Stine, Proctor win titles for Neuqua

The Class 3A individual wrestling sectional at Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox more than lived up to its war-of-attrition reputation.

"There are a lot of quality kids not going to the state tournament, and not deservedly so," Neuqua Valley coach Mick Ruettiger said.

Of the three local entrants, however, the Wildcats had the best showing. Adam Stine and Nick Proctor claimed titles for Neuqua Valley at 135 and 160 pounds, respectively.

"Adam wrestled very well all weekend," Ruettiger said of the No. 1-ranked 135-pounder in the state who barely qualified out of the equally hazardous West Aurora regional last week.

Matt Cavallaris was a runner-up for the Wildcats at 112 pounds, Alex Cizek was third at 145 pounds, and junior Andy Spangler claimed the final state berth for Neuqua Valley with a fourth-placed result at 140 pounds.

Neither of the two Waubonsie Valley qualifiers advanced. West Aurora senior Mario Gonzalez captured the truncated showdown with Collinsville senior Ryan Robinson at 189 pounds. The Blackhawks' two-time state-place-winner handed Robinson his first loss of the year in an injury-shortened final.

Gonzalez was leading 5-2 when he inadvertently kneed Robinson in the head.

"I came in here to dominate, and that's what I did," said Gonzalez, who had a technical fall on Friday night and a fall in the semifinals.

The Illinois-bound Gonzalez became a four-time state qualifier with his second sectional title. Josh Zinzer and Nicholas Drendal had runner-up finishes at 103 and 125 pounds for West Aurora.