Hunter Wahtola earns All-State Honors with bronze medal finish at 285 pounds

DePaul's Hunter Wahtola celebrates his 2-1 decision
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

DePaul's Hunter Wahtola celebrates his 2-1 decision over Bloomington's David Williams. The sophomore continued his run through the blood rounds in his second state appearance to finish third at this year's state wrestling tournament.
CHAMPAIGN - Representing DePaul College Prep this weekend on Illinois wrestling's biggest stage, Hunter Wahtola battled his way through the consolation bracket for a third-place finish at the IHSA Boys Individual Wrestling State Finals on Saturday. Staying determined and tenacious, he overcame the physically demanding battles from equally motivated opponents in the heavyweight division.

Wahtola entered the State Farm Center with a solid 31-10 record, eager to surpass his freshman year performance where he wrestled at 215 pounds and faced a tough draw in the bracket. This season, with improved technical finesse and increased strength, he left no doubt about his prowess on the mat, finishing the season with 36-11.

Wahtola's season-long journey culminated in a series of victories at state that also earned him All-State honors.

His path to the podium was marked by resilience and smart wrestling. Wahtola's campaign at state saw him triumph in five out of six matches. His pivotal matches included decisive victories over formidable opponents, including an 11-6 victory over Cary-Groves' Lucas Burton (30-5) and a 6-1 decision over St. Rita's Pat Conneely (18-13). Demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure, his attention to detail and strong work ethic in the off-season paid dividends.

Hunter Wahtola wrestles David Williams
Going nose-to-nose, Hunter Wahtola didn't back down from Bloomington's David Williams in thrilling match that ended 2-1 in his favor.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
In his bronze medal match against Anthony Sebastian of Elmhurst (IC Catholic), Wahtola used his head and his brawn. Utilizing the first period to assess his opponent, Wahtola scored on an escape in the second period, followed by a pivotal takedown that solidified his lead. With a scoreless third period, he clinched the victory with a 4-0 decision, securing the third-place spot on the podium.

Wahtola did not travel downstate to Champaign alone. Also competing for DePaul College Prep against the top wrestlers in the state were teammates Nabiel Rosario and Max Rosen. Rosario, competing at 132 pounds, concluded his season with a commendable 33-13 record. He dropped his preliminary round match and bounced back to win his first-round wrestleback, getting a tech fall on Waterloo's Konnor Stephens. The senior was then majored in his next match against Deerfield's Jackson Palzet (50-3).

Meanwhile Rosen, wrestling at 144 pounds, finished at 32-11 after going 2-2 at state. His first victory over Matton's Ben Capitosti (45-7) was settled via a 5-2 decision. He picked up a second win after his quarterfinal loss, pinning Civic Memorial's Nathen Herrin (34-17) at 4:36.

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Aidan Kenney's strong performance at IHSA state finals earns a fourth-place finish

Aidan Kenney wrestles Logan Riggs
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Coal City's Aidan Kenney lunges in for a takedown on Roxana's Logan Riggs during their consolation semifinal on Saturday at the IHSA's state wrestling meet.

CHAMPAIGN - In a thrilling display of grit and determination, Aidan Kenney of Coal City High School capped off his junior season with a fourth-place finish at the Boys' Individual Wrestling State Finals. Held at the iconic State Farm Center on the University of Illinois campus, Kenney, boasting a stellar 39-12 record, navigated through a competitive field to secure his spot on the podium.

Kenney's journey began with a dominant major decision victory over Alex Carrier of Canton, showcasing his technical skill. The Coal City standout continued his winning streak in a tense quarterfinal match against Arrison Bauer from Lena-Winslow, clinching victory via first-period sudden victory after a hard-fought battle that ended 9-6 in his favor.

Facing tough competition in the semifinals against Unity's Kaden Inman, Kenney battled fiercely but fell short, conceding a 7-2 decision. Undeterred, he rebounded in the consolation semifinals, securing a hard-earned 16-13 decision over Logan Riggs of Roxana, setting up a rematch scenario in the third-place match against Bauer.

In a rematch that underscored the intensity of state-level competition, Kenney, fatigued from his earlier matches, struggled to find openings against Bauer's resilient defense. Despite Kenney's determined efforts, Bauer's strategic takedowns in first and third period culminated led to an 8-0 major decision, securing the third-place spot and leaving Kenney with a well-earned fourth-place finish.

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State Wrestling |
Sandburg's Ryan Hinger finishes third at state

Sandburg's Ryan Hinger celebrating
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Sandburg's Ryan Hinger celebrates his win over Marist's Donavon Allen after their Class 3A 144-pound third place match at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals at the State Farm Center on the University of Illinois campus. Hinger win the match by major decision 11-3 on Saturday.
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State Wrestling |
Central's Baker finished fourth at state wrestling

Ronald Baker III wrestling at state
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Champaign Central's Ronald Baker III wrestles Deerfield 's Jordan Rasof in the Class 2A 138-pound third place match at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals. Wrestling at the State Farm Center on Saturday, Baker lost the match by major decision, 13-4. The senior finished the three-day state tournament with three wins and two losses.
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State Wrestling |
Providence Catholic's Jasper Harper wins in sudden victory at state meet

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Providence Catholic's Jasper Harper celebrates his 10-7 sudden victory win over Brother Rice's Frank Miceli in their Class 2A 157-pound consolation semifinal match at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals on Saturday. Harper advanced to the third place match to face St. Ignatius' Nate Sanchez. Click here to see more Sentinel IHSA state wrestling coverage.
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State Wrestling |
Urbana's Bedolla state championship run ended

Urbana's Emiliano Bedolla
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Urbana's Emiliano Bedolla shoots in to grab Geneseo's Devan Hornback leg during their Class 2A 132-pound first-round match at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals on Friday. Bedolla fell by technical fall to Hornback 21-4 in the third period and was eliminated from the tournament.
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Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks