Happy New Year from the Mustangs!!!

The Downers Grove South Mustang Wrestling program would like to wish all of their friends, families, and fans a very happy and healthy New Year!

Over Christmas break, the Mustangs traveled to Whitewater, WI to compete in the Mid-States Classic where 43 teams from IL and WI competed.  The Mustangs earned an 8th place finish highlighted by a championship by Junior HWT Mike Hobbs.  Hobbs continued his stellar season by dominating his way to the finals and winning the championship with a hard fought triple overtime victory over his opponent from Harvard.  Sophomore Joe Nugent (126 lbs) wrestled a very tough tournament in coming all the way back from a first round defeat to take 3rd place.  The only wrestler to defeat Joe on the weekend was senior Tyler Rice from Kenosha Tremper who not only won his 4th Mid-States Classic Championship, but was also named the tournament's most Outstanding Wrestler.  Senior Alex Anaya (160) also took 3rd place on the day.  Alex bounced back after a tough semi-final defeat and dominated his opponents in the wrestle backs.  On the weekend, Alex had two falls, one technical fall, and one major decision.  Anaya continues to be ranked in the top 8 in IL and also looks to become among the all-time leaders for wins in Downers Grove South history.  Senior RJ Hickock (145) took 7th place in the tournament.  Hickock led the eventual tournament champion 7-2 before he was pinned with only 10 seconds remaining.  It was a heart breaking defeat, but Hickock bounced back for 3 more wins in route to a 7th place finish.  Senior Thomas Nimakoh (152) continues to progress at an alarming rate as he took 8th place at the tournament.  Keep in mind that Nimakoh has only been wrestling for about 14 months he has continued to battle with more experienced wrestlers at one of the toughest weight classes in high school wrestling.

The Mustangs travel to the always tough Sycamore tournament on Saturday, January 5th where they look to battle against several state powers such as Rocton Honengah, Harlem, and Granite City.  The tournament is very tough and is a pool format where all kids will get several matches on the day.