Five Redhawks compete at the IHSA Sectional Tournament
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Josh Tardy and Luke Roth have qualified for the IHSA State Wrestling Tournament in Champaign next weekend by placing 2nd and 3rd respectively at the Sectionals held this weekend. Downers Grove North high school hosted the 42 school event Friday and Saturday. The top four out of the 12-man sectional bracket qualify to state.
Sixteen state qualifiers in each weight class will be battling at the Assembly Hall in Champaign for a chance to stand on the podium as a state place winner or perhaps become a state champion.
Josh Tardy had a very successful day of wrestling by making the finals. Josh earned a first round bye by being a Regional champion. Josh faced Santi of Lake Park in the second round and scored a third period escape that won the match 1-0. Santi went on to finish 4th in the tournament. In the semifinals, Josh defeated Bellino of St. Charles East 11-2. Josh scored four takedowns in the match including two in the first period. The win sent Josh to the finals and made him an automatic state qualifier. Josh competed in the state tournament last year at 130 pounds. Tardy lost to Avelar of Brother Rice in the championship match 3-9.
Luke Roth became a first time state qualifier, winning three matches at Sectionals. Luke also had a first round bye. He advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Albani of Hoffman Estates 9-4. Luke’s scored four takedowns in the match. In the semifinals, Luke was pinned by Swider of Wheaton North. The lost sent Luke to the consolation semifinals, a must-win match to get to state. There, Luke defeated Summerville of Glenbard West. Luke scored two takedowns and a reversal for the difference. In the third place match, Luke defeated La Montagna of Wheaton-Warrenville South 3-2. Luke’s takedown in the first period was the only offensive points scored in the match. Luke was defeated by La Montagna earlier in the season.
Two seniors saw their seasons end at the Sectional tournament, Jon Williamson and John Graeber did not go down easily. John Graeber pulled out a nail-bitter win in the first round against Noverini of St. Charles North. Graeber, down 0-1 in the final seconds scored on a low level single. The officials signaled “two” just as the time expired. His 2-1 win sent him into the second round against Kubica of Lake Park. John lost 4-11 against Kubica who would go on to finish second in the tournament. In the first round of wrestle-backs, John defeated Drakes of Richards 7-1 scoring two takedowns and a three point near-fall. In the quarterfinal wrestle-backs, John again pulled out a heart-stopper. John gave up a reversal in the second period to fall behind 0-2, but returned the favor late in the period to knot the score 2-2. John picked down in the third period and escaped to win 3-2. The win put John in the semifinal wrestle-backs and a chance to qualify for state. His bid was ended with a 1-5 loss to Ward of Hinsdale Central.
Jon Williamson wrestled in his third Sectional tournament. The senior finished the day winning two matches. Jon defeated Trujillo of Reavis 9-1 in the first round. Jon scored two takedowns and added nearfall points in his victory. Jon lost in the second round to Johnson of DeKalb 4-5. Johnson ended the tournament in second place. In the match, Jon nearly scored on several occasions with a double leg, but just missed finishing the move for points. The loss sent Jon to the wrestle-backs where he defeated Lejman of Conant 8-5. Jon scored two takedowns late in the third period to put the match out of reach. In the quarterfinal wrestle-backs, Jon lost 2-7 to Cummings of Downers Grove North. Cummings went on to take third in the tournament.
Ryan Porter earned a trip to the Sectional tournament by placing 3rd at the Regionals last week. The sophomore 103 pounder made the most of the trip by defeating Morrow of Elgin in the first round. Ryan’s score was 6-6 entering the third period. Ryan gave up a reversal to fall behind 6-8, but earned an escape half way through the period to cut the deficit to one. In the final 15 seconds, Ryan scored a takedown and held on for a 9-8 decision. Ryan Porter was defeated by Morrow earlier in the season. Porter was pinned in the second round by Marmolejo of Glenbard North who went on to take 3rd in the tournament. Porter lost 0-15 in the wrestle-backs to Reyes of Oswego East.
Tardy and Roth will wrestle in session one of the IHSA State Tournament which starts at 8:30 am at the Assembly Hall. Tickets are on sale at ihsa.org or at the door.
GO REDHAWKS!