomington’s Alila Beck (135) and Tremont’s Paytyn Dykes (155).

Clinton’s Ariana Humes led all competitors with 48 total match points while her teammate Sandy Clark was second with 44 points. Thirteen individuals recorded three falls with Prairie Central’s Yuri Vilchis accomplishing that feat in the shortest time, which was 2:30. Eleven competitors got a victory by technical fall with Dwight’s Avery Crouch achieving that in a tourney-best 48 seconds. And Mahomet-Seymour’s Sierra Tuttle had the large seed to place difference, at five positions, after being seeded eighth and placing third at 100.

Here are the champions and their weight classes from the IHSA Pontiac Regional:

100 – Justice Milligan, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

Justice Milligan got the opportunity to compete at the IHSA Finals last season and won a match there in addition to facing the eventual champion at 100, Glenbard West’s Alycia Perez, and she finished with a 15-12 record. The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher senior hopes to advance from the Highland Sectional and make a second visit to the state finals in Bloomington and also win a few more matches there and she’s now unbeaten in 17 matches following the Pontiac Regional where she won by fall in 1:18 over Olympia senior Mya Downs in the 100 title match.

Milligan, who joined classmate Avery Schlickman as one of two champions among three competitors for coach Josh Carter’s Falcons, also recorded pins in her other two matches, including one in 0:57 in the semifinals over Normal West’s Asa Cedeno. Milligan, who became her program’s first regional champion, tied for fourth place in most team points with 24 along with Schlickman, who added the program’s second regional title with a fall in the 145 finals.

“It’s been super fun,” Milligan said of competing in wrestling. “I played basketball and soccer and this is definitely better. I like the experience that you get, it’s not only physically tough, it’s mentally tough, too, and you have to balance that.”

Downs (9-4), a sectional qualifier last season who was also the lone finalist among the two individuals that were on hand for coach Josh Collins’ Spartans, won her first two matches with falls and advanced to the 100 title match following a pin in 2:32 over Bismarck-Henning Rossville-Alvin/ Armstrong’s Gracie Pattison in the semifinals. Mahomet-Seymour freshman Sierra Tuttle (16-10) and Clinton junior Sandy Clark (7-10) both lost their openers but then won their next two matches to meet up for third place and Tuttle won with a pin in 2:32. Tuttle, who led all competitors with a five-place improvement from her seed to her finish, was one of four qualifiers for the Bulldogs and Clark, who ranked second in match points with 44 behind teammate Ariana Humes (48), also joined her as two of the four qualifiers for the Maroons.

105 – Jasmine Johnson, Rantoul

Jasmine Johnson made history for Rantoul by not only becoming her school’s first regional champion but she also became the first individual to advance to a sectional tournament from a regional when the junior won by fall in 1:25 over Clinton freshman Bella Villanueva in the 105 title match. Johnson (8-7) was the lone competitor for coach Mark Owen’s Eagles while Villanueva joins three other Maroons who qualified for the Highland Sectional.

“I’m by myself, right now,” Johnson said of her girls team. “This is my first year wrestling. It’s very exciting. I actually didn’t think that I was going to like it this much but I like it better than my main sport right now, which is basketball. I love wrestling now, it just makes me happy. I like getting to meet new people and there’s a lot of nice, amazing people in wrestling.”

110 – Taylor Wells, Oakwood/ Salt Fork 

Taylor Wells was not only the lone first-place finisher for Oakwood/ Salt Fork at the Pontiac Regional, the freshman became her program’s first-ever regional champion when she claimed a victory by technical fall in 5:28 over Paris sophomore Kaidence Eveland in the 110 title match. 

Wells (12-6), who was one of three finalists and sectional qualifiers for coach Mike Glosser’s Comets, followed a first-minute pin with an 8-1 decision over Mahomet-Seymour junior Madilyn Becker in the semifinals. Wells was seeded fourth, so her three-place improvement was the best of any of the title winners and it also tied her with two other individuals for second-place in that statistic. She also was one of three freshmen who won championships in the Pontiac Regional.

“My brother, Thomas, was really the one that encouraged me to this first and he wrestles at OSF and he’s a senior right now,” Wells said. “And then some of my friends were deciding to do it so I was like, ‘You know what, I’m going to give it a shot and I think it will be really fun.’ Wrestling with the boys really makes you tougher and it really helps you to get stronger. I like the team bonding and the strength and the courage that it takes to wrestle. It’s just really fun all around.”

Eveland (8-6), one of the three finalists and four sectional qualifiers for coach Seth Rohrbach’s third-place Tigers, followed a first-minute fall in her opener with another pin, that one in 5:30 in the semifinals over Clinton senior Ariana Humes (15-6), who went on to claim third place with a fall in 2:51 over Becker (10-12). Humes, who was a sectional qualifier in 2024, joins three other Maroons at the sectional and Becker will be one of four from her school in Highland. Humes also had the most total match points with 48 while teammate Sandy Clark was second with 44.

115 – Sophia Mussari, Pontiac

Sophia Mussari got things started for the hosts of the Pontiac Regional when the Indians sophomore became the first of two champions for her team after claiming top honors at 115 and was followed two weights later by freshman Jocelyn Cobix with a title at 125 to lead the Indians to a fourth-place finish, which was 29 positions better than how they did last year in the rugged Minooka Regional. As a bonus, Mussari and Cobix led all of the champions for the most team points with 27.5.

Mussari (12-6) became her program’s first regional champion and also first to advance to a sectional from a regional when she won by technical fall in 5:16 over Westville/ Georgetown-Ridge Farm junior Kiley Knight in the 115 finals. She was one of four individuals from coach Vinnie Hobart’s Indians who qualified for the sectional. She opened with two quick pins, earning her spot on the title mat with a fall in 1:19 over Paris sophomore Paisley Reed.

“It feels really exciting,” Mussari said. “This is my first time I got first place and last year was my first year wrestling and before wrestling, I did jiu jitsu. It’s a weird position switching to different sports. Last year I placed at most of my tournaments but two and I went 2-2 at regionals and the two I lost to made it to state and placed at state so my goal is to be better than them now. It teaches me a lot of self-discipline. I just really love the sport.”

Knight (9-3) was one of two finalists and three sectional qualifiers for coach Austin Hedrick’s Tigers. She opened with a first-period pin before claiming a victory by technical fall in 2:07 over Centennial’s Taylor Garner in the semifinals to become her program’s first regional finalist. In the third-place match Reed (10-6) won by technical fall in 4:38 over Normal West sophomore Cheyenne Anderson (4-4), who lost to Mussari in the quarterfinals and got pins in her next three matches to become one of the four qualifiers for the Wildcats. They are coached by Margaret LeGates Lehr, who was the first girl to take part in an IHSA event, competing for IWCOA Hall of Famer Libertyville coach Dale Eggert over 30 years ago and her daughter Sammy was the first girl to win a tourney title as an official IHSA sport in 2021-2022 at the Normal Community Invite.

120 – Yuri Vilchis, Prairie Central

Yuri Vilchis and Prairie Central have come a long way in one year as she went from five wins in 2023-2024 to 22 this season and became her school’s first regional champion and eventually was joined as a title winner by defending IHSA 235 champ Chloe Hoselton as two of the Hawks’ four qualifiers for the Highland Sectional when she capped a three-fall effort by winning the 120 championship with a pin in 0:27 over Oakwood/ Salt Fork freshman Lainey Ehler. There were 13 individuals who had three falls, but Vilchis did so in the least amount of time, needing just 2:30.

Vilchis (22-10) collected all of her pins in the opening period, needing just 42 seconds to beat Clifton Central junior Lilly Plumley in the semifinals to make her the first-ever regional finalist for coach Scott Ziller’s Hawks. They made a huge regional improvement from 2024, by collecting 83 points to finish in second place, just seven points behind champion Urbana, after scoring only 25 points last season and finishing tied for 26th place at the Minooka Regional with Hoselton their first individual to advance from a regional to a sectional after taking third place.

“It’s been amazing,” Vilchis said. “I mean it’s my second year and I’ve been putting a lot of effort and work in during the summer. It’s great seeing the progress and being able to see what I can accomplish with just putting in the work. (Being around Chloe) It’s great, she’s really fun, I love her. It was really nice being able to go to The Compound, because where she trains. I like being able to see progress with effort. This is a lot better than any other sport that I’ve been in, and even if it’s a small team, it’s really nice.” 

Ehler (11-8) joined champions Taylor Wells (110) and runner-up Taylor Owens (145) as sectional qualifiers for coach Mike Glosser’s Comets, who finished in fifth place after taking 25th a year ago at the Mt. Zion Regional with just one individual competing, who was Owens, who became the program’s first to advance to a sectional. After opening with a first-period fall, Ehler captured a high-scoring 15-14 decision over Deer Creek-Mackinaw’s Madisyn Droege in the semifinals to assure herself of a trip to the Highland Sectional. In the third-place match, Plumley won by fall in 0:37 over Normal West freshman Kitzia Racey to become one of two qualifiers for her team while Racey was one of four Wildcats who took fourth place to earn trips to Highland. It was a rematch of the quarterfinals, where Plumley also got a pin, and Racey responded with two wins.

125 – Jocelyn Cobix, Pontiac

Jocelyn Cobix made it two titles in three weight classes for Pontiac and Livingston County schools completed a 3-0 run on the title mat when the Indians freshman followed teammate Sophia Mussari and Prairie Central’s Yuri Vilchis as champions in the Pontiac Regional when she took first at 125 by getting a pin in 3:01 over University High sophomore Hailey Watson. The local crowd also liked the fact that Cobix and Mussari collected the most team points with 27.5.

Cobix (25-6) became her school’s second regional champion and sectional qualifier and was later joined by Alix Robinson (155) and Olivia Miller (170) as four individuals from their team who earned trips to the Highland Sectional. Pontiac tied for 33rd with 15 points and had no qualifiers a year ago at Minooka and on Saturday, coach Vinnie Hobart’s team made up 29 positions to finish fourth with 77 points. After opening with a quick pin, Cobix won by technical fall in 4:10 over Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington freshman Adilyn Avilez in the semifinals.

“It’s just a great opportunity and I’m super grateful to be even wrestling now,” Cobix said. “Growing up as a girl in a male-dominated sport has definitely been hard and I’ve faced so many things. Finally, winning a big thing like a regional title as a freshman just makes me feel so happy because I’ve worked my butt off all of these years. This is my fourth year. (Working with boys) It’s definitely harder but it makes me feel proud and more overjoyed when I win, and even when I lose, it’s ok because it’s all a learning experience and everything happens for a reason.”

Watson (15-5), the lone sectional qualifier for coach Caleb Phillips’ Pioneers, only won four matches a year ago but now is her school’s first regional finalist after getting pins in the initial period of her first two matches, winning in 1:05 over Urbana Randi Campe in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Prairie Central junior Makiya Baker (21-16) won by fall in 5:58 over Avilez (4-3) in a  rematch of the quarterfinals where Avilez won an 8-7 decision. Baker bounced back with four-consecutive wins, with three being falls, to become one of the Hawks’ four qualifiers.

130 – Ava Beldo, Centennial

Ava Beldo stood out at the 130 weight class where each of the top three individuals were quite familiar with one another since they’re all sophomores and are all from Champaign and Urbana. And a year after being the first individual from Centennial to qualify from a regional to a sectional, Beldo became the first Charger to win a regional championship when she was a winner by fall in 1:06 over Urbana sophomore Tauhnisjha Hart to improve to 22-5 on the season. Champaign Central sophomore Londyn Grant took third place to give the school district two of the top three at 130.

Beldo, who went 32-12 last season and fell one win shy of advancing to the IHSA Finals from the Richwoods Sectional, was the lone qualifier for coach Ron Beldo’s Chargers, who only had two individuals in the competition. She also recorded falls in the opening period of her first two matches, with the longest of those coming in 1:17 over Westville co-op junior Laney Cook in the semifinals. Her three falls in 2:52 ranked her second for the most pins in the least amount of time with Prairie Central’s Yuri Vilchis being the only one to record three pins in a quicker fashion. She also finished in a six-way tie for fourth place for the most team points with 24. 

“I love the sport,” Beldo said. “It takes dedication and it takes mental strength. And I think that was the biggest part for me, being able to push through no matter what. It doesn’t matter the ranking, it doesn’t matter the name, it just matters if you get on the mat and you give it 100 percent, it doesn’t matter the outcome, whatsoever, win, lose, you learn. I drill a lot with the boys. Last year I was the only girl on my wrestling team, so it’s just amazing to open up the environment for more girls. I just love the environment that I’m around when I wrestle.”

Hart (21-14) was one of the two finalists, with 140 champion Rickasia Ivy the other, as well as five qualifiers for the Highland Sectional for coach Phil Sexton’s Tigers on an historic day when Urbana captured the regional championship by a 90-83 margin over Prairie Central. It ended a long drought for the school in winning a wrestling regional title, with that last coming in 1990. Hart, who also was a sectional qualifier last season, recorded pins in her other two matches and earned her spot in the 130 finals by recording a fall in 2:57 in the semifinals over Grant (11-2), who also qualified for the sectional for the second year in a row. She hopes to advance to the IHSA Finals after falling one win shy of achieving that at last year’s Richwoods Sectional. For third place, Grant won by fall in 5:11 over Cook (10-9), one of three qualifiers for the Tigers.

135 – Avery Crouch, Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington

Avery Crouch not only was the third of three freshmen who won a title at the Pontiac Regional but more importantly for the Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilington co-op, she was the Lady Trojans’ first regional champion and one of its initial two sectional qualifiers after the freshman captured the championship at 135 by recording a fall in 3:48 over Paris senior Emerson Barrett.

Crouch will be joined at the Highland Sectional by another freshman at her school, Adilyn Avilez, who took fourth place at 125. They were the only two individuals in the regional for coach Jim Gussman’s Lady Trojans. Crouch opened with a win by technical fall in a tournament-best 48 seconds before getting a pin in 1:27 over Bloomington senior Alila Beck in the semifinals. Although Crouch is listed with a 4-0 record, she has also competed against boys this season, and boys are what she has mainly faced during her career, which has spanned nine years.

“This is my ninth year wrestling, so I’m pretty used to it,” Crouch said. “I just came from wrestling boys for all nine years till now and switching to girls. It’s not different and it’s cool that the sport is getting a lot bigger. My determination has been my mindset mostly. You have to stay confident through the hard times, even if you’re losing, because losing makes you better and that’s why I’m here.”

Barrett (13-2), one of four sectional qualifiers for coach Seth Rohrbach’s third-place Tigers, also was a sectional qualifier a year ago and then fell one win shy of qualifying for the IHSA Finals from the Richwoods Sectional to cap a 10-4 season. She only had to compete in one match to reach the 135 finals and that was in the semifinals where she won a 9-5 decision over Urbana junior Tamya Terry (20-10), who went on to claim third place with a fall in 2:00 over Beck (10-6). Terry was one of five sectional qualifiers for the first-place Tigers while Beck joined 155 champ Alicia Swank as qualifiers for the Purple Raiders.

140 – Rickasia Ivy, Urbana

Rickasia Ivy experienced a memorable day for Urbana at last year’s Mt. Zion Regional where she was one of five sectional qualifiers and her team had one champ to take seventh place. But what a difference a year made at the Pontiac Regional, where the Tigers again had one title winner and five sectional qualifiers but there was a much bigger payoff as her program won its first regional title 90-83 over runner-up Prairie Central with the sophomore leading the way with a title win at 140 by claiming a 15-6 major decision over St. Joseph-Ogden junior Maddie Wells.

Ivy (26-4), who went 24-13 last season and qualified for the IHSA Finals with third-place finisher Jurdan Tyler, was one of two finalists for coach Phil Sexton’s Tigers, who won their program’s first regional title and this also marked the first time since 1990 that a wrestling team from the school took first place in a regional. Ivy only had to win one match in order to reach the 140 title mat and she won that with a fall in 0:38 over Prairie Central sophomore Victoria Vadeboncoeur. 

“It’s really nice to compete for Urbana,” Ivy said. “There’s a lot of girls wrestlers and they’re helping me out and they cheer for me, especially in this first-place match where I was really worried, but all of my teammates were cheering for me. My season has been pretty good for my second year. It makes me feel good that in my second year, I’ve been improving since last year. It’s really about how much you want it and if you really want it, you’ll get after it. The fact that this is my second year and I’ve placed first at two tournaments, I feel like it shows that as long as you really want it and you really push yourself throughout the match, that you’ll really get it.” 

Wells (13-5), the lone individual competing in the regional for coach Bill Gallo’s Spartans, won by fall in 1:55 over Mahomet-Seymour freshman Kaisley Shotkoski in the semifinals to advance to the 140 finals. She also qualified for the Richwoods Sectional last season and fell one win shy of a trip to the IHSA Finals to conclude a 25-win season. For third place, Vadeboncoeur won a 15-6 major decision over Shotkoski, who was one of four sectional qualifiers for the Bulldogs while Vadeboncoeur will join three others from the runner-up Hawks at the Highland Sectional. 

145 – Avery Schlickman, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

Avery Schlickman has been wrestling for most of her life but the senior says that when this season is over, she will conclude her 14 years on the mat. After competing in each of the first three IHSA Finals, the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley /Fisher senior hopes that she can not only become one of the few four-time qualifiers but also the first girl from her school to place at state. She’s off to a good start toward achieving that goal after she improved to 18-5 on the season by  recording a fall in 3:01 over Oakwood/ Salt Fork junior Taylor Owens in the 145 title match. It was one of just two finals in the Pontiac Regional which featured two returning state qualifiers.

Schlickman joined classmate Justice Milligan (100) as a champion for coach Josh Carter’s Falcons and the two will now compete in the Highland Sectional. She recorded falls in her first two matches and her quickest pin came in 0:52 over Normal West senior Vivian Guither in the semifinals. She tied six others, including Milligan, for fourth place for most team points with 24.

“Wrestling the guys and the girls is a complete difference,” Schlickman said. “So when they split it up, it was like a whole new wrestling style, and it’s just something that you have to get used to. All four of my brothers wrestled. In the state series, it’s a lot more fun now. When I was little, there was no girls state series so now we have our own opportunity for ourselves. I think that’s why so many of us knew each other because there once was a time when we didn’t have this opportunity.”

Owens (6-3) also recorded pins in her first two matches and needed to go into overtime in order to win by fall in 6:37 over Herscher junior Henna Mullikin (18-4), who went on to claim third place after getting a win by technical fall in 2:30 over Guither (24-13). Mullikin was the lone sectional qualifier for the Tigers while Guither was one of four Wildcats who advanced. Mullikin competed in the Geneseo Sectional in 2024 and fell one win shy of a trip to the IHSA Finals.

155 – Alicia Swank, Bloomington

Alicia Swank won 19 matches and got close to advancing to state from the Geneseo Sectional last season so now the Bloomington junior wants to take the next step and qualify for the IHSA Finals. She seems to be headed in the right path toward that goal as she’s already equaled her win total from a year ago and claimed a big victory over another junior who hopes to get to state this season, Unity’s Anna Vasey, when she prevailed with a 2-0 decision in the 155 title match.

Swank (19-5) became her program’s first regional champion and was one of its two sectional qualifiers who were also the only two individuals who competed in the tournament for coach Shawn Safford’s Purple Raiders. She opened with a pin before securing her spot in the 155 finals with an 8-0 major decision over Tremont sophomore Paytyn Dykes in the semifinals. 

“I’m really happy with how the season is going,” Swank said. “I know that I have next year, as well, but I’m happy with my junior year still going on. It’s nice to see how big it is in our area (her sport), our school still has a small team, but to be able to see all of the West girls, the U-High girls and the Community girls and seeing them and their teams everywhere is really fun. And seeing the little schools get teams is really nice because they have small athletics in general so it’s good to see them add another sport, and it’s still growing. I like just how close we are with each other. You’ll go to one tournament and see one girl for the rest of the season and become friends with her. It’s getting big now and you might be one of the first ones to set the tone for your school and your team.”

Vasey (28-4), one of two finalists and qualifiers for coach Logan Patton’s Rockets, with 235 runner-up Phoenix Molina the other, only had to compete in one match in order to advance to the finals and she won that one with a 9-3 decision in the semifinals over Pontiac senior Alix Robinson (9-5), who went to take third by getting a fall in 2:40 over Dykes. Robinson was one of four sectional qualifiers for Pontiac and Dykes was the only one from her team to advance.

170 – Emma Shelkey, Paris

Emma Shelkey and her Paris teammates have a lot to be proud of after they were in the mix for the title at the Pontiac Regional throughout much of the competition before Urbana and Prairie Central passed them in the late stages as the Tigers wound up taking third place. But with junior Shelkey claiming first at 170, two others advancing to the title mat and another giving them four qualifiers for the Highland Sectional, the program hopes to not only have at least one individual advance to the IHSA Finals but perhaps even have their first state medalist this season.

Shelkey, who improved to 10-0 on the season, became the first regional champion for coach Seth Rohrbach’s Tigers when she won by fall in 0:33 over Deer Creek-Mackinaw junior Bella Brooks in the 170 title match. Shelkey only had to compete in one other match in order to reach the finals and she won it with a pin in 3:34 over Pontiac freshman Olivia Miller in the semifinals. She finished tied with five other champions for fourth place for the most team points with 24.

“Our team has progressed a lot, and this is our third year as a program,” Shelkey said. “I think our team just wants it more than a lot of people and we work really hard outside of practice and in practice and we wrestle with boys a lot, too, so that helps. And our boys are doing really good, too, and next year I think we’ll be super solid with a really good lineup. Overall and honestly, it’s just really fun. The pride that we feel when we win is never matched to anything that I’ve done before.”

Brooks (9-9) became the only finalist and was the lone sectional qualifier for coach Tim Thomas’ Chiefs. She also only had to compete in the semifinals and she claimed a victory with a pin in 4:45 over Clinton sophomore Diana Naxi (8-9), who went to claim third place by capturing a 13-10 decision over Miller (8-10), as both were one of four sectional qualifiers for their teams.

190 – Payton Temple, Clifton Central

Payton Temple kicked off her season in impressive fashion when she defeated a two-time IHSA finalist and 2023 state champion, Plainfield Central’s Alicia Tucker, to hand the senior her only loss of the season in the finals at Minooka’s Thanksgiving Throwdown. The Clifton Central sophomore has also only suffered one defeat this season, to Prairie Central’s Chloe Hoselton, the 2024 IHSA champion at 235, and she improved to 21-1 after claiming a win by fall in 0:48 over Westville co-op sophomore Addison Briggs in the 190 title match at the Pontiac Regional.

Temple, the lone champion and one of two sectional qualifiers for coach Travis Williams’ Comets, only had to compete in a semifinal match in order to reach the 190 finals and she won it by recording a fall in 1:12 over Mahomet-Seymour freshman Jaycee Weitekamp. Temple was one of six individuals who tied for fourth place for the most team points with 24. She took sixth place in the IHSA Finals at 155 last season and hopes to become a two-time medalist this year.

“My one loss was to Chloe,” Temple said. “I think that I’ve been shooting a lot more this year and that’s been helping with winning and I’ve been more aggressive. I like this regional since there were a lot of people and teams that I knew here. I like more competition and it is getting bigger and bigger.”

Briggs (7-7), one of two finalists and three qualifiers for the Highland Sectional for coach Austin Hedrick’s Tigers, earned her spot in the 190 finals after winning an 8-7 decision in the semifinals over Urbana senior Franciana Kalanga (25-6), who claimed third place by capturing an 11-4 decision over Weitekamp (16-12). Kalanga advanced from a regional to a sectional for the second year in a row and is one of five sectional qualifiers for coach Phil Sexton’s champion Tigers. Weitekamp is one of four Bulldogs who will also compete in the Highland Sectional.

235 – Chloe Hoselton, Prairie Central

Chloe Hoselton and Phoenix Molina met up for the final title match at 235, providing those in attendance with a rare sight for a regional, which is the rematch of a state championship match from the previous year. And in a similar fashion to that title showdown where Prairie Central’s Hoselton edged Unity’s Molina 2-1 by ultimate breaker, the regional final was very suspenseful with the the senior defending state champion only leading by one point in the late going before she got a late takedown after the junior runner-up attempted to make one final move to pull out a victory and Hoselton captured a 4-0 decision to improve her record to 20-0 on the season.

Hoselton was one of two champions, with Yuri Vilchis the other one at 120, as well as two other sectional qualifiers for coach Scott Ziller’s Hawks, who put up a great fight to claim top honors in the Pontiac Regional before Urbana prevailed by a 90-83 margin. The runner-up finish was even more impressive since Prairie Central finished in 26th place at the Minooka Regional in 2024. Hoselton, who became the program’s first medalist last season, only had to compete in one other match, where she was a winner by fall in 1:14 over Urbana junior Lillian Disanto.

“I know that Phoenix is one of the best opponents I have,” Hoselton said. “She pushes me and she knows me in and out and it’s just really good to have her as an opponent, it challenges me. I’m so excited for our team. Last year, I was the only person that qualified for sectionals and then for this year to have four people, and two of them being brand new, it’s awesome to watch their development and everything they’ve done for our team and how much work they’ve put in. And Yuri Vilchis is a two-year, and to see her come back and not even placing at regionals last year to coming here this year and winning, it was awesome to see her get that achievement. I feel good about where I’m at. I have practice partners that push me and I’ve been working with my brother Drew and I practice with my head coach, Scott Ziller, and they push me and they know what I need to work on. And that’s what we work on and today I came out and showed it.”

Molina (25-4), who joined runner-up Anna Vasey (155) as a finalist and one of two sectional qualifiers for coach Logan Patton’s Rockets, also only had to compete in the semifinals prior to the title match and she won that with a pin in 3:03 over Normal West senior Cadence Duvall. The two individuals who fell in the semifinals met for third place with Disanto (31-7) recording a fall in 1:08 over Duvall (22-5). Didanto was one of five sectional qualifiers for the champion Tigers while Duvall was one of the four Wildcats who will advance to the Highland Sectional. 

Pontiac Regional Tournament

Team Scores

1. Urbana 90, 2. Prairie Central 83, 3. Paris 79.5, 4. Pontiac 77, 5. Oakwood/ Salt Fork co-op 59.5, 6. Westville/ Georgetown-Ridge Farm  co-op 56.5, 7. Mahomet-Seymour 54.5, 8. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op 54, 9. Clinton 51.5, 10. Clifton Central 46, 11. Normal West 45, 12. Deer Creek-Mackinaw 39.5, 13. Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op (36.5), 14. Unity 35.5, 15. Bloomington 32, 15. Centennial 32, 1. University High 25, 18. Olympia 21, 19. Rantoul 20, 20. Champaign Central 16, 21. Herscher 15.5, 22. St. Joseph-Ogden 14, 23. Tremont 11, 24. Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin 4, 25. Heyworth 2, 26. Monticello 0.

