CHAMPAIGN — With three-time state champion Kris Williams of Thornwood lurking in the bracket, the road to a state title looked anything but easy for Sandburg’s Rudy Yates.
Somehow, Yates made it seem elementary.
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The junior stormed through 126-pound field in Class 3A and stopped Williams’ bid for a fourth crown with an impressive 7-2 title victory. Yates (40-0), fourth last year at Brother Rice, earned his second state championship in the process.
“The feeling is amazing,” Yates said. “After my sophomore year, I was so disappointed. I said I’d do whatever it takes to be on top again, no matter what weight I’d go. That’s been my vision and I worked so hard this summer. It paid off.”
If successful, Williams (41-3) would have been the 15th wrestler in Illinois history to earn four state titles.
“There’s a lot of good things to come,” said Williams, a Nebraska recruit. “If it was meant for me to win, I would have won.”
The Southland dominated the state’s 126-pound field. In 2A, Oak Forest’s Danny Swan (44-2) secured the third championship of his career.
“This one was the happiest of the three,” Swan said. “I had all this weight on my shoulders and now it’s all gone. I have a happy ending to my senior season.”
St. Rita’s Austin O’Connor (45-1) kept the titles rolling at 132 pounds. The sophomore picked up his second 3A title after winning at 106 last year.
“It was a big jump in weight,” O’Connor said. “It was exciting to wrestle at 132, though. Wrestle some bigger kids and having a lot of good matches.”
Lockport’s Shayne Oster, coached by his eldest brother, Josh, became the third Oster to earn a state championship. Shayne Oster joined brothers Jake and Jameson with the 3A’s 138-pound belt.
“It’s great to have people so close that are always there to support you and help teach you new things,” Oster said. “They’re pretty much the reason I got this far.”
Lockport’s Abdullah Assaf (113) placed third, Tyler Johnson (195) fourth and Trevell Timmons (152) fifth.
Marist’s Jake Ford barely made it out of sectionals. At state, he overthrew the heavyweight division. Ford (45-2) outlasted Hinsdale Central’s Matt Allen 1-0 for the title.
“This is my second year starting in wrestling and I just won a state championship,” said Ford, who will play football at South Dakota State.
Sandburg’s Louie Hayes (106) finished as a state runner-up. Third-place finishers included St. Rita’s Jake Silzer (120), Sandburg’s Patrick Brucki (182) and Lincoln-Way Central heavyweight Bryan Ditchman. All four should be in championship contention next season.
Brother Rice’s Julian Blanco (126) and Sandburg’s Robbie Precin (113) took fourth. Sandburg’s Tom Slattery (160) and Brian Krasowski (170) also placed, giving the Eagles six state medalists.
In 2A, Rich Central’s Jabari Moody (39-0) finished unbeaten for the second straight year with his title at 113.
“Right before my junior year started, that’s when I said I’d go undefeated,” said Moody, a Virginia recruit. “I’m pretty excited I held up to that.”
Tinley Park’s Eric Schultz (195), Bremen’s Javier Soto (182) and Marian’s Kordell Norfleet (152) became state runner-ups.
Schultz (40-1), a two-time finalist, fell 3-2 to Crystal Lake Central’s Andrew Marsden (45-0) in the only championship featuring unbeaten wrestlers.
Lincoln-Way West’s Noah Keefe (132) placed third for the best finish in school history. Marian’s Jose Champagne (152) and Oak Forest’s Mousa Jodeh (138) and Patrick Kristin (170) also took bronze.
Tinley Park’s Brandon Muselman (106) and De La Salle’s Solomon Smith (285) took fourth, while Oak Forest’s Francis Edelen (113) and Alan Durham (120), and Marian’s Carlos Champagne (120) placed fifth.
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Logan Malloy is a freelance writer.