Wrestling: Yorkville Christian puts three in 1A state semis, Sandwich two; Yorkville has two in 3A quarterfinals

Sandwich’s Alex Alfaro and Aidan Linden and Yorkville Christian’s Isaac Bourge, Jackson Gillen and Michael Esquivel all advanced to the Class 1A semifinals, while Yorkville’s Hunter Janeczko and Ben Alvarez won first-round matches to advance to the Class 3A quarterfinals in day one of the state wrestling tournament on Thursday in Champaign.

Alfaro (182) won a 9-2 decision over Peotone’s Oscar Villalobos and a 9-3 decision over Macomb’s Max Ryner. Linden at 152 won a 9-3 decision over Coal City’s Zach Finch, then pinned Tremont’s Levi Litner. Sandwich’s Evan Reilly won his first match, lost his second and is in wrestlebacks. Sammy Dale is also in wrestlebacks.

Yorkville Christian’s Bourge (120) won a 2-0 decision over Marian Central’s Charlie Fitzgerald and a 3-1 decision over St. Joseph-Ogden’s Holden Brazelton. Gillen (170) pinned Pittsfield’s Mason Davis and GCMS Braylen Kean. Esquivel at heavyweight pinned Noah Carl of Cumberland and won a 4-2 decision over U-High’s Hunter Otto.

Yorkville’s Aiden Larsen (106) lost his quarterfinal match and is in wrestlebacks, as is Grayson Johnson (126), Noah Dial (132), Braulio Flores (138) Drew Torza (152) and Tyler Martinez (160).

In Class 3A, Yorkville’s Hunter Janeczko won an 8-1 decision over Glenbard West’s Phillip Dozier in the 195-pound first round. Teammate Ben Alvarez won a 10-4 decision over Leyden’s Gus Tosterud.

Yorkville’s Jack Ferguson, Dominic Recchia and Luke Zook and Oswego’s AJ Johnson all dropped first-round matches and are in wrestlebacks.