Glenbrook South wrestling places eighth in IWCOA state meet
With the Illinois High School Association canceling the wrestling individual and team state tournaments, the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association organized an individual and team state series.
Glenbrook South finished eighth at the Illinois State Team Dual Championships June 29 in Hoffman Estates.
After finishing the season with a 13-5 record, the Titans finished fourth at the IWCOA super-regional to qualify for the team state tournament.
At the super-regional, the Titans also had 10 wrestlers qualify for the IWCOA individual sectional tournament: seniors Ryan Brown, Tudor Ursu, Stefanos Lahanis, Johnny Trinidad, Alex Sullivan and Devonjae Hudson; juniors Jack Downing, Will Collins and Arnold Park; and sophomore Patrick Downing.
Glenbrook South had three wrestlers qualify for the state championships, held June 26 in Springfield. Senior Devonjae Hudson, junior Will Collins and sophomore Patrick Downing all qualified.
Senior captain Tudor Ursu was an alternate at 220.
"Proud of the guys' preparation," said Titans coach Pat Castillo. "Working hard in the preseason and not knowing if they would even have a season. Also, staying focused and keeping a positive attitude and not getting distracted with COVID."
Hudson, who will wrestle at Northern Illinois University next year, took second at the sectional in the 182-pound weight class to qualify after only starting wrestling at the beginning of his sophomore year.
Hudson was 1-2 at the state tournament and finished with a 22-6 record.
Collins, a two-time state qualifier, missed most of the season with a shoulder injury, but was able to take second at sectionals at 152 pounds. Collins went 2-2 at the state tournament, losing a close match, 5-4, in the quarterfinals. After winning a wrestleback match 10-2, he lost in the consolation semifinals to finish in the top eight in the state.
Downing had to come from behind in both of his wrestleback matches at sectionals for exciting wins to place fourth at 160 pounds to qualify. Downing finished the season 23-10.
Following the individual series, the Titans competed in the State Dual Team Championships and earned their most exciting dual meet win of the season. Trailing 33-29 going into the heavyweight match, Glenbrook South needed a win by technical fall or a pin to advance to the Elite Eight. With the score 5-0 going into the second period, senior Charlie Tomscheck was able to get the pin for a 35-33 victory for the Titans.
Glenbrook South would lose to state runner-up St. Charles East 49-24, then lost a close dual to Grant 38-30, and finished losing to Barrington 42-29.
It was the highest finish in the team state series for coach Castillo, and another year of building a successful program for the Titans. Glenbrook South in 2020 set the school record for dual meet wins with 23 and also finished first at the Central Suburban League Conference Tournament.