February
20-22, 2020
Tyler
Driessens entered the State Farm Center on the campus of the University of
Illinois as a two time state qualifier.
Driessens battled Ronon Schuelke of Glenbard North in the opening round
of the Class AAA tournament at 120 pounds and lost by decision 2-1. In the wrestle-backs, Driessens faced off against
Nuerater of Lake Zurich. Nuerater opened
the scoring with a takedown but, with just four seconds left in the first
period, Driessens scored a reversal to tie the score 2-2. In period two, Driessens picked the down
position and scored an escape in just 16 seconds. A Nuerater takedown attempt was countered by
Driessens and the Redhawk rolled through with a cut-back to score a takedown
and three point nearfall to take a 8-2 lead out of the second period. Driessens then turned the Lake Zurich
wrestler and locked down the fall at 3:33.
It was the 41st win for the senior captain. In round two of the wrestle-backs, Driessens
had a rematch with Colton Drousias of Mt. Carmel. Drousias, a returning state champion was able
to defeat Driessens by major decision 12-3, ending the tournament for
Driessens. Colton Drousias finished in third place.
Senior
Angelo Eklou, a first time state qualifier, entered the 220 pound weight class against
the number one ranked wrestler in the tournament, Ryan Golnick of Jacobs. The opening period saw no scoring. In period two, Eklou scored an escape and
drew a stalling call against Golnick.
Then Eklou scored a takedown midway through the period. Golnick countered with an escape and takedown
to tie the score 3-3 out of the second period.
The third period proved to be the deciding frame as Golnick scored an
escape and takedown make the score 6-3.
Eklou attempted a shoulder roll to escape, but was caught temporarily on
his back, giving up a two point nearfall for the deciding score of 8-3. In the wrestle-backs, Eklou squared off
against Gus Salah of Tinley Park Andrew.
Eklou scored on a single leg takedown in the first period. The Eklou capitalized on the top position and
locked down the fall with 10 second left in the opening frame for the win. The victory moved the senior’s record to 34-9
on the year. In the second wrestle-back
round Eklou faced #2 ranked Gio Jackson of Buffalo Grove. Most of the scoring happened in the second period
as Jackson scored an escape and two takedowns to take a commanding 5-1
lead. Eklou scored an escape in the
third period, but was unable to score further, losing 5-2. Gio Jackson ended up as the 5th place finisher in state.
Ryan Silva
earned time on the floor of the State Farm Center at 152 pounds. The senior was paired with Jimmy Pierendozzi
of Plainfield South in the preliminary round.
Pierendozzi won the match by technical fall 18-3. The Plainfield wrestler ended up in the
championship match of the tournament. In
the wrestle-back match, Silva fought Jake Matthews of Addison Trail. Matthews scored a fall at 2:56, ending the
day for Silva.
Next up the
Redhawks will reunite their dual team squad and compete in the IHSA Dual
Sectionals against Chicago Mt. Carmel. The
match will take place at Sandburg High School on Tuesday, February 25, 2020
with action starting at 6:00pm. The
winning team will advance to IHSA Dual State as one of the top eight teams in
state. Dual State will be wrestled on Saturday,
February 29, 2020 in Bloomington. Silva’s
record is now 34-10 on the season.