The 2012-2013 wrestling season has officially ended for the Downers Grove South Mustangs with the conclusion of the IHSA State Tournament in Champaign, IL. The state tournament also brought to an end one of the best careers in Mustang history as Senior Alex Anaya (160 lbs) earned All-State status with a 6th place finish in the state tournament.
Anaya started the tournament dropping a tough 3-1 decision to eventual runner-up Hunter Rollins from Hersey. As Rollins made his way to the finals, Anaya made his way back through the wrestle backs. Anaya's first opponent in the wrestle backs was Lincoln Way Central senior Max Schneider who came into the tournament with a 40-7 record. Anaya and Schneider battled late into the 3rd period as Schneider held a 3-2 lead on. As the seconds ticked away, all looked lost as Anaya's season seemed to be coming to an end, when with about :03 seconds on the clock Anaya locked up an over/under position and threw Schneider to his back just before time expired. It was a very exciting match that had everyone on their feet at the end. Anaya then had an opportunity to avenge previous loss to New Trier Senior Paul Papoutsis. Anaya was the aggressor in the match and held on for a 5-3 decision to cement his All-State status. In the semi-final wrestle back, Anaya lost for the third time of the season to Brother Rice senior Nuntrae Jackson. Jackson's height and speed seemed to be a tough match-up for Anaya, but he battled throughout the match.
This brought Anaya to the 5th place match vs. highly touted Marist junior Paul Andreotti. Anaya and Andreotti battled to a 3-3 tie at the end of regulation when Anaya attempted a shot in OT only to have Andreotti defend and score the winning take-down It was a great effort on Anaya's part and going out on the attack is nothing to hang your head about.
Anaya's All-State status cemented his already stellar legacy in the Downers Grove South program. Anaya finishes with 126 career wins, which is second most in school history behind two-time All-State wrestler Mark Lenkowski. Next year will also mark the first time in five years that the Mustangs will not have an Anaya in their line-up. Alex's brother Willie was a two-time All-State wrestler at 160 lbs before graduating in 2012 and is currently wrestling at UW-Whitewater. Alex has had an outstanding career which included: being a three time sectional qualifier, four time West Suburban Gold All-Conference, two time state alternate, IL Freestyle State Champion, Frosh-Soph State Champion, and IL National Team member. Anaya's presence in the Mustang line-up will be greatly missed.
Sophomore Joe Nugent and Junior Michael Hobbs also participated in the state tournament. Nugent had a tough draw which included losses to eventual third place finisher Isaiah White from Oak Park and River Forest and fourth place finisher Nick Nasenbeny from Plainfield Central. Nugent finishes the season with a 41-14 record which is the most wins for a Sophomore in Mustang history. Nugent also ends his Sophomore season with 61 wins which puts him on a pace to become the all-time wins leader at Downers Grove South.
Hobbs began his state tournament with a bang as he pinned Gino Orlandi from Niles Notre Dame to put him into the Quarterfinals. Hobbs then lost by major decision to eventual runner-up Andrew Geers from Neuqua Valley. Hobbs then matched up with Chris McDermand from Libertyville High School and dropped a close 3-2 decision to end his season. Hobbs finishes his junior campaign with a 41-7 record which also marks the first time in school history that three Mustang wrestlers had over 40 wins in one season.
The Mustangs will celebrate their season with their end of the year banquet on Wednesday, February 27th.
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