As a freshman last year, Fenwick wrestler Jacob Kaminski compiled a 22-2 record at 195 pounds, highlighted by regional and sectional titles and a fourth-place finish at 195 pounds in the IHSA individual state tournament. Kaminski was undefeated until the state semifinal, where he lost to eventual champion Jacob Warner of Washington.
The Riverside resident returns to the State Farm Center in Champaign this week to compete in the state tourney as one of three state qualifiers — along with Matt Zuber and Liam Mahon — for the Friars. Of the Fenwick representatives, Kaminski has the best chance of bringing home a state title as a premier sophomore grappler.
, Feb. 10Kaminski (27-2) earned his berth to the state tournament with an impressive performance at the Grayslake Central Sectional of the Class 2A state series on Saturday, Feb. 10.
In the 195-pound quarterfinals, Kaminski defeated Faheem Mannan from Vernon Hills by pin at 2:56 of the match. He beat Woodstock’s Aidan Jacobs 9-3 in the semifinals. He capped off his perfect run with an 8-2 decision over Liam O’Donnell of Crystal Lake in the title bout.
At 285 pounds, Mahon (23-9) finished third to earn his way to the state tournament. After losing in the quarterfinals to Notre Dame’s Gabe Fitzpatrick, Mahon won four straight matches, all by pin, en route to qualifying for state. Mahon pinned Wake Caldero from Grayslake North at 1:58 in the third-place match.
Zuber went 3-2 to place fourth at 132, as the Friars’ third state qualifier. After winning three straight matches, Zuber lost in the third-place match to Crystal Lake Central’s Caden Ernd via a pin at 2:15.
Adam Aguilar (25-12 at 138), David Capron (5-4 at 152) and Aidan Flaherty (24-12 at 182) also competed for Fenwick at Grayslake North.
At the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional, Lyons Township High School’s Griffin Pohl, Jimmy Ruston, Reno Sarussi, Wes Beeler and Jack Bergman all fell short of a state tournament bid.
Ruston fared the best among the five sectional qualifiers, splitting four matches. The rest of the group went 1-8, collectively.
Riley Shaw (23-18), Riverside-Brookfield’s lone representative, lost two matches by tech fall and pin ay 195.
Montini dominated at Hinsdale Central by advancing wrestlers in 12 weight classes to state and amassing 18 pins.
