Montini edges Marmion by 1 for regional title
Saturday’s IHSA Class 2A Yorkville wrestling regional came down to the final match at 285 pounds between Montini’s Ross Ferraro and Marmion’s Alex Fritz.
In the end it was the senior Ferraro earning a 7-2 decision over the sophomore Fritz and giving Montini the regional title with a score of 242.
“Two words: senior leaders,” first year Montini coach Israel Martinez said. “Ross is one of our senior leaders, as is Frank Baer, Steve Robertson and Dimitri Willis. Montini is about bringing kids in as freshmen and developing them for success later on in life.”
Marmion finished second with a score of 241, followed by host Yorkville (159.5), Sandwich (113), Morris (105.5), Glenbard South (14.5) and Aurora Central Catholic (3).
Ferraro’s senior leadership and experience was the eventual difference for Montini.
“I’d wrestled (Fritz) before, so I knew his style and his technique,” Ferraro said. “The biggest thing with big guys like him is you just try and wear them down.”
Marmion started the afternoon finals session by winning seven of the first eight weight classes. Johnny Jimenez earned a 13-4 major decision over Montini’s Tommy Pawelski at 103 pounds, followed by Jered Cortez’ 6-0 decision over Montini’s Kevon Powell at 112.
George Fisher picked up Marmion’s third straight title at 119 pounds with a 3-2 decision over Sandwich’s Alphonse Vruno, only his second loss of the season.
“He didn’t look good early this morning but wrestled better as the day went on,” Marmion coach Dean Branstetter said of Fisher. “I thought he did what he had to do to win.”
Chris Garcia was Montini’s first champion of the day at 125 pounds, defeating Marmion’s Eddie Greco, 5-1.
Marmion’s Ben Whitford claimed the title at 130 pounds by technical fall over Montini’s Michael Sepke. Bryce Brill (11-2 major decision), Angelo Silvestro (14-8 decision) and Eddie Gonzalez (4-3 decision) won titles for Marmion at 135, 140 and 145 pounds, respectively.
Montini used its senior leadership in the higher weight classes to eventually earn itself the regional title. Robertson won at 152 pounds by default, followed by Willis’ 6-2 decision over Marmion’s Dan Rowland at 160.
Edgar Ruano earned Montini’s second-to-last individual title at 215 pounds just 55 seconds into the match against Sandwich’s Colton Brand.
The win was Martinez’s first regional title at the helm of the Montini program after taking over for long-time coach Mike Bukovsky, who won eight state titles.
“We’ve been working at this for years,” Martinez said. “Coach Bukovsky set the ground work and taught me everything I know as far as coaching and developing wrestlers. We took a little bit different routes, but we both have the same goal and that’s to win a state title.”