CHAMPAIGN — Oak Park-River Forest’s Isaiah White and Matthew Rundell emerged as champions Saturday in the Class 3A state wrestling meet.
White (36-0) became the fourth OPRF wrestler to earn back-to-back state championships. After winning the state title at 138 last season, the 152-pound junior beat Willowbrook junior Matt Rowland (47-3) for the third time in as many weekends in the finals match 9-3 at the State Farm Center.
“He came out tough. He’s a smart wrestler, but I came out ready,” White said. “I was prepared with my hands and more prepared with my feet; moving on my attack.”
North Carolina recruit Rundell (34-3) held off Libertyville senior Joey Gunther (36-2) for a 3-2 victory in the 160 final after leading 3-0 in the third period.
“It was too close for comfort,” Rundell said. “I wrestled well and I wrestled smart.”
Five wrestlers for OPRF competed in the finals. Minnesota-bound Larry Early III (25-1) suffered his first loss, 3-2 to Crystal Lake South senior Eric Barone (43-1) at 145. Huskies 113-pounder Jason Renteria (35-3) was edged by Glenbard North’s Austin Gomez (46-1) 4-3, and 120-pounder Alex Madrigal (37-5) fell in overtime to Cary-Grove senior Mike Cullen (40-1) 3-1 when Cullen earned a takedown with 23 seconds left in the extra period.
OPRF state place finishers
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113: 2nd, Jason Renteria (35-3)
120: 2nd, Alex Madrigal (37-5)
126: 3rd, Gabe Townsell (36-7).
132: 4th, Jamie Hernandez (32-9)
145: 2nd, Larry Early III (25-1)
152: 1st, Isaiah White (36-0)
160: 1st, Matthew Rundell (34-3)