CHAMPAIGN — Louie Hayes was so small when he arrived at Sandburg that he had the opposite concern of most wrestlers.
“Freshman year, I had to gain weight (to make the minimum standard) for weigh-ins,” the Sandburg senior said.
He was still in the lowest weight class — 106 pounds last season — when he finished second in Class 3A as a junior. This season, Hayes moved up to 113.
And he’s going out a champion after scoring a late takedown to edge Montini sophomore Real Woods 2-1 in the 3A 113 final Saturday night at State Farm Center. Woods was going for his second title after winning at 106 in 2A last season.
“I knew I had a minute left and I had time to get one takedown perfect,” Hayes said. “And I got it.
“When I was (holding) on his legs, it was going through my head (that) I was not letting this match go. … I knew if I got him in an uncomfortable position, I would win.”
When final seconds ticked off, it was flashback time for Hayes.
“I had to remind myself of all the situations ever since I started wrestling when I was 6,” he said. “Going through practices, going to tournaments, driving for hours, going all over the country, all over the state. I had to remind myself, it was all for this.
“It was surreal.”
Family trio: Now three Allen brothers have won state titles for Hinsdale Central.
First Jack Allen won at 285 in 3A in 2011, then Brian was the 3A champ at 285 in 2013. On Saturday, Matt got a third-period takedown to beat Lincoln-Way Central’s Bryan Ditchman 3-2 in the 3A 285 final.
“That was the first time I’ve finished a body lock, I think, the whole season,” Matt Allen said. “It was a nice one to get.”
Brian Allen, who is now playing football at Michigan State, was in the stands watching his brother win.
“It’s a pretty special feeling,” said Matt Allen, who finished 45-1. “I remember his junior year when he won it, he said, ‘We’ll have to take some of Matt’s stuff off the wall and move it for the (state final) bracket. It’s nice to finally join my brothers and be a state champ with them.”
Brother act II: Chicago Washington sophomore We Rachal did his brother one better.
Deuce Rachal took third at 285 in 2A for Lindblom two years ago, and that weekend provided some inspiration for We as well.
“Eighth grade, I walked in that door (at State Farm Center, then called Assembly Hall) and I said I want to be here,” We Rachal said.
On Saturday he was, and he pinned Troy Triad’s Merik Fulton at 5:18 to win the 2A title at 132 pounds. Rachal (26-1) is not only Washington’s first state champ in wrestling, but its first state placer.
Give an assist to Deuce Rachal, who was Lindblom’s first state placer since 1939.
“He made me realize everything is possible, no matter what school you come from,” We Rachal said.
Dream seasons: A few months ago, Calvin Watkins helped Phillips become the first Public League football team to win state.
On Saturday, Watkins became the Wildcats’ first state placer in wrestling since 1962.
“It feels good making history,” Watkins said after beating Fulton’s Tyler Fleetwood 4-2 in overtime for third place at 220 in 1A.
Unlike a lot of Public League wrestlers, Watkins (28-4) has a long history in the sport. He started with the Harvey Twisters age-group program as an 8-year-old.
But he had to deal with other setbacks along the way. “Last few years, I’ve been battling injury,” Watkins said, citing a torn Achilles and rotator cuff issues. “I know if I’m healthy, I’m good.”
Repeat drill: Along with the trio of three-time champions — Sandburg’s Rudy Yates, St. Rita’s Austin O’Connor and Oak Park-River Forest’s Isaiah White — there were several other repeat winners.
Glenbard North junior Austin Gomez (40-1) won his second title, 8-7 over Oak Park’s Anthony Madrigal in the 3A 126 final.
Marmion senior Nathan Traxler (46-2) repeated in 3A at 182, beating Sandburg’s Patrick Brucki 9-3 in the final.
Hinsdale South’s Josh King (18-1), who won at 220 in 3A last season, took first in 2A at 285 with a 5-0 decision over Mount Carmel’s Matthew Reyes.
This and that: Oak Park led the way in 3A with three champs: Jason Renteria (19-0), who beat returning champ Michael McGee of Plainfield East 8-3 in the 120 final; White; and Allen Stallings (32-3) at 220. … Willowbrook’s Matt Rowland (52-1) set the record for fastest fall in a 3A final when he pinned Deerfield’s Sage Heller in 22 seconds at 170.
Also winning 3A titles were Montini’s Joey Melendez (42-4) at 106, Marmion’s AJ Jaffe (43-6) at 138, Hononegah’s Fernie Silva (40-2) at 152 and Dundee-Crown’s Christian Brunner (48-0) at 195. … Marian Catholic and downstate Washington each had three champs in 2A. Marian’s winners were Travis Ford-Melton (43-0) at 106, Jose Champagne (31-0) at 160 and Kordell Norfleet (34-0) at 170. Other unbeaten 2A champs were Prairie Ridge’s Travis Piotrowski (40-0) at 126, Geneseo’s Hunter Grau (44-0) at 145 and Tinley Park’s Eric Schultz (44-0) at 195.
Twitter: @mikeclarkpreps