Montini advances 11 to state quarterfinals
CHAMPAIGN - As expected, No. 1-ranked Montini tore through the weight classes, sending 11 into Friday's quarterfinals at the 83rd Illinois individual wrestling championship.
But the news was good on other fronts as well following a long first day of action inside State Farm Arena.
IC Catholic Prep lower-weight stars Saul Trejo and Nichols Renteria (120 pounds) are close to advancing into the Class 1A finals after each recorded impressive quarterfinal victories Thursday afternoon.
Trejo (26-3), who entered the tournament No. 1 at 106 pounds, registered a well-executed shutout over Payton Murphy of Deer Creek Mackinaw to stay in the front draw, where he will face No. 3 Jarek Wehrle (45-1) from state power Vandalia.
Renteria stunned No. 1 Cameron Clark, sending the Illini Bluffs sophomore to his first defeat of the season (39-1) with a 5-4 decision.
"I'm in a great room, with great teammates and an amazing partner like (Trejo) - so all of that prepared me for this day," said Renteria, who next faces No. 4 Phoenix Blakely (35-7) from Dakota.
Over at Class 3A, Alonzo Smiley and Ronan Schuelke from Glenbard North are quarterfinal participants after their impressive first-round victories.
Next up for Schuelke (30-8), sixth a year ago, will be No. 2 Josh Koderhandt (41-0) from Belleville West.
Smiley, No. 4 at 182, watched and learned with patience a year ago behind two-time state champion Abe Assad, and the wait has been worth it for the senior, who appears ready to make his mark in Glenbard North history.
"Alonzo is a relentless worker in room, (maybe) our hardest, and the difference in him from a year ago he can be slick, powerful, in your face and able to push the pace when needed," Glenbard North assistant coach Travis Cherry said.
Waubonsie Valley sophomore Antonio Torres (34-3) brought a smile to the face of coach Brad Caldwell after the No. 3-ranked 170-pounder finished off Drew Gvillo (39-11) of Edwardsville 9-3 to advance.
"Antonio has a little bit of a knee issue that kept him out for a short while, but right now he is physically and mentally sharp, and you saw he's ready for go this weekend," Caldwell said.