Montini wins Whitlatch Invitational
Like two wrestlers facing off in a championship bout, the team title at the 46th annual Rex Whitlatch Wrestling Invitational at Hinsdale Central came down to just two opponents as well.
Going into Saturday afternoon’s finals of the two-day, 27-team competition, Sandburg led with 240.5 points with Montini right behind at 236 and Lemont a distant third at 146.5
But defending Class 2A champion Montini had seven wrestlers in the finals with Sandburg having five. The Broncos won five individual titles en route to winning the team championship with 265 points. Sandburg was second at 258.50 and Lemont stayed in third at 149.50.
Broncos coach Israel Martinez, like most coaches, believes his team has more work to do to reach its full potential.
“I think we wrestled about a C-plus. We need to finish matches out. We need to finish periods out. We need to move and go score,” he said.
Martinez complemented the Montini individual champs, which started with Tommy Pawelski at 106 pounds, and the other placers, which he considered crucial for team depth.
Pawelski (11-2) pinned Colin Kenyon of New Trier in 2:25. Junior Jordan Laster (11-3) followed at 113 with a 11-2 major decision over Rolling Meadows’ Aaron Kohlberg.
Senior KeVon Powell (14-2) was facing a 2011 state champ in Sebastian Pique of Sandburg, who went into the final at 15-0. But it was Powell who prevailed 8-6 in overtime.
“You have to follow what the coaches tell you. I was good at underhooking all afternoon and they were telling to underhook no matter what,” he said. “It was a close battle between Sandburg and us and we needed the win to help the team.”
Also winning their weight classes were senior Drew Vrbenec (11-3) at 138, a 6-2 victor over Sandburg’s Mitch Cook, and sophomore Edgar Ruano (9-2), who pinned Lemont’s John Tomala in 1:54 at 220.
Other Daily Herald area teams competing were Naperville Central (eighth place, 112 points), West Aurora (ninth, 111.50), Glenbard West (12th, 85), Fenton and West Chicago (tied for 14th, 77.50) and St. Charles North (19th, 53).
The Redhawks were led by two third-place finishes in senior Tom Mitrenga and junior Ryan Berg. Mitrenga was extremely happy with his finish at 160 pounds, having made a big stride since last season.
“This feels great. I never expected myself to be here. Last year I was on the JV,” he said.
West Aurora was led by senior Austin Beebe, who had the team’s highest individual finish with a second-place finish at 285.
“Austin will keep moving forward. It’s his first loss, but he faced a heck of a competitor (Hinsdale Central’s Brian Allen),” said Blackhawks coach Mike DiNovo.
Fenton also had two third-place finishes, senior Ray Bunker at 132 and senior Sean Havlovic at 138. Bunker said a wrestler can really improve himself at a meet such as this.
“It’s like a mini-state meet. There’s the best kids from all different areas and (school classes),” he said. “The atmosphere is cool.”
The top finisher for West Chicago was sophomore Tyler Svestka, who took third at 113 pounds, and for St. Charles North, senior Tim Noverini was second at 145.