Class 2A La Salle-Peru Wrestling Regional: Joliet Catholic, behind 7 individual titles, wins championship

LA SALLE – Joliet Catholic Academy captured seven of 14 title bouts as well as the team championship with 254 points at Saturday’s La Salle-Peru Class 2A Wrestling Regional.

The Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA) No. 1-ranked Hilltoppers, who now advance to dual team sectionals Feb. 22 in Washington, finished ahead of runner-up Lemont (194), as well as Morris (89), La Salle-Peru (81), Ottawa (79), Kankakee (29) and Streator (18).

“One of the last things I said to them before we started today was, ‘It’s about the team today. I know this is an individual tournament, but we’re not individuals today.’ "

—  Joliet Catholic wrestling coach Ryan Cumbee

All individual champions, runners-up and third-place finishers advance to next week’s Sycamore Sectional.

“The boys responded today,” JCA coach Ryan Cumbee said. “Normally regionals is a good warmup for sectionals at the individual level, but having Lemont here caused us to have focus on our team goals. One of the last things I said to them before we started today was, ‘It’s about the team today. I know this is an individual tournament, but we’re not individuals today.’

“We talked about after today, in next week sectionals, they can be more focused on their own individual goals. They all answered the call. We had all 14 wrestlers advance, but I also felt confident coming in because of the schedule we have. They all did a great job.”

Lemont had five wrestlers triumph in championship bouts, five more take second and one more advance after a third-place finish.

“Obviously we wanted to win the team championship, but JCA is just loaded and well-coached,” Lemont coach Erik Murry said. “It’s unfortunate to have two of the top four 2A teams in the state at the same regional, but we faced that with Montini in 2012, and today reminded me a lot of that season’s regional.

“We had 11 of our 12 kids advance to wrestle next week and won five of our 10 bouts against JCA, so I can say I’m pleased.”

In the 106-pound title bout, Ottawa sophomore Ivan Munoz had a pair of takedowns and a near fall against JCA freshman Noah Avina in the first two periods on the way to a 9-2 victory.

After JCA junior Gylon Sims advanced at 113 with an injury default over Lemont’s Jullian Callianatos, teammate Shay Korhorn defeated La Salle-Peru freshman Reegan Kellett by technical fall, 17-2, at 120.

At 126, Lemont junior Sam Schuit held on late for an 8-7 triumph over JCA junior Jake Hamiti.

“I watched him in his opening match and saw he was a little hesitant on shooting,” Schuit said. “I was pretty confident going into the match and I just wanted the bout to be wrestled at the pace I wanted, which was a nice steady pace. I thought the bout might end up being close, so I just wanted to make sure I didn’t gas out too early.

“I didn’t wrestle the way I wanted to, my foot has been bothering me, but I was able to get through it.”

JCA junior Logan Kuhel-Trimmer picked up an 8-0 major decision over Lemont’s Johnny O’Connor at 132.

In a 138 bout that was stopped for blood a handful of times, JCA senior Owen O’Connor defeated Lemont senior Evan Schiffman, 5-2.

“I really just tried to work on my usual shots and my offense,” O’Connor said. “I wanted to keep my breath at an even pace and stay sharp mentally.

JCA junior Mason Alessio rolled to a 17-0 technical-fall win over Lemont sophomore Noah O’Connor at 145.

“I wanted to get to the offense quick, turn him on top and try to end the match as quick as I could,” Alessio said. “I didn’t get the pin like I would have liked for the team points, but I can’t say I’m unhappy with the final result. Having Connor and Logan put together solid bouts before mine was a confidence builder and gave me some momentum for sure.”

At 152, JCA sophomore Connor Cumbee had a takedown in the opening seconds before pinning Morris senior Julian Gonzalez in 1:45.

“I was able to get a quick shoot and from there was able finally get him turned,” Connor Cumbee said. “I just wanted to make sure I took advantage of a shot when it opened up, and luckily for me it came right away. Once I was able to get control, I really only had getting the pin on my mind.”

Lemont junior Mike Jabaay had a takedown and near fall in the opening minute in a 9-0 major decision over JCA freshman Isaac Clauson at 160.

