Lyons Township High School senior all-state boys wrestler Gunnar Garelli returns to the Class 3A boys wrestling individual state meet with payback and history on his mind.
“I’m going to go out there and wrestle to the best of my ability but I definitely expect to come out of this weekend with the bracket board [for winning],” Garelli said.
In the 165-pound weight class, Garelli will try to become the Lions’ first state champion since Anthony Castillo in 2000 and first multiple all-stater with top-six finishes since Johnny Mologousis in 2016-17.
Garelli’s second place on Saturday at the Hinsdale Central Sectional earned his third straight state berth with a top-four finish as the Lions’ lone state qualifier.
If he makes the finals, Garelli (44-2) most likely will need to avenge his sectional-title loss to Glenbard West senior Collin Carrigan (42-1), who prevailed 5-3 in their third meeting Saturday. They are currently the state’s No. 2- and 3-ranked wrestlers in their class.
In the quarterfinals, Garelli most likely gets undefeated and top-rated Quincy senior Owen Uppinghouse (51-0), who beat Garelli in the 2023 third-place state match at 160 with a pin in 1:37.
“He’s wrestling great, just a competitive match [with Carrigan] that didn’t go our way but he’ll be ready to go next week,” LTHS coach Griff Powell said.
Garelli beat Carrigan 4-3 in the Glenbard West Regional final Feb. 3. Carrigan won the first meeting 7-5, Jan. 20, for the OPRF High School Invite title. He never led on Saturday, closing to 3-2 with an escape, but Carrigan followed with his second takedown of the match in the third period. Following another escape, Garelli nearly executed a single-leg attack in the final 15 seconds for a takedown that would have forced overtime.
“It’s nice to qualify for state, kind of get that over early [by reaching the finals]. I expect to win it,” Garelli said. “I’m kind of disappointed in the result of the [sectional] final, not necessarily the effort because I gave it everything I have. There’s just a few changes that need to be made and I should get the job done [at state].”
Junior Jack Kutchek (22-15 at 132) came one victory from reaching state. Senior Sam Costello (29-19 at 285) was 2-2, junior Mickey Ahrens (19-23 at 157) was 0-2 and sophomore Griff Powell (34-6 at 120) had to medically retire after suffering an elbow injury during the third period of his opening match and losing 3-1. As a freshman, Powell was 35-7 at 106 and was one sectional victory from reaching state.
“Two tough years,” wrestler Powell said. “The most proud is just knowing I can wrestle with all of these kids who are top in state. I just don’t get to show it right now.”
Kutchek was pinned in his state-qualifying match after an exhilarating pin of Glenbard West’s Ulises Rojas in the previous round.
“I’m really looking forward to next year. I’m going to be back here and with a different result,” Kutchek said.
Kutchek trailed Rojas 7-1 when he used a “cement mixer” move for a pin at the buzzer. Without the pin, Kutchek would have lost 7-6.
“It was crazy. That was probably the highlight of my season,” Kutchek said. “I stood up and all of my family and friends were there in the corner, up in the stands. It was just so fun, seeing everybody (celebrate).”
Costello improved upon his 30-16 junior season at 220 and an 0-2 record at sectionals. Costello plans to wrestle in college and at freestyle and Greco-Roman nationals in Fargo, N.D. for the third straight summer.
“I did good (this season) but I could have done better. It was a tough weight class and a tough sectional,” Costello said.
“He was very undersized for heavyweight (this season),” coach Powell said. “You never doubt Sam’s effort. His effort is 100 percent every time he steps on the mat.”