Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
CHAMPAIGN - Sandburg's Louie Hayes celebrates his Class 3A 113-pound victory over Montini's Real Woods after their championship match on February 20, 2016, at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals in front a nearly packed State Farm Center. The Eagles' senior, who finished his season with a 44-2 record, defeated the heavily favored Woods 2-1 for the title.
Hayes went to on compete at the college level at Virginia, earning an impressive number of accolades. His four-year career includes reaching the NCAA quarterfinals at 125 pounds along with two other qualifying appearances, earning ACC Wrestling All-Academic Team recognition all four years, and two top-three finishes in the ACC. In his final season, Hayes posted eight bonus point wins including six pins, a tech fall and a major decision for the Cavaliers.
