Burlington Central's Macias happy with 3rd

CHAMPAIGN - Austin Macias was primed to overcome a controversial loss in the Class 2A semifinals at 120 pounds during the state wrestling tournament last Friday at the University of Illinois.

The Burlington Central sophomore suffered but his second loss of the season when Marian Catholic freshman Donnell Washington - the eventual undefeated state champion - was awarded a takedown in overtime.

"I didn't wrestle hard enough," Macias said. "(Washington) out-wrestled me."

But Macias concluded his season on a high note by defeating Bloomington senior Jack Henderson 3-1 to finish his second year at 41-2 and third place overall.

"I am happy with (third)," Macias said. "I am going to work hard in the offseason. I want to win a Fargo (national) title (in July), come back and win a state title."

Hampshire history: Wylie Allen also had the distinction of winning the major-consolation championship at 152 pounds for Hampshire in the Class 2A 152-pound final.

In the process, the Whips' senior became the first all-state wrestler in program history.

"It's amazing," Allen said after defeating Pontiac junior Kevin Gschwendter 6-3 in the third-place match. "(The accomplishment) is all about those people (pointing to the stands): coaches, family and friends."

Allen is uncommitted but desirous to continue his athletic career at the next level.

"I hope to (wrestle in college)," Allen said. "I lost last year at the sectional. That motivated me every day. I didn't reach my goal of reaching the finals, but I am still happy to place."

Successful Cadets: Marmion had three athletes earn all-state recognition to augment its equal number of wrestlers who advanced to the Class 3A state-championship matches.

The Cadets' Nate Jimenez navigated a treacherous route to the third-place match after losing in the quarterfinals at 160 pounds.

The sophomore defeated Sandburg senior Ben Schneider 3-2 in the third-place match.

"I knew it was going to be tough going into it," Jimenez said. "I can't get down after one loss. I kept my mind straight. I sensed (Schneider) getting tired. I knew I had short time left and had to keep pounding him."

The Cadets, who will compete in their fourth straight team-dual Elite Eight in Bloomington on Saturday, also had Anthony Cheloni and Brad Gross place at 132 and 145 pounds at the individual state tournament.

Tough competition: Huntley junior Josh Stenger defeated West Aurora reigning all-state junior Isaac Jacquez to reach the semifinals at 120 pounds in Class 3A last weekend.

Stenger lost to Jason Renteria of two-time defending team state champion Oak Park-River Forest; the junior, though, reached the third-place final on Saturday to become the second all-state wrestler in Raider history.

Stenger fell 4-2 in the third-place match to Sandburg senior Kevin Stearns, who defeated Jacquez for a third time this season to deny the Blackhawks' three-time regional champion a rematch.

"I wrestled some really good competition," Stenger said. "I beat some good guys. My goal was top three. Obviously, I fell a match short of that."

Knights stand tall: Other than the impressive six all-state candidates - including champions A.J. Jaffe and Nathan Traxler - Marmion produced, Kaneland was the only other Fox Valley area program to have more than one all-state athlete.

Austin Kedzie was vanquished in the Class 2A finals at 106 pounds to finish runner-up, and the sophomore had teammate George Strang place sixth at 152 pounds.

"The first three matches (Kedzie wrestled at state), he dominated," Kaneland coach Joe Orosco said. "They both wrestled very well this season."

Rough trip west: Aurora Central Catholic captured the Class 1A regional that it hosted to earn its first postseason title since 1977.

But reality struck Tuesday night in Sterling as powerhouse Dakota had 11 falls among its 13 victories after the Chargers' Kyle Hammond opened the team-sectional dual match with a pin at 126 pounds.

"We didn't lose to some ho-hum program," ACC coach Randy Glaudel said. "They are the two-time defending team state champions. They didn't soften their lineup. They put their entire state-championship team against us."

Regional champion Chris Pedersen led the Chargers with 33 wins this year at 182 pounds; Ruben Franco is the only other senior starter for ACC.

"What a great season it was for us," Glaudel said. "We have a long way to go. We need to learn from (Tuesday) night. I am so frosh-soph heavy right now, but that's a good thing to have. I have nine returning sectional qualifiers coming back next year."

ACC had no individual state qualifiers, but freshman Garrett St. Clair (160 pounds) and heavyweight Sam Martin won regional titles in addition to Pedersen.