Sports
Lemont Bears Wrestling Club Sends Record 15 to State
Nine first-time state qualifiers are among a record 15 to qualify for the state tournament in Rockford this weekend.
LEMONT, IL - The Lemont Bears Wrestling Club will have a record 15 wrestlers at the IKWF State Wrestling tournament in Rockford on Friday and Saturday. The individuals qualified for state last weekend when the Bears placed second as a team in the Novice Division of a very tough sectional tournament at Mount Carmel High School.
Apollo Gothard leads the team as a returning state qualifier and will be compete for a state title at the 177-lb. senior division. Carter Mikolajczak (62-lb. Novice), Cooper Mikolajczak (74-lb. Senior), Tyler Bentley (84-lb. Senior), AJ Heeg (108-lb. Novice) and Tyler Wilms (138-lb. Novice) are other returning state qualifiers.
They will be in Rockford with teammates Noah O’Connor (74-lb. Novice), Jackson Smith (74-lb. Novice), Evan Schiffman (79-lb. Novice), Sam Schuit (79-lb. Novice), Jimmy Lalezas (84-lb. Novice), Payton Salomon (84-lb. Senior), Jake Zator (95-lb. Novice), Cole Brannigan (130-lb. Novice) and Wojtek Chrobak (177-lb. Novice), who will all make their first appearances at state.
Find out what's happening in Lemontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The IKWF State Tournament consists of 35 different weight classes in 2 divisions and nearly 900 wrestlers. The Lemont Bears wresters are excited for the trip and ready to cap off a great year with State medals.
Photo provided
Find out what's happening in Lemontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
