The Jacquez family is angling for another medal at this year’s Class 3A state wrestling finals.
Greg Jacquez was a sectional champion at 138 pounds as a West Aurora senior in 2012 and went on to finish third in state. Three years later, younger brothers Isaac and Chachi are poised to wrestle at this year’s state finals.
Isaac Jacquez (113) won a sectional title and Chachi Jacquez (120) placed third at Saturday’s Class 3A Downers Grove North Sectional. Teammate Alex Gonzalez (152) placed fourth to advance to the three-day finals that begin Thursday in Champaign.
Isaac Jacquez was a state qualifier as a freshman at 106 pounds last year.
“Anything can happen in Champaign and it feels great just to be able to compete down there,” Isaac Jacquez said. “My goal is to make it on top of that podium this year. I’m practicing harder than I was two or three weeks ago.”
Isaac Jacquez won 3-2 over Sandburg’s Robby Precin on the title mat at Downers Grove.
“I wrestled him at the Whitlatch tournament this year and beat him in overtime, so I knew it would be a close one again,” Jacquez said. “I knew I could win that match and I’m happy with the way I’m wrestling.”
Marmion led all schools with four sectional champions in Downers Grove, in Anthony Cheloni (138), Trace Carello (160), Riley DeMoss (170), and Nathan Traxler (182). AJ Jaffe (132) and Mike Callahan (145) also advanced downstate for the Cadets.
Traxler is ranked No. 1 at 182 by Illinois Matmen and the senior improved to 37-2 with his 3-2 decision on the title mat over Sandburg’s Patrick Brucki. Traxler was a sectional runner-up and finished fourth in Illinois at 182 last year.
“I feel really good,” Traxler said. “I was able to wrestle a few of the top-ranked kids here that’s really going to help me improve for next week. It’s exciting to win a sectional title and it helps heading into the state tournament.
“I know my attacks are better this year and right now I feel like I can take down anyone.”
Metea Valley’s Kenan Carter (145), Batavia’s Dylan Uzumecki (220) and Geneva’s Austin Chaon (195) will wrestle in Champaign, along with Waubonsie Valley’s Max Ihry (195) and Tyler Caldwell (285).
East Aurora’s Tim Young (195) won his first sectional title and improved to 35-1 with a 7-2 decision over Mount Carmel’s Dru Worker in Downers Grove.
Young’s lone loss came at this year’s Upstate Eight Conference tournament to Ihry, and it opened up his eyes.
“I was going straight forward too much and not moving side-to-side,” Young said. “I think that loss helped me. Now I’ll spend the next week with my foot on the gas, working even harder, putting in extra practices.”
Yorkville advanced five through the Class 3A Normal Sectional in Tyler Burlington (113), CJ Milliron (126), Brody Sharp (145), Bryce Shewan (160) and Will Ferguson (220).
Oswego’s Andrew McFall (120) won a sectional title in Normal and teammate Jack Pradel (132) also advanced.
In Class 2A, Kaneland’s George Strang (145), Riley Vanik (160), Colin Gussman (170) and Austin Parks (182) advanced downstate through Sterling, as did Kyle Eighner (195) of Sandwich.
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Tommy Brown (285) won a sectional title for Plano at the Class 1A Wilmington Sectional, and teammates Jake Krotz (106), Ivan Garcia (113), Jonathan Farthing (145), Zach Tomac (152) and Austin Ricketts (195) also advanced. Mooseheart’s Joe Feemorlu (182) advanced downstate through the sectional at Oregon.
Gary Larsen is a freelance writer.