Wrestling: Hubs take the mat for Day 1 of IHSA State Championships

Villalobos and Morris earn opening-round victories on Thursday

By Russ Hodges, Sports Editor
Posted 2/15/24

The Rochelle Hub varsity wrestling team has four athletes competing in the IHSA State Championships at the State Farm Center this weekend.

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Wrestling: Hubs take the mat for Day 1 of IHSA State Championships

Villalobos and Morris earn opening-round victories on Thursday

Posted

CHAMPAIGN — The Rochelle Hub varsity wrestling team has four athletes competing in the IHSA State Championships at the State Farm Center this weekend. Opening rounds of the tournament kicked off on Thursday.

Junior Xavier Villalobos (42-1) advanced into the semifinals of the 126-pound bracket with a first-round fall over Mahomet-Seymour's Justus Vrona and a 3-2 decision over Deerfield's Luke Reddy.

Junior Kaiden Morris (40-3) advanced into the semifinals of the 215-pound bracket with a first-round fall over Mount Vernon's Jhymear Smith-Henson and a quarterfinal fall over Tinley Park's Sebastian Sanderson.

Senior Brock Metzger (34-7) lost by fall against Waterloo's  Jaxson Mathenia in the opening round of the 190-pound bracket. Metzger moves into the consolation rounds, which resume on Friday.

Junior Grant Gensler (37-7) lost by 4-0 decision against Lincoln's Dawson McConnell in the opening round of the 165-pound bracket. Gensler moves into the consolations rounds, which resume on Friday.