Riverside Brookfield High School senior Edgar Mosquera is making his third trip to the Class 2A individual boys wrestling state meet with a challenging but well-constructed plan. After becoming the Bulldogs’ first boys wrestling state finalist since 1983 by taking second at 113 pounds, Mosquera wants to capture the program’s first state title since that season.
“I’m feeling good and feeling like I’m going to win the state championship,” Mosquera said. “I have a game plan for state. Last year I was kind of experimenting at my sectionals and regionals, but now I know what I’m going to use so it seems like I’m pretty well prepared.”
Now at 120 pounds, Mosquera returns to state Thursday in Champaign among the top-six, all-state favorites after placing second at the Class 2A Hinsdale South Sectional.
Mosquera (34-5) won the three matches he wrestled with two major decisions and pin to easily advance with a top-four finish. For the championship, Mosquera took an injury default to Montini sophomore Mikey Malizzio (37-8) to rest a minor injury to his right knee.
“It was just something that surfaced, but it’s going away now,” said Mosquera, who continues making strides from going 0-2 at state freshman year. Like last year, Mosquera has gained momentum since losing in the regional final to Kennedy senior Victor Alvarado (36-5), who finished fourth Saturday.
Mosquera’s other losses are to Class 3A opponents.
“He’s really put an emphasis on being more offensive [this season],” RBHS coach Nick Curby said. “He did a very nice job of being a defensive wrestler and being very good on top and this year he’s really working on expanding his leg and offensive attacks.”
RBHS seniors Ricky Blanco (29-14 at 144) and Jacob Godoy (23-15 at 132) and junior Miles Russell-Barnes (8-10 at 113) were 2-2 and came one backdraw victory from advancing to state.
In their state-qualifying backdraw matches, Blanco lost 2-1, Godoy lost 12-1 and Russell-Barnes lost by technical fall 17-2 in his first full varsity season.
Blanco was defeated by Glenbard South junior Jin Tai (37-7) on a third-period reversal with 57 seconds left after also losing to Tai 12-9 at the Upstate Eight Conference Meet Jan. 25.
“The guys that pour so much into it for four years, it’s heartbreaking, especially so close. You really feel for [Blanco],” Curby said. “Just to fall short of your goals is tough.”
Junior Nicholas O’Connor (30-12 at 175) also was 2-2. Seniors Matt Elzy (27-10 at 190) and Max Strong (22-18 at 165) and sophomore Tony Lombardo (21-17 at 138) were 1-2 and senior Ethan Rivas (15-9 at 157) and juniors Joey Alberts (14-21 at 285), Tony Miranda (5-5 at 150) and Steven Guzman (8-11 at 106) were 0-2. Rivas qualified for state last year at 157. Guzman defaulted his second match because of illness.
Fenwick boys wrestling
Fenwick senior Aiden Burns of Riverside qualified for 2A state by taking second at the Crystal Lake Central Sectional Saturday.
Burns (41-7) was edged 8-7 for the title by St. Ignatius senior Nate Sanchez (35-4) after two victories by technical fall. Burns had defeated Sanchez 14-3 to win the DePaul Regional.