Riverside-Brookfield High School senior Joe Midona and sophomore Edgar Mosquera are trying to return to the IHSA Class 2A boys wrestling individual state meet.
On Jan. 21, they both experienced a different kind of success – their first Metro Suburban Conference Meet championships along with senior Bill Martin.
“It was one of my goals of progress of becoming the best,” said Mosquera, the 113-pound champion who was a state qualifier at that weight in 2022. “It doesn’t mean everything to me, though. What means everything is when I start frequently getting first-place medals. That’s my new goal.”
The Bulldogs had seven top-two all-conference finishers and won the team title (227 points) for the first time since 2010 and the first under coach Nick Curby in the final season before several MSC schools leave the conference.
“It was kind of something we had in the back of our minds, a little push to give us a little extra energy,” said 220-pound champion Midona. “I’d say it’s something that gave me a little extra motivation.”
Champions Mosquera (19-8), Midona (23-4) and Martin (21-10 at 170) and second-place junior Jacob Noe (23-12 at 145) and sophomores Chase Murrell (19-11 at 106), Jacob Godoy (5-6 at 132) and Matt Elzy (11-6 at 182) were all-conference for the first time.
Seniors Quintavius Murrell (22-9 at 120) and Dan Williams (4-9 at 195) and juniors Josh Gonzalez (23-10 at 138), Cade Tomkins (20-12 at 152) and Max Strong (20-11 at 160) placed third and senior Devontae Givens (25-10 at 285) was fifth.
“Unfortunately, with the end of the conference, it’s a nice way to end it for us. It was a nice way to kind of start wrapping up the end of the year,” Curby said.
Max Strong demonstrates his strength during his match on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. | From Ian McLeod 
Josh Gonzalez is declared the winner of his match on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. | Ian McLeod 
Quintavius Murrell (top) Pins his opponent for the win in his match on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. | Ian McLeod 
Jacob Godoy squares off in his match on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. | Ian McLeod 
Devontae Givens of RBHS (left) squares off against Jaylen Torres of St. Francis (right) on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2023, at RBHS. | Ian McLeod
Midona had a victory for the ages against Wheaton Academy senior George Truitt (11-9). Trailing 18-9 in the third period, Midona essentially needed a pin to win.
When Midona scored a takedown, he was surprised when Curby told him to let Truitt back up. Almost immediately, Midona got another takedown and pin to win with 14 seconds left.
“That was exhilarating, everything I was working for all coming together,” Midona said. “I think it was just [Curby] saying [Truitt] was more tired than me. After that I put my mind to it and was able to secure it. I think it was up there with my state qualifier match. It’s just the raw emotion, coming down to the end, all or nothing or else it’s over.”
Mosquera won his final 6-1 over Ridgewood sophomore Islam Khater (25-5), avenging a 6-1 defeat earlier this season.
“I was extremely happy when I got to stand on that podium. I wish more of my family members were there,” Mosquera said. “I feel really ready [for postseason]. I feel like I’m going to go downstate again.”
