Aurora Christian takes 2nd in 1A, Marmion 3rd in 2A
BLOOMINGTON - Aurora Christian's numbers kept dwindling throughout the season.
But the Eagles' championship aspirations never wavered.
After winning the program's first dual-team state wrestling championship last season, the Eagles placed second in Class 1A on Saturday. The Eagles suffered a 44-20 loss to Lena-Winslow in Saturday's 1A title bout at Grossinger Motors Arena.
The Eagles (23-8) finished the season with 11 wrestlers - and the program's second consecutive top-two state trophy.
Marmion Academy fell shy of its first program state title in Class 3A, defeating Prospect 44-21 in the quarterfinals, losing 32-27 to Oak Park-River Forest in the semifinal round and beating DeKalb 32-27 in the third-place match.
Meanwhile, Aurora Christian coach Justin Pearch said it was a difficult return journey to Bloomington. The Eagles had to forfeit three matches against Lena-Winslow.
"We knew it was going to even be tougher to get to the finals," Pearch said. "You can't take anything away from Lena-Winslow. They were the better team tonight. It was a tough season all together. We were down to five athletes at one time. I'm not a guy to make excuses. I'm just happy we were able to keep it together and bring 10 and 11 guys to this tournament."
The Eagles reached the championship by beating Peotone 47-30 in the morning quarterfinals and posting a 38-30 win over Vandalia in the afternoon semifinals. In the 132-pound class, Noah Villarreal (47-4) won all three of his matches, including a 25-10 technical fall win over Lena-Winslow's Winston McPeek.
"It was a fun year, but we weren't as bonded as last year but still a family," Villarreal said. "Every family has problems. We just have to work through them. We will be in (Class) 2A next year … I think we got a little too overconfident this season. We lost some guys, then to injuries and it didn't work out in our favor. I tried to keep everything positive."
Joel Mylin (106), Julian Jaimes (182) and Darrell Gregg (220) joined Villarreal as victors in the title match. Pearch said the Eagles learned numerous lessons this season.
"It's too hard to do it with that short amount of guys," he said. "Our goal is to build our program, so if we can double our numbers we are shooting for the stars. We have to get as many guys in the room as we can. Winning a state title last year put us on the map. This (loss) doesn't hurt us a bit, but we just need some help."
Marmion bounced back from a stinging semifinal defeat to the Huskies with a strong effort in the third-place match. Diego Sotelo (106), Michael Jaffe (120), Walter Green (126), Nathan Callaway (138), Ryan Fleck (145), Trevor Chumbley (152), Brad Gross (160) and Patrick Daum (170) all won their matches against the Barbs. Chumbley (45-2) finished his stellar career with consecutive individual crowns and a team trophy.
"We talk a lot about legacy at Marmion," Chumbley said. "Starting in seventh grade, I knew I was going to Marmion. Looking up all those guys who came up in the program … it means everything to bring home a team trophy despite some adversity."
Marmion coach Nathan Fitzenreider said the Cadets (22-3) showed tremendous resolve by beating the Barbs. He credited Chumbley for helping maintain the program's success through the years.
"It's probably one of the hardest things in our sport, just to lose in the semifinals and come back and do it again an hour later," Fitzenreider said. "We were one match away. Our kids wrestled outstanding and it was a great effort. This is a special group of kids that leave a big mark on this program and is always remembered.
"Trevor is one tough kid … When the lights are on it, he just seems to have it. He has got that "it factor" that you can't teach … We have a special bond and he's a special kid. That goes to all the kids."
Sotelo, who won a state individual title at 106 pounds, also managed three wins on Saturday.
"I knew since we lost that we had to end it on a good note, so it was big to win the third-place match and we did what we needed to succeed," Sotelo said.