The Oak Park and River Forest High School boys wrestling team repeated as IHSA Class 3A regional champions in dominant fashion at Addison Trail, Feb. 8.
The Huskies scored 247.5 points, 97.5 greater than runner-up York, and advanced to the dual-team sectional, which takes place Feb. 25 at a site to be announced later.
“Overall the team performed very well,” said OPRF coach Paul Collins. “Our expectation was for everyone to compete to the best of their ability and we did that collectively.”
Twelve of OPRF’s 14 wrestlers also advanced to the Conant individual sectional, Feb. 14-15. Seven Huskies won regional titles: sophomore MJ Rundell at 106 lbs; sophomore Jamiel Castleberry at 120; junior Zev Koransky at 132; senior Joseph Knackstedt at 138; junior David Ogunsanya at 150; sophomore Zach Michaud at 165; and senior Hugh Vanek at 175.
“We were very pleased with Zach and Hugh,” Collins said. “They aren’t guys who get the most attention, but we have an up-and-comer in Zach, who is putting things together at the right time. Then there’s Hugh, who’s fully committed to Huskie-style wrestling and leading this team through effort. After missing the majority of the season due to injury, he’s hitting his stride at exactly the right time.”
Senior Gabe Rojas (126 lbs), junior AJ Noyes (144), senior Ryan Wozniak (157), and senior Eric Harris (215) all finished second. Senior Terrence Garner (285) took third, while sophomore Liam Nikolakakis (113) and senior CJ Robinson (190) were fourth, narrowly missing out on sectional qualifying.
“Obviously we’d rather have all 14, but we’re very happy with our efforts,” Collins said.
Now, OPRF is focused on qualifying as many individuals as possible to the IHSA individual state finals, which take place Feb. 20-22 at the State Farm Center on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.
“The tournament will be tougher, but the wrestlers have been training and living the right way in order to be prepared for these moments,” Collins said. “At this point, we look to fine-tune and do what’s best for each individual so they’re at their best selves next weekend.”
Fenwick
In the Class 2A DePaul Prep Regional, Fenwick finished second with 205.5 points, 89.5 behind champion IC Catholic Prep. However, like OPRF, the Friars managed to advance 12 wrestlers to the Crystal Lake Central individual sectional, Feb. 14-15.
“I feel great about my team’s performance,” said Fenwick coach Seth Gamino. “We exceeded my expectations. My wrestlers wrestled tough and made Fenwick proud.”
Senior Aiden Burns continued his stellar season, improving his record to 39-3 and winning the 157 lb title. Seniors Dominic Esposito (175) and recent University of Illinois signee Jack Paris (190) finished runner-up.
Fenwick had nine individuals place third: sophomore Harrison Brown at 106 lbs; senior CJ Brown at 113; junior Solanus Daley at 126; senior Max Kenny at 138; senior Brian Timpone at 144; senior Eiam Staples at 150; senior Myles Moriarty at 165; senior Zikomo Mbiewew at 215; and senior Gianni Bertacchi at 285.
“Our goals are the same as every wrestler, to qualify for and place at state,” Gamino said. “No one says, “I just want to qualify for sectionals.” Every match matters; each match is your first and possibly your last, and we’re prepared.”
Freshman Quinn Paris (120 lbs) and junior Diego Arredondo (132) finished fourth, falling just short of sectional qualifying as only the top three in each weight class advance.
Gamino is especially proud of his nine seniors, who all qualified for the sectional. He praised their leadership they have provided during their Fenwick careers as well as their chemistry.
“It really is a great story of how these kids stuck together,” Gamino said. “They all have worked so hard and are great kids. We would’ve won the team regional but had (ICCP), who is going to win team state in my opinion, definitely a top three team. But this is the best team I have had in my six years as head coach and 10 overall with the program.”