The Suburban Sprawl Wrestling Club traveled to Champaign, IL this past weekend to participate in the 2013 IL Freestyle State Tournament at the Armory on the campus of the University of Illinois. Over 1,100 wrestlers competed in what is the premier tournament in IL during the off-season. Suburban Sprawl had 25 wrestlers participate in the tournament which was one of the top ten in teams of participation. Of those 25 club members, ten were from the Downers Grove South Mustang Wrestling program. Of the ten that wrestled, four came home with hardware and placed in one of the toughest Freestyle State Tournaments in the United States.
Seven Sprawl/Mustangs wrestled at the Cadet level which is generally for freshmen and sophomores. Freshman Amhir Hooks (106 lbs) went 2-2 on the weekend and missed placing by one match when he dropped a close decision to a wrestler from Southern Illinois. Freshman Tyree Johnson had an outstanding tournament in taking 4th place at 126 lbs. Johnson placed 2nd in his pool only dropping a close decision to his opponent from Notre Dame. After finishing 2nd in his pool, Johnson faced highly touted Shayne Oster from the Jr. Porters (Lockport). Johnson battled and lose a tough match in three periods. Johnson was then walked over for 3rd place, which still qualifies him for the Northern Plains Regional. Sophomore Joe Nugent took 6th place at 138 lbs, dropping an early match to the eventual champ. Nugent actually won the first period 6-0 before losing the final two periods. Nugent dropped a very close match to an All-State wrestler from marist which put him in the 5th place match. Nugent continues to learn the ins and outs of freestyle and won many of his matches this past weekend on his toughness alone. Freshman Patrick Wilson took 6th place at 195 lbs and dropped two close decisions which could have placed him in the top three had he pulled them out. Sophomore Danny Gonzalez went 2-2 on the tournament at 138 lbs as did Sophomore Perry Tonoff who went 2-2 at a very difficult weight at the Cadet level. Freshman Cormac Burke wrestled at 120 lbs.
Three Sprawl/Mustang wrestlers participated at the Junior level. Junior Shane Varghese battled, but dropped two close decisions and Senior Junior Nimakoh went 1-2, and dropped a close decision to a highly touted wrestler from Maine South and also lost a close match to two-time All-State wrestler Pete Andreotti from Marist. Junior's off-season dedication will be missed as he will be graduating in less than a month. Junior hopes to continue his wrestling career at Elmhurst College. Junior Mike Hobbs took 3rd place at one of the toughest weights at the Junior level. HWT consisted of four All-Americans (including Hobbs) and one wrestler who took 3rd this past year at HWT. Hobbs avenged his two losses from the 2012 Asics Cadet National Tournament when he defeated National Runner-up Nicky Allegretti. Hobbs also pinned All-American Chris McDermand (Libertyville) and not only avenged a loss from the Cadet Nationals last year, but also from the 2013 IHSA State Tournament. Hobbs dropped a close decision to Michael Johnson who is currently ranked # in the nation at HWT.
Suburban Sprawl Club members and DGN wrestlers Cullen Cummings (145 lbs- Junior) and EJ Phillips (HWT-Cadet) each won IL Freestyle State titles wrestling for Suburban Sprawl.
This was the highest number of wrestlers that have ever placed at one Freestyle State Tournament. Several of these wrestlers will look to qualify for the 2013 Cadet and Junior National Tournament in Fargo, ND. Wrestlers will have an opportunity to qualify at the Greco State Tournament in two weeks, and also one more opportunity to qualify at the 2nd Chance Freestyle/Greco Tournament on June 1st at Sycamore High School. Watching these young men wrestle their tails off all weekend certainly made it a proud day to be a Mustang.
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