Place Matches

100

1st Place Match

Justice Milligan (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher) 17-0, Sr. over Mya Downs (Olympia) 9-4, Sr. (Fall 1:18)

3rd Place Match

Sierra Tuttle (Mahomet-Seymour) 16-10, Fr. over Sandy Clark (Clinton) 7-10, Jr. (Fall 2:32)

105

1st Place Match

Jasmine Johnson (Rantoul) 8-7, Jr. over Bella Villanueva (Clinton) 2-10, Fr. (Fall 1:25)

110

1st Place Match

Taylor Wells (Oakwood/ Salt Fork) 12-6, Fr. over Kaidence Eveland (Paris) 8-6, So. (TF-1.5 5:28 (19-3))

3rd Place Match

Ariana Humes (Clinton) 15-6, Sr. over Madilyn Becker (Mahomet-Seymour) 10-12, Jr. (Fall 2:51)

115

1st Place Match

Sophia Mussari (Pontiac) 12-6, So. over Kiley Knight (Westville/ Georgetown-Ridge Farm) 9-3, Jr. (TF-1.5 5:16 (22-3))

3rd Place Match

Paisley Reed (Paris) 10-6, So. over Cheyenne Anderson (Normal West) 4-4, So. (TF-1.5 4:38 (16-0))

120

1st Place Match

Yuri Vilchis (Prairie Central) 22-10, Jr. over Lainey Ehler (Oakwood/ Salt Fork) 11-8, Fr. (Fall 0:27)

3rd Place Match

Lilly Plumley (Clifton Central) 10-19, Jr. over Kitzia Racey (Normal West) 6-12, Fr. (Fall 0:37)

125

Jocelyn Cobix (Pontiac) 25-6, Fr. over Hailey Watson (University High) 15-5, So. (Fall 3:01)

3rd Place Match

Makiya Baker (Prairie Central) 21-16, Jr. over Adilyn Avilez (Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington) 4-3, Fr. (Fall 5:58)

130

1st Place Match

Ava Beldo (Centennial) 22-5, So. over Tauhnisjha Hart (Urbana) 21-14, So. (Fall 1:06)

3rd Place Match

Londyn Grant (Champaign Central) 11-2, So. over Laney Cook (Westville co-op) 10-9, Jr. (Fall 5:11)

135

1st Place Match

Avery Crouch (Dwight co-op) 4-0, Fr. over Emerson Barrett (Paris) 13-2, Sr. (Fall 3:48)

3rd Place Match

Tamya Terry (Urbana) 20-10, Jr. over Alila Beck (Bloomington) 10-6, Sr. (Fall 2:00)

140

1st Place Match

Rickasia Ivy (Urbana) 26-4, So. over Maddie Wells (St. Joseph-Ogden) 13-5, Jr. (MD 15-6)

3rd Place Match

Victoria Vadeboncoeur (Prairie Central) 2-4, So. over Kaisley Shotkoski (Mahomet-Seymour) 5-16, Fr. (MD 15-6)

145

1st Place Match

Avery Schlickman (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher) 18-5, Sr. over Taylor Owens (Oakwood/ Salt Fork) 6-3, Jr. (Fall 3:01)

3rd Place Match

Henna Mullikin (Herscher) 18-4, Jr. over Vivian Guither (Normal West) 24-13, Sr. (TF-1.5 2:30 (17-1))

155

1st Place Match

Alicia Swank (Bloomington) 19-5, Jr. over Anna Vasey (Unity) 28-4, Jr. (Dec 2-0)

3rd Place Match

Alix Robinson (Pontiac) 9-5, Sr. over Paytyn Dykes (Tremont) 4-6, So. (Fall 2:40)

170

1st Place Match

Emma Shelkey (Paris) 10-0, Jr. over Bella Brooks (Deer Creek-Mackinaw) 9-9, Jr. (Fall 0:33)

3rd Place Match

Diana Naxi (Clinton) 8-9, So. over Olivia Miller (Pontiac) 8-10, Fr. (Dec 13-10)

190

Payton Temple (Clifton Central) 21-1, So. over Addison Briggs (Westville co-op) 7-7, So. (Fall 0:48)

3rd Place Match

Franciana Kalanga (Urbana) 25-6, Sr. over Jaycee Weitekamp (Mahomet-Seymour) 16-12, Fr. (Dec 11-4)

235

1st Place Match

Chloe Hoselton (Prairie Central) 20-0, Sr. over Phoenix Molina (Unity) 25-4, Jr. (Dec 4-0)

3rd Place Match

Lillian Disanto (Urbana) 31-7, Jr. over Cadence Duvall (Normal West) 22-5, Sr. (Fall 1:08)

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

REGIONALS THAT FEED THE WASHINGTON INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

MORTON REGIONAL

Washington cruised to its 13th team regional title and advanced 10 wrestlers to sectional weekend for coach Nick Miller.

The Panthers finished with 228.5 team points to second-place Morton’s 169, followed by Richwoods in third with 132.5 points. Both Morton and Richwoods finished with eight sectional qualifiers apiece.

Washington got six individual regional titles from Symon Woods (37-5 at 106), Noah Woods (38-2 at 120), Michael Mendoza (28-14 at 138), Peyton Cox (33-4 at 144), Wyatt Medlin (41-3 at 157) and Josh Hoffer (42-3 at 215), and seconds from Micah Jackson (18-4 at 113), Logan Makiney (25-16 at 126), Wyatt Leman (31-17 at 190) and Sean Thornton (33-11 at 285).

“We don’t feel like we put our best performance out there today, but we have ten moving on to sectionals and won the team title by a solid point differential,” Miller said. “It’s back into the room and preparing our ten individuals for the coming weekend and shifting the rest to focus on team sectionals.”

Individual regional champions:
Other wrestlers winning regional titles at Morton were Morton’s Noah Harris (33-12 at 113), Harrison Dea (31-3 at 126), and Clay McKee (42-6 at 165), East Peoria’s Cooper Chester (28-9 at 132), Dalton Oakman (34-9 at 190) and Jose Del Toro (42-2 at 285), Metamora’s Grady Neal (36-5 at 150), and Dunlap’s Joseph Weeks (22-2 at 175).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE MORTON REGIONAL

106

1st – Symon Woods of Washington

2nd – Wensley Rahn of Peoria (Richwoods)

3rd – Kaleb Fuchs of Bartonville (Limestone)

113

1st – Noah Harris of Morton

2nd – Micah Jackson of Washington

3rd – Kaiden Capranica of Bartonville (Limestone)

120

1st – Noah Woods of Washington

2nd – Brody Watson of Morton

3rd – Christian Johnson of Bartonville (Limestone)

126

1st – Harrison Dea of Morton

2nd – Logan Makiney of Washington

3rd – Tyler Wieland of Peoria (Richwoods)

132

1st – Cooper Chester of East Peoria

2nd – Lincoln Yerby of Morton

3rd – Colton Boyer of Peoria (Richwoods)

138

1st – Michael Mendoza of Washington

2nd – Caiden Robison of Morton

3rd – Gabe Robb of Peoria (Richwoods)

144

1st – Peyton Cox of Washington

2nd – Rikyis Doss of Peoria (Richwoods)

3rd – Connor Graham of Metamora

150

1st – Grady Neal of Metamora

2nd – Colton Mosack of Dunlap

3rd – Chris Walker of Peoria (H.S.)

157

1st – Wyatt Medlin of Washington

2nd – Alex Martinez of Peoria (Richwoods)

3rd – Jacob Allen of Dunlap

165

1st – Clay Mckee of Morton

2nd – Jayden Schmick of Dunlap

3rd – Mark Aeschliman of Metamora

175

1st – Joseph Weeks of Dunlap

2nd – Colton Mckee of Morton

3rd – Gabe Martinez of Peoria (Richwoods)

190

1st – Dalton Oakman of East Peoria

2nd – Wyatt Leman of Washington

3rd – Ethan Dixon of Bartonville (Limestone)

215

1st – Josh Hoffer of Washington

2nd – Alec Del Toro of East Peoria

3rd – Benjamin Chaffer of Morton

285

1st – Jose Del Toro of East Peoria

2nd – Sean Thornton of Washington

3rd – Shaun Anderson of Peoria (Richwoods)

ROCKFORD EAST REGIONAL

Sycamore finished the day with 10 sectional qualifiers for coach Randy Culton. The Spartans topped second-place host Rockford East 205.5-186, with Burlington Central placing third with 127.5 points.

“We wrestled great as a team today,” Culton said. “Sending ten (sectional qualifiers) with such a young team is a great feeling. Having seven champs is unreal and all seven will be returning next year, plus nine of our ten sectional qualifiers. Winning regionals was great, but the true test starts this Friday.”

In winning the program’s 12th team regional title, Sycamore had seven regional champions in Rockford, in Carson West (37-4 at 106), Charlie Olson (19-7 at 113), Michael Olson (34-11 at 120), Tyler Lockhart (36-8 at 126), Jayden Dohogne (41-6 at 138), Cooper Bode (35-9 at 175) and Collin Hughes (28-7 at 285). The Spartans got second-place finishes from Douglas Gemberling (165) and Clyde Nott (215) and a third from Cole Kleiser (150).

Rockford East also advanced 10 to the sectional, while Burlington Central advanced seven.

Individual regional champions:
Other regionals champs in Rockford were Rockford East’s Cameron Terronez (24-6 at 132), Dana Wickson (29-5 at 150) and Ty Smart (34-10 at 157), Belvidere North’s Dominick Girardin (30-11 at 144) and Andrew Bucci (27-10 at 165), Burlington Central’s Michael Junitz (34-12 at 190) and Woodstock North’s David Randecker (22-9 at 215).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE ROCKFORD EAST REGIONAL

106

1st – Carson West of Sycamore (H.S.)

2nd – Oscar Nelson of Burlington (Central)

3rd – Tyler Gentry of Rockford (East)

113

1st – Charlie Olson of Sycamore (H.S.)

2nd – Eduardo Vences of Burlington (Central)

3rd – Sebastian Abwe of Rockford (East)

120

1st – Michael Olson of Sycamore (H.S.)

2nd – Aiden Nebiu of Belvidere (North)

3rd – David Wyruchowski of Burlington (Central)

126

1st – Tyler Lockhart of Sycamore (H.S.)

2nd – Taqi Baker of Woodstock (H.S.)

3rd – Bryson Teunissen of Belvidere (North)

132

1st – Cameron Terronez of Rockford (East)

2nd – Austin Lee of Burlington (Central)

3rd – Geren Stapleton of Belvidere (North)

138

1st – Jayden Dohogne of Sycamore (H.S.)

2nd – Donald Cannon of Rockford (East)

3rd – Landyn White of Woodstock (H.S.)

144

1st – Dominick Girardin of Belvidere (North)

2nd – Landon VanAcker of Belvidere (H.S.)

3rd – Cole McGuire of Burlington (Central)

150

1st – Dana Wickson of Rockford (East)

2nd – Gabe Sarnella of Woodstock (H.S.)

3rd – Cole Kleiser of Sycamore (H.S.)

157

1st – Ty Smart of Rockford (East)

2nd – Logan Wisner of Woodstock (H.S.)

3rd – Leeland Sanchez of Harvard

165

1st – Andrew Bucci of Belvidere (North)

2nd – Douglas Gemberling of Sycamore (H.S.)

3rd – Ayden Dobler of Woodstock (H.S.)

175

1st – Cooper Bode of Sycamore (H.S.)

2nd – Malachi Cannon of Rockford (East)

3rd – Jonah Chavez of Burlington (Central)

190

1st – Michael Junitz of Burlington (Central)

2nd – Kevin Salas of Harvard

3rd – Ismail Bilolo of Rockford (East)

215

1st – David Randecker of Woodstock (North)

2nd – Clyde Nott of Sycamore (H.S.)

3rd – Etungano Kakozi of Rockford (East)

285

1st – Collin Hughes of Sycamore (H.S.)

2nd – Eddie Esguerra of Rockford (East)

3rd – Everett Flannery of Woodstock (H.S.)

DIXON REGIONAL

Geneseo ran away with a team regional title at Dixon, sending 10 wrestlers through to the Washington Individual Sectional in winning the program’s 10th team regional title per IHSA records. Coach Jon Murray’s boys scored 225.5 team points and had five individual champions in Malaki Jackson (24-5 at 150), Grady Hull (33-7 at 157), Zachary Montez (37-0 at 165), Kyle Weinzieri (38-2 at 175) and Owen King (21-4 at 285). Geneseo also got seconds from Tim Sebastian (126), Izaac Gaines (144) and Colten Mooney (215) and thirds form Landen Vincent (120) and Devan Hornback (132).

Rochelle (138.5 points) had seven sectional qualifiers in placing second, and host Dixon (131.5) finished third and advanced five.

Individual regional champions:
Also winning regional titles were Freeport’s Treyden Diduch (31-5 at 106), Dixon’s Jack Ragan (36-4 at 113), Rock Island’s Merrick Stockwell (25-9 at 120), Rochelle’s Xavier Villalobos (36-5 at 126), Sterling’s Zyan Westbrook (32-2 at 132), Dixon’s Charlie Connors (29-5 at 138), Rock Island’s Antonio Parker (37-4 at 144), Rochelle’s Roman Villalobos (35-8 at 190) and Rochelle’s Kaiden Morris (43-2 at 215)

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE DIXON REGIONAL

106

1st – Treyden Diduch of Freeport (H.S.)

2nd – Riley Paredes of Dixon (H.S.)

3rd – Angelo Parker of Rock Island (H.S.)

113

1st – Jack Ragan of Dixon (H.S.)

2nd – Freddie Hernandez of Rochelle

3rd – Evan Jones of Sterling (H.S.) 

120

1st – Merrick Stockwell of Rock Island (H.S.)

2nd – Aidan Lopez of Rochelle

3rd – Landen Vincent of Geneseo
126

1st – Xavier Villalobos of Rochelle

2nd – Tim Sebastian of Geneseo

3rd – Cael Lyons of Sterling (H.S.)

132

1st – Zyan Westbrook of Sterling (H.S.)

2nd – Lucas Nelson of Polo

3rd – Devan Hornback of Geneseo

138

1st – Charlie Connors of Dixon (H.S.)

2nd – Orlando Castellano of Galesburg (H.S.)

3rd – Elijah King of Rock Island (H.S.)

144

1st – Antonio Parker of Rock Island (H.S.)

2nd – Izaac Gaines of Geneseo

3rd – Caleb Johnson of Galesburg (H.S.)

150

1st – Malaki Jackson of Geneseo

2nd – Josiah Carter of Galesburg (H.S.)

3rd – Jayden Weidman of Dixon (H.S.)

157

1st – Grady Hull of Geneseo

2nd – Donavyn Fernandez of Freeport (H.S.)

3rd – Tatum Allen of Sterling (H.S.)

165

1st – Zachary Montez of Geneseo

2nd – Grant Gensler of Rochelle

3rd – Anthony Makwala of Galesburg (H.S.)

175

1st – Kye Weinzierl of Geneseo

2nd – gage tate of Sterling (H.S.)

3rd – Mason Taylor of Galesburg (H.S.)

190

1st – Roman Villalobos of Rochelle

2nd – Rowan Stockwell of Rock Island (H.S.)

3rd – Will Howell of Dixon (H.S.)

215

1st – Kaiden Morris of Rochelle

2nd – Colten Mooney of Geneseo

3rd – Israel Goodman of Freeport (H.S.)

285

1st – Owen King of Geneseo

2nd – Larry Randolph of Galesburg (H.S.)

3rd – Oswaldo Navarro of Sterling (H.S.)

KANELAND REGIONAL

Yorkville Christian stood atop the field at day’s end in Maple Park, as coach Mike Vester’s Mustangs scored 240.5 team points to win the third team regional title in the program’s six-year history. Yorkville Christian won the 1A state title in 2022 and placed second in 2023 under Vester.

The Mustangs advanced 13 wrestlers to this year’s Washington Individual Sectional. Vester got individual regional titles from Ryan Festerling (27-4 at 106), Aiden Larsen (37-3 at 120), Ryan Alaimo (31-12 at 132), Isaac Gray (33-9 at 165) and Jackson Allen (29-3 at 190), and six second-place finishes from Christian Sandoval (113), Nico Harris (126), Adrian Wadas-Luis (138), Austin Wadas-Luis (150), Robby Nelson (157) and Hayden Wheeler (285). Placing third and advancing were Tyler Gleason (175) and Xander Oliver (215).

“Our team energy was very good from the start,” coach Mike Vester said. “We had a few guys who battled illnesses the whole week and were able to jump in and help the team secure the regional title and move on to sectionals as well.

We had a huge win in the finals at 106 with our freshman RJ Festerling beating a really tough returning state qualifier (ranked #6) from Morris to kick off the medal matches. Aiden Larsen dominated his finals match with a first period pin and is really clicking on all cylinders! Ryan Alaimo,  Isaac Gray and Jackson Allen also snagged titles with pins in their 1st place matches so that was great for them and huge for the team.”

Plano (180) finished with nine sectional qualifiers in placing second and third-place Morris (122.5) had six.

Individual regional champions:
Others winning regional titles in Maple Park were Morris’ Paxton Valentine (36-6 at 113), Brock Claypool (36-3 at 126) and Carter Skoff (43-2 at 144), Kaneland’s Alex Gochis (38-0 at 138), and Plano’s Antoine Gilford (150), Caidan Ronning (35-0 at 157), Luis Ballesteros (35-2 at 175) and Tyler Mast (30-9 at 285).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE KANELAND REGIONAL

106

1st – Ryan Festerling, jr. of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

2nd – Owen Sater of Morris

3rd – Gianni Verucchi of LaSalle (L.-Peru)

113

1st – Paxton Valentine of Morris

2nd – Christian Sandoval of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

3rd – Giovanni Hernandez of Ottawa (Twp.)

120

1st – Aiden Larsen of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

2nd – Brandon Anderson of Morris

3rd – Camden Skipper of Maple Park (Kaneland)

126

1st – Brock Claypool of Morris

2nd – Nico Harris of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

3rd – Ryley Soloff of Plano

132

1st – Ryan Alaimo of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

2nd – Jesus Martinez of Streator (Twp.)

3rd – John Havron of Maple Park (Kaneland)

138

1st – Alex Gochis of Maple Park (Kaneland)

2nd – Adrian Wadas-luis of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

3rd – Reegan Kellett of LaSalle (L.-Peru)

144

1st – Carter Skoff of Morris

2nd – Trevion Gilford of Plano

3rd – Jack Gruber of Maple Park (Kaneland)

150

1st – Antione Gilford of Plano

2nd – Austin Wadas-Luis of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

3rd – Charley Clifford of LaSalle (L.-Peru)

157

1st – Caidan Ronning of Plano

2nd – Robby Nelson of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

3rd – Zachary Pocivasek of LaSalle (L.-Peru)

165

1st – John `isaac` Gray of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

2nd – Oscar Cervantes of Plano

3rd – Caden Vanik of Maple Park (Kaneland)

175

1st – Luis Ballesteros of Plano

2nd – Apollo Gochis of Maple Park (Kaneland)

3rd – Tyler Gleason of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

190

1st – Jackson Allen of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

2nd – Prince Amakiri of Plano

3rd – Wes Weatherford of Ottawa (Twp.)

215
1st – Rider Larson of Plano

2nd – Malachi Congo of Morris

3rd – Xander Oliver of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

285

1st – Tyler Mast of Plano

2nd – Hayden Wheeler of Yorkville (Y. Christian)

3rd – Eric Mateika of LaSalle (L.-Peru)

REGIONALS THAT FEED THE LINCOLN INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

CIVIC MEMORIAL REGIONAL

In one of the tightest battles for a team regional title anywhere in Illinois on Saturday, Glenwood edged host Civic Memorial 199.5-197 for coach Jerod Bruner. The Titans had four individual champions among its 11 wrestlers qualifying for this year’s Lincoln Individual Sectional.

“It was a great day of wrestling as we snagged another regional title, and kudos to Bethalto for taking us down to the wire,” Bruner said.

Winning individual regional titles for Glenwood were Tyler Clarke (35-9 at 120), Maizon Milestone (29-15 at 165), Elijah Smith (38-8 at 175) and Cody Moss (32-5 at 285). Milestone’s 11-8 sudden victory decision in the finals against Civic Memorial’s James Wojcikiewicz added high-drama to Glenwood’s 2.5-point team win.

John Villar (138) and Mason Streb (215) placed second for the Titans, who got five third-place wins from sectional qualifiers Cooper Clarke (106), Jaxon Ferguson (113), AJ Williams (126), Drew Moffit (132) and Braden Monahan (144).

Monahan’s sudden victory win on the third-place had his teammates and Glenwood fans going wild for the sophomore.

“The team was hyped and that match was my takeaway from today,” Bruner said.  “Braden was a pudgy 165-pound freshman who decided through over a hundred off-season workouts that he would qualify at 144 as a sophomore. He made a huge contribution to Glenwood’s 2025 regional title.”

Civic Memorial finished with eight sectional qualifiers while third-place Triad (129.5) had six.

Individual regional champions:
Other wrestlers winning individual regional titles in Bethalto were Rochester’s Pierce Bultmann (37-2 at 106) and Conner Carroll (21-2 at 113), Civic Memorial’s Avery Jaime (33-10 at 126), Bradley Ruckman (132), Knox Verbais (37-6 at 150) and Tristian Ward (22-11 at 215), Triad’s Braden Rowe (29-6 at 138) and Brody Smith (19-8 at 144), Jacksonville’s Joe Reif (39-5 at 157) and Highland’s Ashton Zobrist (39-5 at 190).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE CIVIC MEMORIAL REGIONAL

106

1st – Pierce Bultmann of Rochester

2nd – Maddox Williams of Jerseyville (Jersey)

3rd – Cooper Clarke of Chatham (Glenwood)

113

1st – Conner Carroll of Rochester

2nd – Colin Crouch of Troy (Triad)

3rd – Jaxon Ferguson of Chatham (Glenwood)

120

1st – Tyler Clarke of Chatham (Glenwood)

2nd – Will Kelly of Troy (Triad)

3rd – Miles Carroll of Rochester

126
1st – AVERY JAIME of Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

2nd – Dashawn Armstrong of Jacksonville (H.S.)

3rd – Aj Williams of Chatham (Glenwood)

132

1st – BRADLEY RUCKMAN of Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

2nd – Jordan Kholian of Jacksonville (H.S.)

3rd – Drew Moffit of Chatham (Glenwood)

138

1st – Braden Rowe of Troy (Triad)

2nd – John Vallar of Chatham (Glenwood)

3rd – Nic Mrozowski of Rochester

144

1st – Brody Smith of Troy (Triad)

2nd – NATHEN HERRIN of Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

3rd – Braden Monahan of Chatham (Glenwood)

150

1st – KNOX VERBAIS of Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

2nd – Drake Pfeiffer of Rochester

3rd – Jacob Perez of Troy (Triad)

157

1st – Joe Reif of Jacksonville (H.S.)

2nd – Tyson Rakers of Highland

3rd – Nicholas Hartley of Jerseyville (Jersey)

165

1st – Maizon Milestone of Chatham (Glenwood)

2nd – JAMES WOJCIKIEWICZ of Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

3rd – Liam Kobbeman of Highland

175

1st – Elijah Smith of Chatham (Glenwood)

2nd – KEVAHN FLANAGAN of Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

3rd – Timothy Shea Herrera of Jerseyville (Jersey)

190

1st – Ashton Zobrist of Highland

2nd – LUKE McCOY of Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

3rd – Nicholas Woelfel of Jerseyville (Jersey)

215

1st – TRISTIAN WARD of Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

2nd – Mason Streb of Chatham (Glenwood)

3rd – Connor Broughton of Rochester

285

1st – Cody Moss of Chatham (Glenwood)

2nd – Aiden Surratt of Jacksonville (H.S.)

3rd – Landon Busch of Troy (Triad)

BLOOMINGTON REGIONAL

Lincoln coach Justin Dietrich saw seven of his wrestlers reach the regional title mat and four Railsplitters came away with individual championships in Cort Pentecost (32-15 at 126), Karter Hild (31-14 at 132), Aiden Frye (35-12 at 165) and Dawson McConnell (37-4 at 175).

Lincoln advanced 11 to Friday’s Lincoln Individual Sectional, getting second-place finishes from Ayden Shaw (120), Ryne Metelko (157) and Caleb Zirklebach (215) and thirds from Owen Thomas (113), Cam Bell (150), Soren Aukamp (190) and Logan Wachendorf (285).

“It was our first-ever back-to-back regional championship and our third in six years,” Dietrich said. “They’ve wrestled well at the end of the season and have big goals still to achieve.”

Lincoln scored 193 points to second-place Bloomington’s 150; Normal Community West finished third with 121.5 points.

Individual regional champions:
Other regional champs in Bloomington were Normal West’s Donovan Lowery (24-19 at 106), Dylan McGrew (32-7 at 113) and Jaxxon Long (17-6 at 144), Eisenhower’s Kayson Duffney (28-3 at 120), Bloomington’s Tyler Barlow (22-14 at 138), Chris Rose (17-12 at 150), Kenner Bye (27-5 at 215) and David Williams (6-3 at 285), Springfield’s Cody L. Stevens (28-15 at 157), and Springfield Southeast’s Chris Hull (27-8 at 190).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE BLOOMINGTON REGIONAL

106

1st – Donovan Lowery of Normal (Community West)

2nd – Jamarius Meyrick of Decatur (MacArthur)

3rd – Angel Lopez of Bloomington (H.S.)

113

1st – Dylan McGrew of Normal (Community West)

2nd – Caidge Smith of Springfield (Lanphier)

3rd – Owen Thomas of Lincoln

120

1st – Kayson Duffney of Decatur (Eisenhower)

2nd – Ayden Shaw of Lincoln

3rd – Tristan Green of Decatur (MacArthur)

126

1st – Cort Pentecost of Lincoln

2nd – Jack Schweitzer of Bloomington (H.S.)

3rd – Griffin McGrew of Normal (Community West)

132

1st – Karter Hild of Lincoln

2nd – Martavious Johnson of Decatur (Eisenhower)

3rd – Abram Rader of Normal (Community West)

138

1st – Tyler Barlow of Bloomington (H.S.)

2nd – Mason Wood of Normal (Community West)

3rd – Brenden Turnbo of Decatur (MacArthur)

144

1st – Jaxxon Long of Normal (Community West)

2nd – Frank Kittrell of Springfield (Southeast)

3rd – Kyndell Johnson of Springfield (Lanphier)

150

1st – Chris Rose of Bloomington (H.S.)

2nd – Bryce Bryant of Springfield (H.S.)

3rd – Cam Bell of Lincoln

157

1st – Cody L Stevens of Springfield (H.S.)

2nd – Ryne Metelko of Lincoln

3rd – Brody Cabrera of Bloomington (H.S.)

165

1st – Aiden Frye of Lincoln

2nd – Tyler Gardner of Bloomington (H.S.)

3rd – Cayden Smith of Springfield (Lanphier)

175

1st – Dawson McConnell of Lincoln

2nd – Shamar Brownlee of Springfield (H.S.)

3rd – Daniel Aguas of Bloomington (H.S.)

190

1st – Chris Hull of Springfield (Southeast)

2nd – Oliver Record-Frank of Springfield (H.S.)

3rd – Soren Aukamp of Lincoln

215

1st – Kenner Bye of Bloomington (H.S.)

2nd – Caleb Zirklebach of Lincoln

3rd – Lamarian Rainey of Springfield (Lanphier)

285

1st – David Williams of Bloomington (H.S.)

2nd – Derek Lawson of Springfield (Lanphier)

3rd – Logan Wachendorf of Lincoln

MAHOMET SEYMOUR REGIONAL

Host Mahomet-Seymour advanced 12 wrestlers to next week’s Lincoln Individual Sectional, posting 223 team points to also win the team regional title. Winning individual regional titles for coach Rob Ledin were Gideon Hayter (32-14 at 113), Talon Decker (35-12 at 150), AJ Demos (35-10 at 165), Marco Casillas (44-3 at 175), Brock VanDeveer (33-7 at 190) and Phil Daniels (28-13 at 285). Placing second for the Bulldogs were Justus Vrona (138), Colton McClure (144) and Noah Daniels (215), and Liam Noonan (126), Niko Truax (132) and Nino Caballero (157) placed third.

Saturday’s team title marked the 40th regional championship in Mahomet-Seymour’s program history.

“It was a great team win today,” Mahomet-Seymour coach Rob Ledin said. “We finally put our best lineup on the mat and it showed.”

Champaign Central (147) placed second and had eight sectional qualifiers and Mattoon (145.5) also had eight qualifiers in placing third.

