Three Mustangs Qualify for the 2014 IHSA State Wrestling Tournament

Last year the Mustangs qualified three wrestlers to the IHSA State Wrestling Tournament for the first time since 1982.  This year, the Mustangs did it again, which now makes the first time in school history in which the Mustangs have qualified three wrestlers to the state tournament in back to back seasons.  Joe Nugent (JR-132), Shawn Jager (JR-160) and Michael Hobbs (SR-285) will be competing at the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL this Thursday through Saturday.

The Hinsdale Central Sectional was highly regarded as the best sectional in the state and saw many returning state qualifiers and placers not advance to the state tournament.  Junior Joe Nugent qualified for the state tournament for the second consecutive year by placing 3rd in the sectional at Hinsdale Central at 132 pounds. In the first round, Nugent pinned his opponent from Wheaton Warrenville South.  Nugent then was unable to hold off the comeback of Mt. Carmel's Jake Tucker which put him in the wrestle backs.  Nugent then defeated an opponent from Marmion and Brother Rice to earn third place and will take a 30-4 record into the state tournament.  Junior Shawn Jager qualified for his first state tournament earning fourth place at 160 lbs.

Jager defeated his first opponent from Kenwood in the preliminary round, only to fall to Marmion's Sam Breen in the first round.  Jager then went on to defeat his next three opponents to qualify for the state tournament.  In Jager's match to qualify he defeated an opponent from Oak Lawn who was 36-1.  Jager fell once again to Breen from Marmion in the 3rd place match in route to 4th place.

Senior Michael Hobbs qualified for state once again at 285 pounds by taking second place at the Hinsdale Central Sectional.  Hobbs defeated opponents from Carl Sanburg and Stagg High School to earn his first Sectional finals appearance.  His opponent was a familiar face, defending State Champion Brian Allen from Hinsdale Central.  This was the third time they wrestled this season and Hobbs dropped a 7-3 decision to Allen.  Hobbs looks to change that next week in Champaign.

Sophomore Ahmir Hooks (113) was one match away from qualifying for the state tournament as he dropped a 5-3 decision to #3 ranked Anthony Bosco from Marmion.  Hooks also defeated HM ranked wrestlers from Metea Valley and Hinsdale Central to finish 3-2 on the weekend.  Sophomores Calum Bonds (120), Tyree Johnson (138), Ryan Gurski (182), and Patrick Wilson (195) also competed at the Sectional Tournament but did not place.

The remaining three wrestlers will compete at the IHSA State Wrestling Tournament at the State Farm Center (formerly Assembly Hall) this Thursday through Saturday (Feb. 20-22).