Four Voyager Media wrestlers earned wins in the IHSA state semifinals and will compete Saturday night for state titles.
A pair of Lockport Porters lead the way as Matt Ramos and Baylor Fernandes will both compete for Class 3A titles.
At 120 pounds, Ramos earned a 5-3 win over Michael Jaffe of Marmion, while at 160, Baylor Fernandes defeated Brad Gross from Marmion 12-4.
Ramos is looking for his third state medal and first championship. Last season he was third at 113, while in 2017 he finished fifth at 106.
Fernandes was unable to wrestle in the state series last year and placed fourth two years ago.
“It is a tough tournament, but at the end of the day, it is just another tournament, just a bunch of matches,” Fernandes said. “This is my last opportunity and I am going to go out there and do what I can and hopefully win it. (Last year) was the toughest thing I had to go through, but I took it as a learning process and tried to grow from it.”
Maine South’s John Halvorsen will compete in the Class 3A final at 182 pounds after he defeated Daemyen Middlebrooks of Oak Park-River Forest 3-1 in overtime.
“I thought I would be able to get my offense going, but he wrestled well,” Halvorsen said. “I have been training with Daemyen for two years now and I want to thank him for giving me a good match before my big match Saturday. I am glad I got it done, but I have to improve to be a state champ.”
In Class 2A, Joliet Catholic Academy’s DJ Hamiti looks for his second state title in as many years after he defeated Caine Tyus of Civic Memorial by technical fall in 3 minutes, 33 seconds.
Hamiti will become only the second medalist in Joliet Catholic history, following Pat Mudron in 1966 and 67. A state title would make him the first Hilltopper to win two state championships.
“It is always the expectations for me to get to the finals – that is always what I expect from myself,” Hamiti said, “I am trying to spread the word about Joliet Catholic wrestling.”
Several other locals will wrestle for medals as well, with wrestlebacks beginning at 9 a.m.
