Class 2A and 3A Dual Team Sectional roundup

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

Class 2A Brother Rice Dual Team Sectional roundup

Montini looks for top honors after falling short last year

With a record 16 titles to its credit, there’s not been many times when Montini Catholic has finished second in the IHSA Finals, but it happened last year when Washington pulled off a 30-28 win over the Broncos in the Class 2A Finals to give them their third second-place finish.

The Broncos, coached by 2020 IWCOA Lifetime Service Award Recipient Mike Bukovsky, aren’t likely to forget that close call as they make a record 25th trip to the IHSA Dual Team Finals after advancing from the Class 2A Brother Rice Sectional with a 55-21 victory over Oak Forest. 

Montini Catholic (25-3)  jumped out to a 21-3 advantage after the first five matches and coach Shawn Forst’s Bengals could get no closer than 12 points back after that as the Broncos earned their spot in Friday’s 7 p.m. quarterfinals against Glenwood at Grossinger Motors Arena.

“We are excited as this is the 25th time a Montini Wrestling Team has earned a trip to the Dual Team State Finals”, said Bukovsky, who has 512 dual meet victories in his career.

Montini Catholic 55, Oak Forest 21

150 Will Konder (Montini Catholic) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf

157 Austin Perez (Oak Forest) over Kevin May (Montini Catholic), Dec 11-5

165 Santino Tenuta (Montini Catholic) over Blake Bussie (Oak Forest), TF 24-3

175 AJ Tack (Montini Catholic) over Jason Janke (Oak Forest), Maj 11-3

190 Jaxon Lane (Montini Catholic) over Nathan Izguerra (Oak Forest), Fall 0:45

215 Andrius Vasilevskas (Oak Forest) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf

285 Gavin Ericson-Staton (Montini Catholic) over Jose Montesino, (Oak Forest) Maj 10-0

106 Erik Klichurov (Montini Catholic) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf

113 Allen Woo (Montini Catholic) over Jason Schickel (Oak Forest), Fall 2:18

120 Jacob Sebek (Oak Forest) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf

126 Mikey Malizzio (Montini Catholic) over James Mair (Oak Forest), Fall 3:08

132 Bobby Ruscitti (Montini Catholic) over Hunter Kroll (Oak Forest), Fall 1:20

138 Dylan McBride (Oak Forest) over Myles Monis (Montini Catholic), Fall 5:20

144 Kam Luif (Montini Catholic) over Josh Schickel (Oak Forest), Fall 0:41

Brother Rice seeks another trophy after beating Riverside-Brookfield

Brother Rice made history last year after it won its first trophy at the IHSA Dual Team Finals when it finished in fourth place in Class 2A in its second appearance in the competition. 

Coach Jan Murzyn’s Crusaders would like to add to their trophy collection after qualifying for dual team state for the third year in a row after it defeated Riverside-Brookfield 60-12 at the Class 2A sectional that it hosted in Chicago.

The Crusaders (16-6) jumped out to a 15-0 lead after three matches and extended it to 33-6 midway through the meet to help them earn a spot in Friday’s 5 p.m. quarterfinals against defending Class 2A champion Washington at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

Brother Rice 60, Riverside-Brookfield 12

150 Kyle Fehsel (Brother Rice) over Simeon Hector (Riverside-Brookfield), Fall 3:46

157 Jack O’Connor (Brother Rice) over Ethan Rivas (Riverside-Brookfield), Dec 9-5

165 Frank Miceli (Brother Rice) over Max Strong (Riverside-Brookfield), Fall 4:43

175 Nicholas O`Connor (Riverside-Brookfield) over John McGinnis (Brother Rice), Fall 3:06

190 Jimmy Crane (Brother Rice) over Matthew Elzy (Riverside-Brookfield), Fall 2:28

215 Colin Goggin (Brother Rice) over Anthony Esposito (Riverside-Brookfield), Fall 1:10

285 Charlie Stec (Brother Rice) over Joey Alberts (Riverside-Brookfield), Fall 2:47

106 Steven Guzman (Riverside-Brookfield) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf

113 Dan Tait (Brother Rice) over Miles Russell-Barnes (Riverside-Brookfield), TF 15-0

120 Duane Connolly (Brother Rice) over Saul Muniz (Riverside-Brookfield), TF 16-1

126 Logan Conners (Brother Rice) over Jayden Tulian (Riverside-Brookfield), Fall 2:32

132 Jimmy Lotito (Brother Rice) over Jacob Godoy (Riverside-Brookfield), Dec 5-4

138 Oliver Vavis (Brother Rice) over Tony Lombardo (Riverside-Brookfield), TF 20-4

144 Johnathon Harris (Brother Rice) over Ricky Gutierrez-Blanco (Riverside-Brookfield), Dec 7-1

Class 2A Geneseo Dual Team Sectional roundup

Geneseo hopes to send Murray off on a high note

Geneseo presented longtime coach and 2023 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Jon Murray a nice going away present as the Maple Leafs’ retiring head coach gets one more chance to lead his team in the IHSA Dual Team Finals after beating Sycamore 45-25 in the 2A sectional it hosted. 

