CHAMPAIGN — Oak Park-River Forest’s wrestling team last season crowned four Class 3A state individual champions.
The Huskies have a chance to break their school record Saturday night after advancing five to this year’s state finals.
Huskies qualified five of their six state semifinalists Friday night at State Farm Center with victories by Jason Renteria at 113 pounds, Alex Madrigal at 120, Larry Early III at 145, Isaiah White at 152 and Matthew Rundell at 160.
OPRF’s only semifinalist not advancing was sophomore Jaime Hernandez (33-8), who lost 3-2 to St. Rita sophomore Austin O’Connor (46-1) at 132. O’Connor won the state championship at 106 last season.
Renteria, Early and White will make repeat appearances in the state finals. Renteria lost to O’Connor in the 106 championship last year, while Early and White will attempt to add to the list of three OPRF wrestlers who have won back-to-back state titles. OPRF’s other consecutive state champions were Nick Dardanes (2009-10), Tim Obrochta (1983-84) and Terry Isaacson (1959-60).
“This is awesome,” first-year OPRF coach Paul Collins said. “I wouldn’t say it was a surprise, but it was good to get Alex Madrigal in the finals. He’s a senior. He’s grinding and knows how to get at it.”
The Old Dominion-bound Madrigal (39-4) beat St. Rita junior Jake Silzer 2-1.
Minnesota recruit Early is guaranteed to become the first OPRF wrestler to medal each of his four years. Early (27-0) defeated Belleville West’s Nick Foster 10-4 in his semifinal.
Early won the state championship at 145 as a junior. He missed part of this season after suffering a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He plans to postpone surgery and is wrestling with a harness.
More Top Picks Adapter
“I knew if I wrestled hard and wrestled well, I could make it back to the finals,” Early said.
White (37-0), a junior, and Rundell join former OPRF standouts Sammy Brooks, Ellis Coleman and Davonte Mahomes as three-time state medalists. White cruised to the final with a 19-7 win over Lockport’s Trevell Timmons.
“I was feeling really, really good,” White said. “I feel light. I will be ready to go.”
OPRF finals matches
113: Jason Renteria (37-2) vs. Austin Gomez, Glenbard North (47-1)
120: Alex Madrigal (39-4) vs. Mike Cullen, Cary-Grove (41-1)
145: Larry Early III (27-0) vs. Eric Barone, Crystal Lake South (44-1)
152: Isaiah White (37-0) vs. Matt Rowland, Willowbrook (49-2)
160: Matthew Rundell (35-3) vs. Joey Gunther, Libertyville (38-1)
@geomwilcox