Willie Anaya Places 4th at IHSA State Tournament!!!

Senior Captain Willie Anaya capped off a remarkable high school wrestling career by finishing in 4th place at 160 lbs at the 2012 IHSA State Wrestling Tournament at Assembly Hall in Champaign, IL.  Willie started the tournament with T-Fall over Rocton Hononegah's Zach Benkovich in 4:18.  Willie followed that win with a 3-1 win over Oak Park and River Forest's Michael Woulfe.  This put him in the semi-finals of the state tournament against highly touted and #1 seeded Shaunque McMurtry of Lockport.  McMurtry came into that match with a record of 43-1 and undefeated against IL opponents.  Willie started the scoring with a takedown towards the end of the first period.  After McMurtry escaped at the end of the first and the start of the second period, a late second period scramble ended with Mcmurtry exposing Willie to his back for a 2 point takedown and 2 point nearfall.  Willie trailed 6-2 heading into the third period, and in classic Anaya fashion he went down swinging attempting a throw only to give up a takedown to close the match with an 8-2 loss.  Willie bounced back with a 12-0 Major Decision win over Lake Zurich's Scott Hoff.  This put Willie in the 3rd place match for the second consecutive year against a common foe, Willowbrooks Dan Rolwland.  This marked the 3rd time Anaya and Rowland wrestled this year.  Willie was the agressor in the match and did not get a third period takedown where he was clearly still in bounds.  In Overtime, Willie and Rowland continued to battle only to see Rowland score a takedown in the 1:00 OT period.  This capped off a 4th place finish for Willie. 

Willie becomes a two time All-State wrestler for DGS, taking 3rd and 4th place respectively at the state tournament in his junior and senior years.  Willie also finishes his career with over 120 wins which puts him in the top three all-time at DGS. 

Willie's contributions on the mat over the past four years are only supassed by his contributions off the mat.  His work ethic, leadership by example, and goofy smile will be missed in the DGS wrestling room, but his legacy will continue to live on at DGS.