February 06, 2025
Sports

High school wrestling: Hinsdale Central's Ivanisevic wins first sectional title, books state tourney berth

Westmont's Zach Muller a sectional champ on way to state

By JASON ROSSI

Hinsdale Central's Niko Ivanisevic (tops) takes control against Glenbard East's Brandon Raines Feb. 4 during the 285-pound title match at the Lyons Township regional. Ivanisevic won the sectional title at Downers Grove North Feb. 11 to earn his first state tournament berth. (David Toney)

DOWNERS GROVE – There is a first time for everything, and for Niko Ivanisevic the time is now.

The Hinsdale Central senior won his first sectional title and locked up his first state meet berth by winning the 285-pound title at the Class 3A Downers Grove North sectional Feb. 11.

“Sophomore year I was a match away [from state] and last year I lost my challenge match [in practice] 3-2 to Matt Allen, who ended up winning state,” Ivanisevic said. “I’m really excited for it. It’s going to be a long week waiting to get down there, but I’m excited for it. I’ve been working for it for a long time, and this is my last chance.”

As a regional champion the previous week, Ivanisevic had a bye in the first round of the sectional. He won by fall in the quarterfinals and won 4-0 to reach the championship, where he pulled away for a 7-3 win against Argo’s Audel Ochoa.

“He’s a tough kid. There was a lot of hand fighting and it was a real physical match,” Ivanisevic said. “I got that one takedown right away that kind of gave me some breathing room to work a little bit more, and I kept sticking with my technique and it ended up working out.”

Ivanisevic’s Red Devils teammates Ameen Hamdan (152) and Luke Skokna (160) both advanced to backdraw semifinals but lost matches that would have locked up state berths. Jack McCarthy (138), Liam Drury (145) and Lonnell Smith Jr. (182) also were sectional qualifiers for Central.

Hinsdale South

Derek Singleton (106 pounds), Easa Aristizabal (145), Julian Kinsey (160) and Tyvell White (182) all finished fourth at the Class 2A Thornridge sectional to move on to the state tournament.

Tyler Sally (170) and Jacob Dahleh (220) wrestled at the sectional for the Hornets but did not advance to state.

Lisle

Drew Sonnefeldt finished second at 138 pounds and Mark Pivek (160) and Kevin Paz (285) were both fourth to earn state tournament berths at the Class 1A Coal City sectional Feb. 11.

Christian Lodor (113), Jack Nadolny (120), Jack Kelly (126), Juzimar Lopez (132), Austin Coffey (145), Connor Keebaugh (182), Charlie Waldusky (195) and Zack Zudika (220) were sectional wrestlers for Lisle.

Westmont

Zach Muller had three first-period pins, including at the 1:02 mark of the final, to win the 285-pound title at the Class 1A Coal City sectional. Muller will carry a 33-0 record into the state tournament beginning Feb. 16.

Jacob Juska (170) won his third-place match at the sectional to also advance to state.

Adrian Garcia (106), Jose Montano (113), Curtis Green (138), Luis Rodriguez (152), Jacob Torrens (160) and John Karesh (195) also wrestled at the sectional for the Sentinels.