Montini beats Mt. Carmel, Providence to stay undefeated
Plenty of state-title veterans were on hand for Montini in the Broncos' showdown with Mt. Carmel on Saturday, but newcomers like sophomore 106-pounder Nick Gonzalez also came up big.
Gonzalez pulled out a 5-1 defeat of Mt. Carmel's highly regarded freshman Jordan Blew. The win gave Montini (9-0) a 33-21 lead on the Caravan with one weight class left and secured what eventually was a 33-25 dual win in a battle between two of the state's elite wrestling programs.
"It felt pretty good out there," said Gonzalez, who won all three of his bouts in the quadrangular meet at Providence Catholic. "I was pretty relaxed. I knew it was a big match and I knew I had to come through. I just had to get it done."
Now 5-0, the varsity newcomer used a first-period takedown and an escape in the second period to build a 3-0 lead heading into the final two minutes, where he added to his lead on Blew.
"I had to get to my shots, get some snap downs and just keep working off them," said Gonzalez, who also helped the Broncos knock off Bowen and host Providence while going 3-0 in the quad. "Now I've got to get ready for the Ironman next week."
Both defending state champion Montini and the 6-1 Caravan will compete in the Walsh Jesuit Ironman meet next week in Ohio, one of the top prep wrestling events in the country.
Montini won easily against Bowen and Providence - losing just two bouts total - then prevailed in the marquee dual matchup despite competing without two of its top wrestlers. Top-ranked 126-pounder Dylan Ragusin missed the quad while taking the SAT, and senior heavyweight Mike McNicholas, ranked No. 2 in Illinois, is still transitioning from the Broncos' just-completed football season.
"They're prepared. They've got a good staff, and good wrestlers … the history of that program, it's just wow, it's Mt. Carmel," Broncos coach Izzy Martinez said. "We dual these guys every year here along with Providence. Providence has a couple guys that are extremely talented and they got great coaches and great history also.
"But Mt. Carmel's there … they've got a tough team. They've got guys top to bottom that are extremely talented and well coached So we know what we're prepared for and we know what we're up against."
The dual started at 120 pounds with Nain Vazquez' 10-7 decision giving the Broncos a 3-0 lead, before Montini forfeited at 126 with Ragusin absent. But pins from Dylan Burnoski at 132 and Jake Stiles at 152 put the Broncos on top 18-12, and the defending champs pulled out a share of tight matches from there to stay unbeaten on the new season. One such decision was won by Montini 182-pounder Trevor Swier, whose tight, 3-2 win extended his team's lead to 24-15.
"It's all coming together," said Swier, a state qualifier last year. "I've got so much trust in what our coaches do for us. They have nothing but our best intentions in mind at all times. They're always thinking about what we need to do better. Even though it's a success today we know that we have things to improve upon and our coaches are going to help us out with that."