Montini, Marmion going downstate in numbers
Marmion and Montini will be well-represented at next week’s IHSA Class 2A wrestling championship.
The two schools qualified 19 wrestlers between them at Saturday’s Lincoln-Way West sectional. Marmion will send 10 wrestlers to Champaign next weekend, while Montini qualified nine.
“We’re taking 10 down. That’s one more than last year,” Marmion coach Dean Branstetter said. “I’m extremely happy for our seniors. I feel great for Eddy Breen after he was disqualified last week. I feel great for Jon Wolfgram. We’ll go down to state next week and see what we can do.”
Marmion freshman Johnny Jimenez won his first career sectional at 103 pounds with a 10-3 decision against Montini’s Tommy Pawleski.
Kevon Powell won Montini’s first sectional title of the day at 112 pounds with a 3-1 overtime decision against Marmion’s Jered Cortez. Powell won on a takedown 36 seconds into overtime to earn a first-round bye next week.
“It’s a well-deserved bye in the first round,” Powell said. “That bye is going to mean a lot.”
Marmion’s George Fisher qualified for state with a 2-1 record on the day, losing in the championship at 119 pounds against Sandwich’s Aphonso Vruno by a 2-1 decision.
The 125-pound championship match saw Montini’s Chris Garcia earn a 7-3 decision against Marmion’s Eddie Grecco, while Marmion’s Ben Whitford picked up a fall at 1:12 against St. Joseph’s Bryant Roby in the championship at 130 pounds.
Bryce Brill captured Marmion’s third sectional title of the day by winning a 4-1 decision against Yorkville’s Connor Bass at 135 pounds. Montini’s Drew Vrbenec qualified for state by finishing third in the same weight class.
“I was expecting a tough match and it was one that I had to battle through,” Brill said. “I’m looking forward to going down to state and continuing to improve from this week to next week.”
Angelo Silvestro won Marmion’s fourth and final sectional title of the day at 140 pounds, defeating Yorkville’s Clayton Bass with a 12-7 decision.
Breen and Wolfgram qualified for state by taking third place at 152 and 171 pounds, respectively.
Montini’s Frank Baer and Stephen Robertson won at 145 pounds and 152 pounds, respectively, as Robinson will be going for his third career state title. The sectional title was his fourth overall.
“I’m still very hungry,” Robertson said of going for a third state title. “I’m ready to scrap it up and do my best.”
Dmitri Willis placed second at 160 pounds for Montini, followed by sectional titles for Edgar Ruano at 215 pounds and Ross Ferraro at 275 pounds. Ferraro defeated Marmion’s Alex Fritz with an 11-4 decision.