Montini keeps unbeaten record intact vs. Marmion

With a star-studded lineup featuring multiple Division I recruits and an equal number of returning all-state wrestlers, bonus points are virtually a given for two-time reigning Class 3A champion Montini.

In a Chicago Catholic League dual match Thursday evening in Lombard, Marmion found out with predictable results.

Montini secured bonus points in every one of its 10 victories to extend its season-opening winning streak to 13 matches with a 53-15 victory.

Fidel Mayora, who along with senior teammate Dylan Ragusin has signed with Michigan, had one of the Broncos' two technical falls.

"I felt like I did well," said Mayora, who was denied a state championship by the Cadets' Trevor Chumbley (Northwestern) last year. "You can always do better so you have something to strive for. We didn't wrestle not to lose; we wrestled to dominate. When we have that mentality, we are unstoppable."

Mayora is ranked No. 2 at 145 pounds.

Ragusin, the Broncos' defending state champion at 126 pounds, beat the third-period buzzer with a pin to give Montini a 15-3 lead.

Ethan Stiles' fall for Montini one class later translated into an 18-point spread.

The Cadets (12-4, 4-3) rebounded as Jacob Tinajero and Jaden Morga had falls at 138 and 152, respectively.

But Montini (13-0, 7-0) did not drop another match. Joe Roberts, Cooper Wettig, Trevor Swier and Josh LaBarbera all had decisive wins in succession between 160 and 195 pounds as part of a 27-point unanswered run to end the dual.

LaBarbera and Roberts, headed to North Carolina State, are senior transfers from Metea Valley and Yorkville.

"Everything here is up a notch," LaBarbera said. "The experience we have wrestling in-state teams is not the same as our national schedule."

Rogers also beat the third-period buzzer with his fall at 160 pounds; LaBarbera needed only 66 seconds at 195.

"We're excited," Montini coach Israel Martinez said. "The boys work hard, and the administration supports us. You can't ask for much more than that."

Marmion is undergoing a transition period after heavy graduation losses last year.

But the Cadets' most valuable veteran, returning state champion Diego Sotelo, was in rare form against Nain Vasquez.

Sotelo, ranked No. 1 at 113 pounds, moved up to collide with Vasquez, who holds the same status at 120.

Sotelo had all of the offensive points in his 7-4 victory, the only match decided by a simple decision.

"I knew I would have to stay on my offense," said Sotelo, a junior. "I knew if I wanted to win that I had to keep my foot on the pedal."