Murray led the Maple Leafs to three-straight state appearances from 2013 to 2015 and took second place to Montini Catholic in both 2013 and 2014 and then the squad claimed another trophy in its last appearance in 2023, when they finished in fourth place.

The Maple Leafs (16-2) claimed wins in six of the first seven matches to build up a 36-6 lead midway through the meet and that helped them to earn a spot in Friday’s 7 p.m. quarterfinals at the Class 2A Dual Team Finals at Grossinger Motors Arena where they meet IC Catholic Prep.

Geneseo 45, Sycamore 25

132 Tim Sebastian (Geneseo) over Tyler Lockhart (Sycamore), Dec 9-2

138 Devan Hornback (Geneseo) over Thomas Lind (Sycamore), TF 18-2

144 Jayden Dohogne (Sycamore) over Lincoln Barnett (Geneseo), Fall 0:22

150 Malaki Jackson (Geneseo) over Logan Sandfox (Sycamore), TF 17-2

157 Izaac Gaines (Geneseo) over Cole Kleiser (Sycamore), Fall 1:57

165 Grady Hull (Geneseo) over Douglas Gemberling (Sycamore), Fall 2:23

175 Zachary Montez (Geneseo) over Aiden Gemberling (Sycamore), Fall 0:56

190 Kye Weinzierl (Geneseo) over Hunter Hoerchler (Sycamore), TF 19-4

215 Cooper Bode (Sycamore) over Colten Mooney (Geneseo), Dec 3-2

285 Owen King (Geneseo) over Collin Hughes (Sycamore), Fall 4:43

106 Carson West (Sycamore) over Brycen Fahnestock (Geneseo), TF 18-2

113 Charlie Olson (Sycamore) over Elliott Kreiner (Geneseo), TF 17-1

120 Sawyer Davis (Sycamore) over Phoenix Heller (Geneseo), Fall 2:34

126 Landen Vincent (Geneseo) over Michael Olson (Sycamore), Dec 8-6

Washington seeks another title after beating Yorkville Christian

After Washington won a dramatic 30-28 championship over Montini Catholic in last year’s IHSA Class 2A Dual Team Finals to repeat as state champions, coach Nick Miller’s team would like to build toward another four-peat like they had from 2016 to 2019 under Bryan Medlin and Miller.

Yorkville Christian were hoping to get back to dual team state for the first time since 2023, when it fell 32-31 to Coal City for the Class 1A championship after defeating Tremont for the title in 2022 under coach Mike Vester, but the Mustangs will have to wait until next year after Washington rolled to a 52-15 victory over them at the Class 2A Geneseo Sectional.

The Panthers (20-3) won the first three matches to go up 11-0 but only led 20-12 midway through, but that’s when they won four in a row and six of the final seven to guarantee their spot in Friday’s 5 p.m. quarterfinals against Brother Rice at Bloomington’s Grossinger Motors Arena. 

Washington 52, Yorkville Christian 15

132 Cayden Park (Washington) over Ryan Alaimo (Yorkville Christian), Dec 16-13

138 Michael Mendoza (Washington) over Adrian Wadas-Luis (Yorkville Christian), Dec 17-12

144 Peyton Cox (Washington) over Owen Curran (Yorkville Christian), TF 15-0

150 Austin Wadas-Luis (Yorkville Christian) over Sebastian Howe (Washington), Fall 3:47

157 Wyatt Medlin (Washington) over Dominic Loomis (Yorkville Christian), Fall 0:26

165 Cruise Brolley (Washington) over Robby Nelson (Yorkville Christian), Dec 8-3

175 John Gray (Yorkville Christian) over Braden Brown (Washington), Fall 5:08

190 Wyatt Leman (Washington) over Jackson Allen (Yorkville Christian), Maj 12-4

215 Josh Hoffer (Washington) over Hayden Wheeler (Yorkville Christian), Fall 0:32

285 Sean Thornton (Washington) over Xander Oliver (Yorkville Christian), Fall 3:04

106 Symon Woods (Washington) over Ryan Festerling, Jr. (Yorkville Christian), TF 17-2

113 Christian Sandoval (Yorkville Christian) over Micah Jackson (Washington), Dec 11-8

120 Logan Makiney (Washington) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 6.0 0

126 Noah Woods (Washington) over Nico Harris (Yorkville Christian), TF 17-2

Class 2A Lincoln Dual Team Sectional roundup

Mahomet-Seymour beats Lincoln to make another state trip

Mahomet-Seymour hopes that 2025 turns out to be just as memorable as 2022 was for the program since that’s the last time that it claimed a trophy at the IHSA Dual Team Finals when it took third place in Class 2A after falling in the semifinals to eventual runner-up Deerfield.

