CHAMPAIGN — Anniversaries don’t bring out the sentimentality in Taythan Silva.
The Aurora Christian senior didn’t have any difficulty at all in summoning his memories from last season of being at the University of Illinois’ State Farm Center.
“I had a chance to wrestle for fifth but then I lost, so I didn’t end up placing,” he said. “Every practice this year, I remember thinking, ‘I didn’t really do anything last year.’
“That motivated me and kept me going to get to the next round.”
Silva, indeed, got to the next round and more Saturday night. He defeated Montini’s David Mayora 1-0 in the 152-pound championship match of the Class 2A individual state meet.
At the start of his junior year, Silva moved with his family to Sugar Grove from the suburbs of Fresno, California.
Silva (39-7), a West Point recruit, completed a superb state series with a fall, technical fall and major decision en route to the state final.
“Our coaches put us in tough situations and tough scenarios so we can overcome big matches like this,” he said. “We are not star struck when we get into the dome.
“We are ready for those moments.”
Silva only needed one point to win in the final, securing an escape in the second period. He sealed the victory by neutralizing top-seeded Mayora (47-3) in the third period.
“During both of my quarterfinal and semifinal matches, neither of those guys got away unless I let them,” Silva said. “I knew that was a big motivator. I could ride anybody and keep them down.”
Silva was one of three state finalists for the Eagles, joining sophomore Josh Vazquez at 120 and senior Braden Hunter at 285.
“I like to be the spirit guy — the one who picks up the vibe and keeps everybody going,” Silva said. “I like to be the one who makes everybody happy and ready for the charge.”
Close calls: Vazquez and Hunter each fell just short against defending state champions from Joliet Catholic.
Vazquez (26-7) could not maintain a late lead in the third period and lost 5-3 in sudden victory against senior Gylon Sims.
Hunter, meanwhile, delivered an inspiring storyline.
After suffering a torn meniscus in football that jeopardized his wrestling season, Hunter (12-1) fought aggressively in an 8-2 loss to Dillan Johnson (43-0), the top-ranked heavyweight in the country.
“It feels pretty good making it this far,” Hunter said. “I did the best I could in the final match. It didn’t end up how I wanted it, but I will take what I can get with the month I had.”
Sophomore Deven Casey earned his second straight third-place finish for Aurora Christian. Casey (40-8) defeated Joliet Catholic freshman Jason Hampton 3-1.
Strong comeback: After aggravating an injury and finishing fourth in the sectional, Yorkville Christian senior Jackson Gillen was a long shot to defend his Class 1A state title at 170.
Instead, Gillen (42-7) tore through the opposition with two falls and a major decision before a 10-6 loss to Canton’s Joseph Norton in the final.
Yorkville Christian junior Ty Edwards (45-7) also reached the final at 120. He lost 4-3 on a tiebreaker to Auburn’s Anthony Ruzic.
Down to the wire: Just call Yorkville junior Ben Alvarez an escape artist.
He won the Class 3A 220-pound state championship with a 3-2 victory over Loyola’s Kai Calcutt in a tiebreaker.
“I knew in the end I just had to get the escape,” Alvarez said. “I was thinking in my head of all the emotions and all the people that were watching.”
Alvarez (38-8) put together a galvanizing finish to a topsy-turvy season, which was delayed by the Foxes reaching the state quarterfinals in football.
A knee injury complicated his conditioning.
“I came into the tournament with a bit of a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “They had me as the second seed, so they didn’t really expect me to win. I had to prove people wrong.”
Alvarez gained momentum and confidence after downing Marmion’s Teddy Perry by tiebreaker in the quarterfinal.
After slipping past Marist’s Luke Liberatore in the semifinals, Alvarez said the state championship felt like his destiny.
“As I kept winning those close matches, my confidence kept growing,” he said.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.