Individual regional champions:
Other regional champions at Mahomet-Seymour were Centennial’s Owen Schoonover (15-12 at 106), Danville’s Juvontae Williams (16-6 at 120) and Josiah Williams (27-2 at 157), Champaign Central’s Talin Baker (29-4 at 126) and Ronald Baker III (36-1 at 138), Urbana’s Emiliano Bedolla (34-5 at 132), and Mattoon’s Ben Capitosti (42-4 at 144) and Mitchell Clapp (34-8 at 215).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE MAHOMET-SEYMOUR REGIONAL

106

1st – Owen Schoonover of Champaign (Centennial)

2nd – Austin Lechel of Champaign (Central)

3rd – Carlos Juarez of Danville (H.S.)

113

1st – Gideon Hayter of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

2nd – Ayden Chunn of Champaign (Central)

3rd – Emmett Hench of Rantoul

120

1st – Juvontae Williams of Danville (H.S.)

2nd – Trotter Titus of Charleston

3rd – Vincent Gibson of Mattoon

126

1st – Talin Baker of Champaign (Central)

2nd – Tristan Porter of Mattoon

3rd – Liam Noonan of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

132

1st – Emiliano Bedolla of Urbana (H.S.)

2nd – Malachi Hutchison of Champaign (Central)

3rd – Niko Truax of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

138

1st – Ronald Baker III of Champaign (Central)

2nd – Justus Vrona of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

3rd – Brody Goonan of Mattoon

144

1st – Ben Capitosti of Mattoon

2nd – Colton McClure of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

3rd – Dylan Pierson of Champaign (Central)

150

1st – Talon Decker of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

2nd – Wyatt Buck of Rantoul

3rd – Brayden Dailey of Mattoon

157

1st – Josiah Williams of Danville (H.S.)

2nd – Mario Nieto of Champaign (Central)

3rd – Nino Caballero of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

165

1st – AJ Demos of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

2nd – Ean Freeman of Mattoon

3rd – Aidan Walker of Champaign (Central)

175

1st – Marco Casillas of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

2nd – Blaine Howell of Mattoon

3rd – Harley Schultz of Rantoul

190

1st – Brock VanDeveer of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

2nd – Sergio Baity of Champaign (Centennial)

3rd – Tavares Upshaw Jr of Danville (H.S.)

215

1st – Mitchell Clapp of Mattoon

2nd – Noah Daniels of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

3rd – Moses Kim of Champaign (Centennial)

285

1st – Phil Daniels of Mahomet (M.-Seymour)

2nd – Drew Owen of Rantoul

3rd – Remi Bryant of Charleston

WATERLOO REGIONAL

Marion won the team regional title at Waterloo, edging second-place host Waterloo 185.5-173.5 for the team crown. Mascoutah (148) finished third in the team standings.

Marion coach Darren Lindsey’s Wildcats won the second team regional title in program history per the IHSA website, thanks to 10 wrestlers finishing in the top three of their weight classes. Lindsey got an individual regional title from Riddick Cook (32-5 at 113) and seven second-place finishes from Rigdon Meacham (113), Max Wade (126), Nate Page (144), Caden Frey (150), Tate Miller (165), Evan Francis (190) and Bryan Madinger (215). Justin Murphy (157) and Logan Black (285) placed third to advance to this year’s Lincoln Individual Sectional.

“We don’t have any superstars, just a bunch of scrappers,” Lindsey said. “We knew going into the regional that we would need everyone to hold serve and win, with everyone on the team contributing.”

Marion opened an early 50-point lead thanks to bonus points and advancement, but Lindsey knew Waterloo and Mascoutah would close that gap with their championship wins. Both schools had four individual champs to Marion’s one, but Marion’s seven runners-up and two third-place wrestlers earned the Wildcats the team title.

Lindsey applauded the guts shown by flu-ridden freshman Nate Page (144) in placing second, plus the effort put forth by football player-turned-wrestler Logan Black (285) in placing third.

Both Waterloo and Mascoutah each finished with seven sectional qualifiers.

Individual regional champions:
Others winning regional titles at Waterloo were Mascoutah’s Xavier Sonon (38-5 at 106), Macguire Leck (34-14 at 126), Brock Ross (41-3 at 150), and Jordan Sonon-Hale (36-9 at 157), Mt. Vernon’s Jack Clark (31-13 at 113) and Dillon White (37-0 at 144), Waterloo’s Konnor Stephens (35-11 at 132), Ty Kinzinger (23-9 at 138), Jackson Deutch (33-9 at 190) and Jaxson Mathenia (37-2 at 215), East St. Louis’ Pierre Walton (35-4 at 165) and Corey Robinson (35-12 at 175), and Cahokia’s Demarco Clark (28-7 at 285).

SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS FROM THE WATERLOO REGIONAL

106

1st – Xavier Sonon Hale of Mascoutah

2nd – Nathan Fisher of Cahokia (H.S.)

3rd – Matthew Deutch of Waterloo (H.S.)

113

1st – Jack Clark of Mt. Vernon (H.S.)

2nd – Rigdon Meacham of Marion (H.S.)

3rd – Ethan Clark of East St. Louis (Sr.)

120

1st – Riddick Cook of Marion (H.S.)

2nd – Jamarcus Agnew of Cahokia (H.S.)

3rd – Bradley O`Dell of Carbondale (H.S.)

126

1st – Macguire Leck of Mascoutah

2nd – Max Wade of Marion (H.S.)

3rd – Ayden Swan of Carbondale (H.S.)

132

1st – Konnor Stephens of Waterloo (H.S.)

2nd – Cameron Haake of Centralia (H.S.)

3rd – Jon Oliver of Carbondale (H.S.)

138
1st – Ty Kinzinger of Waterloo (H.S.)

2nd – Desi Wade of Mascoutah

3rd – Xavier Toliver-Cook of Carbondale (H.S.)

144

1st – Dillon White of Mt. Vernon (H.S.)

2nd – Nate Page of Marion (H.S.)

3rd – Joe Prideaux of Carbondale (H.S.)

150

1st – Brock Ross of Mascoutah

2nd – Caden Frey of Marion (H.S.)

3rd – Jon Martin of Carbondale (H.S.)

157

1st – Jordan Sonon-Hale of Mascoutah

2nd – Bladen Sease of Waterloo (H.S.)

3rd – Justin Murphy of Marion (H.S.)

165

1st – Pierre Walton of East St. Louis (Sr.)

2nd – Tate Miller of Marion (H.S.)

3rd – Sean Murphy of Mascoutah

175

1st – Corey Robinson of East St. Louis (Sr.)

2nd – Thomas Imboden of Carbondale (H.S.)

3rd – Truett Blount of Mascoutah

190

1st – Jackson Deutch of Waterloo (H.S.)

2nd – Evan Francis of Marion (H.S.)

3rd – Martez Williams of Cahokia (H.S.)

215

1st – Jaxson Mathenia of Waterloo (H.S.)

2nd – Bryan Madinger of Marion (H.S.)

3rd – Connor Daly of Carbondale (H.S.)

285

1st – Demarco Clark of Cahokia (H.S.)

2nd – Drew Glowacki of Waterloo (H.S.)

3rd – Logan Black of Marion (H.S.)

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

Glenwood captures title at Quincy Notre Dame Invitational

Glenwood closed out its regular season on a high note as it held off a good challenge by Jacksonville to claim top honors at the Quincy Notre Dame Invitational by a 191-182.5 margin while Palmyra, Missouri took third with 145 points. Pittsfield (138), Quincy Senior (111), Quincy Notre Dame (95.5), Camp Point Central (90) and Illini Bluffs (65) rounded out the top half of the field in the 16-team competition.

Glenwood, which is ranked 13th in Class 2A, also won titles at its invitational and at Springfield’s Joe Bee, competes in the Civic Memorial Regional, as will the runner-up Crimsons. The Titans also hope to make another trip to the IHSA 2A Dual Team Finals, where they took third place in 2024. 

1 – Glenwood

Winning titles for coach Jerod Bruner’s first-place Titans were Jaxon Ferguson (19-4 at 113) and Elijah Smith (33-8 at 175) while Issac Rabin (106), Drew Moffit (132), Maizon Milestone (165) and Mason Streb (215) took second place and Kamden Hawkins (106), Braydyn Worley (165), Joseph Spohrer (285) claimed third. 

Taking fourth was Finnley Try (132), finishing fifth were Jullian Rammelkamp (157), Hayden Stephens (165) and Brody Commean (175) while Zaire Lee (138), Braden Monahan (144) and Oliver Hirstein (150) were sixth and Jake Tuxhorn (120) and Oluwafemi Balogun (215) placed seventh. Also contributing to the cause was Felipe Oliveria (157).

“We were led by our two champs, junior Jaxon Ferguson at 113 and sophomore Eli Smith at 175,” Bruner said. “They are both guys I expect to be at the state tournament and to be competitive there this year. Several other Titans placed second, including senior Maizon Milestone at 165, junior Mason Streb at 215, freshman Issac Rabin at 106 and junior Drew Moffit at 132. Our third-place finishers were sophomore Kamden Hawkins 106, junior Joe Sphorer at 285 and junior Bradyn Worley at 165 and we got a fourth place finish from freshman Finn Try at 132 and several other Titans had top-eight finishes. 

“On the day we had 24 pins, four tech falls and overcame the largest seed-place differential in the tournament.  We might have lost this tournament but freshman Issac Rabin noticed our heavyweight Joe Sphorer was not scoring team points on Track. Once that was fixed, it was the difference that put us ahead.” 

2 – Jacksonville

Champions for coach Zach Stout’s second place Crimsons were Deshawn Armstrong (15-0 at 126), Jordan Kholian (16-5 at 132), Jacksonville’s Joe Reif (33-5 at 157) and Aiden Surratt (35-7 at 285) and taking third were Jayce Evans (138) and Brock Meyer (175). Finishing fourth were Robert White (113) and Hunter Hayes (120) while Kaiden McGee (106) and Wesley Ortiz (144) placed fifth, Kenyon Matthews (138) was seventh and John Harper (150) took eighth.

3 – Palmyra, Missouri

The lone title winner for coach Dalton Huffman’s third-place Panthers was Tyler Spicknall (31-8 at 144) while Blake Rife (113) and Brayden Pillars (157) took second place and Emmett Lorenson (120) and Henley Snow (190) took third for one of two Missouri teams in the field.

Other champions were Illini Bluffs’ Barret Speck (38-5 at 120) and Jackson Carroll (43-0 at 150), Pittsfield’s Waylon White (30-7 at 165) and Tucker Cook (33-7 at 190), Camp Point Central’s Paxton Buehler (29-13 at 106), Quincy Senior’s Austin Ragar (11-12 at 138) and Quincy Notre Dame’s Ryan Darnell (37-6 at 215). Carroll won the IHSA Class 1A title at 144 last season. 

Additional second-place finishers were Quincy Notre Dame’s Cale Hilbing (144) and Bradi Lahr (150), Illini Bluffs’ Nathan Owens (120), Riverton’s Harrison Lott (126), Warsaw/ Hamilton ‘s Kai Humphry (138), Illini West’s Shawn Watkins (175), Pittsfield’s Jesse Davidsmeyer (190) and Quincy Senior’s Eli Zanger (285).

The closest title match was at 126 where Armstrong claimed a 6-3 decision over Lott. 

Also taking third were Pittsfield’s Joel Noble (132) and Jake Oitker (157), Camp Point Central’s Jackson Buehler (113), Quincy Senior’s Charles Ray (126), Payson Seymour’s Charlie Scarber (144), Williamsville’s Matthew Miller (150) and Warsaw/ Hamilton’s Malachi McKune (215).

Four champions led the way with 30 team points, Cook, Darnell, Reif and Surratt while Smith was right behind with 29.5 points, Speck had 29, Ragar 28.5 points and Armstrong, Carroll and White all collected 28 team points. Carroll also had the most total match points with 50.  

Pittsfield’s Austin Brown, Camp Point Central’s Paxton Buehler and Glenwood’s Hayden Stephens all recorded four falls. And Glenwood’s Braydyn Worley easily had the largest seed to place difference with nine spots, finishing in third place at 165 after being seeded 12th.

Quincy Notre Dame Invitational

Team scores

1. Glenwood 191, 2. Jacksonville 182.5, 3. Palmyra, MO 145, 4. Pittsfield 138, 5. Quincy Senior 111, 6. Quincy Notre Dame 95.5, 7. Camp Point Central 90, 8. Illini Bluffs 65, 9. Warsaw/ Hamilton co-op 57, 10. Williamsville 51.5, 11. Illinois School for the Visually Impaired/ Illinois School for the Deaf co-op 36, 12. Illini West 29, 13. Payson Seymour/ Mendon Unity co-op 23, 13. Riverton 23, 15. Monmouth United 18.5. 

Place matches

106

1st Place Match – round robin

Paxton Buehler (Camp Point Central) 29-13, Fr. over Issac . (Glenwood) 14-7, Fr. (Fall 1:24)

3rd Place Match – round robin

Kamden Hawkins (Glenwood) 6-3, So. over Hunter Harley (Riverton) 24-18, Fr. (Dec 10-4)

5th Place

Kaiden McGee (Jacksonville) 13-26, Fr. 

113

1st Place Match – round robin

Jaxon Ferguson (Glenwood) 19-4, Jr. over Blake Rife (Palmyra, MO) 26-12, Fr. (Fall 2:46)

3rd Place Match – round robin

Jackson Buehler (Camp Point Central) 22-21, So. over Robert White (Jacksonville) 9-18, Fr. (Fall 0:40)

120

1st Place Match

Barret Speck (Illini Bluffs) 38-5, Fr. over Nathan Owens (Illini Bluffs) 30-13, Jr. (TF-1.5 6:00 (19-1))

3rd Place Match

Emmett Lorenson (Palmyra, MO) 28-9, Fr. over Hunter Hayes (Jacksonville) 24-14, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:00 (17-1))

5th Place Match

Charlie Welch (Camp Point Central) 27-15, So. over Eli Carel (Warsaw/Hamilton) 19-11, So. (Fall 3:37)

7th Place Match

Jake Tuxhorn (Glenwood) 12-19, Fr. over Jimmy Derian (Quincy Senior) 5-6, So. (M. For.)

126

1st Place Match

Deshawn Armstrong (Jacksonville) 15-0, Jr. over Harrison Lott (Riverton) 19-6, So. (Dec 6-3)

3rd Place Match

Charles Ray (Quincy Senior) 8-5, Fr. over Luke Lawson (Palmyra, MO) 21-19, Sr. (Dec 7-6)

5th Place Match

Ogdan Parker (Illini Bluffs) 26-17, Fr. over Case Hughes (Camp Point Central) 24-18, So. (MD 13-2)

7th Place Match

Samuel Moore (Quincy Notre Dame) 20-23, Fr. over Logan Borrowman (Pittsfield) 3-8, Fr. (MD 12-0)

132

1st Place Match

Jordan Kholian (Jacksonville) 16-5, So. over Drew Moffit (Glenwood) 18-13, Jr. (Dec 6-1)

3rd Place Match

Joel Noble (Pittsfield) 26-17, Jr. over Finnley Try (Glenwood) 5-8, Fr. (Dec 5-4)

5th Place Match

Oliver Moore (Quincy Notre Dame) 28-6, Sr. over Evan Smith (Warsaw) 17-19, Jr. (MD 12-0)

7th Place Match

Austin Olps (Camp Point Central) 18-19, Fr. over Michael Hines (Palmyra, MO) 19-15, Fr. (M. For.)

138

1st Place Match

Austin Ragar (Quincy Senior) 11-12, Jr. over Kai Humphry (Warsaw/Hamilton) 25-7, Sr. (MD 16-8)

3rd Place Match

Jayce Evans (Jacksonville) 15-12, So. over Tucker Pines (Pittsfield) 17-16, Fr. (Fall 4:40)

5th Place Match

Ethan Paul (Quincy Senior) 4-5, Fr. over Zaire Lee (Glenwood) 5-7, Jr. (Fall 3:18)

7th Place Match

Kenyon Matthews (Jacksonville) 20-20, Fr. over Wyatt Dolbeare (Payson Seymour/Mendon Unity) 6-6, So. (TF-1.5 2:00 (21-6))

144

1st Place Match

Tyler Spicknall (Palmyra, MO) 31-8, Jr. over Cale Hilbing (Quincy Notre Dame) 32-11, So. (Dec 8-3)

3rd Place Match

Charlie Scarber (Payson Seymour) 9-5, So. over Roman Lilo (Quincy Senior) 10-10, Fr. (Dec 4-1)

5th Place Match

Wesley Ortiz (Jacksonville) 27-13, Fr. over Braden Monahan (Glenwood) 9-18, So. (Dec 17-11)

7th Place Match

Damian Mulvaney (Williamsville) 13-25, Jr. over Ryan Turnbaugh (Quincy Notre Dame) 11-13, So. (Fall 1:26)

150

1st Place Match

Jackson Carroll (Illini Bluffs) 43-0, Sr. over Bradi Lahr (Quincy Notre Dame) 37-5, Jr. (MD 12-4)

3rd Place Match

Matthew Miller (Williamsville) 26-8, Jr. over Paul Schenk (Camp Point Central) 27-17, Sr. (MD 12-3)

5th Place Match

Cale Mixer (Quincy Senior) 24-15, Jr. over Oliver Hirstein (Glenwood) 6-12, So. (Fall 2:40)

7th Place Match

Ryker Trego (Monmouth United) 22-22, So. over John Harper (Jacksonville) 19-21, So. (Fall 2:32)

157

1st Place Match

Joe Reif (Jacksonville) 33-5, Jr. over Brayden Pillars (Palmyra, MO) 38-3, Sr. (Fall 5:26)

3rd Place Match

Jake Oitker (Pittsfield) 29-13, Jr. over Kavutae Lewiel (ISVI co-op) 11-6, Sr. (TF-1.5 3:20 (20-3))

5th Place Match

Jullian Rammelkamp (Glenwood) 28-13, So. over Keaton Jones (Camp Point Central) 18-23, So. (Fall 1:33)

7th Place Match

Abram Zanger (Quincy Notre Dame) 15-8, So. over Ethan Prim (Warsaw) 17-20, Jr. (Fall 5:27)

165

1st Place Match

Waylon White (Pittsfield) 30-7, Sr. over Maizon Milestone (Glenwood) 24-15, Sr. (Fall 2:37)

3rd Place Match

Braydyn Worley (Glenwood) 6-5, Jr. over Mason Collins (Camp Point Central) 2-2, Sr. (Fall 1:11)

5th Place Match

Hayden Stephens (Glenwood) 6-3, Jr. over Millie Bassett (Quincy Senior) 6-7, Fr. (Fall 3:23)

7th Place Match

Jake Ator (Pittsfield) 11-4, Fr. over Kale Weiman (Palmyra, MO) 12-14, Fr. (Dec 12-6)

175

1st Place Match

Elijah Smith (Glenwood) 33-8, So. over Shawn Watkins (Illini West) 30-4, Sr. (TF-1.5 6:00 (16-0))

3rd Place Match

Brock Meyer (Jacksonville) 26-15, Fr. over Fisher McEuen (Pittsfield) 16-13, So. (TF-1.5 0:00 (17-2))

5th Place Match

Brody Commean (Glenwood) 7-9, So. over Troy Miller (Payson Seymour) 1-2, So. (Fall 0:14)

7th Place

Evan Jenks (Monmouth United) 3-12, So.

190

1st Place Match

Tucker Cook (Pittsfield) 33-7, Sr. over Jesse Davidsmeyer (Pittsfield) 8-5, Sr. (Fall 1:28)

3rd Place Match

Henley Snow (Palmyra, MO) 12-12, So. over Cannon Creviston (ISVI co-op) 17-5, Jr. (Fall 2:31)

5th Place Match

Matayo Renteria (Illini West) 9-10, So. over Connor Homan (Camp Point Central) 1-2, Fr. (Fall 0:26)

7th Place Match

Elvis Garcia (ISVI co-op) 3-12, Jr. over Sam Shaw (Williamsville) 22-15, Jr. (M. For.)

215

1st Place Match

Ryan Darnell (Quincy Notre Dame) 37-6, Sr. over Mason Streb (Glenwood) 24-13, Jr. (Fall 1:37)

3rd Place Match

Malachi McKune (Warsaw) 21-10, Sr. over Colby Jones (Palmyra, MO) 15-21, Jr. (Fall 3:24)

5th Place Match

Anthony Beckman (Williamsville) 24-15, Jr. over Jackson Place (ISVI co-op) 16-7, Fr. (TF-1.5 2:53 (15-0))

7th Place Match

Oluwafemi Balogun (Glenwood) 9-7, So. over Vann Olcott (Monmouth United) 17-28, Fr. (Fall 1:07)

285

1st Place Match

Aiden Surratt (Jacksonville) 35-7, Sr. over Eli Zanger (Quincy Senior) 10-5, Fr. (Fall 1:14)

3rd Place Match

Joseph Spohrer (Glenwood) 6-3, Jr. over ace harper (Palmyra, MO) 27-13, So. (Fall 1:11)

5th Place Match

Austin Brown (Pittsfield) 8-5, Fr. over Elijah Terpstra (Pittsfield) 9-13, Fr. (Fall 1:52)

7th Place Match

Liam Dodsworth (Williamsville) 23-18, So. over Cooper Hildebrand (Quincy Senior) 3-8, So. (Dec 12-8)

Vandalia takes first at Litchfield Rich Lovellette Invitational

Vandalia had five champions, three runners-up and five third-place finishers to help it easily claim top honors at Litchfield’s Rich Lovellette Invitational with 291 points while Lena-Winslow/ Stockton took second place with 212.5 points and Murphysboro was third with 158 points. 

Roxana (152.5), Oakwood/ Salt Fork (120), Cumberland (104), Peoria Notre Dame (94), Litchfield  (90), Harrisburg (83) and Auburn/ Franklin/ New Berlin (76) rounded out the top half of the 20-team field.

1 – Vandalia

Winning championships for coach Jason Clay’s first-place Vandals were Max Philpot (39-0 at 113), Preston Waughtel (42-1 at 120), Tyson Waughtel (43-0 at 126), Dillon Hinton (41-2 at 150) and Kaden Tidwell (40-3 at 215) while second-place finishers were Brody Matthews (132), Keagan Turner (144) and Ross Miller (175). Taking third place were Aiden Evans (106), Cole Yarbrough (138), Parker Ray (157), Artan Mustafa (165) and Dominic Swyers (285) and finishing eighth was Noah Langston (190).

This was the fourth title of the season for Vandalia, which is top-ranked in Class 1A. Its other first-place finishes came at Civic Memorial, ABE’s Rumble and Princeton’s Lyle King PIT. The Vandals are hoping to make a return trip to the IHSA Class 1A Dual Team Finals, where they finished in fourth place last season.  

2 – Lena-Winslow/Stockton

Title winners for coach Kevin Milder’s runner-up PantherHawks were Arrison Bauer (36-4 at 144) and Eli Larson (37-2 at 175) while Mauricio Glass (138), John Mensendike (165), Oliver McPeek (190) and Jeremiah Luke (215) all claimed second place. Reece Demeter (150) finished fourth, Carson Hill (106) and Mark Detwiler (157) were fifth, David Prater (120) placed sixth and Anthony Laino (113), Huntlee Burris (126) and Sam Sikora (132) finished in eighth.

3 – Murphysboro

The lone champion for coach Shea Baker’s third-place Red Devils was Julien Tanner (19-3 at 285) while Paxton Pyatt (113) took second and Sergio Garcia (126) placed third. Kaiden Richards (120) and Aiston Holt (132) finished fourth, Lemar Treshansky (138), Maxon Stearns (165) and Caybren Hubbard (215) were fifth, Jerry Moreno (106) placed sixth and Rylan Robinson (175) claimed eighth place.

Also winning championships were Oakwood/ Salt Fork’s Steven Uden (32-4 at 106) and Pedro Rangel (32-7 at 138), Roxana’s Brandon Green Jr. (29-0 at 132) and Lyndon Thies (33-2 at 165), Cumberland’s Owen McGinnis (32-3 at 157) and Richards’ Mike Taheny (32-1 at 190).

Teammates Green, Jr. and Thies tied for the most team points with 28 while Tyson Waughtel and Taheny were right behind them with 27.5 points. Preston Waughtel, Hinton and McGinnis were next-best with 27 points and Larson scored 26.5 points while Bauer, Philpot, Rangel, Tanner and Uden all collected 26 team points.

Additional second-place finishers were Hillsboro’s Kohl Fuller (106), Oakwood/ Salt Fork’s Mason Swartz (120), Peoria Notre Dame’s Ian Akers (126), Westville/ Georgetown-Ridge Farm’s Gabriel Kiddoo (150), Litchfield’s Braxton Kieffer (157) and Auburn/ Franklin/ New Berlin’s Ayden Williams (285)

There were only two decisions on the title mat with Tanner edging Williams 7-5 at 285 and Tidwell beating Luke 7-2 at 215.

Others who took third place were Rochester’s Conner Carroll (113), Miles Carroll (120) and Drake Pfeiffer (150), Roxana’s Logan Riggs (144) and Robert Watt (190), Oakwood/ Salt Fork’s Tyler Huchel (132), Harrisburg’s Caleb Williford (175) and Litchfield’s Tristan Staggs (215).

Sparta’s Gavin Watson led all competitors with 69 match points and also was the only one in the tournament who got four wins by technical fall. There was a four-way tie for most falls with four between Roxana’s Lleyton Cobine, Litchfield’s Jayden Ellinger, Peoria Notre Dame’s Brady Mullens and Murphysboro’s Lemar Treshansky. Murphysboro’s Maxon Stearns and Mullens had the largest seed to place difference with eight as both were seeded 13th and took fifth place..

Litchfield Rich Lovellette Invitational

Team scores

1. Vandalia 291, 2. Lena-Winslow/ Stockton co-op 212.5, 3. Murphysboro 158, 4. Roxana 152.5, 5. Oakwood/ Salt Fork co-op 120, 6. Cumberland 104, 7. Peoria Notre Dame 94, 8. Litchfield 90, 9. Harrisburg 83, Auburn/ Franklin/ New Berlin co-op 76, 11. Rochester 64, 12. Westville/ Georgetown-Ridge Farm co-op 62.5, 13. Richards 57.5, 14. Hillsboro 47, 15. Sacred Heart-Griffin 34.5, 16. Sparta/ Steeleville co-op 27, 17. Carlinville 17.5, 18. Prairie Central 16, 18. Litchfield/ Mt. Olive 8, 20. North Mac 3.

Place matches

106

1st Place Match

Steven Uden (Oakwood/Salt Fork) 32-4, So. over Kohl Fuller (Hillsboro) 30-11, Fr. (Fall 1:00)

3rd Place Match

Aiden Evans (Vandalia) 33-9, Fr. over Pierce Bultmann (Rochester) 35-2, So. (M. For.)

5th Place Match

Carson Hill (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 15-26, Fr. over Jerry Moreno (Murphysboro) 13-16, Jr. (Dec 10-9)

7th Place Match

Andrew Patino (Prairie Central) 20-19, Fr. over Conner Crowder (Harrisburg) 20-21, Fr. (Fall 2:00)

113

1st Place Match

Max Philpot (Vandalia) 39-0, So. over Paxton Pyatt (Murphysboro) 36-2, So. (Fall 2:55)

3rd Place Match

Conner Carroll (Rochester) 19-2, Sr. over Pedro Alberto Rangel (Oakwood/Salt Fork) 21-10, Fr. (For.)

