Lemont, Wilmington wrestling seek dual team state trophies

It’s been a few years since the wrestling teams from Lemont and Wilmington have won trophies at the IHSA dual team finals, but each hopes they can do just that on Saturday.

Coach John St. Clair’s Indians will be making their second state trip in three years, but they last captured a Class 2A trophy in 2011, when they finished in fourth place for their second straight top-four finish in the event.

Wilmington last qualified for team state in 2012 and captured its last Class 1A trophy in 2010, when it finished in fourth place. That capped a run of five consecutive trophies for coach Rob Murphy’s Wildcats, who won three straight championships from 2007-09.

While Lemont figured to have a good chance to qualify for the event at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, most presumed that top-ranked Coal City would represent the area at state again and go after its third straight trophy.

However, the fifth-ranked Wildcats knocked off the rival Coalers in the regional and then beat Bowen in Tuesday’s sectional dual to earn their ninth state appearance.

The No. 9 Indians meet No. 13 Cahokia in a 9 a.m. quarterfinal with the winner facing No. 8 Oak Forest or No. 6 Wauconda in a 2 p.m. semifinal meet. Lemont edged Oak Forest, 34-32, earlier this season. First- and third-place matches are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

On the other side of the Class 2A bracket, No. 1 Washington meets No. 2 Crystal Lake Central in one quarterfinal while No. 5 Mahomet-Seymour takes on No. 11 Dixon.

Lemont, which beat Brother Rice to reach state, had two placewinners, runner-up Kyle Schickel (106 pounds) and third-place Egan Berta (145). Other qualifiers were Jack Leffler (113), Grant LaDuke (126), Jake Kirkman (152), Damyen Gothard (170) and Alex Oruna (182).

Berta and Kirkman were the first four-time state qualifiers in the program’s history while Schickel became the first Indian wrestler to win a state medal as a freshman.

“My freshman year has been a blast,” Schickel said. “I’ve got great partners like Jack Leffler, Grant LaDuke and Drew Nash and it’s nice having a team with all of our senior leaders. It’s really fun being a part of a team like this since they’ve helped us the entire year. I like the support of my teammates. Our team bonding was just perfect and we all have had a good time. After what I’ve been through my freshman year, I can’t wait for the next three years.”

Cahokia, which is making its third state appearance in four years, had four qualifiers, but three of those combined to win just one match at state. Martell Boone (145) took sixth place, falling to Berta in the consolation semifinals.

With half of its 10 sectional qualifiers being freshmen, the future looks bright for Lemont. St. Clair was quick to give credit following his team’s sectional dual win to those who have helped his program to enjoy regular success.

“All of the Lemont Bears coaches were here and they brought a lot of the Bears to watch,” St. Clair said. “Those guys do a great job with the Bears and I’m lucky to have them. This group of kids are fun to be around, but when it’s time to work, they’re ready to go. They know when they can ride me a little bit and have a little fun with each other and me, but when it’s time to buckle down, they know it and they work their tails off in the room.”

Wilmington had eight qualifiers, including two seniors who won their initial state medals. Bobby Shields (145) took fourth place, while Nick Pretto (152) was sixth. Other Wildcats qualifiers were Tyler Rock (106), Matt Nutt (132), Mason VanDuyne (160), James Cox (182), Sam Jones (220) and Josh Jones (285).

The Wildcats face Auburn in a
9 a.m. quarterfinal meet. The No. 18 Trojans, who are making their first state appearance, had four state qualifiers and two placewinners. Peyton Hudspeth (195) took second place, while Caleb Nix (113) finished fourth.

If Wilmington wins its opener, they would face either No. 4 Olympia or No. 9 Rock Falls in a 2 p.m. semifinal dual. In the quarterfinals, on the other side of the bracket, No. 2 Lena-Winslow meets No. 14 Vandalia and No. 19 Beardstown takes on No. 16 Hope Academy.