Hinsdale South's Diaz earns trip downstate

Hinsdale South heavyweight Alex Diaz liked his chances of having a shot to go downstate.

But as the IHSA Class 2A wrestling sectional at Hinsdale South played out, Diaz began to doubt his chances. The junior lost a semifinal bout to Brother Rice's Myles Ruffin and had to go through wrestlebacks to book a place in Champaign.

His semifinal wrestleback matchup pit him against Nazareth's Gavin Smith, whom he'd lost to in last week's regional by a 5-1 decision.

"That match, I did not think I was going to win," Diaz said. "I was going all out (at regionals) and he was. I was like, 'There's no way.'"

Not even in Diaz' wildest dreams did the match play out like it did.

Diaz secured a takedown and mustered a pin on Smith just 24 seconds into the match to advance to the third-place match and book his place to next week's state finals. He was one of four state qualifiers for Hinsdale South.

"I was going to see if I could hit a trip," Diaz said. "That was my first move that I was going to plan on doing and I hit it and I pinned him. I didn't think it was going to be that easy, but he did pretty good."

Julian Kinsey made his qualification to state look simple, too.

Kinsey pinned Oak Forest's Mo Jodeh 33 seconds into his 160-pound wrestleback semifinal. It booked a return trip to Champaign for Kinsey, who qualified at 160 last year.

"The match went faster than I that it was supposed to," Kinsey said. "I was ready for a battle, I knew what I wanted. I guess it felt right, like it was supposed to happen."

Kinsey has a chip on his shoulder this time around. Last year Kinsey lost his first two bouts at the state meet.

"This year I got something to prove," Kinsey said. "I'm trying to get all-state, now the goal is to get on the podium."

Keenan Stewart made quick work of St. Laurence's Jonathan Olivo in his 132-pound wrestleback semifinal. Stewart pinned Olivo in 40 seconds to secure his berth downstate.

"Keenan's one of those guys that we always knew he had a ton of potential, he's just struggled to put it together at the right times," Hinsdale South coach Bobby O'Brien said. "Today, he put it together at the right times. He's always been beating good kids; we were just struggling to see that come into fruition. We knew he had it in him, it was just nice to see him finish it off today."

Freshman Aiden McGivney had to get through a rematch of his own to qualify. In the 106-pound wrestleback semifinal, McGivney faced off with St. Laurence's Nick Cairo, whom he'd beaten 8-4 in the regional title bout last week.

"I was little nervous, because I wanted to get down state, that's my goal," McGivney said. "He has good leg defense, so I knew I wasn't going to be able to take many shots. I really had to play it safe."

He wasn't kidding about playing it safe. McGivney scored a 1-0 decision, the lone point coming on an escape 22 seconds into the second round.

"I didn't want to do any big moves that I was going to regret later on in the match," McGivney said. "I stayed tough on my feet. I got my one escape and played it out from there."

The trio will look to Kinsey for experience next week in Champaign.

"I will ask him because he knows what's it been like," Diaz said. "I will ask him like 'Hey, how's it going to be?' He's the team captain, he's going to help me out, hopefully, and show me what I need to do to get down there and so I can place."

And what will Kinsey tell them?

"Don't get distracted by all the lights," Kinsey said. "It's a lot going on down there and it's really easy to lose focus on why you're there. Just remember why you're there and just keep your head on straight."

But they'll also make sure to enjoy the moment.

"We're going to be chilling in the room, playing some games," Diaz said. "Probably some, Mortal Kombat, (NBA) 2K, just some fun games, chilling."