Macias, Termini get it done for Burlington Central

CHAMPAIGN - Austin Macias was the known commodity for the Burlington Central wrestling program entering the season.

But Nick Termini was equally capable for the Rockets as a returning all-state performer.

Saturday night on the final day of the individual wrestling season, the Central athletes added a glorious chapter to the history of the Rockets' athletic program.

Competing three weight classes before Termini in the Class 2A state finals, Macias needed all of 65 seconds to earn a second consecutive state championship.

But Termini was at the other end of the spectrum before a captivated throng at State Farm Center on the campus of the University of Illinois.

Termini, a 145-pounder, had a takedown in overtime to turn back Thornton Factional North sophomore Bilal Bailey 3-1.

Ottawa senior Ethan Harsted was no match for Macias, the Southern Illinois-Edwardsville-bound senior, who earned his third fall of the three-day tournament in one minute and five seconds.

"I caught (Harsted) in a 'crusher,' " said Macias, who ended his championship-126-pound season with a 34-3 record. "I just kind of went with it. I was more excited about Nicky's match. I knew he was going to be the second state champion (in program history). It has been such a journey."

Termini, an unsigned junior, also finished with 34 wins on the season against 7 losses after four wins by decision.

"I can't comprehend the feeling at all," Termini said moments after his decisive takedown. "It was an over-under (move to secure the takedown). I saw Austin do it last year. I have got good hips and got through to him. I was able to put him down."

In the Class 3A tournament, Marmion's Nathan Jimenez was looking to join older brothers Nico and Johnny as a state champion.

The Michigan State-bound 170-pounder was a state runner-up last season.

But Glenbard North junior Abe Assad completed a perfect season with Jimenez as his final victim.

Jimenez had no solutions for Assad scoring all the offensive points - with three takedowns - in a 7-4 loss.

"It was not about following in (my brothers') footsteps," said Jimenez, a St. Charles resident. "I'm not happy with how I performed. I wasn't wrestling to my full capability."

But another St. Charles native for the Cadets' program, junior Trevor Chumbley, had cause for celebration.

Meeting Montini sophomore Fidel Mayora for the fourth time this season in the 138-pound finals, Chumbley had a second-period reversal and third-period takedown to earn his first state title with the 4-0 victory.

Chumbley (45-2) bested Catholic League rival Mayora every time this year and did not lose to an in-state opponent.

"As long as I open up, my chances for scoring go way through the roof," Chumbley said. "We look up to (past Marmion state champions). (Winning) still hasn't hit me yet. I am so grateful to my teammates."

Marmion freshman Diego Sotelo fell to Oak Park-River Forest sophomore Jake Rundell in the title match at 106 pounds.

In the 160-pound match, the Cadets' Brad Gross - like Jimenez, who returned after missing a significant part of the regular season - could not reverse the results of the Hinsdale Central sectional final against Montini junior Matt Ortiz.

In Class 1A, Cameron Johnson (120) won a second consecutive state championship for Aurora Christian in as many years.

Sophomore classmate Noah Villarreal avenged a runner-up result from last year with the title at 126.

"(A) way better feeling," Villarreal said.