Wrestling: Gosz wins fourth straight sectional title

BOYS - GIRLS SECTIONAL ROUNDUPS

Evan Gosz counts (14) matches he's had with No. 3 Max Mukhamedaliyev (Hersey, 41-7) during his brilliant four year career at Fremd.

Given the stunning total recall ability the No. 1 man in the state of the high profile matches Gosz has had - the (14) he's had with Mukhamedaliyev, including four this season are etched clearly in his mind.

Gosz (43-2) would win his fourth consecutive sectional title at Barrington yesterday afternoon - but only after yet another hard fought, intense contest with his Hersey rival in an earlier semifinal contest.

"Max is so tough - just a great wrestler (we) know each other so well, and whenever we wrestle it's always a match that is so difficult - and I would not be surprised if we meet one more time in Champaign next week," said Gosz after his defeat of Ethan Banda (Mundelein, 15-3) in the 144-pound final.

"That semifinal could have gone either way - I took the lead with a take-down, but it was very nerve-wracking right at the end," added Gosz, of his 3-2 decision.

Gosz will be joined by three teammates when the state tournament begins this Thursday in Champaign, on the campus of the University of Illinois.

MSL champion will send a tourney-high contingent of (7) to the tournament, while NSC champ Grant has five booked - including 126-pound champion Vince Jasinski (43-6) now a two-time state qualifier after his marvelous three pin effort over the two days here.

"I cannot tell you how proud we all (are) of Vince, whose work rate, work effort, commitment to excellence and the way he goes about his business has led to a much deserved sectional championship," said Grant coach Mark Jolcover.

With his three pins this weekend, Jasinski now has 33 for the season, two more than former three-time state champion Lee Munster.

Warren advanced six downstate, led by its two reigning state champions Caleb Noble (113, 40-2) and Aaron Stewart (175, 39-2) both nationally ranked as well.

Noble dashed the hopes of freshmen sensational Oleksandr (Sasha) Havrylkiv (Buffalo Grove, 31-2) of a semifinal upset when he recorded a tech-fall at 5:08, before adding another in his final with Kaleb Pratt (Barrington, 21-4).

"He (Havrylkiv) is dangerous, especially with those Russians he throws, but I just kept pushing the pace, staying on my attack, and wrestling smart and composed," said Noble.

"We are really fortunate to have two great leaders, both in wrestling, and academically in our room with Noble and Stew (Aaron Stewart) - and I can say honestly that I am really glad to have them in our room, and to be a part of six guys heading downstate who all have the chance to get themselves on the podium" said Warren coach Brad Janecek.

Host Barrington sends five to Champaign with-now two time state qualifier Ryan Dorn (37-7) leading the way following his 1-0 victory over Anthony Orozco (22-12) in their 120-pound final.

"A 1-0 final is not very exciting, and I really had hoped that I could open things up a little bit - but right now it feels really good to be a sectional champion here at home," said Dorn.

The story of super-sophomore Radic Dvorak is one that Huntley fans have followed closely this season as the Red Raiders star continues to mow down the competition at 157 pounds.

After opening play with a pin, Dvorak (42-3) recorded a pair of impressive major decisions victories, including his 11-0 win over Frankie Tagoe (Hersey, 29-15) in their final.

"It's 24-7 wrestling for me after I chose to stop playing football, and directing all of my attention towards wrestling this season," said the affable Dvorak, 37-16 a year ago, which included two losses in Champaign last year that could have gone his way instead.

"I am attacking so much more this year after being a little too defensive, and, for me, it's all about scoring as many points as possible to keep the pressure on my opponents.

Dvorak will be joined by teammates: Colin Abordo (113, 38-11) and senior Wyatt Theobold (33-17) at 215.

In a rematch of the Grant regional final one week ago, No. 2 William Cole (Round Lake, 47-3) would avenge a 4-2 loss to No. 8 Anthony Soto (42-6) of Warren, however it would take extra time for the three-time state qualifier to do so.

Locked in a 1-1 contest, Cole would defend a wicked shot from Soto during the early stages of the first overtime session - then turn it around and into a six-point explosion en route to a 7-1 victory.

"It was Williams' great length that helped him defend that shot from Soto in overtime - then turn it into a take-down and win," said a proud Round Lake coach Ken Filas.

Stevenson, led by two-time state qualifier Shawn Kogan (132-39-5) booked four to Champaign, while its NSC rival Mundelein sends a pair, beginning with three-time state qualifier, and 2024 state medalist Abisai Hernandez (39-6) at 285 pounds.

Libertyville senior No. 6 Caleb Baczek (33-1) took a medical forfeit loss in his final with No. 1 Kai Calcutt (Loyola Academy, 34-0) to rest an injured shoulder.

Rodrigo Arceo (31-14) and Johnathan Slump (21-20) both from Hersey took medical forfeit defeats in their 150 and 190-pound finals as well.

Junior John Rappa (40-5) became the first state qualifier since 2017 for Rolling Meadows after his well deserved fourth place finish at 190 pounds.

at NEW TRIER

No. 1 Josie Larson (25-0) continued her mastery of the 190-pound weight class after the Lakes senior roared past her rivals to earn a sectional championship in Northfield at host New Trier.

With her sectional title came three more pins to her resume this season - all 25 coming in the first period.

"(Honestly) this sectional title is just the next step," began Larson, a state runner up a year ago.

"I'm very grateful for the support from everyone, and right now, I am just going to continue to wrestle my matches, my way, and really looking forward to state in two weeks."

The dynamic two-some from Round Lake: No. 5 Riley Kongkaeow (100, 42-3) and Ireland McCain (115, 43-6) are both on their way to the state tournament after finishing second in their respective weight divisions.

No. 4 Gianna Arzer (Grayslake Central, 42-4) will go into the state tournament as one of the favorites following yet another marvelous two days of wrestling with the Rams sophomore pinning her way to the 125-pound title.

Karina Lojowski (Stevenson, 125, 26-6) is on her way to state for the first time as are recent regional champions: Erin Bush (Warren, 170, 33-8) and Allison Poole (Grayslake North, 235, 24-9).

Libertyville sophomore Mary Minoque (12-2) who came on strong in the second half of the season will make her first appearance at state after her second place finish at 120 pounds.

at GENESEO

It was a good day to be a fan

What a great day it is to be a fan of the girls wrestling programs at Kaneland and Burlington Central.

The two clubs will send six into the state tournament in two weeks in Bloomington, led by No. 1, and reigning state champion Angelina Gochis (110, 32-0) from Kaneland, and her teammate, No. 3 Brooklyn Sheaffer (125, 41-2) who will be joined by No. 4 Victoria Macias (Burlington Central, 115, 31-6) who all lifted sectional championship trophies yesterday afternoon.

Macias, who owns three state medals already, will have her sophomore teammate No. 3

Ryann Miller (37-2) who wrestled back from a heart-breaking loss in her semifinal to claim a third place medal at 170 pounds, and a second straight appearance at state.

The Kaneland duo of: Caitlyn Manier (155, 31-12) and Sadie Kinsella (190, 29-10) are on their way to Bloomington as well.

HM- Caitlyn Manier