Lyons Township High School junior boys wrestler Griff Powell nearly reached his first individual state meet twice. One victory from state as a freshman, last season Powell had to medically retire during the Class 3A sectional because of an elbow injury.  

“I’ve just got to think what’s going good right now,” Powell said. “The stuff I can’t control, why put myself in a bad mindset? I’ve got to just leave it behind.” 

On Saturday, Powell handled all physical and mental challenges for one of his biggest achievements so far, winning the 132-pound title at Hinsdale Central’s prestigious 24-team Rex Whitlatch Invitational.  

Powell (17-1) won the title match by technical fall (21-6 in 4:22) over Glenbard West senior Ulises Rosas (17-1). 

“It’s up there,” said Powell of the title. “It’s been a goal of mine to win a bunch of tournaments, to prove myself as a dominant wrestler. It’s just a happy feeling to know I’m on that path.” 

Senior Roger Martinez (16-4) was third at 126. Senior Nick Arquilla (11-9 at 215) and junior Jimmy Hillmann (12-8 at 285) were seventh and eighth. The Lions (112 points) were 13th after only entering nine wrestlers in 2023. Powell, among those who missed last year’s Whitlatch, was their only state-ranked individual entering the weekend. 

“This is a very competitive tournament, some of the best kids in the state, so to get four guys on the [awards] stand was outstanding,” LTHS coach Griff Powell said.  

“I’m very impressed and very proud of our guys. We’re getting better. I think our guys are starting to realize that, by the end of the year, we’re going to be right in the mix.”  

Wrestler Powell opened with a major decision and technical fall before a 4-3 semifinal victory over Sandburg senior Madden Parker (14-4). He might have hoped to avenge his only loss to Stevenson junior Shawn Kogan (18-1) in the finals of the Barrington Invite, Nov. 30, but Rosas beat Kogan 4-1 in the other semifinal. 

“I just wrestle everyone the same,” Powell said. “I try to keep my mind intact, keep pushing the pace because when I’m on my attack, I think I’ll win the match almost every time.” 

So far, he has won every match by at least major decision except two. 

“Griff just came out on fire. When he opens up and gets after his attacks, he’s very difficult to beat,” coach Powell said of his son. “He started to get on a roll, got the first takedown and cut the guy and then it was just one after another.” 

Martinez, seventh at Barrington, had an especially satisfying 3-1 third-place victory over state-ranked Glenbard West senior Carson Prunty (16-3).  

In the second round, Martinez lost to Prunty 10-0 but then won three straight for a consolation rematch, the last 5-4 over state-ranked Barrington junior Saul Ramirez (11-9). 

“That was huge so I was pumped for [the Prunty rematch]. I got my chance to get him back,” Martinez said. “This was the one [tournament] I really wanted to do good at. I’ve never even made it to the second day. For me, this is always such a big stage and now I’m finally on that stage. I used to look at the guys taking third. Now I’m third. It’s a full-circle moment.” 

Prunty lost to Powell in the teams’ West Suburban Conference Silver dual, Dec. 13, won by the Hilltoppers. 

“This was a breakthrough performance for Roger. Now he realizes that he can beat some of the best guys in the state,” coach Powell said.  

Arquilla, who had one Whitlatch victory in 2023, had two pins, including over Neenah (Wis.) junior Connor Simons in 1:13 for seventh, plus a 1-0 victory. Hillmann had two pins and lost to Downers Grove North senior Peter Rodriguez (16-5) twice by a combined three points before being pinned for seventh. 

RBHS wrestling 

The RBHS boys wrestlers were sixth at Glenbrook South’s Rus Erb Invitational Saturday. Undefeated senior Edgar Mosquera (13-0) won at 120 with a pin in 3:25 over Batavia’s Kai Enos (12-3). Mosquera won his previous two matches with pins in 3:55 and 2:33. Senior Ethan Rivas (8-5 at 157) was second, senior Ricky Blanco (12-5 at 144) third, senior Jacob Godoy (8-5 at 132) fourth and junior Joey Alberts (7-7 at 285) sixth. 

The RBHS girls wrestlers were eighth at Lane Tech’s Lady of Lane Tournament Saturday. Angelica Solis (135) was second at 135. Also placing were Frankie Abasta (125) taking third, Heidi Velazquez (115) fourth, Emily Anaya (140) fifth and Estefany Bejarano (170) sixth. 

LTHS girls wrestling 

The LTHS girls wrestlers were fifth at the Lakes Snow Brawl Friday. Junior Sofia Turek was the 135 champion with a pin in 2:49. Freshman Jhania Wickert-Harris also won at 105 with two pins over the same wrestler. Senior Avi Gonzalez (110) was second and sophomore Sophia Pinca (120) fourth. 

Girls basketball 

Lyons Township began the Montini Tournament an undefeated 12-0 after beating Stevenson 61-43 Saturday as Nora Ezike (20 points) and Emma O’Brien and Gwen Smith (18 points each) also had double-digit rebounds. 

RBHS (4-11, 3-3 in UEC Red) lost to Romeoville 63-44 in Saturday’s fifth-place game at the Oak Lawn Tournament. 

All-tournament selection Gaby Graupera and Isabella Perez (9 points each) and Abbey Tyler (8 points) led the Bulldogs. RBHS lost its final pool game to Lockport 56-29 Dec. 18 with leading scorers Alyssa Morris (8 points), Graupera (7 points), Perez (6 points) and Tyler (5 points).  

In UEC play, the Bulldogs beat Elmwood Park 49-29 Dec. 17 and Addie Vaia had 18 points in Friday’s 63-42 loss at Streamwood.