Montini makes it eight straight
BLOOMINGTON - Montini is starting to make U.S. Cellular Coliseum its favorite road destination.
After eclipsing Providence last year for most team state championships in state history, the Broncos once again survived all challenges in winning an eighth consecutive title.
Montini was tested by both Crystal Lake Central in the Class 2A semifinals as well as Washington in the championship match.
But the Broncos' resolve came through in the end as Montini overcame a late 5-point Washington lead with five straight wins between 126 and 152 pounds to secure the 43-25 victory at the dual-meet state tournament.
Montini (19-2) is the only program to win the middle-tier state championship since wrestling explanded to three classes during the 2007-08 school year.
"In some ways it is even better than (an individual state championship)," said Dylan Duncan, the Broncos' 126-pound individual state champion who brought Montini to within 19-18 with his major decision at 132 pounds.
"It's satisfying. You have your best friends and brothers around you - and you can all go out and win it."
Montini advanced to the finals after a 47-24 victory over Carbondale to begin its day; the Broncos then turned back a determined Crystal Lake Central crew 41-29 in the semifinals.
Washington (20-6) was making its first appearance in a final in program history.
The Panthers had a quick start, primarily due to Montini not being able to field an 182-pounder.
But three-time state champion Xavier Montalvo canceled out the forfeit with a quick fall at 195 pounds.
Michael Johnson, another one of the Broncos' six state champions, tied the match at 12-12 with a fall at heavyweight.
Washington had back-to-back simple decisions to restore its 6-point lead, but the Panthers' inability to score more than the minimum would back to haunt them.
"Our JV stepping it up was huge," said the Illinois-bound Montalvo. "They didn't give up any bonus points. We had the studs who put up the points, but (the younger guys) got the points the other team should have."
Following the Duncan win at 132 pounds, the Broncos had consecutive wins by Vince Turk - yet another Montini state champion - and brothers Caleb and Luke Fortuna.
Luke Fortuna had a technical fall to eliminate Washington from contention after younger brother Caleb went unscored upon in a major decision.
"You have to take the lead early and keep it," Caleb Fortuna said. "You have to get your takedowns."
"The difference was we got our lightweights put into the action," said Winfield native Duncan.
"There were a couple of swing matches that went their way," Washington coach Bryan Medlin said. "That was the big thing. They came out on top again (Montini won by 7 points in the regular season). Montini has a tradition of guys who really compete hard."