Dual-Team Wrestling: Lincoln-Way West takes out Bremen
By Logan Malloy For Sun-Times Media February 19, 2013 10:36PM
Bremen's T.J. Walton (top) wrestles Lincoln-Way West's Brennan Mulroe at 285 pounds during the dual team sectional in Midlothian Tuesday, February 19, 2013. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 21, 2013 6:52AM
After smashing a school record Saturday at Assembly Hall with five individual state-placers, Lincoln-Way West moved into uncharted territory Tuesday night with a victory at the Class 2A Bremen Sectional.
West’s 49-12 conquest of Bremen gives the Warriors their first trip to the dual-team state tournament on Saturday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington.
“It’s awesome. We’ve had to face (five-time reigning champ) Montini the past two years at team sectionals, so it’s nice to finally get down to team state,” West 170-pounder Jake Bohne said. “It’s quite an accomplishment for a team that’s only been around for four years.”
Bohne defeated Bremen’s Javier Soto 11-5 in one of three matches featuring state qualifiers. In the other two, West’s state medalist Josh Reuttiger (152 pounds) downed Bremen’s Ricky Olson 8-3 and Bremen’s Bernard Noble (160) defeated West’s Cody Pedigo 3-2 in overtime.
“This is Bernard’s first full year wrestling,” Bremen coach Mike Collins said. “He’s made such strides, not only as a wrestler, but as a person.”
Picking up bonus points for West were Larry Cozzo (106 pounds), Mitch Kirkland (145) and state-placers Noah Keefe (120), Kyle Rodriguez (132) and Javier Montalvo (182).
Matt Ryan, West’s 126-pounder who just missed out on the individual state tournament, found some redemption with a 6-5 victory over Bremen state qualifier Michael Guerrero.
“I was a little mad from not making it down, so I came in there a little angry,” Ryan said. “We’ve got an awesome team. Everyone pushes each other. They’re just real fun to be around.”
“West is a well-coached and classy team,” Collins said. “Their experience and mat savvy showed, but our kids had heart and gave a lot of push.”
Adding victories for Bremen were T.J. Walton (heavyweight), Valter Gonzalez (195) and Tony Gallegos (220).
