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February 29, 2024

Huntley wrestler Radic Dvorak is in command in an IHSA Sectional match.
Steve Peterson
Huntley wrestler Radic Dvorak is in command in an IHSA Sectional match.

Sports • February 29, 2024

Boys state wrestling: Qualifiers gained 3 wins

By

HUNTLEY — Huntley’s IHSA Boys Wrestling Individual meet qualifiers, freshman Radic Dvorak at 157 pounds and senior Markos Mihalopoulos at 285 pounds, compiled a combined three victories in the three-day tournament.

Mihalopoulos ended his prep career Feb. 17 with two wins at the IHSA State Individual Wrestling tournament while Dvorak gained a first-round triumph. Mihalopoulos finished 2-2 for the tournament at State Farm Center in Champaign, for a 41-11 season record. He concluded his prep career with 105 victories and will wrestle at Campbell University in North Carolina next year.

Dvorak gained a win in his first round match at state by decision and ended the tournament 1-2. He concluded the season with a 37-16 record.

“I think Mihalopoulos and Dvorak wrestled to their abilities at state this year,” Red Raiders head coach BJ Bertelsman said.

Mihalouplos earned a first round win over  Bill Erbeck of Naperville Central in a 4-1 decision. Mihalopoulos then lost to Dillan Johnson of Joliet Catholic Academy, by fall then he bounced back with a win over Joey Herberg of Loyola Academy by fall. Next, in a third consolation battle, he fell to Tyler Foris of Maine South in an 11-4 decision.

“For Mihalopoulos, we had a plan after looking at the bracket and we followed it to a ‘t’ until the blood match,” Bertelsman said. “The kid hit a nice throw to go up 5-0 and we had a chance to tie it in the third period but fell short. Mihalopoulos accomplished a lot in his three years of wrestling, but I know how much he wanted to place at state and that one hurts.”

Dovorak experienced close matches by decision after a first-round victory over Ryder Janeczyk of Yorkville, 11-10. He lost to Noah Quintana, of West Aurora, 7-6 and then lost to Luke Houmiti of Joliet Catholic Academy, 6-4.

“Dvorak did extremely well, beating the wrestler who ended up wrestling back to sixth place and losing a controversial match to the wrestler who took fourth by a point and another close match to the wrestler who got fifth by two points. The semifinal loss will stay with him and that will be one he will use to get on the podium next year,” Bertelsman said.

 

Team accomplishments

 

The Red Raiders swept the Fox Valley Conference dual matches for a 9-0 record and were 23-5 overall for duals. It was the sixth conference title in eight years for Huntley.

“This year we were a lot better dual team than a tournament team,” Bertelsman said. “Next year we will work be working to on improving in both aspects.”

Several wrestlers achieved All-FVC honors. They are: sophomore Colin Abordo, at 106 pounds; freshman Gavin Nischke, 132; sophomore Matthew Keaty, 138; senior Shane McGuine, 150; Dvorak, 157; senior Alex Napientek, 165 and Mihalopoulos, 285.