Senior Gonzalez makes impact as RBHS wrestling newcomer  

Riverside Brookfield High School’s Izaiah Gonzalez has comfortably handled the transition to not only a new school as a senior but a new boys wrestling program. Gonzalez moved to LaGrange Park before the school year after attending Bremen in Midlothian. 

“Everything’s kind of the same, same expectations, still working hard,” Gonzalez said. “Everything’s still the same, great coaches. Everything’s great.”

One thing certainly hasn’t changed. Gonzalez is a contender to qualify for Class 2A state in the 132-pound weight class. On Saturday, he was among the Bulldogs’ six place winners at Glenbrook South’s Rus Erb Tournament. The Bulldogs were eighth (96.5 points). Senior Nick O’Connor (13-2 season record) was second at 175, losing 9-5 to Evanston’s Diego Lopez (17-1) in the final after a 7-2 decision and pin in his two victories. 

Gonzalez (14-2 at 132) and junior Tony Lombardo (13-3 at 138) both finished third. Seniors Gerald Evans (12-7 at 190), Miles Russell-Barnes (8-8 at 113) and Joey Alberts (6-9 at 215) were sixth. Gonzalez is a welcome addition for a team that graduated most of its regional championship lineup. RBHS is 3-0 in the Upstate Eight Conference East Division with its next dual at home, Jan. 7, against defending champion Glenbard East.

Sophomore Riley Cavaliere (10-7 at 106) is among other newer varsity faces off to an encouraging start. 

“We just have some young, inexperienced guys in the lineup. We’re progressing, but at the same time we’re going to take some lumps,” RBHS coach Nick Curby said. “We know we have some time with some of these [younger] guys to get better. They’re working hard in practice. We always talk about February [postseason] is when we want to be our best.” 

Gonzalez has been a 132 individual sectional qualifier the past two seasons. Not knowing he was moving at the time, Gonzalez and the Bulldogs have competed at the same Hinsdale South Sectional. Last season, he was 20-6 with a 0-2 sectional record. As a sophomore, he was 29-6 and 2-2 at sectionals, one backdraw victory from qualifying for state. 

“I’m just going out every match, trying to work my moves,” he said. “I know I could have done better in other matches (this season) but I’m still working to be the best I can at the state (series). I’m just trying to go as far as I can go.” 

Curby said he’s also pleased that Gonzalez has stepped up as a leader even as a program newcomer.

“I try to make everyone around me better,” Gonzalez said. “It’s not only me. If I make the other people better around me, then they can help me get better also.”

LTHS boys wrestling

Last season, Lyons Township senior Griff Powell was excited just about capturing his first title at Hinsdale Central’s Rex Whitlatch Invitational at 132 pounds. On Saturday, Powell was more enthused about dominating. The repeat champion and Illinois recruit improved to 18-0 at 138 with his four victories being a 14-3 major decision in the final over Lincoln-Way West junior Shane Stream (14-3) after two technical falls (22-5 and 19-4) and a first-period pin.

“It was pretty nice, just knowing that I could do it again, knowing that I’ve separated myself from the other competition,” Powell said. “I’m getting better, trying to get ready for that next level of college (wrestling).”

Senior Jimmy Hillmann of Brookfield (16-3) was second at 285, having to take an injury default to Downers Grove North senior Colin Murphy (15-1) after the second period and trailing 6-2. Senior Luke Wilhelm (15-6 at 190) was seventh and senior Cornell Fennessee (12-7 at 165) was eighth. The Lions were 14th (102 points).

The Whitlatch Invite always features numerous state-ranked wrestlers and great competition. Powell currently is ranked No. 2 in 3A behind Marmion’s Zach Stewart, the 2023 state champion at 138 and second at 144 last year. Stream is No. 5.

Losses for Wilhelm and Fennessee were to defending state champions from Illinois and Neenah (Wis.), respectively. 

“The Whitlatch this year was very competitive. All of the weights had multiple state-ranked guys,” said LTHS coach Griff Powell, also father of the 138 champion. “[Griff] really started to distance himself from a lot of the competition. He’s wrestling well.” 

Hillmann reached the final with three wins by decision — 7-2, 7-1 and 10-6 in the semifinals. He is expected to compete at next week’s DeKalb Invite Dec. 29-30.

“I went in for the takedown (against Murphy) and couldn’t finish,” Hillmann said. “I had a great day, honestly, one of the best days of wrestling I’ve ever had. I’m actually learning how to wrestle instead of just trying to throw people. It just didn’t end how I wanted it to.”