Boys wrestling: Hersey, Schaumburg advance to team state
For the first time since 2019, and just the third in league history, Hersey and Schaumburg will carry the MSL flag into the 3A dual-team state tournament this weekend in Bloomington after both clubs were successful in their dual-team sectional Tuesday night.
Before a packed house in Schaumburg, the Saxons would advance to its first dual-team state appearance following its 42-26 victory over Lane Tech.
Brady Phelps, AJ Quevedo and Brody Hinkle would fuel a 30-9 run by the home side with three pins. They were supported by pins from teammates Justin Cortes-Apolinar and Callen Kirchner to give the Saxons faithful reason to celebrate.
"AJ and Brody were big for us tonight. They kept us rolling with their pins, and I am just so happy, especially for coach (Mike) Levanti who is the big reason for us heading downstate," said Phelps, second last weekend at state at 120 pounds.
Next up for the Saxons will be No. 3 Marmion Academy at 7 p.m. Friday in a state quarterfinal.
In the other dual at Schaumburg, Oak Park-River Forest would overcome two deficits, finally getting back level with St. Charles East at 27-27 before two late victories put them ahead for good en route to a 36-33 win.
"We expected this to be a dogfight all night long. There were three to four matches we needed to go our way (and) they just didn't," said St. Charles East coach Jason Potter.
"Despite the loss tonight, I felt, despite us being in a rebuild right now, that we proved to still be relevant, and that says a lot about this group."
Oak Park will face No. 4 Joliet Catholic Academy at 5 p.m. Friday.
MSL champion Hersey will take on Edwardsville in their 7 p.m. quarterfinal after its 35-27 victory over host Grant in Fox Lake.
The Huskies trailed the host Bulldogs 18-3 early on until a trio of tech-falls wrapped around a pin from three-time state medal winner Max Mukhamedaliyev at 144 pounds would end the hopes of the Lake County champs.
Vince Jasinski and Erik Rodriguez would end their magnificent junior seasons each with a win giving the two state medal winners a combined 98-15 overall record.
Over in 2A, it was No. 1 Montini Catholic (19-3-0), state runner-up a year ago, defeating Oak Forest 55-21. They will now meet Glenwood at 7 p.m. Friday at Grossinger Motors Arena.
State champions Allen Woo (113, 50-5) and Kam Luif (138, 51-4) provided two of the seven pins the Broncos would record on the night to send Mike Bukovsky's club into its 25th dual-team state appearance in program history.