Ten Wrestlers Advance to I.H.S.A. Sectional Tournament
February 4, 2008

The Saint Patrick wrestlers finished third in the Illinois High School Association’s Franklin Park-Northlake (Leyden) Regional on February 2 at East Leyden High School. Saint Patrick finished with 201 team points, good for third behind Leyden (229), and Oak Park-River Forest (213.5). The Shamrocks had ten individuals advance to the IHSA Sectional Championships this weekend.

Four Shamrocks were able to capture individual Regional Championships. Returning State Qualifier, George Vitzileos won a thrilling decision over Krys Watkins of Oak Park-River Forest in the championship match at 285 lbs. Trailing 3-2 with five second remaining in the match, Vitzileos shot off of a re-start, getting a hold of Watkins’ leg and scoring a double-leg takedown as time expired to win the bout 4-3. Joe Rau rolled through the 160 lb bracket, scoring a 10-7 victory over Mike Feldmann of Leyden for the title. Matt Ortega scored an upset victory over Nick Cassano of Leyden for his title at 171 lbs. Tied at two heading into the second period, with Cassano starting in the down position, Ortega was able to ride Cassano out for the entire period. Ortega then started in the down position in the third period, scoring an escape and holding on for the 3-2 victory. Joe Romano was the fourth Shamrock to claim a regional title, scoring a 10-6 decision over Travis Cammon of Proviso East.

Three Shamrocks lost by fall in the championship match, settling for second place. Returning State Qualifier, Jimmy DiNino lost to Bobby Barnhisel of Fenwick at 140lbs, the second straight year that Barnhisel has topped DiNino in the regional championship match. Freshman Charlie Doyle lost to Matt Soch of Leyden, and Ariel Vazquez lost to Ethan Moes of Oak Park-River Forest at 112 lbs.

Three Shamrocks advanced to the Sectionals by winning third-place matches. Anthony Sciaccotta won a 7-0 decision over Kendall Hutchinson of Oak Park-River Forest at 103 lbs, Robert Peters pinned Anthony Montanez of Ridgewood at 119 lbs, and Alex Ortiz scored a 4-3 decision over Jordan Chang of Fenwick at 145 lbs.

The Shamrock wrestlers will compete in the I.H.S.A.’s Bensenville (Fenton) Individual Sectional this weekend. Session I begins at 6:00pm on Friday, February 8, Session II starts at 11:00am on Saturday February 9, with the Sectional Championship matches beginning at 5:00pm on Saturday.