OPRF wrestling qualifies eight for state tourney

Sunday, February 12th, 2012 11:59 AM

Updated: Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 11:45 AM

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The OPRF wrestling team's bus heading down to Champaign this weekend for the Class 3A State Individual Wrestling Meet at the University of Illinois won't have much room. Not with eight grapplers emerging from the tough De Salle Sectional on Saturday.

The Huskies boasted three individual champs, two runner-ups, two third-place finishers and a fourth and a fifth place qualifier. Matthew Rundell, Michael Woulfe and Sammy Brooks took home top honors. Rundell, just a freshman, won the 106-pound weight class with a 13-8 decision over Kris Williams of Thornton. Woulfe defeated Joe Kennedy of Reavis 5-1 to win at 160 pounds, while Brooks forced a fall on Lyons Township's Jamie Jones at 1:40 to win at 182 pounds. Brooks (34-1) was a state champ two years ago and a runner-up last season. The senior has been hobbled by an ankle injury for most of the season.

Other state qualifiers for the Huskies included Larry Early. The freshman finished second at 120 pounds after a 4-2 overtime decision loss to Sandburg's Sebastian Pique. Devonte Mahomes (152-pound weight class) also finished second, while Joe Ariola (170) finished third, Cameron Harris (132) took third, Johnny Gahagan (126) finished fourth, and Marq Brumant (285) finished fifth.