Boys wrestling: Jens, Rockey among those advancing to Saturday’s state final

CHAMPAIGN — Matty Jens says he's having fun, which is not very good news for his opponents.

The Grayslake Central senior battered and bashed two more rivals Friday to advance into his Class 2A state final. He will now have the chance to add a second state title to his resume.

The No. 1 man at 175 pounds will face No. 2 Amare Overton (Rock Island, 42-2) Saturday night inside State Farm Center.

“I spoke to my brother earlier and we agreed I should just go out and put on a show and have some fun — so that's the plan in the final,” said Jens.

Wauconda junior Gavin Rockey (41-9) will join Jens in the final and for the second straight season at 106 pounds following his 7-3 decision over Jack Hogan (St. Rita) that saw the 2023 state runner-up build a 6-0 advantage late in the third period.

“It's been a couple of tough weeks (but) I'm where I want to be tomorrow night,” said Rockey, who will face Montini freshman Allen Woo (20-3) who beat Rockey last week in the Grayslake Central sectional final.

Ilia Dvoriannikov (32-6) was handed a disappointing loss in his sectional final last weekend at Grayslake Central by Joe Gliatta (IC Catholic). But the Vernon Hills junior roared back to win two matches Friday, including a 3-2 contest over Maddox Kirts of Bloomington to reach the 165-pound 2A final.

The Cougars star will face No. 1 Nick Mueller (42-3) from Dunlap.

"He said at the start of the year he wanted to be in the state, so he's put in an incredible amount of work to get himself here, and to reach his goal," said Cougars coach Jesse Wolter, who hopes his best man can become the second in program history to win a state title (joining Jeremy Brazil in 2012).

Over in 3A the news was terrific as five from the area will be among the headline acts Saturday evening after sensational efforts put forth down on the big mats.

Caleb Noble (Warren), Teddy Flores (Maine South), Evan Gosz (Fremd), Aaron Stewart (Warren) and Jaxon Penovich from Prospect head into the finals with an astounding 212-9 overall record — each showing they are worthy of their lofty status in their respective weight divisions.

The No. 1 ranked Noble (41-3) is in a rematch of the Barrington sectional final against Rocco Cassioppi (43-3) from Honenegah at 106 pounds after each impressed in their semifinal.

Gosz, the junior from Fremd, third the last two seasons here, will meet No. 2 Jayden Colon (St. Charles East, 40-5) who has his sights on a third state title.

“I was a little nervous at the start of my semifinal against Aidan Huck (Batavia, 42-6) who is a terrific wrestler, but once I settled in, and focused on things, I felt like the match went the way I wanted it to,” said Gosz (37-0) who was No. 3 in advance of the tournament.

Stewart (42-2) has been the No. 1 man all season at 157. The nationally ranked sophomore looked unstoppable as he moves on to face No. 2 Edmund Enright (Mt. Carmel, 39-3) who was second a year ago here.

The No. 1 duo of Teddy Flores (120, 47-1) and Jaxon Penovich (45-3) will be under the spotlight tonight — Flores after an intense 1-0 contest with Kalani Khiev (Glenbard North, 36-7) in his 120-pound semifinal.

Flores was fourth last season, while the aforementioned Penovich (45-3) fifth overall during his rookie season.

“I learned a lot from last year (so) I've been a different person this year both physically and mentally,” said Penovich who faces Quinn Herbert (Loyola Academy, 32-8) who stunned No. 1 Rico Ronchetti (Joliet Catholic Academy) in his semifinal.

Flores, just the third in program history to advance into a state final. will meet Jason Hampton (Joliet Catholic Academy, 33-15).

Rhenzo Augusto (41-5) will be in the final against No. 1 Will Denny (Marist, 41-4) after his exciting overtime win over Jake Ferguson from Yorkville.

“I can not tell you how proud I am of Rhenzo right now,” Barrington coach Dan Keller said.

Saturday will begin with quarterfinal wrestle-backs in all three classes at 9 a.m. and will continue right on through to the third- through sixth-place matches.

The highly anticipated Grand March is at 5:30 p.m. followed immediately by the championship matches for all three classes.