It’s been a good run lately for the Bulldogs, who qualified for their fifth-straight IHSA Dual Team  Finals appearance when they claimed a 45-19 victory over the hosts in the 2A Lincoln Sectional. The program ranks third in trips to dual team state with 22, with two others in the 2025 field, Montini Catholic (25) and Vandalia (24) the only schools who’ve made more appearances.

The Bulldogs (14-7), who are coached by 2023 IWCOA Lifetime Service Award Recipient Rob Ledin, dropped the first match to the Railsplitters but then won seven in a row to build up a 32-3 advantage. They meet Crystal Lake Central in Friday’s 5 p.m. quarterfinals in Bloomington.

“This marks the 22nd time appearing in the Final 8 since the inception of the IHSA Dual Team State Series in the 1983-84 season.” said Ledin, who now has 520 dual meet victories. “This marks the fifth in a row for our Bulldogs: 2019-20, Final 8; COVID; 2021-22, 3rd; 2022-23, Final 8; 2023-24, Final 8; 2024-25, Final 8 – place TBD!” 

Mahomet-Seymour 45, Lincoln 19

157 Ryne Metelko (Lincoln) over Nino Caballero (Mahomet-Seymour), Dec 13-11

165 Alexander (AJ) Demos (Mahomet-Seymour) over Aiden Frye (Lincoln), Maj 17-5

175 Marco Casillas (Mahomet-Seymour) over Dawson McConnell (Lincoln), Dec 4-0

190 Brock VanDeveer (Mahomet-Seymour) over Soren Aukamp (Lincoln), TF 17-2

215 Noah Daniels (Mahomet-Seymour) over Caleb Zirklebach (Lincoln), Maj 10-0

285 Phil Daniels (Mahomet-Seymour) over Logan Wachendorf (Lincoln), Maj 9-0

106 Myles Hartzler (Mahomet-Seymour) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf

113 Gideon Hayter (Mahomet-Seymour) over Owen Thomas (Lincoln), Fall 2:48

120 Ayden Shaw (Lincoln) over Caleb Scott (Mahomet-Seymour), Fall 3:03

126 Cort Pentecost (Lincoln) over Liam Noonan (Mahomet-Seymour), TF 22-6

132 Karter Hild (Lincoln) over Niko Truax (Mahomet-Seymour), TF 22-7

138 Justus Vrona (Mahomet-Seymour) over Giovanni Sundeen (Lincoln), Fall 2:33

144 Colton McClure (Mahomet-Seymour) over Lakin Adams (Lincoln), Maj 17-4

150 Talon Decker (Mahomet-Seymour) over Cam Bell (Lincoln), Dec 12-9

Glenwood makes return trip to state after defeating Marion

Glenwood made history last season when it captured its first trophy at the IHSA Class 2A Dual Team Finals and finished on a high note after beating Brother Rice 57-17 for third place. 

This is only the second time that the program has made consecutive trips to the dual team tournament, with the only other time that was done was in 2018 and 2019 when Jeremy Mosier took his last team to state and current coach Jerod Bruner led his first team to the IHSA Finals.

The Titans (19-6) assured themselves of their fifth appearance in the competition after winning 49-22 over Marion in the 2A Lincoln Sectional. Coach Darren Lindsey hoped to lead Marion to state for the first time, but the Titans had other ideas as they won six of the first eight matches to go up 31-6 to assure them of advancing to Friday’s 7 p.m. quarterfinals against Montini Catholic.

Glenwood 49, Marion 22

157 Justin Murphy (Marion) over Jullian Rammelkamp (Glenwood), Dec 15-9

165 Maizon Milestone (Glenwood)) over Tate Miller (Marion), Fall 5:26

175 Brody Commean (Glenwood) over Grayson Sanders (Marion), Maj 17-6

190 Elijah Smith (Glenwood) over Evan Francis (Marion), Maj 8-0

215 Bryan Madinger (Marion) over Mason Streb (Glenwood), TB-1 2-1

285 Cody Moss (Glenwood) over Logan Black (Marion), Fall 1:00

106 Kadi Wilbern (Glenwood) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf

113 Cooper Clarke (Glenwood) over Rigdon Meacham (Marion), TF 15-0

120 Riddick Cook (Marion) over Jaxon Ferguson (Glenwood), Maj 18-8

126 Tyler Clarke (Glenwood) over Juelz Elliott (Marion), Fall 2:22

132 Max Wade (Marion) over AJ Williams (Glenwood), Fall 1:06

138 Drew Moffit (Glenwood) over Jaycen McBride (Marion), Fall 2:56

144 John Vallar (Glenwood) over Nate Page (Marion), DQ

150 Caden Frey (Marion) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf

Class 3A Grant Dual Team Sectional roundup

Hersey rallies past Grant to get back to state

When Hersey qualified for the IHSA Class 3A Dual Team Finals in 2023, there had been a gap of 26 years since the Huskies had advanced to state. While Hersey put up a good fight against Marmion Academy in its return to state, it lost 36-31 to the Cadets, who battled with St. Charles East for the title before falling 28-24.