5th Place Match

Josh Stedwill (Peoria Notre Dame) 31-12 over Peyton Groves (Cumberland) 25-11, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:14 (16-1))

7th Place Match

Ibrahim Mahmadov (Richards) 6-10 over Anthony Laino (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 14-21, Fr. (TF-1.5 3:48 (20-3))

120

1st Place Match

Preston Waughtel (Vandalia) 42-1, So. over Mason Swartz (Oakwood/Salt Fork) 34-4, Fr. (TF-1.5 3:28 (19-4))

3rd Place Match

Miles Carroll (Rochester) 33-5, So. over Kaiden Richards (Murphysboro) 28-7, Sr. (Dec 8-4)

5th Place Match

Vincent Moore (Litchfield) 37-6, Jr. over David Prater (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 20-12, Jr. (Dec 7-0)

7th Place Match

Savion Hall (Roxana) 15-18, So. over Thayden Bailey (Litchfield-Mt. Olive) 11-15, Fr. (Fall 0:23)

126

1st Place Match

Tyson Waughtel (Vandalia) 43-0, Sr. over Ian Akers (Peoria Notre Dame) 41-3, Sr. (TF-1.5 3:20 (19-1))

3rd Place Match

Sergio Garcia (Murphysboro) 26-12, Jr. over Sawyer Welbaum (Cumberland) 27-8, Jr. (TF-1.5 3:02 (17-0))

5th Place Match

Lleyton Cobine (Roxana) 17-9, Sr. over Amir Akilani (Richards) 18-12, So. (Fall 1:12)

7th Place Match

Elijah Scott (Auburn) 22-19, Jr. over Huntlee Burris (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 17-16, So. (Fall 1:43)

132

1st Place Match

Brandon Green Jr. (Roxana) 29-0, Jr. over Brody Matthews (Vandalia) 34-8, So. (Fall 1:14)

3rd Place Match

Tyler Huchel (Oakwood/Salt Fork) 31-7, Jr. over Aiston Holt (Murphysboro) 20-13, Sr. (Fall 3:49)

5th Place Match

Logan Aaron (Cumberland) 25-13, So. over Drayven Hamm (Auburn) 29-16, Jr. (M. For.)

7th Place Match

Remington Joesting (Peoria Notre Dame) 33-11, Jr. over Sam Sikora (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 19-21, Fr. (TF-1.5 3:41 (18-0))

138

1st Place Match

Pedro Rangel (Oakwood/Salt Fork) 32-7, Sr. over Mauricio Glass (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 33-8, Jr. (Fall 4:27)

3rd Place Match

Cole Yarbrough (Vandalia) 32-9, So. over Trey Boston (Auburn) 26-13, Fr. (TF-1.5 3:02 (15-0))

5th Place Match

Lemar Treshansky (Murphysboro) 24-14, Fr. over Kaden Carilsle (Roxana) 21-12, Sr. (Fall 2:42)

7th Place Match

Harley Pierce (Cumberland) 22-14, So. over Jack Bartoletta (Peoria Notre Dame) 18-26, Jr. (MD 15-4)

144

1st Place Match

Arrison Bauer (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 36-4, Jr. over Keagan Turner (Vandalia) 31-7, So. (MD 13-1)

3rd Place Match

Logan Riggs (Roxana) 30-12, Jr. over Carter Chambliss (Oakwood/Salt Fork) 20-17, Sr. (Dec 7-5)

5th Place Match

Gaven Vollintine (Hillsboro) 26-18, Sr. over Ronald Laplante (Carlinville) 15-8, Sr. (Dec 8-5)

7th Place Match

Clayton Hauter (Litchfield) 32-11, Sr. over Jaxson Dukeman (Cumberland) 22-15, Jr. (Dec 4-0)

150

1st Place Match

Dillon Hinton (Vandalia) 41-2, Jr. over Gabriel Kiddoo (Westville) 24-6, Sr. (MD 12-3)

3rd Place Match

Drake Pfeiffer (Rochester) 29-5, Sr. over Reece Demeter (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 27-13, Jr. (MD 8-0)

5th Place Match

Gavin Watson (Sparta/Steeleville) 4-1, So. over Brock Felty (Harrisburg) 25-18, Sr. (TF-1.5 5:25 (17-2))

7th Place Match

Leo Flores (Richards) 21-16 over Nicholas Adam (Litchfield) 16-15, So. (Dec 7-0)

157

1st Place Match

Owen McGinnis (Cumberland) 32-3, Jr. over Braxton Kieffer (Litchfield) 29-10, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:49 (16-1))

3rd Place Match

Parker Ray (Vandalia) 33-7, Sr. over Trevor Gihring (Roxana) 31-11, Sr. (MD 10-0)

5th Place Match

Mark Detwiler (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 24-16, Jr. over Ty McMasters (Westville) 14-11, Jr. (Dec 7-0)

7th Place Match

Jovonis Lundford (Sacred Heart-Griffin) 3-2, Fr. over Ethan Ziller (Prairie Central) 24-15, Sr. (Dec 4-1)

165

1st Place Match

Lyndon Thies (Roxana) 33-2, Jr. over John Mensendike (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 30-8, Jr. (Fall 1:10)

3rd Place Match

Artan Mustafa (Vandalia) 31-10, Sr. over Briar Butler (Harrisburg) 29-10, Sr. (MD 14-2)

5th Place Match

Maxon Stearns (Murphysboro) 32-9, So. over Huthaiffa Issa (Richards) 14-14 (Fall 1:01)

7th Place Match

Blake Trimmel (Oakwood/Salt Fork) 13-23, So. over Sie Couri (Peoria Notre Dame) 27-18, Sr. (M. For.)

175

1st Place Match

Eli Larson (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 37-2, Jr. over Ross Miller (Vandalia) 33-10, Jr. (TF-1.5 5:01 (15-0))

3rd Place Match

Caleb Williford (Harrisburg) 20-14, Sr. over Max Strader (Cumberland) 11-7, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:14 (16-1))

5th Place Match

Jayden Ellinger (Litchfield) 32-10, Jr. over Owen Evans (Auburn) 20-12, Jr. (Fall 3:15)

7th Place Match

Rylee McClellan (Roxana) 6-6, Fr. over Rylan Robinson (Murphysboro) 10-10, . (Fall 3:45)

190

1st Place Match

Mike Taheny (Richards) 32-1, Sr. over Oliver McPeek (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 35-4, Jr. (Fall 3:29)

3rd Place Match

Robert Watt (Roxana) 33-5, Sr. over Ethan Miller (Westville) 28-5, Jr. (Fall 4:29)

5th Place Match

Brendan Hicks (Harrisburg) 26-9, Sr. over Casen Lyons (Sacred Heart-Griffin) 32-10, So. (MD 15-7)

7th Place Match

Bobby Stickelmaier (Peoria Notre Dame) 13-14, Sr. over Noah Langston (Vandalia) 18-6, So. (Fall 1:43)

215

1st Place Match

Kaden Tidwell (Vandalia) 40-3, Sr. over Jeremiah Luke (Lena-Winslow/Stockton) 34-5, Jr. (Dec 7-2)

3rd Place Match

Tristan Staggs (Litchfield) 33-8, Jr. over Joe Culp (Peoria Notre Dame) 35-9, Sr. (Fall 5:32)

5th Place Match

Caybren Hubbard (Murphysboro) 28-12, So. over Braxton Welge (Harrisburg) 29-10, Jr. (Dec 8-6)

7th Place Match

Ethan Ledbetter (Sparta/Steeleville) 2-2, Jr. over Kyle Fay (Auburn) 17-24, So. (Fall 0:09)

285

1st Place Match

Julien Tanner (Murphysboro) 19-3, Jr. over Ayden Williams (Auburn) 28-11, Fr. (Dec 7-5)

3rd Place Match

Dominic Swyers (Vandalia) 28-15, So. over Matt Brown (Harrisburg) 30-10, Jr. (Fall 0:41)

5th Place Match

Brady Mullens (Peoria Notre Dame) 27-14, Jr. over Josiah Sedlacek (Westville) 26-11, Sr. (Fall 0:32)

7th Place Match

Cy Courtney (Roxana) 13-17, Fr. over Josh Eyer (Sacred Heart-Griffin) 1-3, So. (Fall 3:45)

LeRoy/ Tri-Valley wins Heart of Illinois Conference Tournament

LeRoy/ Tri-Valley captured first place at the Heart of Illinois Conference Tournament in Mackinaw with 193.5 points while El Paso-Gridley took second place with 171 points, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher finished third with 162 points and Heyworth rounded out the top half of the eight-team competition with 93.5 points. 

Ranked ninth in Class 1A, the Panthers hope to advance to the IHSA Class 1A Dual Team Finals for the third year in a row. They will compete in the Monticello Regional on Saturday along with the third-place Falcons, who are ranked 16th, and another team that advanced to dual team state last season, Unity, which is ranked fourth.

1 – LeRoy/ Tri-Valley

Leading the way for coach Brady Sant Amour’s first place Panthers were their five title winners, 

Brady Mouser (32-3 at 120), Matt Helfrich (27-16 at 132), Kobe Brent (36-6 at 150), Bo Zeleznik (30-7 at 175) and Tate Sigler (36-5 at 285) while Logan Thompson (126) and Brock Owens (157) claimed second place.

Austin Pacha (106), Jake Baughman (113) and Ash Osborn (215) took third place while Jim Chaon (138) and Connor McLaughlin (144) finished fourth. Brett Helfrich (165) and Gannon Pinkerton (190) both contributed to the cause for the HOIC champions.

2 – El Paso-Gridley

Top performers for coach Caden Tjarks’ runner-up Titans were champions Kole Petta (32-11 at 106), Tom Erwin (38-4 at 113), Dominic Ricconi (30-11 at 190) and Ryden Barker (39-3 at 215).

Taking second place were Braden Gibson (165) and Christopher Blackmore (285), third-place finishers were Ben Graham (126), Nolan Whitman (138) and Parker Key (144) while Colin Martinez (132) and Ryan Kerr (175) finished in fourth place.

3 – Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher

Capturing championships for coach Josh Carter’s third-place Falcons were Landen Lage (32-3 at 126), Hunter Brandon (8-3 at 138) and Corbin Ragle (25-10 at 157) while Gage Martin  (120), 

Ethan Lowe (144), Hudson Babb (150), Jaxon Wright (190) and Cohen Kean (215) all placed second. Cooper Miller (165) took third place and Carson Sexton (285) finished fourth.

Also winning championships were Heyworth’s Trevor Soice (27-10 at 144) and Tremont’s Bowden Delaney (42-2 at 165). Delaney led all of the champions with 24 team points while Ragle ranked second with 23 points and there was a five-way tie for third place with 22 points between Barker, Brandon, Erwin, Helfrich and Zeleznik. Soice scored 21 points, Ricconi had 20.5 points and Brent, Mouser and Petta all collected 20 team points.

Other second-place finishers were Heyworth’s Emmett Roeder (113) and Brody Simons (175),

Deer Creek-Mackinaw’s Evan King (106), Ridgeview/ Lexington’s Landon Christner (132) and Eureka’s Finn Hoffman (138).

Some of the closest title matches featured Brent prevailing over Babb 3-2 on a tiebreaker at 150, Soice edging Lowe 9-7 at 144 and Petta defeating King 14-11 at 106

Additional third-place finishers were Eureka’s Henry Watson (120) and Josiah Rokey (132), 

Deer Creek-Mackinaw’s Caleb Greer (157) and Joey Humphries (285), Ridgeview/ Lexington’s Judson Stover (150), Tremont’s Gaige Hunt (175) and Heyworth’s Jarrod Fulcher (190).

Tremont’s Bowden Delaney and Ridgeview/ Lexington’s Judson Stover tied for the most match points with 46. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher’s Cooper Miller and El Paso-Gridley’s Nolan Whitman tied Delaney for the most falls with four. LeRoy/ Tri-Valley’s Jake Baughman and Stover both recorded two wins by technical fall. Deer Creek-Mackinaw’s Caleb Greer had the largest seed to place difference with three, placing third after being seeded sixth at 157

Heart of Illinois Conference Tournament

Team scores

1. LeRoy/ Tri-Valley co-op 193.5, 2. El Paso-Gridley 171, 3. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op 162, 4. Heyworth 93.5, 5. Tremont 61.5, 6. Deer Creek-Mackinaw 51, 7. Eureka 49, 8. Ridgeview/ Lexington co-op 42.

Place matches

106

1st Place Match

Kole Petta (El Paso-Gridley) 32-11, Fr. over Evan King (Deer Creek-Mackinaw) 23-13, Fr. (Dec 14-11)

3rd Place Match

Austin Pacha (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) 20-19, Fr. over Landon Nieslawski (Heyworth) 17-19, So. (MD 13-3)

113

1st Place Match

Tom Erwin (El Paso-Gridley) 38-4, Fr. over Emmett Roeder (Heyworth) 23-19, Fr. (Fall 5:12)

3rd Place Match

Jake Baughman (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) 22-19, Fr. over Nicky Weber (Tremont) 28-13, Fr. (TF-1.5 4:48 (17-0))

120

1st Place Match

Brady Mouser (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) 32-3, Sr. over Gage Martin (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher) 19-5, Jr. (Fall 0:58)

3rd Place Match

Henry Watson (Eureka) 21-12, So. over Gavin Stoker (Tremont) 29-13, Fr. (Fall 3:35)

126

1st Place Match

Landen Lage (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher) 32-3, Fr. over Logan Thompson (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) 19-16, Fr. (TF-1.5 3:28 (18-3))

3rd Place Match

Ben Graham (El Paso-Gridley) 20-20, Fr. over Skyler Kerner (Deer Creek-Mackinaw) 11-22, Fr. (Inj. 0:44)

132

1st Place Match

Matt Helfrich (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) 27-16, So. over Landon Christner (Ridgeview/Lexington) 23-19, Jr. (Fall 1:32)

3rd Place Match

Josiah Rokey (Eureka) 17-21, So. over Colin Martinez (El Paso-Gridley) 9-29, Fr. (Fall 2:00)

138

1st Place Match

Hunter Brandon (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher) 8-3, Fr. over Finn Hoffman (Eureka) 30-8, Fr. (Fall 2:22)

3rd Place Match

Nolan Whitman (El Paso-Gridley) 24-20, Jr. over Jim Chaon (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) 26-18, So. (Fall 2:26)

144

1st Place Match

Trevor Soice (Heyworth) 27-10, Jr. over Ethan Lowe (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher) 19-10, Jr. (Dec 9-7)

3rd Place Match

Parker Key (El Paso-Gridley) 32-12, Sr. over Connor Mclaughlin (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) 21-21, Jr. (Dec 8-3)

150

1st Place Match

Kobe Brent (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) 36-6, Sr. over Hudson Babb (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher) 29-8, So. (TB-1 3-2)

3rd Place Match

Judson Stover (Ridgeview/Lexington) 27-9, Sr. over Logan Stout (Heyworth) 24-21, So. (M. For.)

157

1st Place Match

Corbin Ragle (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher) 25-10, Sr. over Brock Owens (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) 35-8, Sr. (MD 14-3)

3rd Place Match

Caleb Greer (Deer Creek-Mackinaw) 23-18, Jr. over Sam Hoffman (Eureka) 29-12, Jr. (Dec 7-4)

165

1st Place Match

Bowden Delaney (Tremont) 42-2, Sr. over Braden Gibson (El Paso-Gridley) 25-11, So. (Fall 1:59)

3rd Place Match

Cooper Miller (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher) 29-10, So. over Tristian Stamp (Heyworth) 30-15, Fr. (Fall 2:20)

175

1st Place Match

Bo Zeleznik (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) 30-7, Sr. over Brody simons (Heyworth) 29-14, Fr. (Fall 3:31)

3rd Place Match

Gaige Hunt (Tremont) 21-21, Fr. over Ryan Kerr (El Paso-Gridley) 18-24, So. (Fall 4:36)

190

1st Place Match

Dominic Ricconi (El Paso-Gridley) 30-11, Sr. over Jaxon Wright (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher) 22-11, Jr. (Dec 7-3)

3rd Place Match

Jarrod Fulcher (Heyworth) 27-16, So. over Ryker Gemberling (Deer Creek-Mackinaw) 30-12, So. (Fall 3:43)

215

1st Place Match

Ryden Barker (El Paso-Gridley) 39-3, Sr. over Cohen Kean (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher) 18-8, Sr. (For.)

3rd Place Match

Ash Osborn (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) 22-19, Sr. over Ethan Kinsey (Tremont) 14-16, Sr. (Fall 1:06)

285

1st Place Match

Tate Sigler (LeRoy/Tri-Valley) 36-5, Sr. over Christopher Blackmore (El Paso-Gridley) 26-12, Sr. (Fall 3:01)

3rd Place Match

Joey Humphries (Deer Creek-Mackinaw) 18-10, So. over Carson Sexton (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher) 10-15, Fr. (Fall 5:51)

Lawrence County claims Eastern Illinois Tournament title

The Lawrence County co-op, featuring athletes from Lawrenceville and Red Hill, heads into its own Class 1A regional on a high note after it captured the championship of the Eastern Illinois Tournament, which took place in Lawrenceville.

Lawrence County outscored Hoopeston Area/ Milford co-op 226.5-203 for top honors while Carterville took third place with 172 points. Next in line were Richland County (123), Effingham (103), Oblong/ Palestine/ Hutsonville co-op (99.5), Robinson (99.5) and Fairfield (98.5).

1 – Lawrence County

Winning titles for coach Cody Bobe’s championship Lawrence County co-op team were Dylan Aten (23-5 at 132), Hudson Meek (30-9 at 144) and Malikye Williams (25-23 at 190) while Kyler Guercio (106), Cale Seitzinger (138) and Dylan Camden (285) finished in second place.

Dayton Ledbetter (113) claimed third place, Drew Seitzinger (120) finished fourth, Grayson Allender (126), Nick Morehead (175) and Wyatt Scott (215) were fifth, Tucker Waldrop (165) placed sixth and Keegan Liston (150) also contributed the title effort for Lawrence County, which is a co-op of Lawrenceville and Red Hill.

2 – Hoopeston Area/ Milford 

Champions for coach Chris Kelnhofer’s runner-up Cornjerkers were Charlie Flores (39-3 at 106), Aiden Bell (41-3 at 126), Ayden Larkin (30-5 at 165) and Angel Zamora (42-1 at 175).

Taking third place were RaSiah Jones (150), David Bell (157), Earl Kelnhofer (190) and Tucker Deck (215) while Reydon Montez (138) was fourth and Damian Salinas (132) placed fifth.

3 – Carterville

Leading coach Daniel Alderman’s third place Lions were first-place finisher Ramiro Sebastian (31-7 at 113) and runners-up Landyn Flood (132), Terry Mick (190) and Carl Watkins (215). 

Taking third place were Isaac Wood (106) and Carter Jones (175), Aidan Bramlett (150) was fourth and Brawnsen Bloodworth (120), Gavin Slack (138) and Spencer Crotser (165) took fifth.

Other Eastern Illinois Tournament title winners were Richland County’s Carson Bissey (11-1 at 157) and Zander Schrader (34-7 at 215), Charleston’s Trotter Titus (24-8 at 120), Robinson’s Broady Kelly (24-3 at 138), Oblong/ Palestine/ Hutsonville co-op’s Cole Littlejohn (13-2 at 150) and Fairfield’s Bentley Rogers (31-6 at 285).

Aten, Schrader and Williams led all champions with 28 team points while Flores, Rogers and Zamora were next-best with 27.5 points. Bell, Bissey and Littlejohn all collected 27 points and Kelly and Larkin finished with 26 team points. 

Also finishing in second place were Paris’ Garret Rigdon (150) and Joshua Lamore (165), 

Effingham’s Cole Dulumback (113), Oblong/ Palestine/ Hutsonville’s Mason Correll (120),

Richland County’s Kaeden Davis (126), Effingham’s Baker Moon (144), Mt. Carmel’s Johnny Askren (157) and Fairfield’s Talan Keoughan (175). 

The closest championship match was at 113 where Sebastian prevailed over Dulumback 16-9 by sudden victory.

Additional third-place finishers were Oblong/ Palestine/ Hutsonville’s Owen Griffin (138) and Jude Wirey (144), Effingham’s Kaiden Stewart (120), Fairfield’s Jedd Wellen (126), Richland County’s Levi Ochs (132), Robinson’s Kahne Hyre (165) and Mt. Carmel’s Carter Pyatt (285).

East Richland’s Carson Bissey led all competitors with 52 match points. Robinson’s Kelllen Poole was the only competitor who recorded four pins. Mt. Carmel’s Dakota Woods had the largest seed to place difference, improving five spots after being seeded 11th and taking sixth.

Eastern Illinois Tournament

Team scores

1. Lawrence County (Lawrenceville/ Red Hill) co-op 226.5, 2. Hoopeston Area/ Milford co-op 203, 3. Carterville 172, 4. Richland County 123, 5. Effingham 103, 6. Oblong/ Palestine/ Hutsonville co-op 99.5, 6. Robinson 99.5, 8. Fairfield 98.5, 9. Mt. Carmel 92, 10. Paris 77, 11. Charleston 62. 

Place Matches

106

1st Place Match

Charlie Flores (Hoopeston Area/ Milford) 39-3, Jr. over Kyler Guercio (Lawrence County) 26-7, Fr. (Fall 1:02)

3rd Place Match

Isaac Wood (Carterville) 33-11, Fr. over Hayden Hazel (Richland County) 28-12, Fr. (TF-1.5 3:20 (16-0))

5th Place Match

Gracen Elliott (Robinson) 26-12, Fr. over Carter Poole (Fairfield) 17-22, So. (Fall 2:29)

113

1st Place Match

Ramiro Sebastian (Carterville) 31-7, Jr. over Cole Dulumback (Effingham) 25-15, Fr. (SV-1 16-9)

3rd Place Match

Dayton Ledbetter (Lawrence County) 15-8, Fr. over Thomas Stigler (Oblong co-op) 3-17, Fr. (Fall 2:26)

120

1st Place Match

Trotter Titus (Charleston) 24-8, Fr. over Mason Correll (Oblong co-op) 20-8, Sr. (MD 17-4)

3rd Place Match

Kaiden Stewart (Effingham) 31-10, Sr. over Drew Seitzinger (Lawrence County) 22-13, Jr. (Fall 3:58)

5th Place Match

Brawnsen Bloodworth (Carterville) 27-13, Sr. over Gage Wright (Paris) 13-15, So. (Fall 1:43)

126

1st Place Match

Aiden Bell (Hoopeston Area/ Milford) 41-3, Jr. over Kaeden Davis (Richland County) 30-10, So. (TF-1.5 5:43 (20-4))

3rd Place Match

Jedd Wellen (Fairfield) 21-17, Jr. over Jacob Booher (Robinson) 24-16, Sr. (Dec 8-4)

5th Place Match

Grayson Allender (Lawrence County) 15-13, Fr. over Austin Campbell (Carterville) 17-13, Fr. (Fall 2:28)

132

1st Place Match

Dylan Aten (Lawrence County) 23-5, Sr. over Landyn Flood (Carterville) 34-6, Sr. (Fall 2:36)

3rd Place Match

Levi Ochs (Richland County) 10-6, So. over Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) 18-11, So. (Fall 1:34)

5th Place Match

Damian Salinas (Hoopeston Area/ Milford) 18-16, So. over Collin Booker (Charleston) 13-19, Fr. (Fall 0:47)

138

Guaranteed Places

1st Place Match

Broady Kelly (Robinson) 24-3, Jr. over Cale Seitzinger (Lawrence County) 26-10, Jr. (MD 11-2)

3rd Place Match

Owen Griffin (Oblong co-op) 23-14, Jr. over Reydon Montez (Hoopeston Area/ Milford) 18-17, Fr. (Fall 3:13)

5th Place Match

Gavin Slack (Carterville) 27-16, Jr. over Samuel Dial (Richland County) 20-19, Fr. (MD 13-2)

144

1st Place Match

Hudson Meek (Lawrence County) 30-9, So. over Baker Moon (Effingham) 28-11, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:26 (17-2))

3rd Place Match

Jude Wirey (Oblong co-op) 29-8, Fr. over Jacob Kuhn (Charleston) 19-17, Jr. (TF-1.5 3:17 (21-5))

5th Place Match

Isaiah Kasinger (Mt. Carmel) 12-19, Sr. over Vance Vanway (Fairfield) 12-25, So. (Fall 4:45)

150

1st Place Match

Cole Littlejohn (Oblong co-op) 13-2, So. over Garret Rigdon (Paris) 17-10, Jr. (TF-1.5 5:07 (15-0))

3rd Place Match

RaSiah Jones (Hoopeston Area/ Milford) 26-18, Jr. over Aidan Bramlett (Carterville) 15-22, Jr. (Fall 3:39)

5th Place Match

Kellen Poole (Robinson) 10-16, So. over Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) 9-18, Fr. (Fall 2:40)

157

1st Place Match

Carson Bissey (Richland County) 11-1, Sr. over Johnny Askren (Mt. Carmel) 21-15, Sr. (TF-1.5 2:00 (19-4))

3rd Place Match

David Bell (Hoopeston Area/ Milford) 25-19, Sr. over Jeremiah Musgrave (Fairfield) 21-13, Sr. (MD 8-0)

5th Place Match

Koltan Dare (Charleston) 11-15, Sr. over Ben McDowell (Effingham) 17-25, Fr. (Dec 8-2)

165

1st Place Match

Ayden Larkin (Hoopeston Area/ Milford) 30-5, Sr. over Joshua Lamore (Paris) 29-5, Jr. (Fall 5:43)

3rd Place Match

Kahne Hyre (Robinson) 28-7, Sr. over Gage Emmerich (Effingham) 15-14, Jr. (Fall 2:29)

5th Place Match

Spencer Crotser (Carterville) 22-20, Jr. over Tucker Waldrop (Lawrence County) 5-21, Jr. (Fall 1:48)

175

1st Place Match

Angel Zamora (Hoopeston Area/ Milford) 42-1, Sr. over Talan Keoughan (Fairfield) 29-6, Sr. (TF-1.5 2:39 (20-5))

3rd Place Match

Carter Jones (Carterville) 21-7, So. over Lenox Parker (Robinson) 17-10, Jr. (Fall 1:39)

5th Place Match

Nick Morehead (Lawrence County) 16-12, So. over Logan McDonald (Richland County) 19-12, So. (MD 11-0)

190

1st Place Match

Malikye Williams (Lawrence County) 25-13, Jr. over Terry Mick (Carterville) 33-12, So. (Fall 3:30)

3rd Place Match

Earl Kelnhofer (Hoopeston Area/ Milford) 30-13, So. over Ethan Miller (Oblong co-op) 18-12, Jr. (Fall 1:17)

5th Place Match

Gavin Grubb (Paris) 11-8, Sr. over Evan Barbre (Fairfield) 1-2, So. (Fall 0:38)

215

1st Place Match

Zander Schrader (Richland County) 34-7, Jr. over Carl Watkins (Carterville) 27-18, So. (Fall 1:59)

3rd Place Match

Tucker Deck (Hoopeston Area/ Milford) 20-22, So. over Evan Berberich (Mt. Carmel) 10-8, Sr. (Fall 1:03)

5th Place Match

Wyatt Scott (Lawrence County) 7-12, So. over Keegan Woodall (Effingham) 8-25, So. (Fall 3:03)

285

Guaranteed Places

1st Place Match

Bentley Rogers (Fairfield) 31-6, Sr. over Dylan Camden (Lawrence County) 25-9, Sr. (Inj. 3:24)

3rd Place Match

Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) 24-11, Fr. over Jeremiah Lorton (Effingham) 28-10, Jr. (Fall 3:47)

5th Place Match

Richard Black (Paris) 16-5, Sr. over Remi Bryant (Charleston) 16-15, Fr. (Fall 5:12)

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

ROCK FALLS REGIONAL

Kaneland and DeKalb battled it out for a team regional title at Rock Falls, with Kaneland eking out a 146.5-141 victory. The Knights finished with seven sectional qualifiers for this year’s Geneseo Sectional, including three individual regional champions, three third-placers, and one fourth-place qualifier.

