Wrestling: Crystal Lake South’s Josh Glover, Harvard’s Ivan Rosas finish third at state tournament

CHAMPAIGN – Josh Glover tried to overcome something he hadn’t faced all season: a loss.

The Crystal Lake South wrestler gave up his first takedown of the season in his IHSA State Tournament semifinal loss Friday night, and Glover looked for answers in the time before his Class 2A 113-pound third-place match Saturday.

Glover found the answers thanks to his support staff and went on to finish third overall at state.

“Everybody around me really helped me build back my confidence and helped me finish off strong,” Glover said.

Glover was one of two McHenry County-area wrestlers who finished third at the state meet Saturday, while five more placed in the top six.

Glover regrouped quickly in his third-place match against Geneseo’s Zachary Montez, running out to an early lead. Montez tried to make a furious comeback, but Glover held off his attacks in the waning seconds to win, 4-2.

Glover entered the state tournament as the No. 1-ranked wrestler at 113-pounds, according to the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association, and planned on winning a state title, but he was proud of how he fought back in his last high school match to leave on a high note.

“It’s not what I wanted, but I mean it’ll do,” Glover said. “I went out on a win. I can’t say that I’m satisfied, but I’m content.”

Harvard’s Ivan Rosas wanted to prove he belonged among the top names at the Class 1A 145-pound group. The field featured some of the best wrestlers in the state, and after falling to Unity’s Tavius Hosley, who is 50-1, in the semifinals Friday night, Rosas knew he needed to finish his individual season with a win.

Rosas got out an early 2-0 lead against Erie’s Jase Grunder in Saturday’s third-place match and never looked back, earning a 6-2 win.

“It was huge,” Rosas said. “Going back to the hotel that night and knowing that I wasn’t going to be able to come back for that No. 1, it really boosted my confidence to go out there.”

McHenry’s Brody Hallin (170, Class 3A) and Richmond-Burton’s Brock Wood (220, 1A) each finished fourth in their respective classes and weights after ending their matches with injuries. Hallin ended his match after knocking heads with his opponent’s, while Wood ended his match with a left-leg injury. Wood was taken off the State Farm Center floor with a wheelchair.

Marian Central’s Vance Williams finished fourth at 132, while Johnsburg’s Logan Kirk finished sixth after forfeiting his match because of injury.

Rosas still will have a chance to compete when Harvard wrestles in the Class 1A Woodstock North Team Sectional on Tuesday, but he’s proud of what he accomplished in Champaign.

“It feels pretty good,” Rosas said. “I came out here in one of the strongest weight classes, to come out here finishing top-three, it’s a good feeling.”