RBHS wrestlers win another regional, get 12 to sectionals

Riverside Brookfield High School senior boys wrestler Ricky Blanco already has plenty of motivation trying to reach his first Class 2A state meet.

Prior to the season, Blanco received another boost a program record board was added in the downstairs practice room.

“We just had those boards put up,” RBHS coach Nick Curby said. “They get their daily motivation.”

Blanco not only captured another regional championship Saturday but also a school record as the Bulldogs won the 2A RBHS Regional and advanced 12 individuals to the Hinsdale South Sectional with top-three finishes.

With six takedowns in his 19-4 technical-fall title victory at 144 pounds and one in his previous match, Blanco (27-12) improved to 92 takedowns this season, breaking the single-season record of 91 by 2022 graduate and current assistant coach Mateo Costello.

“I came here and I wanted to be No. 1 on that board,” Blanco said. “I re-watched my match and looked (at No. 92). I just jumped so high in the air. I was like, ‘I did it. I really did it.’ ”
Seniors Ethan Rivas (15-7 at 157), Jacob Godoy (21-13 at 132) and Matt Elzy (26-8 at 190), junior Miles Russell-Barnes (6-8 at 113) and sophomore Tony Lombardo (20-15 at 138) also captured regional titles for the Bulldogs, who edged St. Laurence 227.5-205.5 for the team title. Rivas and Godoy also were 2024 sectional champions.

Senior Edgar Mosquera (34-4 at 120) and juniors Steven Guzman (8-9 at 106) and Nicholas O’Connor (28-10 at 175) were second and senior Max Strong (21-16 at 165) and juniors Tony Miranda (5-3 at 150) and Matt Alberts (14-19 at 285) were third. Junior Jayden Tulian (16-16 at 126) was fourth.

In the final round, RBHS beat St. Laurence in four of seven head-to-head matches, three for first place.

 “Going into that final round up nine points, I knew it was going to be close. The kids really turned it on the end, expanded the lead, really put things where they need to be,” Curby said.

Mosquera, second at 2A state last year at 113, and Rivas will seek return state berths with top three sectional finishes. Blanco and Godoy were among six Bulldogs in 2024 that came one victory from qualifying for state.

Rivas, who overcame a torn labrum last year, won Saturday with a pin in 38 seconds. Rivas received medical clearance Thursday to return after being sidelined since Jan. 11 by a left knee injury.

“My family and I ended up praying and (God) healed it. Now I only have a sprain. Supernatural healing,” Rivas said.

“The shoulder’s doing much better lately. Sometimes I get in positions where it’s sharp (knee) pain and shooting. Then I’m good.”

Elzy had an exciting championship victory — 17-14 in overtime after leading 10-1 entering a wild third period. Elzy, going to his third sectional with his first regional title, was sick the previous couple of days.

“I had my grandma, both of my parents and my brothers here. Couldn’t disappoint. I had to have a little bit of theatrics,” joked an exhausted Elzy.

“It’s always better to be exhausted after a good win than a good loss. I think (the illness) hit me in the third period but just making sure to come back when it matters is all that counts.”
Godoy won his final 6-2 after a 4-3 title victory in 2024.

“I’m so glad to have my last wrestling match at my own school end up like that,” Godoy said. “This year was more of me just trying to get first place, get my best spot (for sectionals).”

Lombardo and Russell-Barnes captured their first major tournament or invite titles.
Lombardo won with a second-period fall in 3:05. He trailed 9-3 before his reversal at 2:28 turned the tide.

“I just kind of thought he doesn’t have the strength to keep me down so that means I can win. I put that in my mind and drove forward,” Lombardo said.

“I’m almost a little speechless myself. For as many days as I’ve put in the wrestling room, I’m finally glad that it showed on the mat in front of my friends and family.”

Before this season, Russell-Barnes only competed one match and missed his entire freshman season with a broken collar bone.

Russell-Barnes won his final 9-7, fighting off near-fall points after being taken down with 37 seconds left.

“I feel like I had good pin defense. It was the only match I had today so I wanted to win. I didn’t want to leave anything behind,” Russell-Barnes said. “I’ve gotten a lot better since the start of the year.” 

Mosquera lost 17-8 to Kennedy senior Victor Alvarado (34-3), who beat Mosquera 4-2 in last year’s regional final. Mosquera won their sectional rematch 12-4.

“I learned a lot from this and I’m going to definitely win at sectionals,” Mosquera said.
“I have been trying this new stance and telling myself it’s pretty good but I feel like I’m going to have to go back to my old stance.”

With their regional title, the Bulldogs advanced to the 2A Brother Rice Team Sectional Feb. 25. They will face the host Crusaders with the winner going downstate.

The Lions wrestled well enough to compete for a regional but finished second to No. 1-rated Marist 320-212.

The Lions’ second-place finishers all lost to Marist wrestlers in the finals. The RedHawks’ winners over Martinez, Powell and Fennessee have 30-plus victories, led by senior Will Denny (33-1), the 2024 3A state champion at 150 who beat Fennessee by technical fall 19-4. Arquilla forfeited because of a slight injury.

“I was very pleased and impressed with the way our guys competed,” LTHS coach Griff Powell said.

“Marist has a great team. There’s a reason they’re ranked No. 1 in the state. But I thought our kids battled. We wrestled past our seeds at a lot of weight classes. Anytime your guys are doing that, you know they’re getting better.”

Going for their first state berths, Powell will compete at his third sectional and Kutchek and Ahrens their second. Fennessee is among the varsity newcomers.

“I just feel really good about (advancing). I put in the work for a long time,” Fennessee said. “Being able to qualify for sectionals, that’s a nice title to have. It’s pretty big. I’ve been very happy with my season.”