CHAMPAIGN — Kordell Norfleet is a man on a mission.
Marian Catholic’s unbeaten junior hasn’t lost since falling in the state finals last season, and now he’s one match away from capturing what eluded him a year ago.
“On Feb. 21 last year, I got up off the mat and I’ve been dreaming about this since,” Norfleet said. “It’s all about Saturday night at 7 p.m. I gotta get what’s mine. I’m not going home with second.”
More Top Picks Best Vibration Plate Machine
Norfleet (33-0) will face Triad’s Cole Witzig (45-1) for Class 2A’s 170-pound championship. Norfleet topped Witzig, another returning state finalist, 9-3 in a match earlier this season.
“I live and die on my feet,” Norfleet said. “I’ve gotta come out and score the first takedown. I know I gave up some points in the semis, but as long as I’m scoring, I don’t think anyone can hang with me.”
Few in 2A have been able to hang with Marian Catholic. The Spartans pushed five to championship bouts, including 106-pounder Travis Ford-Melton (42-0) and 160-pounder Jose Champagne (30-0). Champagne’s brother, Carlos, made the finals at 132, as did Josh Jones at 138.
“We’re trying to sweep it,” Norfleet said. “We’re coming hard.”
Norfleet isn’t the only returning state finalist from the Southland seeking redemption. Sandburg’s Louie Hayes (43-2, 106) and Tinley Park’s Eric Schultz (44-0, 195) will go for state titles in 3A and 2A, respectively, after losing in the finals last season.
Schultz recorded two pins and a technical to reach the finals. The Nebraska recruit has gone the distance in just one match this season. Hayes, a Virginia recruit, had two falls and a major decision.
Elsewhere, two of Saturday’s high-profile championship bouts will feature returning state champions.
Sandburg’s Rudy Yates (43-0) meets Montini’s Dylan Duncan (41-2) in a battle of two-time champions at 132 pounds, while St. Rita’s Austin O’Connor (46-0) is set to clash with Lockport’s Shayne Oster (34-3) for the 145-pound title.
“I was watching him,” O’Connor said. “He’s tough, but I think if I keep the pace on him and wrestle like I have I’ll be fine.”
Other 3A state finalists include Sandburg’s Patrick Brucki (47-2, 182) and Lincoln-Way Central heavyweight Bryan Ditchman (45-2). Both will face the top seed in their respective divisions: Marmon’s Nathan Traxler and Hinsdale Central heavyweight Matt Allen.
“He’s a (heck) of an athlete,” Ditchman said. “Me and (Allen) went back and forth over our whole wrestling careers. I definitely saw it coming that I was going to get him in the finals.”
Ditchman will play football at Florida International, Allen at Michigan State.
Other 2A state finalists include Mount Carmel’s Jake Tucker (41-3, 152) and Matthew Reyes (36-3, 285), and Lemont’s Egan Berta (43-2, 145).
“I lost a real close match to place last year,” said Berta, a junior. “It feels good to be in a deep weight class and make it to the finals.”
Logan Malloy is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.