Huskies’ coach Joe Rupslauk hopes that his team’s second state appearance turns out better and they can win the program’s first trophy since Tom Porter led Hersey to consecutive titles in 1971 and 1972 after rallying past host Grant 35-27 at its 3A dual meet sectional in Fox Lake.

Coach Mark Jolcover’s Bulldogs gave the Huskies (12-9) a run for their money, winning four of the first five matches to build an 18-3 lead and were up 27-18 with four matches left but Hersey won all four of them to secure a spot in Friday’s 7 p.m. 3A quarterfinals against Edwardsville.

Hersey 35, Grant 27

175 Connor Moga (Hersey) over Xavier Arroyo (Grant), Dec 7-4

190 Christian Wittkamp (Grant) over Jonathan Slump (Hersey), Fall 1:41

215 Casey Gipson (Grant) over Nick Larsen (Hersey), Fall 3:16

285 Ian Hernandez (Grant) over Harrison Lacaeyse (Hersey), TB-1 6-2

106 Andrew Ocampo (Grant) over TJ Emery (Hersey), Dec 14-8

113 Danny Lehman (Hersey) over Larry Quirk (Grant), TF 18-3

120 Anthony Orozco-Diaz (Hersey) over Breiydyn Hoffman (Grant), TF 21-5

126 Vince Jasinski (Grant) over Riddick Variano (Hersey), Dec 10-3

132 Elijah Garza (Hersey) over Sammy Mendez (Grant), TF 19-3

138 Erik Rodriguez (Grant) over Nolan Variano (Hersey), Fall 3:22

144 Maksim Mukhamedaliyev (Hersey) over Adrian Khi (Grant), Fall 3:42

150 Rodrigo Arceo (Hersey) over Nathan Flores (Grant), Dec 4-1

157 Frank Tagoe (Hersey) over Grayson Lennon (Grant), TF 19-4

165 Grant Moga (Hersey) over Aaden Arroyo (Grant), Dec 6-4

Hononegah holds off Barrington to advance again

Just as Hersey had to win its final four matches to rally past host Grant, Hononegah won its last four matches against Barrington in order to capture a 41-28 victory in the 3A Grant Sectional and advance to the IHSA Class 3A Dual Team Finals for the second year in a row.

Coach Tyler DeMoss’ Indians (25-3) grabbed an early 17-6 advantage, but coach Dan Keller’s Broncos battled back to close to within 25-24 with four matches remaining. However, Hononegah was able to close out strong to claim victories  in each of the final four matches.

Last year, Hononegah lost 40-29 to St. Charles East in the quarterfinals. Competing in the Dual Team Finals in consecutive years for the first time since Marty Kaiser had four-straight qualifying teams from 2005 to 2008, the Indians hope to do what both the program accomplished for the third time in 2014, which was winning a trophy, although they’d like to finish higher than fourth. The Indians meet Mount Carmel in Friday’s 5 p.m. quarterfinals at Grossinger Motors Arena.

Hononegah 41, Barrington 24

175 Connor Diemel (Hononegah) over Samuel Cushman (Barrington), Fall 1:13

190 Kurt Smith (Hononegah) over Aaron Jafri (Barrington), TF 19-3

215 Clarence Jackson (Barrington) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf

285 Ethan Ballard (Hononegah) over Adriel Arana (Barrington), Fall 3:38

106 Matthew Blanke (Barrington) over Kristian DeClercq (Hononegah), Dec 9-3

113 Kaleb Pratt (Barrington) over Isaiah Martinez (Hononegah), Fall 1:12

120 Ryan Dorn (Barrington) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf

126 Jackson Olson (Hononegah) over Saul Rameriz (Barrington), Dec 15-10

132 Rocco Cassioppi (Hononegah) over Jimmy Whitaker (Barrington), TF 21-6

138 Brennan O`Donnell (Barrington) over Evan Musil (Hononegah), Dec 5-3

144 Thomas Silva (Hononegah) over Maddux Orozco (Barrington), TF 22-6

150 Max Aranki (Hononegah) over Tyler Habeck (Barrington), Dec 10-4

157 Max Haskins (Hononegah) over Daniel Blanke (Barrington), Dec 15-9

165 Brody Sendele (Hononegah) over Silas Oberholtzer (Barrington), TF 20-3