“We brought eight wrestlers and unfortunately due to some injuries, had to leave four wrestlers at home,” Kaneland coach Josh West said. “When the day started, I didn’t know if we had enough to get it done. I knew there were a couple good teams there, especially DeKalb, and hats off to DeKalb and their girls. Conor (Infelise) has his DeKalb team firing on all cylinders.”

DeKalb also had three individual regional champs among its seven sectional qualifiers. Burlington Central (106.5) finished third, followed by Yorkville (85.5) and Sycamore (73) to round out the top five team finishes in the 25-team regional field.

Burlington Central and Yorkville had five sectional qualifiers apiece, and Sycamore had four qualifiers.

1st place: Kaneland (146.5)
There were four unbeaten regional champions at Rock Falls when the day ended, including Kaneland’s sophomore and returning state champion Angelina Gochis (29-0 at 110). Teammates Brooklyn Sheaffer (38-2 at 125) and Sadie Kinsella (27-9 at 190) were also regional champions for coach Josh West.

Gochis is aiming to burn a path to her second state title in her first two years of high school.

“Angelina Gochis, what else can I say?” Kaneland coach Josh West said. “She was dominant from start to finish, winning the regional. Her future in this sport is on the World and Olympic level, I truly believe that.

“Brooklyn Sheaffer was solid once again and she is coming into her own at the right time. She works hard and I expect to see her on the podium here in a few weeks. Sadie Kinsella was our other champion and Sadie did not wrestle her best but she still got it done.

Placing third for Kaneland and advancing in the state tournament were Dyani Torres (135), Caitlyn Manier (155) and Carly Duffing (190), along with fourth-placer Thalia Paton (115).

West applauded the solid day’s work of senior third-placers Torres and Duffing, the maturity and effort from the freshman Manier, and the effort Paton put forth in wrestling back for fourth.

Fourth-seeded Paton upset the tournament’s second seed in her consolation semifinal match to secure her ticket to the sectional meet.

“I’m happy for our girls, our program, and our school,” West said. “We will enjoy this for a little bit and then come Monday, it’s back to work.”

2nd place: DeKalb (141)
The Barbs got individual titles from Alex Gregorio-Perez (43-3 at 105), Lana Zimmerman (38-8 at 135) and Aarianna Bloyd (30-11 at 235), plus a second from Reese Zimmer (120), a third from Jade Weiss (100), and fourths from Frieda Hernandez (110) and Kayden Johnson (155) for coach Connor Infelise.

3rd place: Burlington Central (105.4)

The Rockets sent three regional champions to the top of the podium in returning state medalist Tori Macias (28-6 at 115), Soraya Walikonis (32-10 at 130) and returning state medalist Ryan Miller (33-1 at 170), plus a second-place finish from Ruby Vences (110) and a fourth from Melanie Granda (105).

Individual champions:
The day’s other regional champions in Rock Falls were Rockford East’s unbeaten Saya Hongmoungkhoune (21-0 at 100), Hononegah’s three-time state champion, unbeaten Angelina Cassioppi (25-0 at 120), Sycamore’s Ema Durst (21-3 at 140), Rochelle’s unbeaten returning state medalist Dempsey Atkinson (18-0 at 145), and Rock Falls’ Akira Schick (13-2 at 155).

Team scores:
Kaneland 146.5, DeKalb 141, Burlington Central 106.5, Yorkville 85.5, Sycamore 73, Hononegah 71.5, Plano 64, Sterling 60, Sandwich 59, Rock Falls 55, Freeport 46, Belvidere North 32, Jefferson 32, Newman Central Catholic 32, Rockford East 30.5, Polo 30, Rochelle 30, Somonauk 22, Guilford 21, Harlem 19, Durand 15.5, Galena 15, Belvidere 9.5

PLACE MATCHES FOR SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS (top four all advanced)

100

1st: Saya Hongmoungkhoune (Rockford E) 21-0, d. Analiese Garretson (Yorkville) 27-12,  (TF-1.5 2:00 (17-2)

3rd: Jade Weiss (DeKalb) 26-16, d. Monika Jahn (Hononegah) 14-10,  (F 0:43)

105

1st: Alex Gregorio-Perez (DeKalb) 43-3, d. Blair Grennan (Newman Central) 14-3,  (F 4:00)

3rd: Danielle Turner (Yorkville) 6-2, d. Melanie Granda (Central) 24-14,  (F 4:46)

110

1st: Angelina Gochis (Kaneland) 29-0, d. Ruby Vences (Central) 28-12,  (F 0:58)

3rd: Lydia Cartwright (Sandwich) 20-7, d. Frieda Hernandez (DeKalb) 11-9,  (F 3:20)

115

1st: Victoria Macias (Central) 28-6, d. Kaiya Galindo (Freeport) 24-15,  (F 1:51)

3rd: Norah Vick (Sandwich) 21-12, d. Thalia Paton (Kaneland) 22-12,  (D 10-8)

120

1st: Gina Cassioppi (Hononegah) 25-0, d. Reese Zimmer (DeKalb) 38-9,  (TF-1.5 3:00 (17-1)

3rd: Zandra Vock (Polo) 18-17, d. Ryleigh Eriks (Rock Fs) 16-6,  (F 3:33)

125 

1st: Brooklyn Sheaffer (Kaneland) 38-2, d. Rylie Donahue (Somonauk) 10-4,  (F 1:16)

3rd: Isabella Prchal (Plano) 15-10, d. Maddie Barrios (Belvidere N) 7-9,  (F 0:23)

130

1st: Soraya Walikonis (Central) 32-10, d. Skyann Munz) 18-6,  (F 5:07)

3rd: Evie Anderson (Durand) 16-5, d. Gretchyn Dunbar (Sycamore) 12-12,  (F 1:05)

135

1st: Lana Zimmerman (DeKalb) 38-8, d. Bella Castelli (Hononegah) 20-4,  (F 0:30)

3rd: Dyani Torres (Kaneland) 36-10, d. Brooke Coy (Yorkville) 17-9,  (D 16-10)

140

1st: Ema Durst (Sycamore) 21-3, d. April Martinez (Plano) 15-10,  (F 1:03)

3rd: Ashlyn Fargher (Rock Fs) 9-6, d. Vanesa Penaloza (Freeport) 16-11,  (F 3:49)

145

1st: Dempsey Atkinson (Rochelle) 18-0, d. Jacqeline Diaz (Plano) 20-4,  (F 3:27)

3rd: Jazmin Rios (Sandwich) 19-14, d. Aviana Froelich (Yorkville) 14-18,  (MD 14-4)

155

1st: Akira Schick (Rock Fs) 13-2, d. Avelina McMurtry (Sycamore) 10-8,  (F 0:34)

3rd: Caitlyn Manier (Kaneland) 27-10, d. Kayden Johnson (DeKalb) 14-13,  (F 2:13)

170

1st: Ryann Miller (Central) 33-1, d. Janiah Murray (Yorkville) 31-9,  (TF-1.5 2:33 (18-2)

3rd: Carly Duffing (Kaneland) 22-8, d. Linda Villa (Hononegah) 9-7,  (F 0:46)

190

1st: Sadie Kinsella (Kaneland) 27-9, d. Anjanne Haywood (Guilford) 23-6,  (F 3:25)

3rd: Kylie Eilken (Jefferson) 16-6, d. Lillian Tunk) 20-9,  (F 2:22)

235

1st: Aarianna Bloyd (DeKalb) 30-11, d. Jasmine Enriquez (Sycamore) 4-3,  (F 3:12)

3rd: Savannah Trevino (Belvidere N) 7-11, d. Angela Carter (Guilford) 1-13,  (F 0:53)

Individual statistics:
Plano’s Isabella Prchal finished the regional with the most pins (4) in the least time (8:59), while Sterling’s Kylie Tate posted the fastest pin at 11 seconds. Hononegah’s Gina Cassioppi had the most technical falls (3) in the least time (6:00) and Yorkville’s Cory Brooke had the fastest tech fall, in 1:17.Five wrestlers tied for the most team points scored (28) in DeKalb’s Alex Gregorio-Perez, Kaneland’s Brooklyn Sheaffer, Central’s Tori Macias, DeKalb’s Lana Zimmerman and Rock Falls’ Akira Schick. Hononegah’s Cassioppi finished with the most single match points, with 20, and the most total match points scored with 54.

Polo’s Zandra Vock provided the largest seed-place difference, as the No. 12 seed placed third at 120 pounds.

JACKSONVILLE REGIONAL

Six individual regional champions and eight total sectional qualifiers vaulted Geneseo to its second consecutive team regional title for coach Carley Rusk. The Maple Leafs posted a 183-137.5 edge over second-place Canton, with Erie (86.5) placing third, Macomb (80) taking third, and Galesburg (65) rounding out the top five team finishes.

“I’m really proud of the hard work everyone put in—these girls have been pushing themselves all season, and it’s awesome to see it pay off,” Rusk said. “We’re definitely excited to keep this momentum going into the next part of the season. We will continue to train hard and keep our sights set on sectionals.”

Geneseo’s six individual champions led the 22-team field, and the Maple Leafs also led the field with 18 pins to Canton’s 10.

1st place: Geneseo (183 points)
Rusk got individual titles from Molly Snyder (32-7 at 100), Addison Hadsall (32-14 at 105), Lydia King (43-5 at 120), Belle Curcuru (32-12 at 125), Annibelle Juarez (17-3 at 135) and Sophie Bellagamba (31-12 at 155), plus second-place finishes from Lauren Piquard (31-10 at 140) and Mady Mooney (30-10 at 145).|
Geneseo’s qualifiers will go into the sectional tournament with a combined record of 248-73.

2nd place: Canton (137.5)

Canton had a pair of regional champions in LT Diephuis (30-5 at 110) and Kinnley Smith (37-3 at 130), plus seconds from Abella Brown (100), Shayla Schielein (105), and Chloe Hedges (115),  thirds from Kennedy Smith (140) and Katelyn Marvel (145), and a fourth from Josslyn Shockency (170).

3rd place: Erie (86.5)

Erie had a trio of wrestlers reach the regional title mat and place second in Nevada Wells (110), Michelle Naftzger (130) and Jayda Rosenow (155), plus a third-place finish from Ryleigh Stephens (120), and fourths from Ayden Grawe (125) and Dena Cox (145).

Individual champions:
Other girls winning individual regional titles in Jacksonville were Galesburg’s Eliana Juarez (18-3 at 115), Macomb’s Kelly Ladd (20-3 at 140) and Mikaela Mwangong (20-5 at 145), Rock Island’s Courtney Walls (19-2 at 170), ROWVA’s Patience Riggs (11-5 at 190) and Moline’s Kirsten Kpoto (3-0 at 235).

Team scores:
Geneseo 183, Canton 137.5, Erie 86.5, Macomb 80, Galesburg 65, Jacksonville 60, ROWVA 50, Sherrard 44.5, Rock Island 43.5, Moline 24, Quincy 22, Kewanee 19, Midwest Central 18, Mercer County 16, Beardstown 16, United 16, Camp Point Central 15, Illini West 13, Fulton 8, Rockridge 6, Knoxville 4

PLACE MATCHES FOR SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS (top four all advanced)

100

1st: Molly Snyder (Geneseo) 32-7,  d. Abella Brown (Canton) 13-7,  (MD 19-10)

3rd: Kinsley Furnald (Galesburg) 14-7,  d. Isabella Schaefer (Illini West) 4-11,  (F 1:49)

105

1st: Addison Hadsall (Geneseo) 32-14,  d. Shayla Schielein (Canton) 26-9,  (F 2:54)

3rd: Kyra Cardine (Aledo (Mercer County) 5-4,  d. Abby Weber (Sherrard) 13-22,  (F 5:34)

110 

1st: LT Diephuis (Canton) 30-5,  d. Nevada Wells (Erie) 16-17,  (TF 4:36 (21-4)

3rd: Lucy Mass (Rock Island) 16-6,  d. Hailey Lampe (Kewanee) 10-10,  (F 1:02)

115
1st: Eliana Juarez (Galesburg) 18-3,  d. Chloe Hedges (Canton) 30-10,  (F 3:25)

3rd: Marissa Brown (ROWVA) 14-7,  d. Kaitlyn Knight (Jacksonville) 6-6,  (F 2:46)

120

1st: Lydia King (Geneseo) 43-5,  d. Daisy Gil (Beardstown) 18-5,  (F 4:30)

3rd: Ryleigh Stephens (Erie) 26-5,  d. Maria Hernandez (Macomb) 13-14,  (F 0:26)

125 

1st: Bella Curcuru (Geneseo) 32-12,  d. Alexis Seymour (Jacksonville) 22-3,  (F 3:52)

3rd: Kylie Mathis (Sherrard) 14-7,  d. Ayden Grawe (Erie) 14-16,  (F 1:17)

130

1st: Kinnley Smith (Canton) 37-3,  d. Michelle Naftzger (Erie) 27-10,  (F 1:28)

3rd: Jaelyn Hare (United) 8-2,  d. Dai Driana Willford (Galesburg) 15-9,  (F 5:05)

135

1st: Annibelle Juarez (Geneseo) 17-3,  d. Nadia Anderson (Sherrard) 14-12,  (F 3:06)

3rd: Amber Louderback (Camp Point (Central) 23-7,  d. Zoe Bloyd (Quincy) 9-5,  (F 1:45)

140

1st: Kelly Ladd (Macomb) 20-3,  d. Lauren Piquard (Geneseo) 31-10,  (F 3:34)

3rd: Kennedy Smith (Canton) 29-12,  d. RaKiya Amos (Kewanee) 17-8,  (F 3:53)

145

1st: Mikaela Mwangong (Macomb) 20-5,  d. Mady Mooney (Geneseo) 30-10,  (F 2:18)

3rd: Katelyn Marvel (Canton) 15-8,  d. Dena Cox (Erie) 21-15,  (F 1:14)

155

1st: Sophie Bellagamba (Geneseo) 31-12,  d. Jayda Rosenow (Erie) 21-10,  (F 5:57)

3rd: Maggie Quinn (Quincy) 9-2,  d. Jayda Reiff (Taylor Ridge (Rockridge) 2-10,  (F 0:51)

170

1st: Courtney Walls (Rock Island) 19-2,  d. Makayla Padilla (Jacksonville) 8-8,  (F 2:40)

3rd: DaLonna Buckley (ROWVA) 12-6,  d. Josslyn Shockency (Canton) 15-23,  (F 5:41)

190

1st: Patience Riggs (ROWVA) 11-5,  d. Avery Lundgren (Macomb) 16-7,  (F 1:40)

3rd: Macie Taylor (Galesburg) 6-15,  d. Olivia Monroe (Jacksonville) 5-9,  (F 1:08)

235

1st: Kirsten Kpoto (Moline) 3-0,  d. Marlie Abner (Manito (Midwest Central) 5-2,  (F 1:18)

3rd: Emily Sanders (Jacksonville) 6-9,  d. Griffin Schauble (Macomb) 9-13,  (F 0:45)

METAMORA REGIONAL

The girls from the Lincoln-Way co-op dominated the 31-team field at this year’s Metamora Regional, with 10 sectional qualifiers and 248 team points to win the first regional team title in program history.

“All I can say is all the preparation and matches we have wrestled this season has put our girls in the best spot possible,” Lincoln-Way coach Josh Napier said. “We have battled all season long and took our lumps to be ready for the post season.”

Minooka (134) was the area’s regional champion last year and placed second in Metamora. Joliet Central (103) placed third, followed by Morris (101) and Plainfield South (87.5) to round out the top five team finishes.

1st place: Lincoln-Way (248)
Five individual regional champions led the way for Lincoln-Way, in Emily Peyton (33-10 at 100), Zoe Dempsey (41-2 at 110), Sadie Sparks (30-7 at 120), Riley Cooney (31-11 at 125) and Bailey Miller (16-13 at 145). Napier also got seconds from Aubrey Barnes (115) and Liv Clumpner (135), and fourths from Claire Bray (130), Ella Giertuga (140) and Avery Holeman (155).

“In every practice they try to work harder than the day before,” Napier said. “We are gritty and tenacious, but also have some of the most mentally tough wrestlers in the state. They aren’t afraid to lose and they aren’t afraid to win. It’s been a great experience so far for the athletes and coaches.”

2nd: Minooka (134)

MInooka coach Paige Schoolman got a pair of regional runner-up finishes from Sabrina Charlebois (26-8 at 130) and Mia Lemberg (155), thirds from Ezra Rodriguez (140) and Palmer Calvey (145), and a fourth-place finish from Marian Nordsell (105).

Joliet Central (103)

Alisa Carter (25-5 at 105) and Izabel Barrera (27-1 at 135) won regional titles for coach Marcus McCullum, who also got a second-place finish from Kassandra Ruiz (100).

Individual champions:
Other regional champions at Metamora were LaSalle-Peru’s Kiely Domyancich (26-1 at 115), Seneca’s Catalina Pacheco (37-4 at 130), Morton’s Karen Canchola (23-2 at 140), Plainfield South’s Teagan Aurich (33-0 at 155), Plainfield Central’s Alicia Tucker (22-1 at 170), Morris’ Morgan Congo (28-6 at 190) and Ottawa’s Juliana Thrush (30-4 at 235).

Team scores:
Lincoln-Way co-op 248, Minooka 134, Joliet Central 103, Morris 101, Plainfield South 87.5, Ottawa 83, Joliet West 79, Richwoods 72.5, Plainfield Central 72.5, Pekin 65, Seneca 60.5, Kankakee 57.5, Streator 53, Putnam County 49, LaSalle-Peru 48, Bradley-Bourbonnais 47, Princeton 32.5, Morton 28.5, Washington 27, Dunlap 23, Joliet Catholic Academy 21, Peoria Notre Dame 19.5, Reed-Custer 18, Menual 11, Metamora 9.5, Illinois Valley Central 7, East Peoria 3, Limestone 0, Mendota 0, Peoria Heights 0, Wilmington 0

PLACE MATCHES OF SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS (top four all advanced)

100

1st: Emily Peyton (Lincoln-Way) 33-10,  d. Kassandra Ruiz (Joliet Central) 16-5,  (F 1:02)

3rd: Ellie Evans (Morris) 30-10,  d. Kalista Frost (L.-Peru) 14-12,  (F 1:17)

105

1st: Alisa Carter (Joliet (Central) 25-5,  d. Chloe Wong (Joliet (West) 6-4,  (Dec 18-13)

3rd: Addison Yacko (Streator) 15-9,  d. Marian Nordsell (Minooka) 24-13,  (F 2:41)

110

1st: Zoe Dempsey (Lincoln-Way) 41-2,  d. Tessa Donaldson (Pekin) 19-10,  (F 0:27)

3rd: Lily Gwaltney (Streator) 19-5,  d. Maggie Gordon (Morris) 27-16,  (F 5:39)

115

1st: Kiely Domyancich (L.-Peru) 26-1,  d. Madysen Meyer (Reed-Custer) 12-7,  (F 3:05)

3rd: Aubrey Barnes (Lincoln-Way) 31-15,  d. Shania Davison (Plainfield C) 14-3,  (F 4:35)

120

1st: Sadie Sparks (Lincoln-Way) 30-7,  d. Violet Pennington (Pekin) 9-3,  (F 3:56)

3rd: Taniyah Sherman (Kankakee) 16-2,  d. Jaydah Green (Richwoods) 13-9,  (F 1:23)

125

1st: Riley Cooney (Lincoln-Way) 31-11,  d. Isabella Mottler (Richwoods) 16-3,  (F 5:20)

3rd: Aubrianna Rapier (B.-Bourbonnais) 15-3,  d. Briahna Klobnak (Joliet W) 31-9,  (F 3:20)

130

1st: Catalina Pacheco (Seneca) 37-4,  d. Sabina Charlebois (Minooka) 26-8,  (F 3:12)

3rd: Grace Laird (Joliet Catholic) 17-4,  d. Claire Bray (Lincoln-Way) 30-19,  (F 0:57)

135

1st: Izabel Barrera (Joliet (Central) 27-1,  d. Sammie Greisen (Seneca) 34-7,  (Dec 6-2)

3rd: Liv Clumpner (Lincoln-Way) 26-19,  d. Jaiyden Provance (Ottawa) 19-21,  (F 2:33)

140

1st: Karen Canchola (Morton) 23-2,  d. Isabella Gibson (Princeton) 14-4,  (Dec 10-3)

3rd: Ezra Rodriquez (Minooka) 31-9,  d. Ella Giertuga (Lincoln-Way) 33-16,  (F 1:57)

145

1st: Bailey Mitchell (Lincoln-Way) 16-13,  d. Ava Weatherford (Ottawa) 17-8,  (F 3:30)

3rd: Palmer Calvey (Minooka) 28-10,  d. Sophia Domont (B.-Bourbonnais) 11-4,  (F 1:10)

155

1st: Teagan Aurich (Plainfield (South) 33-0,  d. Mia Lemberg (Minooka) 22-10,  (F 1:00)

3rd: Faith Joslin (Kankakee) 14-4,  d. Avery Holeman (Lincoln-Way) 20-22,  (TF 0:00 (23-4)

170

1st: Alicia Tucker (Plainfield C) 22-1,  d. Layla Spann (Plainfield (South) 25-5,  (TF 0:00 (15-0)

3rd: Autumne Williams (PND) 11-2,  d. Sydney Johnson (Richwoods) 20-5,  (F 5:12)

190

1st: Morgan Congo (Morris) 28-6,  d. Zyon Jordan (Plainfield C) 11-6,  (F 1:31)

3rd: Bailey Herr (Putnam County) 4-1,  d. Gracie VanQuakebeke (Washington) 15-7,  (F 0:00)

235

1st: Juliana Thrush (Ottawa) 30-4,  d. Marley Clark (Richwoods) 23-7,  (F 1:24)

3rd: Ella Irwin (Putnam County) 4-1,  d. Natalie Quiroz (Joliet (West) 31-5,  (F 0:00)

CIVIC MEMORIAL REGIONAL

Edwardsville ran away with its second consecutive team regional title at Civic Memorial, posting 239 points thanks to 11 sectional qualifiers. Collinsville (135) placed second, followed by Triad (94), Cahokia (87), and Granite City (87) to round out the top five team finishes in the 31-team field.

1st place: Edwardsville (239 points)
Winning individual regional titles for coach Jon Wagner were Emma Rogers (35-4 at 100), Genevieve Dykstra (30-8 at 110) and Vickie White (26-3 at 190), plus seconds from Allie Chong (120), Brooklyn Alldredge (125), Holly Zugmaier 135) and Lydia Blind (140), a third from Gianna Linhorst (115), and fourths from Maddy Allen (105), Olive Linhorst (130) and Aubrey DeWerff (155).

“We had a great semifinal round, getting eight to advance,” Edwardsville coach Jon Wagner said. “It’s exciting for the girls team to have eleven girls continuing their season.”

2nd place: Collinsville (135)

The Kahoks got individual titles from Londyn Long (32-5 at 120), Addyson Bailey (27-10 at 130), Taylor Dawson (29-3 at 140) and Tashieya Taylor (29-8 at 145), and a fourth from Emma Ford (110).

3rd place: Triad (94)

The Knights got thirds from sectional qualifiers Claire Crouch (100), Cloe Graumenz (120) and Harmony Martin (145).

Individual champions:
Other regional champions at Civic Memorial were Roxana’s Chloe Skiles (35-5 at 105), Carbondale’s Delaney Measimer (25-3 at 115), Murphysboro’s Gabby Mason (18-4 at 125), Granite City’s Audrey Barnes (29-6 at 135), Freeburg’s Grace Stratton (24-9 at 155), Highland’s August Rottman (29-1 at 170) and Cahokia’s Kamryn Brown (11-7 at 235).

Team scores:
Edwardsville 239, Collinsville 135, Triad 94, Cahokia 87, Granite City 87, Freeburg 83, Belleville West 78, Marion 78, Civic Memorial 63, Roxana 58.5, Waterloo 55.5, Murphysboro 53.5, Carbondale 52, O’Fallon 42, Frankfort 41, Highland 34, Mascoutah 30, Anna-Jonesboro 23, Carterville 23, Benton 21, Johnston City 21, Trico 19, Red Bud 17, Goreville 14, Belleville East 12, Alton 10, Breese Central 10, Dupo 9, Pinckneyville 8, East St. Louis 4, Sparta 0

PLACE MATCHES OF SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS (top four all advanced)

100

1st: Emma Rogers (Edwardsville) 35-4,  d. Madelyn Murphy (Roxana) 26-13, . (Dec 9-2)

3rd: Claire Crouch (Triad) 18-5,  d. Nikolette Ronketto (Frankfort) 19-5,  (F 2:41)

105

1st: Chloe Skiles (Roxana) 35-5, . d. Zoee Sadler (A.-Jonesboro) 39-9,  (Dec 3-0)

3rd: Brielle Becker (Freeburg) 17-7,  d. Maddy Allen (Edwardsville) 10-12,  (MD 9-0)

110

1st: Genevieve Dykstra (Edwardsville) 30-8,  d. Jala Singleton (Belleville W) 19-10,  (Dec 12-7)

3rd: Ma`Kayla Bonner (Granite City) 7-2,  d. Emma Ford (Collinsville) 22-15,  (F 3:39)

115

1st: Delaney Measimer (Carbondale) 25-3, d. Kendall Moss-Smith (Civic Mem) 29-8,  (MD 14-6)

3rd: Gianna Linhorst (Edwardsville) 29-9,  d. Aubrey Rutmanis (Freeburg) 21-13,  (F 0:47)

120

1st: Londyn Long (Collinsville) 32-5,  d. Allie Chong (Edwardsville) 22-12,  (F 0:42)

3rd: Cloe Graumenz (Triad) 15-7,  d. Sophia Bechelli (Frankfort) 18-5,  (F 3:48)

125

1st: Gabby Mason (Murphysboro) 18-4,  d. Brooklyn Alldredge (Edwardsville) 23-13,  (F 2:47)

3rd: Lucy Baldwin (Waterloo) 13-10,  d. Nyla Bryant (Cahokia) 7-9,  (F 2:55)

130

1st: Addyson Bailey (Collinsville) 27-10,  d. Te`Aja Young (Cahokia) 16-5,  (F 3:00)

3rd: Alicia Dominguez (Civic Mem) 22-12,  d. Olive Linhorst (Edwardsville) 27-9,  (F 0:58)

135

1st: Audrey Barnes (Granite City) 29-6,  d. Holly Zugmaier (Edwardsville) 34-5,  (F 2:44)

3rd: Scarlett Gentille (O`Fon) 20-3,  d. Joelene Nappier-Feth (Marion) 20-11,  (F 1:18)

140

1st: Taylor Dawson (Collinsville) 29-3,  d. Lydia Blind (Edwardsville) 25-12,  (F 1:45)

3rd: Jacee Mardirosian (Carterville) 15-7,  d. Aubrey Raban (Freeburg) 11-6,  (F 4:23)

145 

1st: Tashieya Taylor (Collinsville) 29-8,  d. Kyla Ford (Carbondale) 18-6,  (MD 11-3)

3rd: Harmony Martin (Triad) 8-3,  d. Audrey Whipple (Civic Mem) 21-12,  (F 1:47)

155

1st: Grace Stratton (Freeburg) 24-9,  d. Kira Thompson (O`Fon) 20-3,  (F 1:15)

3rd: Nahima Mateo (Murphysboro) 19-4,  d. Abbrey DeWerff (Edwardsville) 16-5,  (Inj. 0:01)

170

1st: August Rottmann (Highland) 29-1,  d. Demi Barnes (Granite City) 27-5,  (Inj. 0:10)

3rd: Ju`Bri Edwards (Belleville W) 22-6,  d. Janylah Holman (Cahokia) 16-6,  (F 1:46)

190

1st: Vickie White (Edwardsville) 26-3,  d. Izabell McBride (Waterloo) 14-10,  (F 2:48)

3rd: Maddie Ramaker (Campbell Hill (Trico) 10-3,  d. krista McBride (Goreville) 24-5,  (MD 14-6)

235

1st: Kamryn Brown (Cahokia) 11-7,  d. Olivia McDermott (Marion) 22-7,  (F 2:17)

3rd: Kiowa Quillen (Johnston City) 7-9,  d. Andre`a Kirkpatrick (Belleville W) 17-11,  (F 1:58)

MT. ZION REGIONAL

The 20-team Mt. Zion Regional saw Springfield Co-op take the title, 148-104, courtesy of seven girls who reached the regional title mat and two who wrestled for third place in Mt. Zion. Vandalia (96.5) placed third, followed by Mt. Vernon (53) and Cumberland (46) to round out the top five team finishes.

