We set high goals for ourselves, but that’s the standard we are trying to create and the kids met every single one of those standards this season.”

Alphonso Vruno

ROCHELLE — After a historic season where the Rochelle Hub varsity wrestlers won a school-record 28 dual matches and advanced five individuals to the IHSA State Championship meet in Champaign, the program returned this winter with an equally as impressive campaign.

Rochelle finished with a 24-7 overall record and a flawless 5-0 record in the Interstate 8 Conference during the 2023-24 season. The Hubs successfully defended their conference title while ending the season with seven All-Conference wrestlers including five First-Team honorees and two Honorable Mentions. Rochelle won an IHSA 2A Regional title and advanced to the IHSA Dual State Championships, both of which haven’t happened since the 2017-18 season.

“Expectations were very high coming into the season, especially after last season,” Vruno said. “We set high goals for ourselves, but that’s the standard we are trying to create and the kids met every single one of those standards this season. From the bottom of the lineup to the top, our kids did an excellent job of being more offensive and scoring more points during matches. We did this by improving skills in the neutral position and perfecting our techniques on top.”

Rochelle advanced four individuals to the IHSA State Championship in Champaign, where juniors Kaiden Morris (43-4) and Xavier Villalobos (44-4) each earned medalist honors. Junior Grant Gensler (37-9) and senior Brock Metzger (37-8) also represented the Hubs at the State Farm Center. Metzger will be one of three seniors who will depart from the varsity lineup. The Hubs will lose senior Frank Decena as well as four-year varsity starter Tommy Tourdot (28-7).

“I think we should look to win another conference championship next year,” Vruno said. “On the individual side, we should look to at least match the number of state qualifiers that we had this season. I leave the individual side goals for interpretation because we always tell our kids that their job is to get down to Champaign. If they can do that, then anything can happen.” 

Villalobos, a three-time state qualifier and two-time state medalist, and Morris, a two-time state qualifier, are among the many talented sophomore and junior athletes eligible to return next season. Gensler concluded his junior season as a two-time state qualifier, while sophomores Roman Villalobos (32-17), Brenden Voight (32-10), Freddie Hernandez (31-15), Keagan Albers (23-20) and Deegan Schabacker (18-20) all advanced to the sectional tournament this year.

“We’re hoping that our sectional qualifiers can reach the next level,” Vruno said. “These are kids who are looking to be on the mat during the spring in order to get to the next level. We’re also hoping that some of our JV wrestlers can find their way into the varsity lineup next year.”

Freshmen Josh Lassiter (15-20) and Angel Hernandez (9-22) are two underclassmen who concluded the season as varsity starters. In addition to junior Matthew Lynn (6-23), Rochelle has multiple underclassmen on the JV team who could emerge as varsity starters next year. Those athletes include sophomores Colten Manning, Tony Milburn and Frank Nasca.

Additionally, Rochelle’s leading female wrestlers are eligible to come back next season. Those girls include state medalist, conference champion and two-time state qualifying junior Dempsey Atkinson (21-7) as well as sophomore and conference champion Cammyla Macias.