The Downers Grove South Mustang Wrestling program was represented well in what was perhaps the busiest weekend of the year for wrestling in IL. Mustangs from the past, present, and future participated in the IESA State Championships in DeKalb, IL, IKWF State Championships in Rockford, IL, the FR/SO State Tournament in Springfield, IL, and the Big Ten Championships in Champaign, IL. Not only were the Mustangs represented, but they excelled at each tournament. Below you will find a recap of each of the events and how the Mustangs did.
IESA State Championships- DeKalb, IL
Coach Luis Vargas and Jefferson Middle School qualified three wrestlers to the IESA State Tournament, two of which will be coming to Downers Grove South next year. 8th grader Jacob Liaromatis qualified for the state tournament at 100 lbs. Jacob won his first match 3-0 against his Deer Path opponent, but then lost in a close decision 6-4. When Jacob's Prospect Heights opponent failed to win in the next round, Jacob was eliminated from the tournament. However, qualifying at an always competitive weight for a wrestler with as little experience as Jacob is quite the accomplishment.
Zach Muller's weekend was very memorable! Zach became only the second State Champion in school history when he won the title at 215 lbs. Not only did Zach win the state title, but he pinned every one of his four opponents along the way, which is a remarkable accomplishment. In a flurry in the finals, Zach went from being on his back to putting his opponent from Gibson City to his back for the fall. The embrace between Zach and Coach Vargas after had people around the wrestling community talking as he picked up his coach who had led him to only the school's second state title.
Coach Esposito and Darien Eisenhower also had a place-winner at the IESA State Tournament. Will Smith Jr. took 3rd for the Mustangs at 126 lbs. Although Smith is not a future Mustang, it is still great to see the feeder programs of Downers Grove South doing well.
Coach Esposito and Darien Eisenhower also had a place-winner at the IESA State Tournament. Will Smith Jr. took 3rd for the Mustangs at 126 lbs. Although Smith is not a future Mustang, it is still great to see the feeder programs of Downers Grove South doing well.
IKWF State Championships- Rockford, IL
Two future Mustangs and members of the Downers Grove Cougars wrestled at the IKWF State Tournament in Rockford, IL. Brother of Mustang Freshman Cormac Burke, Keiran Burke wrestled at 138 lbs in the Novice Division. Keiran won hist first match by fall, but then fell in the next round and was out of the tournament when his opponent failed to win his first match.
Sergio Villalobos had a remarkable tournament and run to the finals for a 2nd place finish in the state at 156 lbs in the Novice Division. This marks the highest IKWF finish for a future Mustang since former two-time All-State, and current UW-Whitewater wrestler Willie Anaya won a state title for the Cougars in the 8th grade. Villalobos pinned his way to the finals only to fall to Evan Fox of Evanston. Both Burke and Villalobos will look to improve on their finishes next year for the Cougars.
Former Downers Grove Cougar Joe Spivak finished 2nd at 215 lbs in the Senior Division for the Hinsdale Falcons WC. Spivak breezed to the finals before dropping a decision to Blake Zalapi from Hononegah WC. Current Cougar and future Lyons Township wrestler Zach Villareal finished 2nd at 108 lbs in the senior division.
Downers Grove Cougar Coach Jeff Eckdhal was also named the 2013 IKWF Coach of the Year, congrats Coach Jeff!!!
FR/SO State Championships- Springfield, IL
The FR/SO State Tournament is often a preview of the next couple of years on the varsity level. If that is the case, the Mustangs are in for good things. Six FR/SO Mustangs participated in the FR/SO State Tournament this past weekend in Champaign, IL. Each won at least one match which bodes well for the future of the Mustangs. Amhir Hooks (FR-101) and Patrick Wilson (FR-195) each placed 7th and 8th place respectively in their weight classes. Hooks dropped an 8-6 decision to the eventual champ from Barrington, but went 4-2 and placed 7th. Wilson dropped a first round decision to his Lockport opponent, before rattling off two straight wins to put him in the medal round. SO's Perry Tonoff (152) and Shawn Jaeger (132) each went 2-2, while SO's Josh Oakes (138) and Marcus Rutledge (285) each won a match.
It was a great three weeks for all of the Mustangs who participated in the FR/SO series and the state tournament completed the most successful FR/SO series in school history.
While current and future Mustangs were competing at a state level, former Mustang State Champion Ben Apland was competing in the Big 10 Championships for the University of Michigan at 285 lbs. Ben in in his senior year and will be completing a very successful college career in which he was a four year starter and is now a 3X NCAA Division I qualifier. This truly is a remarkable accomplishment. The Big 10 is the premier wrestling conference in the nation and is often a preview of the NCAA Championships which takes place two weeks after. Ben was seeded 8th going into the tournament with nine spots being allocated for the NCAA Tournament. Ben won his first match 8-2 before dropping a 4-0 decision to defending National Champion Tony Nelson from Minnesota. In the wrestle-backs Ben won 7-0 and by fall before dropping a 4-0 decision. Ben dropped his 5th place match, but still qualifies for the NCAA Division I National Tournament to be held in Des Moines, IA Thursday March 21-23.
WOW, what a busy weekend!!!!
The Mustangs will take next week off before our Spring lifting and wrestling begins with Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday lifting after school and wrestling on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00-6:30 at Downers Grove South.
No comments:
Post a Comment