1st place: Springfield Co-op (148)
Senators coach Sean Kenny got individual regional titles from Madison Bradley (17-10 at 120), Ariella Miloncus (19-6 at 130), and Maya Bennett (16-13 at 155). Placing second were Phoenix Criss (105), Reaghan Madura (110), Crishonna Seals (190) and Paighton Bell (235), and Springfield got a third from Meredith Gumz (115) and a fourth-place finish from Lily Walden (125).

2nd place: Glenwood (104)

Glenwood coach Garrad Straube’s Titans advanced six girls to the sectional, in regional champions Kadi Wilbern (27-2 at 105) and second-placers Olivia Jarrett (120), Kenzi Milestone (130), Isabella Resendez (135) and Jenna Tuxhorn (145).

3rd place: Vandalia (96.5)

Vandalia had five sectional qualifiers for coach Jason Clay, led by individual regional champions Sophie Bowers (35-0 at 125), Violet Gray (12-14 at 190), and Gracey Simmons (17-8 at 235), plus second-placer Brynn Swyers (170) and third-placer Amelia Watterson (140).

Individual champions:
Others winning individual titles at Mt. Zion were Mt. Vernon’s Lily Davis (14-7 at 100), Litchfield’s Rilynn Younker (36-10 at 110), Mt. Zion’s Sydney Cannon (7-0 at 115), Carlinville’s Samantha Scott (8-1 at 135), Unity Christian’s Lillien Roughton (9-3 at 140), and Cumberland’s Natalie Beaumont (24-2 at 145) and Summer Nichols (18-2 at 170).

Team scores:
Sprinfield Co-op 148, Glenwood 104, Vandalia 96.5, Mt. Vernon 53, Cumberland 46, Mattoon 41, Mt. Zion 40, Robinson 40, Litchfield 35.5, Jersey 27, Carlinville 26, Hillsboro 26, Unity Christian 24, Charleston 23, Salem 22, Rochester 20, Lawrenceville 18, PORTA 14, North Mac 13, Eisenhower 10

PLACE MATCHES OF SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS (top four all advanced)

100

1st: Lily Davis (Mt. Vernon) 14-7,  d. Ariel Sipes (PORTA) 1-1,  (F 0:38)

3rd: Serenity canady (Robinson) 12-12,  d. Sophia Mundy (Mattoon) 3-9,  (F 3:16)

105

1st: Kadi Wilbern (Glenwood) 27-2,  d. Phoenix Criss (Springfield Coop) 12-5,  (F 2:58)

3rd: Josselyn Allen (Jerseyville (Jersey) 6-11,  d. Anna Osborn (Robinson) 0-17,  (F 0:30)

110

1st: Rilynn Younker (Litchfield) 36-10,  d. Reaghan Madura (Springfield Coop) 21-6,  (F 1:05)

3rd: Carlly Ho (Rochester) 24-8,  d. Rylee Rogers (Hillsboro) 9-11,  (F 0:33)

115

1st: Sydney Cannon (Mt. Zion) 7-0,  d. Delaney Ledbetter (Lawrenceville) 21-8, . (F 1:46)

3rd: Meredith Gumz (Springfield Coop) 16-8,  d. Ashley Ronan (North Mac) 14-9,  (F 1:01)

120

1st: Madison Springfield Coop) 17-10,  d. Olivia Jarrett (Glenwood) 10-11,  (F 1:07)

3rd: Morgan Krone-Smallhorn (Charleston) 10-6,  d. Deziare Jones (Mt. Vernon) 14-8,  (F 0:52)

125

1st: Sophie Bowers (Vandalia) 35-0,  d. Leonie Dubson (Mattoon) 12-4,  (TF 1:12 (17-1)

3rd: Maryn Tarver (Hillsboro) 6-4, . d. Lily Walden (Springfield Coop) 5-13,  (F 0:28)

130

1st: Ariella Miloncus (Springfield Coop) 19-6,  d. kenzi Milestone (Glenwood) 24-11,  (F 2:00)

3rd: Alena Warren (Eisenhower) 3-8, . d. () , . (Bye)

135 

1st: Samantha Scott (Carlinville) 8-1,  d. Isabella Resendez (Glenwood) 24-9,  (MD 8-0)

3rd: Charlie Bono (Litchfield) 14-24,  d. Rachel Richey (Robinson) 11-19,  (TF 2:34 (17-0)

140 

1st: Lillien Roughton (Unity Christian) 9-3,  d. Daniya Musgrave (Mt. Vernon) 18-10,  (F 0:37)

3rd: Amelia Watterson (Vandalia) 22-16,  d. Alana Finney (Salem) 9-6,  (F 1:38)

145

1st: Natalie Beaumont (Cumberland) 24-2,  d. Jenna Tuxhorn (Glenwood) 27-2,  (Dec 1-0)

3rd: Jessica Toomey (Mt. Zion) 9-2,  d. Adrieauna Dodson (Salem) 9-6,  (F 1:29)

155

1st: Maya Bennett (Springfield Coop) 16-13,  d. Rory Speidel (Jerseyville (Jersey) 20-10,  (F 1:11)

3rd: Elsie Dozier (Glenwood) 17-15,  d. Macee Hammond (Robinson) 24-12,  (M. For.)

170

1st: Summer Nichols (Cumberland) 18-2,  d. Brynn Swyers (Vandalia) 26-10,  (F 2:44)

3rd: Brooklyn Fuller (Mattoon) 6-4,  d. Ariel Clayton (Robinson) 7-5,  (F 1:43)

190

1st: Violet Gray (Vandalia) 12-14,  d. Crishonna Seals (Springfield Coop) 3-9,  (F 1:46)

235 

1st: Gracey Simmons (Vandalia) 17-8,  d. Paighton Bell (Springfield Coop) 1-8,  (F 0:39)

3rd: Olivia Rosine (Charleston) 4-3, (Bye)

By Mike Garofola – for the IWCOA

Warren is now a double-crown winner in the last two weeks with its victory at the Round Lake regional, one week after lifting the championship trophy at the Lake County Invite.

The Blue Devils finished the first day of play with a solid advantage over tourney host Round Lake and New Trier, then on the second day slowly pulled away from the field on their way to amassing 173.0 total points, 54 more than second-place Round Lake and its 119.0

New Trier was third overall (116.5) followed closely by Antioch (114.0) and reigning state champion Lakes Community with its 112.0 points.

“(Team) effort is what led to us winning our regional title,” began a proud Warren coach Nick Grujanac, who will lead eight of his wrestlers into the New Trier Sectional in two weeks.

Round Lake and New Trier advanced four, along with Highland Park and Zion-Benton, while Lakes Community will have five at sectionals.

“The great thing about this team is they all wrestle for each – filling roles and spots where we’ve needed them to do so,” continued Grujanac, who wrestled for Shane Cook at Stevenson, before going on to play football at Wabash College.

“Obviously we were very happy that Erin (Bush) won at 170, it was a really good effort from her to get a big win for herself and the team.

“We also have several first-year wrestlers who have come through for us lately, with the entire team coming through with big-time bonus points, regardless of where they finished in their weight class.”

The Blue Devils would record a tourney-high 23 pins overall, and a whopping 223 total match points to help them secure the first regional title in program history.

It’s important to mention the Panthers tournament staff did a wonderful job of keeping things moving at a constant and steady pace all throughout – which would include an exciting final session on two mats centered in the middle of the gym to allow maximum viewing for the big crowd on hand.

Here are the regional champions and sectional qualifiers from the Round Lake Regional:

100 – Riley Kongkaeow, Round Lake

The wide, ear-to-ear  smile said it all for Riley Kongkaeow after the Round Lake star heard the final whistle for her 100-pound final.

“To win a regional title – my first ever – here in our home gym is something I will always remember,” said a thrilled Kongkaeow, who celebrated her 40th win (40-2, 26 pins) on the with a 19-8 major decision victory over talented freshman Leah Stringfellow (22-4) from Glenbrook North.

“I was second here a year ago, so this means so much to me, our program and coaching staff to win a regional title, but the work never stops after this,” added the Panthers junior, a state qualifier last season with a 33-5 record.

This season, Kongkaeow has won at Maine East, Sally Berman, and most recently the Lake County Invite.

Sectional qualifiers Sunny Aitzemkour (New Trier) was third and Ester Migues-Gaytan  (Grayslake North) was fourth.

105 – Londyn Lloyd, Antioch

Londyn Lloyd has taken on her 105-pound opponents and not looked back.

The Antioch sophomore, who entered the Lake County Invite a week ago with a 9-10 overall record, would emerge from that tournament with a championship bracket, and proceed to add another terrific two-day effort.

Lloyd (11-10) used an impressive tech fall (4:40) victory over New Trier’s Isabella Castro to claim the biggest prize of the season for the Sequoits’ regional champion.

“I was really beginning to doubt myself after not having a lot of success, but I guess everything would begin to click for me when I decided to just go for it out there with an aggressive, attacking style of wrestling,” said Lloyd, with a big smile.

Off the opening whistle, Lloyd recorded a takedown, then a near-fall just 30 seconds into the contest. She continued to add points along the way before reaching a 16-1 advantage.

“It feels good knowing that hard work can eventually pay off, but I still have a lot of work ahead of me if I want to make it to state,” Lloyd said.

Jasmine Medina (Zion-Benton) was third and Natasha Flores (Warren) placed fourth to become sectional qualifiers.

110 – Lola Bianco, New Trier

New Trier senior Lola Bianco credits two very important persons for her success this season, which has led to back-to-back championship efforts, including a wonderful two days here en route to the first regional title of her career.

Bianco (24-5) would roar past the competition at 115 pounds, including a pin at 3:56 in her final with Haven Sylves from Lakes Community.

“There is no doubt that our new head coach (Andrew Ortman) has provided a real positive impact in our room, and for me. He has really helped me improve with my confidence,” began Bianco, who will wrestle in the fall at Carthage College.

“(Ortman) has been great, but I am also very fortunate to have a teammate like Jillian (Giller) who is someone that has so much wrestling knowledge, and is someone who I can lean on for a variety of things.”

Bianco won at Maine East earlier in the season, then needed just under six minutes to record a trio of pins to capture a CSL title a week ago.

Haven Sylves (Lakes Community) was runner-up, Hanna Lee (Vernon Hills) third, and Bella Esparza (Deerfield) fourth.

115 – Harlee Hiller, Loyola Academy

The big crowd here would be treated to another brilliant performance from Loyola Academy’s Harlee Hiller, who proved once again why she is the top rated 115-pounder in the state, and No. 6 in the most recent national polls.

The senior brushed opponents aside in break-neck speed, needing under three minutes to register a pin and two tech falls to easily win the regional title.

“At this point in the season, my focus is on keeping my fitness and cardio at its highest, staying mentally sharp, dictating the pace in my matches, and above all staying healthy,” said Hiller (20-1) after her tech fall of No. 6 Ireland McCain from Round Lake (40-5), who recently claimed her 100th career victory.

“My technique, pace and fitness is so important to me, but even with that, health is so important and right now I feel so much better than I did last year at this time coming off a dislocated elbow,” recounted Hiller.

That Hiller was able to finish second overall last season to Glenbard North’s Gabby Gomez at 115 speaks volumes of her metal after clearly not being a hundred percent due to her elbow injury.

Hiller was the 2023 105-pound state champion, and third-place state medalist at 105 in 2022.

Sectional qualifiers Aaliyah Vazquez (Warren) was third and Osmairi Medina (Lakes Community) was fourth.

120 – Ariella Dobin, Glenbrook North

Ask Ariella Dobin what provided the motivation for an offseason training regimen that would fuel a long and successful postseason run, and with a twinkle in her eye and a wry smile, the affable Glenbrook North star quickly responds:

“That one-point loss at state last year for third place.”

Dobin, now a dazzling 39-1 on the season, put the finishing touches on her second straight regional title here in Round Lake, and further confirmed her ranking at No. 4 in the state.

“I lost 6-5 in my third place match (to Norah Swaim of Edwardsville) and that was all the inspiration I needed to put more extra time into my training to help me prepare for this year,” said Dobin.

“My confidence is so much better than a year ago, and I am much more aggressive with my attacks and shots, I’ve put a lot of time in and out of the room to become a 12-month wrestler,” added Dobin, following her pin (1:04) of Lake County Invite champion Mary Minogue (9-1) from Libertyville.

Last July, Dobin earned All-American honors after her sixth place finish in 16U freestyle competition.

Alyssa Bentley (Warren) was third and Mirabelle Duboef (Lake Forest) was fourth.

125 – Gianna Arzer, Grayslake Central

Gianna Arzer continues to make her mark on the 125-pound landscape with her clinical finishing, infectious approach to the sport, and terrific technique and ability to pry open her opponents on a consistent basis.

The Grayslake Central junior easily went through to her championship bout, with a trio of pins that would require all but 4:42 minutes, including a pin at 1:41 over junior Karina Lojowski (24-5) from Stevenson.

“There’s always a bit of a challenge when you face an opponent three times in a season, we both know what to expect of each other – but for me – it was all about being confident in with what I do best, and just taking control of the match right from the start,” said Arzer, No. 4 in the state.

The affable Arzer (39-4) admits to having the perfect mentor on her side in former Grayslake Central star and two-time state champion Matty Jens, now wrestling at the University of Wisconsin.

“Matty is like a big brother,” Arzer said. “When he’s home, we train together, and he’s just a huge influence in my approach to wrestling, the mindset I need to be in to compete at a high level, and just someone that I can lean on for just about everything in the sport.”

CSL champion Riley Moore (Highland Park) finished third, and Dylyah Patterson (Antioch) was fourth overall.

130 – Emily Ortiz, Zion-Benton

Zion-Benton’s No. 6 Emily Ortiz (33-5) made quick work of all three of her rivals, pinning her way to earn her second consecutive regional crown.

The Zee-Bees junior used all of 2:43 minutes to dash the hopes of her opponents, much to the delight of head coach Hal Lunsford.

“Emily is showing so much more patience this year,” Lunsford said. “Plus she has improved tremendously with taking more angle shots, which has helped open up her attack, and find other ways to score take-downs.”

“I feel a lot more confident this year compared to last year,” admitted Ortiz who won at the Sally Berman and, more recently, the Lake County Invite where she won an 11-5 decision over Jane Kelly from Warren (35-10). Ortiz put forth another wonderful effort in the final with Kelly, which led to a pin at 1:35.

“Last year I put a lot of pressure on myself, but I feel so much better about all parts of my game, so my goal is to get downstate, and do some great things there,” Ortiz said.

Sectional qualifier CC Brubaker (Deerfield) was third, and Bree Hirsch (Lake Forest) finished fourth.

135- Brianna Perez, Round Lake

The look on the face of Riley Kongkaeow was without equal, but the look of sheer joy on the face of Round Lake’s Brianna Perez after her stunning pin over Alyson Alvarenga to give the home side its second regional crown, and Perez’ first major title was priceless.

Admittedly in trouble in the opening stages of the second period after Alvarenga (21-12) went up 5-3. The Grayslake North junior rode Perez with terrific force and energy, all the while having total control of her both wrists.

“I was in big trouble, and I knew it. She was riding me hard and she was looking to turn me,” recounted Perez, still fighting back the tears of joy after her dramatic ending in this 135-pound final.

Perez (30-14) found a way to execute a reversal to level things at 5-5 with 30 seconds remaining, before a quick move led to putting Alvarenga onto her back.

“Everything happened so fast after my reversal, I knew I had to do my best to finish her off for good, and not go to the third period,” added Perez.

“Last year I lost almost 20 matches, and this year there have been a lot of third, fourth and fifth place finishes, so it feels great right now to win regionals, and in my home gym.”

Elise Kaylor (Lakes Community) finished third and Isabel Hilinski (Stevenson) was fourth.

140 – Jillian Giller, New Trier

The 2024-2025 season has seen Jillian Giller cement herself among the elite in the state at 140, and one whose lethal attack, ability to finish, defend and add points at a rapid pace have taken the New Trier star to another level.

“Jillian is such a student of the sport, her work ethic, and desire to (be) better is what sets her apart from others this season,” said Trevians first-year head coach Andrew Ortman.

“My confidence has never been better (this) year I go into each match expecting to win, which I can attribute to coach Ortman, who is easily the best coach I’ve ever been associated with,” says Giller, following her third-straight pin on the day, this one coming at the expense of Grace Johnson (35-6) from Zion-Benton.

“(Ortman) brings a real presence into the room, he pays so much attention to the little things and (from) the notes he takes, we go ‘live’ (then) to work on the little things, and that has really made me a better wrestler, as well as the rest of the girls,” continued the Trevians senior, who was a state qualifier a year ago with a 33-6 overall record.

The No. 4 rated Giller (42-1), who recently collected her 100th career victory on Senior Night, will wrestle in the fall at Illinois Wesleyan.

Miranda Tellez (Grayslake Central) was third and Sasha Johnson (Antioch) was fourth overall.

145- Naomi Foote, Zion-Benton

In another intense Naomi Foote-Kennedy Murray 145-pound final Saturday, it would be No. 2 Foote from Zion-Benton claiming a third hard-fought victory over her terrific opponent from Evanston.

Twice before these two combatants played it close to the vest with Foote holding off the CSL champion each time, the most recent with a 4-0 decision in the Sally Berman final.

Foote-Murray III would be no different.

After a scoreless opening period, Murray (23-4) would choose down, which allowed Foote (34-1) to ride her talented opponent for two hard minutes.

Foote would begin the third period on bottom, from which she escaped, the record a well-l executed takedown with 30 seconds from time that proved enough in a 4-0 triumph.

“(Murray) is athletic, and long, Naomi can match her length, but was smart and composed, and never got frustrated when Murray did not want to get into a high scoring match,” said Z-B head coach Hal Lunsford.

“All of our matches have been the same way, she is difficult to get in on, and she is really defensive, so I’ve had to learn to be patient and just take what is there, and not (to) force anything,” opined Foote, who was a 2024 state qualifier with a 39-11 overall record.

Christina Hasner (Lakes Community) finished third and Tyanna Jackson (Warren) took fourth.

155- Dana Holt, Highland Park

Dana Holt would take little time to establish who the favorite would be in this weight class, opening with a pin, followed by another in less than 35 seconds to send the Highland Park sophomore into the 155-pound final against Lake County Invite runner-up Ashley Fugelseth from Warren, where she won with a fall in 1:20.

“Last year I really did not have much success, so since I didn’t want to have another year like (that) I just worked my butt off during the offseason, and now I see how all of that work is beginning to pay off,” said Holt, now 24-3 overall, with 16 of her 20 pins coming in the first period.

“Dana has put more work in a year into this sport than any athlete I’ve directly coached,” begins Giants head coach Kaleb Carter.

“She sustained a freak injury last season at a competition in Evanston (which) forced her to miss the CSL tourney, and the postseason, but she has been driven for over a year by that inability to finish last season.”

“Her effort(s) in the weight room have put her physically in a place that is hard to match up to, and there are few girls who are more committed to making themselves better than her.”

Mma Akela (Loyola Academy) finished third and Natalie Rumpel (Deerfield) was fourth.

170- Erin Bush, Warren

The sweet smell of success has encaptured Erin Bush to the point where the Warren sophomore is ready to enjoy plenty more in the weeks ahead.

Bush has spent little time on the mats during the last two weekends, just under 6 1/2 minutes to be exact, during that time she has outmatched her competition.

Most recently at the Lake County Invite where she pinned her way to victory, and again, here in Round Lake where a trio of pins in 3:52, Bush (30-7) claimed her first regional title of her career.

“I’m having a good time right now, and I feel like it will continue this way for the next couple of weeks,” said the Blue Devils star, who has recorded six pins in the last two weekends to help her club carry off the team trophy.

“I feel like I am one of the hardest workers around, and all of that hard work is beginning to pay off,” continued Bush, who has an extensive background in the sport of judo.

Bush needed just 1:18 to pin top-seed Julissa Az from Mather (29-5) in the final, after a pin at 1:55 over Nancy Licona from Round Lake in the semifinals. Bush defeated Licona in her Lake County Invite final.

Dorothy Perez (Highland Park) beat Licona for third place.

190 – Josie Larson, Lakes Community

Josie Larson was just being Josie Larson, according to Lake Community head coach Mark Stave.

“Josie is Josie,” begins Stave. “She is a great teammate, great leader, and a really great wrestler.”

The top rated 190-pounder in the state, who also happens to be No. 2 in the nation, cut a swath through her bracket on her way to her regional title. She won by fall in 0:54 over Josie Blau of Antioch in the 190 title match. 

Larson claimed second place at 190 in the 2024 IHSA Finals to Zion-Benton’s ILeen Castrejon after taking fifth at 190 in 2023.

“It’s all about working hard, being humble and using your time wisely in order to stay sharp, fit and doing all the little things in order to be prepared for each opponent you face,” said Larson, now 22-0 on the season, with 22 first-period pins.

“Being No. 1 in the state, and No. 2 in the country means nothing, what’s important is to respect each opponent, and to be prepared for each one that I face.”

Lexi Rosenthal (Highland Park) took third and Fatima Gomez (Evanston) was fourth.

235- Allison Poole, Grayslake North

If there were an eight day week, Allison Poole would find a way to fill that extra day with an activity or organization to belong to.

Luckily for Grayslake North wrestling, the sophomore can find the time to shine as the Lady Knights’ 235-pounder.

The sophomore pinned her way to her first regional crown, and second in program history after Quinna Sheets did so here a year ago. She captured the 235 title with a pin in 1:17 over Rim Ayouchi of Taft.

“I did okay last season, but I realized if I want to be better (there) was a lot of work that I needed to (do) in order to compete at a higher level,” said Poole, now 22-7.

Poole, who won a Lake County Invite title last weekend, began to train with Josie Larson at her club, and the time spent with the Lakes Community star has paid immediate dividends.

How Poole is able to do what she does is quite amazing in that she throws (shot put, discus) for her track and field team, is on the debate team, drumline, Boy Scouts, and several other activities too long to mention.

Jereni Marshall (Evanston) placed third and Kaylee Farias (Warren) finished fourth.

Place matches for the Round Lake Regional

100 

1st: Riley Kongkaeow (Round Lake) 40-2, Jr. over Leah Stringfellow (Glenbrook N) 22-4, Fr. (MD 19-8)

3rd: Sunny Aitzemkour (New Trier) 21-13, So. over Ester Migues-Gaytan (Grayslake N) 21-13, So. (F 4:37)

105

1st: Londyn Lloyd (Antioch) 11-10, So. over Isabella Castro (New Trier) 18-15, So. (TF-1.5 4:40 (16-1)

3rd: Jasmine Medina (Z.-Benton) 19-10, Fr. over Natasha Flores (Warren) 11-18, So. (F 2:33)

110

1st: Lola Bianco (New Trier) 24-5, Sr. over Haven Sylves (Lakes) 15-8, Sr. (F 3:56)

3rd: Hanna Lee (Vernon Hills) 21-8, Jr. over Bella Esparza (Deerfield) 14-11, Jr. (F 1:01)

115

1st: Harlee Hiller (Loyola Academy) 20-1, Sr. over Ireland McCain (Round Lake) 40-5, Sr. (TF-1.5 1:09 (20-5)

3rd: Aaliyah Vazquez (Warren) 28-8, So. over Osmairi Medina (Lakes) 22-16, So. (F 1:12)

120

1st: Ariella Dobin (Glenbrook N) 39-1, So. over Mary Minogue (Libertyville) 9-1, So. (F 1:04)

3rd: Alyssa Bentley (Warren) 33-11, Sr. over Mirabelle Duboeuf (Lake Forest) 15-12, So. (F 1:33)

125

1st: Gianna Arzer (Grayslake (Central) 39-4, Jr. over Karina Lojowski (Stevenson) 24-5, Jr. (F 1:41)

3rd: Riley Moore (Highland Park) 21-7, So. over Dylylah Patterson (Antioch) 20-14, So. (TF-1.5 2:33 (17-1)
130

1st: Emily Ortiz (Z.-Benton) 33-5, Jr. over Jane Kelly (Warren) 35-10, Jr. (F 1:35)

3rd: CC Brubaker (Deerfield) 15-8, Sr. over Bree Hirsch (Lake Forest) 29-13, . (F 4:43)

135

1st: Brianna Perez (Round Lake) 30-14, Sr. over Alyson Alvarenga (Grayslake N) 21-12, Jr. (F 3:36)

3rd: Elise Kaylor (Lakes) 21-11, So. over Isabel Hilinski (Stevenson) 12-14, Fr. (F 2:21)

140

1st: Jillian Giller (New Trier) 42-1, Sr. over Grace Johnson (Z.-Benton) 35-6, Sr. (F 1:55)

3rd: Miranda Tellez (Grayslake (Central) 23-13, Fr. over Sasha Johnson (Antioch) 19-19, So. (F 5:53)

145

1st: Naomi Foote (Z.-Benton) 34-1, Sr. over Kennedy Murray (Evanston) 23-4, Sr. (Dec 4-0)

3rd: Christina Hasner (Lakes) 29-13, Jr. over Tyanna Jackson (Warren) 17-7, Fr. (Dec 3-2)

155

1st: Dana Holt (Highland Park) 24-3, So. over Ashley Fugelseth (Warren) 23-16, Sr. (F 1:20)

3rd: Mma Akela (Loyola Academy) 11-4, Jr. over Natalie Rumpel (Deerfield) 15-9, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:15 (20-3)

170

1st: Erin Bush (Warren) 30-7, So. over Julissa Az (Mather) 29-5, Jr. (F 1:18)

3rd: Dorothy Perez (Highland Park) 15-7, Jr. over Nancy Licona (Round Lake) 12-6, Fr. (F 5:53)

190

1st: Josephine Larson (Lakes) 22-0, Sr. over Josie Blau (Antioch) 21-17, Fr. (F 0:54)

3rd: Lexi Rosenthal (Highland Park) 15-5, So. over Fatima Gomez (Evanston) 12-14, Jr. (F 2:48)

235

1st: Allison Poole (Grayslake N) 22-7, So. over Rim Ayouchi (Taft) 2-1, . (F 1:17)

3rd: Jereni Marshall (Evanston) 10-10, Sr. over Kaylee Farias (Warren) 20-14, Sr. (F 2:37)

Team scores

1 Warren 173.0,  2. Round Lake 119.0, 3. New Trier 116.5,  4. Antioch 114.0, 5. Lakes Community 112.0, 6. Zion-Benton 102.0, 7. Highland Park 82.5, 8. Evanston 69.0, 9. Grayslake North 68.0, 9. Stevenson 68.0, 11. Deerfield 63.0, 12. Glenbrook North 54.0, 13. Loyola Academy 52.0, 14. Grayslake Central 50.0, 15. Taft 48.0, 16. Mather 46.0, 17. Vernon Hills 40.0, 18. Lake Forest 31.5, 19. Libertyville 25.0, 20. Mundelein 20.0, 21. Niles West 12.0, 22. Waukegan 10.0, 23. Niles North 6.0, 24. Carmel Catholic, Glenbrook South, North Chicago 0.0.