After a scoreless opening two periods at 170, Lemont senior Alex Tagler posted a takedown of JCA freshman Nico Ronchetti in the final 10 seconds for a 3-1 victory.

At 182, Lemont senior Moe Khalil grabbed an early lead and was able hold on to it through the final two periods of a 3-1 win over JCA senior Caden Moore.

After battling through three periods and overtime at 195, L-P junior Connor Lorden registered an escape in the first sudden-victory period, then held on to the ankle of JCA senior Owen Gerdes in the final five seconds to earn a 2-1 victory.

At 220, Lemont senior Tyler Wilms recorded a first-period takedown in an eventual 5-1 triumph over JCA junior Hunter Powell.

“Whether I know my opponent or not, I know I have to start off aggressive, and I felt I did that,” Wilms said. “I was able to get that early takedown and from there the bout wasn’t really at as quick of pace as I would have liked. But it feels good. I won a regional as a sophomore, then missed last year after surgery on my thumb, so I’m happy with my result today.”

In the final bout of the day at 285, JCA junior Dillan Johnson stayed undefeated (29-0) on the season with a pin of Lemont sophomore Alex Pasquale in 27 seconds.

Finals results

106

Championship - Ivan Munoz (Ottawa) dec. Noah Avina (JCA), 9-2.

Third-place - Brandon Anderson (Morris) pinned Aiden Fields (Kankakee), 1:27.

113

Championship - Gylon Sims (JCA) injury default over Jullian Vallianatos (Lemont).

Third-place - Nicholas Pollett (Streator) dec. Zach Pocivasek (L-P), 8-2.

120

Championship - Shay Korhorn (JCA) technical fall over Reegan Kellett (L-P), 17-2.

Third-place - Ian Wills (Morris) pinned Omar Khraiwesh (Lemont), 1:45.

126

Championship - Sam Schuit (Lemont) dec. Jake Hamiti (JCA), 8-7.

Third-place - Charles Allen (Kankakee) no bout.

132

Championship - Logan Kuhel-Trimmer (JCA) major dec. Johnny O’Connor (Lemont), 8-0.

Third-place - Tristan Simmons (Ottawa) pinned Jaylen Richardson (Streator), :29.

138

Championship - Owen O’Connor (JCA) dec. Evan Schiffman (Lemont), 5-2.

Third-place - Tyler Semlar (Morris) pinned Josh Bickford (L-P), :17.

145

Championship - Mason Alessio (JCA) technical fall Noah O’Connor (Lemont), 17-0.

Third-place - Tristan Wheeler (Ottawa) pinned Levi Wilson (Morris), 2:23.

152

Championship - Connor Cumbee (JCA) pinned Julian Gonzalez (Morris), 1:45.

Third-place - Christian Land (Ottawa) dec. Steven Goplin (Streator), 9-4.

160

Championship - Mike Jabaay (Lemont) major dec. Isaac Clauson (JCA), 9-0.

Third-place - Gage Swiskoski (L-P) dec. Wyatt Reding (Ottawa), 11-7.

170

Championship - Alex Tagler (Lemont) dec. Nico Ronchetti (JCA), 3-1.

Third-place - A.J. Franzetti (Morris) dec. Erick Valdez-Cruz (Kankakee), 7-3.

182

Championship - Moe Khalil (Lemont) dec. Caden Moore (JCA), 3-1.

Third-place - Charles Medrow (Ottawa) pinned Andrew Paull (Morris), 2:13.

195

Championship - Connor Lorden (L-P) sudden victory Owen Gerdes (JCA), 2-1.

Third-place - Cole Brannigan (Lemont) pinned Micheal Bannerman (Kankakee), 1:25.

220

Championship - Tyler Wilms (Lemont) dec. Hunter Powell (JCA), 5-1.

Third-place - Gunner Wright (L-P) pinned Ryan Wilson (Ottawa), 1:24.

285

Championship - Dillan Johnson (JCA) pinned Alex Pasquale (Lemont), :27.

Third-place - Justin Hemmersbach (Morris) pinned Nik Belski (L-P), 2:39.