Boys wrestling roundup: Barrington edges Glenbard West to win 59th Whitlatch Invite

Barrington and Glenbard West staged an old-fashioned race to the finish on the second day of the prestigious 59th Rex Whitlatch Invite at host Hinsdale Central with each club taking turns atop the leaderboard.

However, it was a terrific final session that would carry Dan Keller's men to victory, albeit a narrow one, with the Broncos edging the Hilltoppers by 2.5 points (219.5-217) and the championship trophy.

"Both days it was back-and-forth with Glenbard West, with each team taking the lead. In fact ,(they) had a late lead but the guys came through with some hard-fought victories after we lost in the first two finals we were in," said the Broncos coach.

"After Caleb Pratt (15-3, 120) lost to (Caleb) Noble (Warren) in their final, and Saul Ramirez (12-4, 126) to Jamiel Castleberry (Oak Park-River Forest), we were a perfect 5-0 in our remaining place matches, all of which included bonus points that would helped us win the team title."

In this star-studded tournament that featured 11 state-ranked teams and over 32 state-ranked wrestlers, it would be Lincoln-Way West (193.5) third, followed closely by Oak Park-River Forest (191.5) and Wisconsin power Neenah, a regular visitor to the tournament, who was fifth with 177.5 overall points.

Aaron Stewart (Warren), nationally ranked and No. 1 in the state, was named outstanding wrestler for his efforts on his way to the 190-pound final. His teammate Caleb Noble, also nationally ranked and top man in the state at 113, bumped up to face Caleb Pratt, No. 3 at 120 pounds.

Pratt's teammate, No. 4 Ryan Dorn (10-2), was superb at 132 pounds, defeating No. 6 Maddux Tindul (Minooka, 10-2) in his final. His teammate Jimmy Whitaker (14-3) turned in a strong six-minute effort to defeat No. 9 and two-time state qualifier Zev Koransky (Oak Park-River Forest, 13-4) for the 144-pound crown.

No. 6 Aiden Ortega, the sophomore All-American from Glenbard West, won his 106-pound final over Stevenson freshman Stefan Vilhov, now 17-6.

Glenbard West senior, No. 9 Vince Tortoriello (16-1), put the finishing touches on his 150-pound title over Dana Wickson with a 5-4 decision.

No. 3 Dayne Serio (West Aurora), sixth a year ago at state, won his first major of the season when he edged Kye Weinzieri (9-1) from Geneseo at 175 pounds.

Two-sport star Colin Murphy of Downers Grove North ran his record to 15-1 following his victory over Jimmy Hillman (16-3) from Lyons Township to win the 285-pound title.

The Mustangs senior would record a pair of 4-1 decisions to send him into the last match of the tournament.

60th Rus Erb Tournament

Class 2A state power Deerfield closed out the field at the 60th Rus Erb Tournament inside the Titan Dome at host Glenbrook South, but not before spirited Sycamore gave the Warriors all it could handle.

The Warriors used a strong final session to outscore Sycamore (211.5-179) with Homewood-Flossmoor (165.5) third, then the host Titans (145) and Batavia fifth overall with 143.5 points.

Bulldogs sophomore Kai Enos (13-2), No. 2 in Class 2A at 120 pounds, won a hard-fought 7-4 decision over Michael Olson (Sycamore) now 14-1.

"I looked for a (tilt) in the second period, but I wasn't able to execute (it). But I felt really good all throughout the third period," said Enos, whose take-down near the edge at five minutes would ensure victory.

The 126-pound final would feature two of the best in the state with No. 2 Chazz Robinson (Homewood-Flossmoor, 15-2) at 120 pounds defeating No. 6 (126 pounds) Ismael Chaidez (17-3) from Glenbard East

Chaidez,, a 2025 state qualifier, would lead early in the second period (5-3) but Robinson, third last season at state, took the lead for good (6-5) at the end of the second period.

Lake Park senior Nicholas Merola (13-0), who won last weekend at the Rex Leis Invite, collected his second major of the season following his 4-1 decision over Jayden Dohogne (14-2) from Sycamore.

"I would have liked to open up a little more in that match, but I need to have these type of close matches to make me better, and more prepared for the postseason," said Merola after his championship effort at 144 pounds.

Anthony Hinojosa (9-1) is a two-time state qualifier, but the Carmel Catholic senior wants more this February.

"It's all about getting on the podium at state, so if I can stay healthy, which has been difficult, I feel like that's a goal I can reach," said Hinojosa, after his 14-3 major decision victory over Naijer Morris (Homewood-Flossmoor).

No. 6 (Class 2A) Owen Shea (Antioch, 10-4) lost a heartbreaking final at 285 against No. 8 (Class 3A) Jeremy Marshall (18-0, Evanston) that ended in a 2-1 decision for Marshall, who earned his two points through penalties for stalling.

Shea, a two-time state qualifier, took the mats without his two state-ranked teammates: No. 4 Chase Nobiling (144) and No. 4 Dominic Garcia (150), both ill this weekend.

Larkin Royal Throne Invite

Burlington Central parlayed a quartet of individual championships from Eduardo Vences (120, 16-4), Ronald Perez (157, 15-1), Samvir Devineni (165) and Michael Junitz (215, 14-2) into the big trophy over 12 others.

The Rockets would earn 168 points, 22.5 more than second place Leyden and Prairie Ridge, who collected 145.5 points.

Bartlett was close with 144, while Cary-Grove would round out the top five at 127.

Vences, No. 9 in the most current state polls, was a 2025 state qualifier.

Around the weight divisions, runner-up Leyden would celebrate titles from Danny Huerta at 113, as well as senior Erick Worwa (12-2, 190) who just missed advancing to the Class 3A state tournament a year ago.

Sal Garcia gave the home side its lone championship at 126 pounds.

Harvest Christian senior Brennan O'Donnell ran his overall record to a sparkling 14-1 with his title at 132 pounds, with teammate Max Mulhearn (13-2) earning his title at 132 pounds.

Zaid Lupian (East Aurora) won at 138, while Bartlett big man Chase Paducah pinned his way to the 285-pound crown.