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

WESTERN BIG 6

This year’s Western Big 6 tournament at Sterling was the last for long-time Geneseo coach and IWCOA Hall of Famer Jon Murray, who is stepping aside after the current season after 24 years as the Maple Leafs head coach.

Murray’s boys made it count, posting 240 team points to win the tournament and send their coach off in style.

“It was nice to regain the WB6 title and end my head coaching career on top of the conference,” Murray said.

Murray guided his program to second-place finishes in the Illinois 2A dual team state finals in 2013 and 2014, and a fourth-place finish in 2023. He was named Illinois 2A Coach of the Year by the IWCOA in 2013 and inducted into the IWCOA Hall of Fame in 2023.

The veteran coach will miss it when he’s gone but feels good about the program he’s leaving behind.

“Coaching has given me the opportunity to establish great relationships with not only the wrestlers over the years, but my co-coaches, local community members, and the wrestling community all throughout Illinois,” Murray said. “I do feel the time is right, however. Turns out I’m not getting any younger while at the same time I feel confident the program will be in good hands. A few of our assistant coaches, any of which would make a great head coach, will be applying for the position. And they will be taking over with plenty of great kids coming up the ranks.”

Fifth-ranked 2A Geneseo had five individual conference champions Saturday, five second-place finishers, and three thirds. Quincy (190) placed second, followed by Moline (108.5), Rock Island (106.5), Sterling (100.5), Galesburg (83.5), United (59) and Alleman (15.5).

1st place: Geneseo (240)
Coach Jon Murray’s Maple Leafs got tournament titles from Tim Sebastian (126), Malaki Jackson (150), Zachary Montez (165), Kye Weinzieri (175) and Colten Mooney (215), plus runner-up finishes from Brycen Fahnestock (106), Landen Vincent (120), Devan Hornback (138), Aaron Betcher (190) and Owen King (285), and thirds from Kie Smith (132), Lincoln Barnett (144) and Grady Hull (157).

2nd place: Quincy (190)

The Blue Devils got a trio of individual conference titles from Clayton McClelland (113), Cooper Kamm (138) and King Johnson (285), seconds from Cale Mixer (144), Eli Roberts (150) and Brody Baker (157), thirds from Griffin Finch (106), Wyatt Boeing (126), Gunnar Derhake (165) and Alex Wells (190), and fourths from Derik Lohmeyer (120) and Evan Wakefield (132).

3rd place: Moline (108.5)

The Maroons got second-place finishes from David McDermott (113), Housseyn Ndiaye (132) and DeAnthony Simpson (175), thirds from Collin Ledbetter (120) and Alijah Martin (215), and fourths from Ian Milligan (106), Jaxson Soliz (165) and Stanlee Golden (190).

Individual champions:
Others winning Western Big 6 titles were Rock Island’s Angelo Parker (106), Merrick Stockwell (120), Antonio Parker (144) and Rowan Stockwell (190), Sterling’s Zyan Westbrook (132), and United’s Kayden Marolf (157).

Individual leaders:
Sterling’s Gage Tate posted the most pins (3) in the least time (5:53), and teammate Evan Jones had the fastest F, at 13 seconds. Moline’s Collin Ledbetter had the most tech Fs (2) in the least time (6:05) and teammate Jaxson Soliz posted the fastest tech F, at 2:00.

Quincy’s Cooper Kamm and Geneseo’s Colten Mooney tied for the most team point scored, with 24, and United’s Ramadane Gani scored the most single match points with 25. Moline’s Stanlee Golden scored the most total match points with 50, and Geneseo’s Kie Smith provided the largest seed-place difference as the No. 8 seed finished third at 132 pounds.

WESTERN BIG 6 TOURNAMENT RESULTS:

106

1st: Angelo Parker (Rock Island) 26-11, d. Brycen Fahnestock (Geneseo) 16-19,  (MD 12-4)

3rd: Griffin Finch (Quincy) 17-22, d. Ian Milligan (Moline) 6-5,  (F 1:12)

113

1st: Clayton McClelland (Quincy) 29-14, d. David McDermott (Moline) 12-11,  (F 1:23)

3rd: Tennyson Hampton (Alleman) 28-7, d. Landon Henson (United) 2-2,  (Inj. 2:21)

120

1st: Merrick Stockwell (Rock Island) 23-9, d. Landen Vincent (Geneseo) 19-7,  (D 1-0)

3rd: Collin Ledbetter (Moline) 26-13, d. Derik Lohmeyer (Quincy) 23-19,  (D 13-6)

126

1st: Tim Sebastian (Geneseo) 24-15, d. Cael Lyons (Sterling) 26-8,  (F 1:41)

3rd: Wyatt Boeing (Quincy) 27-13, d. Maricio Parker (Rock Island) 21-15,  (D 15-10)

132

1st: Zyan Westbrook (Sterling) 29-2, d. Housseyn Ndiaye (Moline) 16-9,  (F 3:06)

3rd: Kie Smith (Geneseo) 12-6, d. Evan Wakefield (Quincy) 24-17,  (F 2:55)

138

1st: Cooper Kamm (Quincy) 28-15, d. Devan Hornback (Geneseo) 32-6,  (F 3:34)

3rd: Orlando Castellano (Galesburg) 28-13, d. Xavier Marolf (United) 2-2,  (MD 20-9)

144

1st: Antonio Parker (Rock Island) 34-4, d. Cale Mixer (Quincy) 22-15,  (F 2:45)

3rd: Lincoln Barnett (Geneseo) 17-16, d. Caleb Johnson (Galesburg) 23-14,  (D 14-11)

150

1st: Malaki Jackson (Geneseo) 22-5, d. Eli Roberts (Quincy) 23-11,  (MD 10-2)

3rd: Josiah Carter (Galesburg) 32-8, d. Ramadane Gani (United) 1-2,  (TF 4:04 (18-3)

157

1st: Kayden Marolf (United) 3-0, d. Brody Baker (Quincy) 21-10,  (D 9-2)

3rd: Grady Hull (Geneseo) 30-7, d. Tatum Allen (Sterling) 24-13,  (D 7-0)

165

1st: Zachary Montez (Geneseo) 33-0, d. Anthony Makwala (Galesburg) 33-4,  (TF 3:37 (20-4)

3rd: Gunnar Derhake (Quincy) 30-12, d. Jaxson Soliz (Moline) 24-18,  (F 2:33)

175

1st: Kye Weinzierl (Geneseo) 34-2, d. DeAnthony Simpson (Moline) 29-11,  (F 1:04)

3rd: Gage Tate (Sterling) 21-5, d. Mason Taylor (Galesburg) 29-14,  (F 3:46)

190

1st: Rowan Stockwell (Rock Island) 24-11, d. Aaron Betcher (Geneseo) 13-7,  (MD 12-2)

3rd: Alex Wells (Quincy) 25-19, d. Stanlee Golden (Moline) 4-2,  (F 3:58)

215

1st: Colten Mooney (Geneseo) 28-11, d. Charlie Reyes (Sterling) 6-5,  (F 3:05)

3rd: Alijah Martin (Moline) 16-18, d. Davis H-Akue (United) 2-2,  (D 15-8)

285

1st: King Johnson (Quincy) 29-14, d. Owen King (Geneseo) 20-3,  (TB-1 6-2)

3rd: Larry Randolph (Galesburg) 30-10, d. Oswaldo Navarro (Sterling) 14-9,  (F 4:23)

SOUTH 7 CONFERENCE DUALS

Marion repeated as South 7 champions for coach Darren Lindsey, sweeping its four duals at host Centralia. The Wildcats won 66-18 over Centralia, 65-12 over Cahokia, 57-18 over Mt. Vernon and 50-30 over Carbondale in improving to 26-4 in dual meets this season.

Going a perfect 4-0 on the day for the Wildcats were Riddick Cook (120), Max Wade (126), Caden Fry (150), Justin Murphy (157), Grayson Sanders (175), Evan Francis (190) and Bryan Madinger (215). Winning three matches for Lindsey were Rigdon Meacham (113), Jaycen McBride (138), and Tate Miller (165).

“Winning  conference was one of our team goals,” Lindsey said. “We knew we’d have a solid dual team full of experienced wrestlers, with a few holes, but I never thought they’d be as successful as they’ve been to this point.”

Carbondale was the lone team to come within 20 points of the South 7 champs. Carbondale went 3-1 on the day to place second, winning 59-21 over Centralia, 61-18 over Mt. Vernon, and 63-18 over Cahokia. Mt. Vernon went 2-2 to finish third, followed by Centralia and Cahokia.

1st place dual:

Marion 50, Carbondale 30

157 – Justin Murphy (Marion) over Tyshawn Welch (Carbondale) Maj 14-5

165 – Thomas Imboden (Carbondale) over Tate Miller (Marion) F 3:36

175 – Grayson Sanders (Marion) over Max Epplin (Carbondale) TF 24-6

190 – Evan Francis (Marion) over Dakari Westley (Carbondale) F 0:27

215 – Bryan Madinger (Marion) over Connor Daly (Carbondale) F 4:26

285 – Jordyn Lomax-Brown (Carbondale) over Logan Black (Marion) F 0:47

106 – Dajuan Anderson (Carbondale) over  (Unattached) Forf

113 – Rigdon Meacham (Marion) over Ian Holzmueller (Carbondale) F 2:19

120 – Riddick Cook (Marion) over Bradley O`dell (Carbondale) F 1:06

126 – Max Wade (Marion) over Ayden Swan (Carbondale) F 2:00

132 – Jon Oliver (Carbondale) over Juelz Elliott (Marion) F 0:32

138 – Jaycen McBride (Marion) over Xavier Toliver-Cook (Carbondale) F 0:00

144 – Joe Prideaux (Carbondale) over Nate Page (Marion) F 4:33

150 – Caden Frey (Marion) over Jon Martin (Carbondale) F 1:56

Marion’s team score was adjusted by -1.0 for unsportsmanlike 165

3rd place dual:

Mt. Vernon 48, Centralia 36

157 – Savion Williams (Mt. Vernon) over Jarred Evans (Centralia) F 1:33

165 – Esaias Jefferson (Mt. Vernon) over Joseph Hutton (Centralia) F 2:15

175 – Reed Nichols (Centralia) over  (Unattached) Forf

190 – Hunter Nichols (Centralia) over  (Unattached) Forf

215 – Titan Whitfield (Mt. Vernon) over Emmanuel Alvira (Centralia) F 0:13

285 – Bradey Starr (Centralia) over Justin Zuchowski (Mt. Vernon) F 0:11

106 – Brylan Guthrie (Centralia) over  (Unattached) Forf

113 – Jack Clark (Mt. Vernon) over  (Unattached) Forf

120 – Franc Jackson (Mt. Vernon) over Mason Smith-Marcum (Centralia) F 2:49

126 – Lucas Ashlock (Centralia) over Draven VanAvery (Mt. Vernon) F 2:50

132 – Cameron Haake (Centralia) over Silas Stachyra (Mt. Vernon) F 1:07

138 – Gavin Pedigo (Mt. Vernon) over Matix Martinez (Centralia) F 0:43

144 – Aidan Barton (Mt. Vernon) over  (Unattached) Forf

150 – Dillon White (Mt. Vernon) over Cooper Green (Centralia) F 1:20

SOUTHLAND ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Rich Township snared its third consecutive Southland Athletic Conference tournament crown, winning 155-139.5 over second-place Crete-Monee at host Bloom in Sauk Village, followed by Bloom (127.5), Kankakee (74.5) and Thornton (68).

Rich Township coach Alex Pell got individual SAC titles from Dominic Morton (106), Raekwon Lindsay (113), Kyrin King (120), Sean Johnson (132), and Tristin King (144), seconds from Caleeb Jones (126), Alphonso Clark (138), Torian Collins (150), and Kelcey Span (190), a third from Emmanuel Gyan (215), and fourths from Kamron Montgomery (157), Jose Rodriguez (165), and Nicholas Parker (175).

“The team has worked hard this season to grow and develop into competitive wrestlers, and it showed that our team is peaking at the right time,” Pell said. “We had multiple wrestlers step up and wrestle their best matches of the season and fought hard to help us win.  I look forward to seeing how they perform this weekend at our regional event.”

Second-place Crete-Monee got individual titles from Jaylene Johnson (165), Kijuan Springfield (175) and Malaki Scott (215), and third-place Bloom Township got titles from Jonathan Ivy (150), Tristan Duhem (157) and George Range (285).

Individual champions:

Others winning individual SAC titles were Kankakee’s Aidan Fields (126) and Jacob Vinardi (190), and Thornton’s Emmanuel Adedeji (138).

Individual leaders:

Thornton’s Emmanuel Adedeji had the most pins (4) in the least time (4:10), and posted the fastest pin at 2 seconds. Kankakee’s Jakil Whalum had the most tech Fs (2) in the least time (10:05) and Bloom’s Amerie Brown had the fastest tech F, at 1:22.

Thornton’s Adedeji and Crete-Monee’s Kijuan Springfield tied for the most team points scored, with 20, Rich Township’s Caleeb Jones had the most single-match points with 25, and Kankakee’s Whalum earned the most total match points with 55.

SOUTHLAND ATHLETIC CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT PLACERS

106 – 1st: Dominic Morton of Richton Park (Rich Township), 2nd: Angel Mojica of Crete (C.-Monee), 3rd: Lilly O`Brien of Bloom

113 – 1st: Raekwon Lindsay of Richton Park (Rich Township), 2nd: Joseph Mendez of Chicago Heights (Bloom Twp.), 3rd: Aiden Roop of Crete (C.-Monee), 4th:  Aurthor Schweitzer of Harvey (Thornton)

120 – 1st: Kyrin King of Richton Park (Rich Township), 2nd: Jayden Stovall of Crete (C.-Monee)

126 – 1st: Aidan Fields of Kankakee, 2nd: Caleeb Jones of Richton Park (Rich Township)

3rd: Brandon Bastida of Bloom, 4th: Jordan Kirkpatrick of Crete (C.-Monee), 5th: Jaylen Smith of Harvey (Thornton)

132 – 1st: Sean Johnson of Richton Park (Rich Township), 2nd: Jakil Whalum of Kankakee, 3rd: Arryck Dowdy of Bloom, 4th: Drew Sanders of Harvey (Thornton), 5th: Kejuan Hawkins of Crete (C.-Monee)

138 – 1st: Emmanuel Adedeji of Harvey (Thornton), 2nd: Alphonso Clark of Richton Park (Rich Township), 3rd: Kamron Harris of Crete (C.-Monee), 4th: Cameron Davenport of Bloom, 5th: Deonte Theus of Kankakee 

144 – 1st: Tristin King of Richton Park (Rich Township), 2nd: Gerard Fleming of Crete (C.-Monee), 3rd: Julio Bastida of Bloom, 4th: Christian Cossia of Harvey (Thornton), 5th: Sighel Lewis of Kankakee 

150 – 1st: Jonathan Ivy of Bloom, 2nd: Torian Collins of Richton Park (Rich Township), 3rd: Jason Adams of Crete (C.-Monee), 4th: Jayden Blogg of Kankakee 

157 – 1st: Tristan Duhem of Bloom, 2nd: Tykhary James of Harvey (Thornton), 3rd: Jarele Johnson of Crete (C.-Monee), 4th: Kamron Montgomery of Richton Park (Rich Township)

165 – 1st: Jaylene Johnson of Crete (C.-Monee), 2nd: Quenton Mingo of Harvey (Thornton), 3rd: Amerie Brown of Bloom, 4th: Jose Rodriguez of Richton Park (Rich Township)

175 – 1st: Kijuan Springfield of Crete (C.-Monee), 2nd: Charles Hill of Kankakee, 3rd: Jeremy Burnett of Bloom, 4th: Nicholas Parker of Richton Park (Rich Township), 5th: Oscar Cruz of Harvey (Thornton)

190 – 1st: Jacob Vinardi of Kankakee, 2nd: Kelcey Span of Richton Park (Rich Township), 3rd: D`Andre Cotton of Bloom, 4th: Jyishon Hudson of Crete (C.-Monee)

215 – 1st: Malakai Scott of Crete (C.-Monee), 2nd: Vincent Marshall of Harvey (Thornton), 3rd: Emmanuel Gyan of Richton Park (Rich Township), 4th: Jabarie Brown of Bloom

285 – 1st: George Range of Bloom, 2nd: Dominic Jackson of Crete (C.-Monee), 3rd: Rogelio Cornejo of Kankakee, 4th: DeJon Williams of Harvey (Thornton)

NIC-10 CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

Hononegah ran away with the team title at this year’s NIC-10 tournament, posting 282.5 team points and sending 11 conference champions to the podium. Coach Tyler DeMoss also got one third, one fourth, and one fifth-place finisher.

Harlem (135.5) placed second, followed by Freeport (130), Rockford East (123.5) and Belvidere North (93.5) to round out the top five team finishes.

1st place: Hononegah (282.5)
DeMoss got individual titles from Kristian DeClecq (31-10 at 106), Isaiah Martinez (19-10 at 113), Jackson Olson (38-7 at 120), Rocco Cassioppi (38-2 at 126), Evan Musil (32-13 at 132), TJ Silva (34-3 at 144), Bruno Cassioppi (5-0 at 150), Max Haskins (37-8 at 157), Brody Sendele (11-1 at 165), Connor Diemel (38-5 at 175) and Kurt Smith (39-4 at 190). Hononegah also got a third from Ethan Ballard (215), a fourth from Ronan Quimby (138), and a fifth from Luke Petravicz (285).

2nd place: Harlem (135.5)
Harlem got an individual title from Chandler Jack (285), seconds from Jaydee Doke (120) and Owen Recoy (138), thirds from Izayah Olejniczak (132) and Preston Fadness (150), and fourths from Ryne Sauberlich (106), Michael Melenas (113), Andre Jones (175) and Cully Nelson (215).

3rd place: Freeport (130)
Freeport got an individual title from Israel Goodman (215), seconds from Thomas Olson (126) and Kyle Clem (175), thirds from Treyden Diduch (106), Maddox Olson (165), Michael Tillmon (190) and Kareem Odeh (285), and a fourth from Blake Slusser (144).

Rockford East’s Donald Cannon (25-3 at 138) also won an individual conference title.

Team scores:
Hononegah 282.5, Harlem 135.5, Freeport 130, Rockford East 123.5, Belvidere North 93.5, Guilford 64, Belvidere 54.5, Auburn 53, Jefferson 23, Boylan Catholic 10

Individual leaders:
Hononegah’s Rocco Cassioppi had the most pins (3) in the least time (2:25), while Rockford East’s Eddie Esguerra posted the fastest F, at 16 seconds. Harlem’s Preston Fadness had the most Fs (2) in the least time (3:29) and Hononegah’s Kurt Smith had the fastest tech F, in 1:08.

Hononegah’s Jackson Olson, teammate Rocco Cassioppi, and Freeport’s Israel Goodman tied for the most team points scored (24), Rockford East’s Ty Smart scored the most single match points with 23, and Belvidere North’s Bryson Teunissen scored the most total match points with 66.

Auburn’s Jaxon Olivencia provided the largest seed-place difference in the tournament, as the No. 7 seed placed third at 175 pounds.

NIC-10 CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT RESULTS

106

1st: Kristian Dlercq (Hononegah) 31-10, d. Dominic Angileri (Guilford) 14-2,  (D 8-4)

3rd: Treyden Diduch (Freeport) 29-5, d. Ryne Sauberlich (Harlem) 9-7,  (F 0:37)

113

1st: Isaiah Martinez (Hononegah) 19-10, d. Tyrone Sims (Rockford (Auburn) 18-3,  (MD 12-3)

3rd: Moises Maronez (Belvidere N) 22-15, d. Micheal Melenas (Harlem) 6-10,  (F 3:05)

5th: Lucas Molina (Guilford) 8-11, d. Tyler Gentry (Rockford E) 20-18,  (F 5:19)

120

1st: Jackson Olson (Hononegah) 38-7, d. Jaydee Doke (Harlem) 20-11,  (F 0:55)

3rd: Aiden Nebiu (Belvidere N) 24-18, d. Amair Johnson (Jefferson) 9-8,  (D 9-4)

5th: Braylon Cain (Freeport) 11-9, d. Alex Keopila (Rockford E) 2-11,  (F 1:23)

126

1st: Rocco Cassioppi (Hononegah) 38-2, d. Thomas Olson (Freeport) 32-12,  (F 0:29)

3rd: Bryson Teunissen (Belvidere N) 23-7, d. Victor Onofre (Rockford E) 17-12,  (MD 19-5)

5th: Nathan Corder (Harlem) 13-9, d. Mecose Johnson (Jefferson) 14-10,  (F 3:58)

132

1st: Evan Musil (Hononegah) 32-13, d. Geren Stapleton (Belvidere N) 14-4,  (MD 10-0)

3rd: Izayah Olejniczak (Harlem) 18-9, d. Chris Burgos (Rockford E) 16-16,  (D 11-7)

5th: Brodin Slabaugh (Boylan) 12-15, d. Jaylen Lowe (Freeport) 8-13,  (TF 2:38 (18-2)

138

1st: Donald Cannon (Rockford E) 25-3, d. OWEN RECOY (Harlem) 15-7,  (TF 4:47 (22-1)

3rd: Ayden Macklin (Guilford) 14-6, d. Ronan Quimby (Hononegah) 9-19,  (F 0:39)

5th: Antonio Flood (Jefferson) 7-4, d. Guillermo Ortiz (Freeport) 7-15,  (F 4:23)

144

1st: Thomas Silva (Hononegah) 34-3, d. Dominick Girardin (Belvidere N) 28-10,  (TF 2:37 (18-1)

3rd: Landon VanAcker (Belvidere) 17-6, d. Blake Slusser (Freeport) 30-15,  (F 3:29)

5th: Gavin Warner (Harlem) 14-12, d. Xavier Fleming (Rockford E) 7-9,  (F 1:30)

150

1st: Bruno Cassioppi (Hononegah) 5-0, d. Dana Wickson (Rockford E) 28-5,  (TF 3:45 (20-3)

3rd: Preston Fadness (Harlem) 19-9, d. Arshoun Island (Rockford (Auburn) 12-6,  (D 11-8)

5th: Braeden Leftwich (Guilford) 12-16, d. Michael Blomberg (Boylan) 1-19,  (Inj. 0:00)

157

1st: Max Haskins (Hononegah) 37-8, d. Ty Smart (Rockford E) 32-10,  (MD 15-4)

3rd: Mario Beasley (Belvidere) 10-2, d. Mar`quarius Suggs (Guilford) 11-10,  (F 1:28)

5th: Mathias Rada (Freeport) 11-8, d. DYLAN GOODALL (Harlem) 6-6,  (MD 9-1)

165

1st: Brody Sendele (Hononegah) 11-1, d. Andrew Bucci (Belvidere N) 25-10,  (TF 2:39 (15-0)

3rd: Maddox Olson (Freeport) 30-10, d. Dardan Jakupi (Rockford (Auburn) 6-10,  (F 1:46)

5th: Arturo Alvarez (Belvidere) 9-8, d. Damion Stevenson (Rockford E) 4-14,  (F 4:35)

175

1st: Connor Diemel (Hononegah) 38-5, d. Kyle Clem (Freeport) 27-10,  (TF 1:50 (19-4)

3rd: Jaxon Olivencia (Rockford (Auburn) 8-9, d. Andre Jones (Harlem) 8-5,  (F 3:15)

5th: David Hendrickson (Belvidere) 5-8, d. Tylen Michel (Guilford) 5-10,  (F 2:15)

190

1st: Kurt Smith (Hononegah) 39-4, d. Kane Phommarath (Guilford) 11-5,  (TF 1:08 (15-0)

3rd: Michael Tillmon (Freeport) 26-18, d. Ismail Bilolo (Rockford E) 18-13,  (D 9-7)

5th: Eyzaiah Campos Blanks (Boylan) 12-14, d. Devin Williamson (Jefferson) 0-7,  (F 2:20)

215

1st: Israel Goodman (Freeport) 36-8, d. Etungano Kakozi (Rockford E) 27-16,  (F 0:41)

3rd: Ethan Ballard (Hononegah) 16-18, d. Cully Nelson (Harlem) 15-12,  (F 0:40)

5th: Sam Reed (Belvidere N) 8-24, d. Teh Reh (Guilford) 8-18,  (MD 13-3)

285

1st: Chandler Jack (Harlem) 26-7, d. Eddie Esguerra (Rockford E) 26-14,  (F 3:42)

3rd: Kareem Odeh (Freeport) 14-6, d. Manny Pizano (Belvidere) 10-9,  (D 6-0)

5th: Luke Petravicz (Hononegah) 11-21, d. Antonio Osorio-Pasillas (Jefferson) 12-7,  (F 0:57)

CHICAGO PUBLIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Lane Tech dominated the field at this year’s Chicago Public League Championships, posting 296.5 points thanks to five individual CPL titles, and 11 wrestlers finishing in the top six of their weight classes.

Kenwood (145.5) placed second, followed by Hancock (139.5), Little Village (122.5) and Taft (112) to round out the top five team finishes in the 53-team field. Agricultural Science (110.5) placed sixth, Goode STEM Academy (103) was seventh, Kennedy (91.5) took eighth, Curie (85.5) was ninth and Mather (84.5) placed 10th.

Lane got individual varsity titles from Jeremiah Arroyo-McMullan (106), Alex Valentin (132), Abbas Abdulamir (138), Nasser Hammouche (157), and Vernon Cole (165), thirds from Eyob Abebe (175) and Adrian Meza (285), fifths from Jose Curiel (113) and Joaquin Curiel (113), and sixths from Cole Calace (150) and Maddox Bartoli (190).

Individual champions:
Other CPL champs were Taft’s Bernardo Roque (113) and Evan Jocic (215), Kennedy’s Victor Alvarado (120), Little Village’s Jovanni Harris (126), Hubbard’s Fabian Salazar (144), Goode STEM Academy’s Xavier Woods (150), Hancock’s Malaki Davis (175), Horizon/Southwest Chicago’s Sami Marrero (190), and Kenwood’s Dameon Norman (285).

Team scores (top 25):
Lane Tech 296.5, Kenwood 145.5, Hancock 139.5, Little Village 122.5, Taft 112, Agricultural Science 110.5, Goode STEM Academy 103,  Kennedy 91.5, Curie 85.5, Mather 84.5, Senn 81, Amundsen 79, Kelly 74, Phoenix Military Academy 70.5, South Shore International 70, Lindblom 58, Morgan Park 50, Sullivan 50, Schurz 47, Back of the Yards 46, Clark 45, Foreman 45, Westinghouse 43, King 42.5, ITW David Speer Academy 41.5

Individual leaders:
Clark’s Anthony Spivey posted the most pins (6) in the least time (5:48), while teammate Amarjae Devine had the fastest pin, at 10 seconds. Kennedy’s Victor Alvarado had the most tech Fs (4) in the least time (9:04).

Goode’s Xavier Woods scored the most team points with 33, South Shore’s Dakhari Esthers scored the most single match points with 31, and Phoenix Military Academy’s Elijah Torres finished with the most total match points, with 121.

Kenwood’s Dameon Norman provided the largest seed-place difference, as the No. 28 seed placed first at 285 pounds.

