Wrestling: Hinsdale Central emerges with regional crown

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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:27AM

Hinsdale Central scored its fourth overall regional title, and its first since 2009, with Saturday’s IHSA Class 3A De La Salle Sectional next up.

The No. 6 Red Devils earned a 215 to 185.5 edge over host Lyons Township for the regional crown, and counted half of the regional champions on the day.

“It’s not just the seniors, but as a team, I think we knew what was at stake,” said Central senior Justin Katzovitz. “We all came in and wrestled hard, and that’s all you can ask for. We only have four seniors, and a lot of the younger guys stepped up.”

Joining Katzovitz (220 pounds) as regional champions were teammates Marco Del Rosario Rivera (106), George Tolbert (113), Tommy Ward (132), Ernest Battaglia (138), T.J. Salley (170), and Brian Allen (285).

Allen (39-0) and Stagg’s Kevin Moylan (38-0 at 145) were the lone wrestlers entered with unbeaten records, and both stayed undefeated in winning titles. Allen heads into the sectional as one of the favorites to vie for a heavyweight state title this year, one season after placing third in the state at 215 as a freshman.

“Brian’s in the (regional) finals again this year, but there’s still pressure. Nothing is handed to you in this sport,” Hayes said. “He might see (James) Buss next week, and he’ll approach every match the rest of the way like he’s 0-0. The records are out the window at this point.”

De La Salle’s Buss and Allen have been ranked No. 1 and 2, respectively, in area polls all season.

One year after suffering heartbreak on a third-place regional mat, former state qualifier Battaglia won a hard-fought title match 8-5 over Hinsdale South’s Justin Maslow to secure a sectional spot.

This season saw Battaglia out of the lineup for a spell due to injury, but winning his first high school championship — in any tournament — on Saturday should put all doubts to rest.

“I might be flying under the radar because people don’t know if I’m healthy or not, but I feel good,” Battaglia said. “(Maslow) got the first takedown before I got into my groove, but I felt stronger as the match went along.”

Placing second for the Red Devils were Masen Cruickshank (120), Tim Glavin (152), and Keith Schmidt (160). Juwan Edmond (126) and Jimmy Grimm (145) placed third to earn sectional qualification.

Seven of the Red Devils’ 12 qualifiers will be wrestling in a sectional for their first time. Grimm earned his third trip to a sectional, while Battaglia, Ward, Salley, and Allen all advanced for the second time in their careers.

After the state meet, on Feb. 18, Hinsdale Central will take on No. 4 Oak Park-River Forest in a Class 3A dual team sectional on Feb. 21. The Red Devils lost to OPRF 39-20 in a dual meet on Dec. 15.

“We set our goals high here, and the kids have been training hard,” Hayes said. “Our goal is to compete for a state title. We’ll have to wrestle Oak Park at the team sectional, but you’re going to have to beat them anyway, no matter when it happens.”