The Eisenhower Junior High School Wrestling Team concluded their season by competing in the 33rd annual IESA State Wrestling Tournament on March 10th in DeKalb. The eight Eisenhower wrestlers were able to secure 107 team points, earning a 4th place out of 167 schools, while claiming four individual All-State wrestlers who finished in the top 6 at their respective weight class. The Generals’ team has now earned a top 4 finish in four consecutive seasons and five of the past six state tournaments.
Ramarro Lamar brought home the 145 lb. state title by pinning his way to the championship match. This was the 7th time this season that Ramarro, who finished as a runner-up last year, recorded three consecutive pins in a tournament. In the final’s match, Lamar scored a controlling 3-1 victory, securing his state title, and the 14th individual to do so in the school’s history. He finished this season 43-1 and recorded a single season school pin record with 36. Over the past two seasons, Ramarro finished with an astonishing 83-5 record with 62 pins.
Wrestling a nearly flawless tournament was Victor Porten, who claimed second place in Illinois at the 275 lb. Heavyweight Division. Victor was victorious in four straight matches to reach the championship. He won by pin, 7-4, a thrilling last second pin after falling behind 6-1, and a dramatic 8-7 semi-final victory over a Sterling wrestler that was at least 50 lbs. heavier. In the finals, Victor lost 7-0 to undefeated Peter Iwinski from Shorewood Troy. For the season, Victor finished 34-5 with 24 pins.
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Ahmir Hooks finished the weekend and an illustrious EJH career with third place at 80 lbs. Ahmir beat the eventual 6th place wrestler 10-7 to open the tournament, then recorded his 24th and final pin of the season in the quarterfinals, setting up one of the marquee matches of the entire tournament. The semi-finals paired Ahmir against Holden Holler of Deerfield Sheppard, an undefeated 6th grader at 36-0 and 3 time national judo champ. The two battled to a 2-2 tie in regulation and in OT, Holler scored a quick double led to finish the match 4-2 and eventually move on to dominate the finals and claim his title. Hooks bounced back to scored a 3-0, 3rd place win to finish 32-5 this season, while becoming Eisenhower’s first ever three time state placer.
Patrick Wilson also concluded a fine career by taking 3rd place at 215 lbs., losing only to the undefeated state champion 3-0 in the semi-finals. Prior to that, he recorded a pin and 2-1 win against a tough Cahokia grappler. In the third place match, Patrick ended the tourney with his 22nd pin, finishing with a 32-5 record overall.
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Brendan Caccavale won two matches by 10-2 and pin but finished one match from placing. Brendan finished 35-7 with 22 pins this season and 117 career victories as a 3 time state qualifier.
Casey Cole registered a win in his first state appearance 9-0 in the preliminaries before losing to the eventual 3rd place wrestler. Casey was 34-11 this season with 20 pins. Sam Basalone lost a heartbreaking 7-6 match in the final seconds of his opening match. Sam, who has one season left at EJH, finished the season 36-7 with 25 pins. Ryan Gurski wrestled hard in the preliminaries and finished the season 32-11 with 25 pins overall this season.
Congratulations to all wrestlers!