CPL CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS:

106

1st: Jeremiah Arroyo-McMullan (Lane Tech) 24-6, d. Mohammed zia Nadre (Sullivan) 24-5,  (TF 4:04 (18-2)

3rd: Keandre Beal (Goode) 19-10, d. Justin chogllo Chogllo (Rickover) 10-5,  (F 4:57)

5th: Kenye Flanagan (Perspectives) 24-7, d. Jonathan Mendoza-rodriguez (Lindblom) 15-18,  (F 0:49)

113

1st: Bernardo Roque (Taft) 35-2, d. Leonardo Zapien (Noble/UIC) 30-4,  (TF 3:49 (19-4)

3rd: Amari Frankiln (Hyde Park) 12-2, d. Daveon Farmer (Perspectives) 19-10,  (F 5:46)

5th: Jose Curiel (Lane Tech) 22-20, d. Damarcus Washington (King) 12-10,  (F 0:50)

120

1st: Victor Alvarado (Kennedy) 32-3, d. Donald Bunton jr (Perspectives) 26-5,  (TF 1:47 (20-5)

3rd: Elijah Torres (Phoenix) 20-5, d. David Ruiz (Taft) 26-15,  (F 3:15)

5th: Joaquin Salameda (Lane Tech) 25-20, d. Abel Alvarado (Lake View) 13-5,  (F 5:02)

126

1st: Jovanni Harris (Little Village) 27-6, d. Angel Rivera (Taft) 21-9,  (F 4:25)

3rd: Jayden Carrasco (Washington) 11-3, d. Tray Harrison (Noble/Comer) 12-7,  (TF 3:45 (16-1)

5th: Andrew Price (Phillips) 21-7, d. K Manning (Roosevelt/Von Stueben) 11-6,  (F 1:10)

132

1st: Alex Valentin (Lane Tech) 35-6, d. Justin Hernandez (Rickover) 27-4,  (TF 4:13 (15-0)

3rd: James Hill (Phillips) 25-4, d. Armani Vargas (Taft) 28-14,  (D 7-4)

5th: Moses Pittman (King) 19-8, d. Dakhari Esters (South Shore International) 25-6,  (MD 15-2)

138

1st: Abbas Abdulamir (Lane Tech) 28-12, d. Randy Lazaro (Schurz) 16-1,  (MD 12-3)

3rd: Cliffon Johnson (Kelly) 17-4, d. Isaac Banks (Noble/Comer) 17-3,  (TF 3:25 (17-0)

5th: Adrian Junco (Taft) 20-21, d. Isaiah Diaz (Goode) 25-15,  (D 13-9)

144

1st: Fabian Salazar (Hubbard) 36-1, d. Maurice Bush (Agricultural Science) 32-4,  (MD 12-3)

3rd: Jayden Veal (Goode) 27-7, d. Mason Micou (Crane) 14-3,  (D 8-2)

5th: Davian Hall (Simeon) 8-3, d. Awwal Ogunsolu (Kelly) 26-8,  (F 5:31)

150

1st: Xavier Woods (Goode) 36-2, d. Lennon Ojeda (Senn) 22-3,  (TF 2:35 (15-0)

3rd: Ryan Singleton (Ch Mil Academy) 20-3, d. Corey Underwood (DuSable) 27-3,  (MD 16-8)

5th: Jacob Jackson (King) 19-7, d. Cole Calace (Lane Tech) 26-13,  (M. For.)
157

1st: Nasser Hammouche (Lane Tech) 34-8, d. Mylan Williams (Curie) 25-4,  (TF 4:05 (18-2)

3rd: Justin Tarr (Noble/UIC) 15-5, d. Laquaris Moore (Corliss High School) 16-8,  (F 1:22)

5th: Emiliano Ruiz (Kelly) 14-8, d. Felipe-juan Aguilar-urbina (Little Village) 24-9,  (D 8-7)

165

1st: Vernon Cole (Lane Tech) 14-0, d. Kendall Taylor (Ch Mil Academy) 17-3,  (TF 4:44 (18-1)

3rd: Willem Johnston (Mather) 16-4, d. Jose Puga (Noble/Golder) 28-4,  (M. For.)

5th: Brayan Ruiz-cruz (BOT Yards) 26-11, d. Nicholas Jungman (Kennedy) 20-11,  (Inj. 4:00)

175

1st: Malakai Davis (Hancock) 15-0, d. Adrian Zepeda (Amundsen) 31-2,  (MD 10-1)

3rd: Eyob Abebe (Lane Tech) 29-11, d. Ricky Moore (Taft) 23-10,  (TF 2:24 (15-0)

5th: Caleb Gordon (Ch Mil Academy) 20-4, d. Marquel Wilson (Agricultural Science) 31-15,  (D 10-6)

190

1st: Sami Marrero (Horizon/Southwest Chicago) 20-0, d. Mivontae Russell (Perspectives) 28-2,  (TF 5:19 (19-4)

3rd: Josh Taylor (Taft) 26-17, d. Dylan Wilborn (Goode) 25-13,  (Inj. 3:46)

5th: Dantrell Fraizer (Simeon) 9-2, d. Maddox Bartoli (Lane Tech) 15-12,  (M. For.)

215

1st: Evan Jocic (Taft) 30-2, d. Kaleb Abney (Phoenix) 18-3,  (MD 15-1)

3rd: Alexander Robinson (King) 18-3, d. Charleston Rice (Phillips) 18-7,  (D 8-1)

5th: Aiden Quezada (Lindblom) 8-2, d. Steven Prince (Bowen) 20-3,  (D 5-1)

285
1st: Dameon Norman (Kenwood) 13-3, d. Josue Olivo (Lindblom) 24-6,  (TB-1 2-1)

3rd: Adrian Meza (Lane Tech) 21-10, d. Justin Powell (Hyde Park) 18-3,  (D 6-5)

5th: Anthony Spivey (Clark) 11-3, d. Christopher De leon (Kennedy) 23-10,  (F 0:30)

CHICAGOLAND PRAIRIE DUALS

Seneca went 5-0 to win the team title at this year’s Chicagoland Prairie dual tournament, hosted by Walther Christian in Melrose Park. The Fighting Irish won 72-11 over Dwight, 72-12 over Walther, 64-18 over second-place St. Bede, 54-28 over Marquette, and 62-15 over Westmont.

Seneca coach Todd Yegge’s boys are ranked at No. 22 in the current Illinois poll. The Fighting Irish got perfect 5-0 days from Chris Thompson (106), Raiden Terry (113), Avery Phillips (138), Ryan Flynn (150) and Jeremy Gagnon (285), a 4-0 day from Landen Venecia (190), and 4-1 performances from Wyatt Coop (113/120), Ryker Terry (132), Nick Grant (165) and Alex Gagnon (175).

“We wrestled very well overall on Saturday in winning the CPFL championship for the second straight year,” Seneca coach Todd Yegge said. “This was a nice preparation and confidence- builder for our athletes as we get ready for regionals at Herscher.  We were happy with our offense as we scored a lot of points and kept that mindset to keep scoring the next point which will help us as we head into the pressure of the postseason.”

Second-place St. Bede went 4-1 on the day and third-place Westmont went 3-2.

1st place dual: Seneca 64, St. Bede 18

120 – Wyatt Coop (Seneca) over Gabriel Bunch (Peru (St. Bede)) Fall 0:57

126 – Max Moreno (Peru (St. Bede)) over Landon Hebel (Seneca) Fall 0:30

132 – Ryker Terry (Seneca) over Kristopher Penaverde (Peru (St. Bede)) Fall 0:19

138 – Avery Phillips (Seneca) over Maks Niedzwiedz (Peru (St. Bede)) Fall 1:42

144 – Devon Daemicke (Seneca) over Nicholas Del Pilar (Peru (St. Bede)) Fall 0:59

150 – Ryan Flynn (Seneca) over  (Unattached) Forf

157 – Jordan Coventry (Peru (St. Bede)) over Ayden Perez (Seneca) Fall 1:45

165 – Nick Grant (Seneca) over  (Unattached) Forf

175 – Alex Gagnon (Seneca) over Jack Maschmann (Peru (St. Bede)) TF 18-1

190 – Landen Venecia (Seneca) over Garrett Connelly (Peru (St. Bede)) Fall 1:54

215 – William Sramek (Peru (St. Bede)) over Colton Angeloff (Seneca) Fall 1:27

285 – Jeremy Gagnon (Seneca) over Grady Gillan (Peru (St. Bede)) Fall 3:39

106 – Chris Thompson (Seneca) over Jameson Daley (Peru (St. Bede)) Fall 1:52

113 – Raiden Terry (Seneca) over Michael Benge (Peru (St. Bede)) TF 18-3

3rd place dual: Westmont 41, Marquette 39

106 – Mason Ponce (Westmont) over Logan Leskanich (Ottawa (Marquette)) Fall 1:13

113 – Luke Jimenea (Westmont) over Shea Conner (Ottawa (Marquette)) Fall 0:40

120 – Koby Clark (Ottawa (Marquette)) over Ardan Baglaev (Westmont) Dec 12-9

126 – Jackson Jagger (Westmont) over  (Unattached) Forf

132 – Christian Rosa (Westmont) over  (Unattached) Forf

138 – Beau Thompson (Ottawa (Marquette)) over Lawrence Walker (Westmont) Fall 3:10

144 – Hunter DeMink (Ottawa (Marquette)) over  (Unattached) Forf

150 – Brysen Manly (Ottawa (Marquette)) over  (Unattached) Forf

157 – Sean Patterson (Westmont) over Nolan DeMink (Ottawa (Marquette)) Fall 3:56

165 – Reily Leifheit (Ottawa (Marquette)) over  (Unattached) Forf

175 – Landyn Mcemery (Ottawa (Marquette)) over  (Unattached) Forf

190 – Vincent Willkommen (Westmont) over  (Unattached) Forf

215 – Alex Schaefer (Ottawa (Marquette)) over Mason Cabrera (Westmont) Fall 0:17

285 – Rafael Castrejon-Tello (Westmont) over Adrian Schaefer (Ottawa (Marquette)) TF 19-3

5th place dual: Walther Christian 36, Dwight 18

132 – Mekhi Hakey (Dwight) over Gabriel Montoya (Melrose Park (Walther Christian)) Fall 2:00

138 – Double Forfeit

144 – Caleb Peterson (Melrose Park (Walther Christian)) over  (Unattached) Forf

150 – Dylan Crouch (Dwight) over Antonio Gonzalez (Melrose Park (Walther Christian)) Fall 2:34

157 – Kevin Gomez (Melrose Park (Walther Christian)) over  (Unattached) Forf

165 – Double Forfeit

175 – Gavin Bafia (Dwight) over Tyler Schoessow (Melrose Park (Walther Christian)) Fall 3:19

190 – Emmanuell Hernandez (Melrose Park (Walther Christian)) over  (Unattached) Forf

215 – Joshua Lewis (Melrose Park (Walther Christian)) over  (Unattached) Forf

285 – Jonathan Perez (Melrose Park (Walther Christian)) over  (Unattached) Forf

106 – Ben Peterson (Melrose Park (Walther Christian)) over  (Unattached) Forf

113 – Double Forfeit

120 – Double Forfeit

126 – Double Forfeit

By Chris Walker for the IWCOA

Schaumburg’s Madyson Meyer will be playing softball in college next year but for now, she’s enjoying the ride that the Saxons’ wrestling program is giving her.

“The thing I really like about (wrestling) is how close I felt with the girls, right away,” Meyer said. “The hard part is the discipline you have to go through. You have to be very strong-minded so the sport not only helped me in other sports, but it has helped me mentally, to be confident with myself in my day-to-day life.”

Meyer and her Saxons are making the ride count. They won their second consecutive regional title, out-pointing second-place Hoffman Estates 228.5-183.5 at this year’s 27-team Willowbrook Regional.

Meyer was one of three individual champions for coach Matt Gruszka, who will accompany a bevy of his qualifying wrestlers to the individual sectional meet at Schaumburg on Feb. 14-15.

“The girls wrestled well and we put seven in the finals,” Gruszka said.  “Our champs, Maddy Meyer at 115, Sharon Olorunfemi at 135 and Nadia Razzak at 190 had great tournaments. I thought overall our regionals was tough and had a lot of great wrestlers.  Hoffman and Glenbard West also had a great tournament.“

Glenbard West (179.5 points) finished third, followed by West Chicago (114) in fourth. Conant and St. Charles East tied for fifth with 92.5 points.

The Saxons also placed second at this year’s IWCOA dual team state tournament and finished first in tournaments at Dundee-Crown and Normal before winning this year’s Mid Suburban League tournament title. Gruszka has one of Illinois’ premier programs on his hands, and the Saxons proved it again at Willowbrook.

“I say it all the time and I know all the other girls on the team say it, too,” Meyer said, “but we have to give all of the credit to Gruszka. When the program started we were only 13 girls and now we’re 38.”

Meyer also tipped her hat to a couple of now-graduated trailblazers at Schaumburg who came before her.

“Val Rodriguez and Bethany Regione — when I joined, those were the two I idolized,” Meyer said. “I wanted to wrestle like them, I wanted to be good like them, and the relationship they had with Gruszka is something I strive for every day in the practice room. I think the younger girls getting advice from the older girls and learning from them is really why a program is so successful, and Gruszka set that tone immediately when he became our head coach.”

Meyer (115), junior Razzak (190) and sophomore Olorunfemi (135) will be joined at the Schaumburg Sectional on Feb. 15 by a quartet of teammates that placed second in Mia Phelps (100), Isabella Rivas (125), Hope Zerafa-Lazarevic (145) and Alya Razzak (170).

The senior Meyer improved to 41-2 Saturday, with pins at 1:14, 0:41, and 0:51 to reach the title-match against South Elgin’s Azucena Rodriguez.

“I was nervous about (Rodriguez) because I didn’t really know what to expect,” Meyer said. “Gruszka wanted me to hit my sweep single and hit it clean, so that’s what I was focused on. And whenever I’m facing a girl I don’t know, I like to tie up to feel how she’s tying up – tight, on one side or the other, or if she’s more of a back-away type of wrestler. I felt her, felt like the headlock was there, and I hit it.”

Meyer’s pin at 1:08 gave here four on the day and her first individual regional title. Teammate Olorunfemi (38-8) had three pins in as many matches to win her first regional crown, taking down her three opponents in 0:13, 1:25 and 0:44. She pinned St. Charles East freshman Olivia Pearson to finish up. Razzak similarly needed three victories to take home her first regional title and she got them all via first period pins: 1:03, 1:48 and 1:51 as she improved to 41-3 after taking down Streamwood’s Jasmine Rene.

“Nadia beat Jasmine Rene in the finals and Nadia had lost to her twice last year,” Gruszka said, “so that was good for her.”

Collectively, Olurunfemi, Meyer and Razzak combined to pin 10 opponents in under 11 minutes (10:58). During last year’s Conant regional, Olurunfemi did not place while Meyer took third and Razzak was second.

In the only regional final at Willowbrook featuring two previously-unbeaten wrestlers, South Elgin freshman Allison Garbacz (27-0) won by fall at 3:48 over Zerafa-Lazarevic (41-1), who placed second in Illinois at 140 last season.

Bartlett senior Emma Engels (37-3 at 120) was the only Willowbrook Regional champion who already possesses a state title; Engels is the 2023 IHSA state champion at 100 pounds. She took sixth at 110 last year.

“I was disappointed with taking sixth,” she said. “Now it’s my last one so I want to come back. I did a lot more wrestling in the off-season so I think I’m at a better place.”

While she’s got plans to wrestle at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh once her high school career is over, Engels first has her eyes set on competing for a second state title. 

Engles pinned a pair of opponents and defeated another by tech fall before putting up some points in a major decision victory against Leyden’s Sabrina Bono in the finals.

“It was a good match,” Engles said. “She was definitely strong.”

Second-place Hoffman Estates has someone in Isabella “Bella” Chiovari who started playing soccer and volleyball as soon as she could walk.

It was the talk she had with Hoffman Estates classmate Abigail Ji that led her to wrestling.

“I became friends with Abi after meeting her in class,” Chiovari said while pointing in her direction. “She said ‘We’ve got a wrestling team and you play sports. You don’t have a winter sport, why don’t you join the wrestling team? I was like ‘okay.’

“It’s been history ever since and I love it.”

Chiovari (21-6 at 170), Ji (35-5 at 140) and fellow seniors Sophia Ball (36-1 at 130) and Anjali Gonzalez (19-3 at 235) won regional titles for the Hawks, who tied with team champion Schaumburg for the most champions among the teams that competed in the Willowbrook regional.

Chiovari saw a familiar foe in Schaumburg’s Alya Razzak staring back at her in the final at 170. Early in the second period, Chiovari, who returned from a concussion just last week, won by fall.

“I’ve gone back and forth with her the past four years we’ve been in high school together,” Chiovari said. “She actually won conference last week so it’s been back and forth. It was nice to be able to leave everything on that mat, and I put in a lot of work for it so I’m happy about it.”

She’s quite thrilled to be a part of this group of Hawks who had the second most team points with 183.5.

“We’re really fortunate to be having 30-something girls (on the roster) so we always have someone to fill a spot and girls are always more than willing to move up and down for the team,” she said. “We are all one unit and love each other. We’re one big family. I’m proud of every single one of them. I wouldn’t be here without all of them. I’m very grateful.”

Ji pinned Conant junior Ewa Krupa in 4:55 in her title match.

“Eva and I are friends who have always gone against each other since sophomore year,” Ji said. “I faced her last week at conference and became conference champ after beating her. It was another tough match.”

Ji’s been wrestling since the sixth grade, but has also played a variety of sports. Wrestling has become a primary focus for her today.

“I used to play a lot of different sports, tennis, badminton, and I did swimming my freshman and sophomore year,” she said. “And then I quit so I could focus on wrestling, and been wrestling since the summer of sixth grade. I got into wrestling because of my sister, who graduated two years ago.”

Ball is looking to return to the state finals where she dropped a 4-3 decision in the 120-pound title match to Rockton Hononegah’s Angelina Cassioppi a year ago. 

“That’s the goal,” Ball said. “I just think I’ve been trying to stay patient and taking breaks when I need it. I feel if you just go go go and don’t give yourself enough of a break it will burn you out.”

After earning a 7-4 decision against Glenbard North’s Asreilla Wallace in her semifinal, Gonzalez pinned Wheaton North’s Iana Victory in 2:26 to gave the Hawks their fourth regional champion. Essenze Reid (190) took third and Roselyn Cornier (100) placed fourth for the Hawks.

Glenbard West was well represented late on Saturday afternoon and just as successful with its two wrestlers in the finals coming home as regionals champions while three of its four kids who wrestled in third-place matches also won.

Winning is something Hilltoppers’ unbeaten freshman Khloe Perez (110) knows a lot about. She improved to 33-0 after pinning Elk Grove Village’s Valeria Pesantes in 3:10.

“My family is all wrestlers, very athletic people,” she said. “When we do something we put our best foot forward and push ourselves. I’d definitely say my sister has helped push me. She wasn’t wrestling for very long but won state last year.”

Last year, Alycia Perez went 35-0 and won the 100-pound title in her senior season. She became the first state champion in girls wrestling in school history. Now, it’s the 14-year-old’s turn to try to get one.

“I’m very grateful because at first when I was coming into high school, well, I was like this is going to be a new challenge for me and I’m going to have to really step up,” she said. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I was kind of in an awkward place in my wrestling career and I felt I wasn’t at my best. I feel like this year I have more confidence and opportunities to be brave on the mat.”

She’s got the bravery, and placing at state is within range.

“I think coming into a new year my goal was to be brave because last year fear really held me back and put me in places I didn’t want to be in,” she said. “Why am I losing? Why am I stuck? I’ve been so brave this year, using my technique and I’ve been being strong. Even when I’m in a dark place I think one day I’ll practice good, or maybe not be feeling well, but I always push through it, that’s what my goal is. And I love my team. I feel we all are pushing each other. I like how we’re all at different levels and helping each other out.”

Glenbard West senior Miyalinna DeJesus (27-3 at 155) hasn’t forgotten about the time about a year ago when she got pinned in the final seconds of her match against Hinsdale Central’s Sofia Arain, which ended her season.

While a medical forfeit win in the quarterfinals lessened her workload this year, she still needed to defeat Lake Park’s Giovanna Sampognaro in the semifinals to get to West Chicago’s Annette Huesca in the finals. 

DeJesus pinned Sampognaro in 2:49 and did the same against Huesca in 3:47. The Hilltoppers are without a doubt feeding off of each other and reaping the rewards of being a part of something greater than themselves – a team.

“I see so much of myself and a bunch of our captains in everybody else,” DeJesus said. “Not only in the way they wrestle, but the way they talk and their habits. We pick up off of each other and I love to see just their drive, and knowing the program is going to go in a great direction when they are older.”

Bartlett junior Lilly White (36-3 at 125) may not have been in a celebratory mood for her 17th birthday on Sunday if she hadn’t had such a wonderful Saturday.

White pinned all four of her opponents to take home the 125-pound title. She finished off Schaumburg junior Isabella Rivas in 2:47.

“I went down and was working on the bottom for a little bit and then I did like a roll I learned from jiu-jitsu,” she said “I was right on the edge of the circle with one toe holding on and I got the pin.”

Many years in the martial arts have certainly made a huge impact as White only began wrestling a year ago.

“I didn’t wrestle freshman year,” she said. “I didn’t find out there was wrestling until sophomore year and I fell in love with it. My first year I took fifth at state (at 120) and I would say jiu-jitsu gave me that extra advantage as most girls are not used to random jiu-jitsu.”

Prior to jiu-jitsu White was a cheerleader.

“I was cheerleading when I was six and seven years old and it was not for me,” she said. “My brother wasn’t doing anything so my dad had him try jiu-jitsu, so I started doing it and fell in love with it. My parents are really supportive and awesome and have just encouraged me the whole time to keep going with it.”

Wheaton North senior Izzy Paz (15-6 at 100) never would’ve guessed that as a senior in high school one of her biggest passions would be wrestling.

Now she can hardly imagine life without it.

“I never would’ve imagined I would’ve chosen this sport,” she said. “Now that I have this it’s definitely something that gives me motivation to work hard every day. I’m looking to wrestle in college and am in the recruiting process. I have another visit to go and hope to make a decision soon. I mean, I just started wrestling last season but then I went to Fargo and after that I knew I needed to keep with it. I’m not ready to be done yet.”

During her debut season a year ago, Paz was humbled in regionals, getting pinned twice.

After a 12-1 major decision to defeat Schaumburg’s Mia Phelps in the final at 100 pounds, she became a regional champion this year.

“I wrestled her a couple weeks ago so I was just trying to stay smart and stick to what I knew what going to work,” she said. “I kept in a good position because I knew what she was going to go for.”

Sometimes kids improve in leaps and bounds in a short period of time. In a growing sport, that is attractive. It’s one of the many reasons why kids are coming into the rooms. 

“I definitely had a big leap in the off-season,” Paz said. “My connections with my club coaches and what not and just trying to get in extra work whenever I could.”

Unbeaten Leyden sophomore Zoey Dodgers (21-0) pinned her three opponents at 105 to also take home a regional title. Dodgers pinned Larkin’s Ashley Hammond in 2:40 after a couple of first round pins in her quarterfinal and semifinal matches.

Among the 27 teams that competed,  21 had at least one girl wrestling in the finals or a third-place match.

Team scores:
Schaumburg 228.5, Hoffman Estates 183.5, Glenbard West 179.5, West Chicago 114, Conant 92.5, St. Charles East 92.5, Bartlett 82.5, South Elgin 80, Lake Park 78.5, Leyden 64, Glenbard North 63, Fenton 59, Wheaton North 59, Willowbrook 58, Larkin 54, Oak Park and River Forest 50, Addison Trail 47.5, Ridgewood 38, Streamwood 31, Proviso East 29.5, Elk Grove 22, York 18.5, Elmwood Park 16, Elgin 13, Fenwick 13, St. Charles North 7

PLACE MATCHES FOR SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS (top four all advanced)

100 – 1st: Isabelle Paz (Wheaton N) 15-6, d. Mia Phelps (Schaumburg) 28-12,  (MD 12-1); 3rd:

Susan Cruz (Larkin) 25-11, d. Roselyn Cornier (Hoffman Estates) 22-16,  (F 2:24)

105 – 1st: Zoey Dodgers (Leyden) 21-0, d. Ashley Hammond (Larkin) 29-12,  (F 2:40); 3rd:

Brissia Bucio (WEGO) 30-6, d. Jivona Brown (Glenbard W) 17-10,  (F 4:18)

110 – 1st: Khloe Perez (Glenbard W) 33-0, d. Valeria Pesantes (Elk Grove) 19-3,  (F 3:10); 3rd:

Sydney Stieb (SC East) 29-9, d. Regina Jones (Proviso East) 4-2,  (F 0:35)

115 – 1st: Madyson Meyer (Schaumburg) 41-2, d. Azucena Rodriguez (S Elgin) 28-6,  (F 1:08); 3rd: Sophia Newell (WEGO) 22-10, d. Daisy Trujillo (Willowbrook) 22-7,  (F 3:40)

120 – 1st: Emma Engels (Bartlett) 37-3, d. Sabrina Bono (Leyden) 24-4,  (MD 10-0); 3rd:

Karolina Konopka (Glenbard W) 34-7, d. Brithany Mondragon (A. Trail) 23-5,  (F 1:39)

125 – 1st: Lilly White (Bartlett) 36-3, d. Isabella Rivas (Schaumburg) 37-7,  (F 2:47); 3rd:

Valentina Fantoni (Glenbard W) 32-8, d. Gianna Mezzano (Ridgewood) 32-8,  (F 2:48)

130 – 1st: Sophia Ball (Hoffman Estates) 36-1, d. Yannel Perez (Fenton) 25-2,  (F 3:21); 3rd:

Keagan Edwards (Glenbard N) 39-6, d. Jasmine Zavaleta (Conant) 32-10,  (D 8-3)

135 – 1st: Sharon Olorunfemi (Schaumburg) 38-8, d. Olivia Pearson (SC East) 18-12,  (F 0:44): 3rd: Nydia Jotzat (Glenbard W) 27-8, d. Lucy Rodriguez (Fenton) 26-9,  (F 1:02)

140 – 1st: Abigail Ji (Hoffman Estates) 35-5, d. Ewa Krupa (Conant) 36-6,  (F 4:55); 3rd:

Isabella Miller (OPRF) 18-7, d. Ava Burns (Roselle (Lake Park) 30-8,  (F 1:13)
145 – 1st: Allison Garbacz (S Elgin) 27-0, d. Madeline Zerafa-Lazarevic (Schaumburg) 41-1,  (F 3:48); 3rd: Joscelin Ritthamel (Lake Park) 36-7, d. Madeline Beltran (A. Trail) 23-8,  (D 8-2)

155 – 1st: Miyalinna DeJesus (Glenbard W) 27-3, d. Annette Huesca (WEGO) 17-6,  (F 3:47); 3rd: Analiese Aberman (Conant) 30-15, d. Giovanna Sampognaro (Lake Park) 3-2, . (F 5:21)

170 – 1st: Isabella Chiovari (Hoffman Estates) 21-6, d. Alya Razzak (Schaumburg) 36-7,  (F 3:10); 3rd: Jazilah Gatlin (Willowbrook) 29-10, d. Olivia Bordenave (SC East) 14-11,  (F 2:26)

190 – 1st: Nadia Razzak (Schaumburg) 41-3, d. Jasmine Rene (Streamwood) 18-1,  (F 1:51); 3rd: Essenze Reid (Hoffman Estates) 19-6, d. Jadelin Caballero (Larkin) 33-8,  (D 8-2)

235 – 1st: Anjali Gonzalez (Hoffman Estates) 19-3, d. Iana Victory (Wheaton N) 14-5,  (F 2:26);  3rd: Asreilla Wallace (Glenbard N) 31-10, d. Ariana Solideo (Fenton) 28-6,  (F 2:31)