Lemont Earns First IHSA Wrestling Team State Finals Berth in Four Years

Lemont High School’s wrestling program will get its first crack at a team state trophy in four seasons. Head coach John St. Clair’s Indians defeated De La Salle, 42-24, in one of two matches at the IHSA Class 2A Oak Forest Sectional to gain the program’s fourth IHSA State Finals berth, but its first since 2011. Lemont will compete at the 2015 IHSA Class 2A Wrestling Team State Finals on Saturday, February 28, at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington.

The victory earned Lemont a match-up with Crystal Lake Central in an IHSA Class 2A State Quarterfinal at 11 a.m. on February 28. The winner of that match will face the victor of the Carbondale-Montini Catholic quarterfinal at 2 p.m.; the third-place and championship matches will take place at 6 p.m.

Lemont reached the IHSA Class 2A State Finals in 2009, 2010 and 2011. It posted a program-best third-place finish in 2010, and earned another state trophy when it placed fourth in 2011. Montini Catholic has won seven consecutive IHSA State Championships, including six IHSA Class 2A titles in as many seasons.

Lemont won eight matches in the IHSA Sectional contest against De La Salle, including five victories by fall. Juniors John Polk (170) and Pat Flynn (220), sophomores Jake Kirkman (152) and Mike Lyewski (182) and freshman Gabe Berta (120) all pinned their opponents, while sophomore Egan Berta (138) won by technical fall. Senior Ryan Glynn (126) won by major decision, while senior Jimmy Brennan (145) earned a victory as well. Lyewski’s victory came in his first varsity match.

Brennan, Glynn, Kirkman, Polk and Egan Berta and senior Dimitri Giatras (160) all competed at the 2015 IHSA Class 2A Wrestling Individual State Finals from February 19-21. Brennan made his third state finals appearance, while Berta and Kirkman reached the state finals for the second time in as many years.

Lemont won the IHSA St. Laurence Regional on February 7 to earn its team sectional berth, and also advanced eight wrestlers as individuals to the IHSA De La Salle Sectional.

Tickets are $7 for each session of the IHSA Team State Finals and can be purchased at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.