There was no question Riverside Brookfield High School boys wrestler Gerald Evans would come back for his senior season.
“The main reason why I’ve kept going is because I’ve been doing it for so long. I’ve formed a commitment. That’s not something you walk away from,” Evans said. “It keeps you in good shape. You’re able to connect with a lot of different people and overall you just learn new skills.”
Evans is not alone. He’s part of another giant senior class that was honored during the Bulldogs’ Jan. 21 dual against Fenton.
This year’s group includes Joey Alberts, Kevin Callejas, Evans, Dip Ghosh, Izaiah Gonzalez, Isaac Lee, Samuel Lee, Antonio Miranda, Nick O’Connor, Omar Rendon, Miles Russell-Barnes, Jesus Emiliano Serna, Jayden Tulian, Aiden Veltman, Kennan Walton and Kevin Zuniga.
“We definitely got applauded, got pictures taken,” Evans said. “We won for the most part. I won my match and I was proud of that. It was nice to end off with a win at home.”
Last season, RBHS coach Nick Curby had 16 seniors. Like 2025, most of these are fourth- or third-year wrestlers with some first-timers as well.
“To have that many people in the program still at that grade level is a testament to them,” Curby said. “Wrestling’s not easy. To have that sized group make it through the years, that’s pretty good.”
Even with all of the graduations, the Bulldogs’ success has continued. They tied for the Upstate Eight Conference East Division title in their second year in the conference. RBHS, Glenbard East and West Chicago all had 5-1 records.
The Bulldogs beat West Chicago 48-28, Dec. 3, and the Wildcats beat Glenbard East, Dec. 10. RBHS had a chance to win outright but lost at home to Glenbard East 58-18, Jan. 7.
“We kind of came up a little bit short (against Glenbard East) but at least we have a piece,” Curby said. “For the little rebuilding year that we have, (a title) was kind of nice.”
Transfer Gonzalez then won the 132–pound title at the UEC Meet Jan. 17 at Fenton with a third-period pin over West Chicago junior Brian Correa in 5:59. The Bulldogs (97 points) were sixth.
Gonzalez (26-3) finished the season undefeated in UEC action. Previously wrestling for Bremen, Gonzalez had finished second the past two varsity seasons at the Southwest Suburban Conference Red Division Meet.
“I felt pretty good. I was confident, just another goal to complete,” Gonzalez said. “I’m looking forward to that state title. This is just another step.”
O’Connor (26-5 at 175) was second, losing in the final to West Aurora senior Dayne Serio (30-4) by technical fall 17-0.
Russell-Barnes (16-14 at 113) and Veltman (11-12 at 150) were fourth, Evans (22-11 at 190) and sophomore Riley Cavaliere (16-14 at 106) were fifth and Alberts (12-13 at 215) was sixth. Junior Tony Lombardo (23-4), the No. 2 seed at 138, did not compete because of illness.
The Bulldogs next compete at the Class 2A Glenbard South Regional, where top-three finishers advance to the Hinsdale South Sectional. It’s one last chance for many seniors or the first for those like Evans. He’s enjoying a 20-win varsity season after being on junior varsity with one varsity match as a junior.
“(My goal is) win regionals, at least place in sectionals to make it to state,” Evans said. “Going in, we were told to see (varsity) as any other level. Obviously, the people are going to be better, but go in wrestling like any other (level). You want to be more cautious, but don’t look at it as being harder.”
LTHS boys wrestling
Fueled by 18 seniors, the Lions compete at the 3A Naperville North Regional with hopes of advancing to the Hinsdale Central Sectional. The group was honored on Senior Night Jan. 15 against Downers Grove North. The Lions lost to finish fourth in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division with a 3-3 dual record.
“That’s more (seniors) than we’ve had in several years. I would say most of them (are four years),” LTHS coach Griff Powell said.
Seniors Griff Powell (36-3 at 138), coach Powell’s son, and Jimmy Hillmann of Brookfield (31-12 at 285) are ranked No. 2 and 12 in 3A, respectively. Powell is undefeated in Illinois with his losses to nationally-ranked wrestlers from California (two) and New Jersey.
Others with 20-plus victories include seniors Luke Wilhelm (30-13 at 190), Cornell Fennessee (28-17 at 165) and Joey Colantuono (23-15 at 126), juniors Joey Rossi (21-20 at 102) and Daniel Koziol (23-16) and sophomore Jesse Nunez-Garcia (28-14 at 150).
Many were among the Lions’ 12 top-five finishers as they won the Wheaton Warrenville South Invitational Jan. 3. Powell was named the invite’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.
“Luke was on JV (last season) so for him to have 30 wins in his first varsity season is incredible. He’s really improved quite a bit,” coach Powell said.
Hillmann finished second and Nunez-Garcia was third at the Oak Park and River Forest Invitational Saturday. Powell did not compete because of illness.
