Jacobs duo heads to state

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:24AM

Jacobs' Austin Ryan and Huntley's Josh Symbal will represent their schools in the Class 3A State Wrestling Championship in Champaign. Ryan (103) and Symbal (171) took home second place awards at the Class 3A Sectional Wrestling in Barrington.

Ryan won his first two matches in the Sectionals when he faced Jordan Northrup of Harlem in the championship bout. Down 6-3 late in the second period, Ryan suffered a pin at 3:50.

"I was trying to get points and tie it up 6-6, but I got caught," said Ryan. "I was wrestling well, but (Northrup) was better today."

A rapidly developing freshman wrestler, Ryan (32-7) placed first place at the Class 3A Wrestling Regionals at Jacobs last week. He gives opponents fits with his ability on his feet. Opposing wrestlers try to stay away from tie-ups to beat him on the mat.

"Ryan's already going to state," said Golden Eagles Coach Chris Taylor. "He has great composure and confidence. He went into this match like a normal match. He's very methodical how he approaches each match."

Symbal, who won three matches on the day, was pinned at 2:53 by Kevin Stahmer of Notre Dame. He went home to prepare for the State tournament with a second place finish.

Falling into an early hole, Symbal was down 2-0 after one period. But Stahmer gained control and put him down midway in the second period.

"I knew he had a good shot, but I was working well in the first period," said Symbal (34-10). "I wanted to go high on him, but he started to catch on and took the advantage. I'm really excited about going down to State and represent our whole team and make our school proud."

Red Raiders Coach Kevin Summerville was happy with his junior wrestler who goes to Champaign with a 34-10 record.

"Josh had a great tournament," said Summerville. "You never want to lose a match. We'll work on things he should have done here and get ready for State."

Dundee-Crown was very successful last weekend winning the Regionals and posting three first place winners. Unfortunately, the Chargers did not wrestle as well and went home without an award. First place winners Gustavo Jacobo and Carson Tanner were pulled from the Sectionals and the remaining six wrestlers did not qualify for State including Cody Churkey.

"We didn't wrestle well this weekend," said Chargers Coach Al Zinke. "You have to turn it up at this level and I don't think we really did."

Churkey, a five-foot, nine-inch senior, came into the Sectionals following a first place finish in the Regionals. He won his first bout, 3-2, over Hersey's Jason Olson but lost, 3-0 to Luke Miller of Libertyville sending him to the consolation bracket where he faced six-foot, four-inch Jacob Ramon of Waukegan.

Ramon used the seven-inch height advantage to take an 11-2 lead midway through the second period. Churkey fought back, but was down 13-10 when he was pinned at 5:29.

"I just wanted to wrestle my heart out and I ended up not doing that," said Churkey (34-5). "I did some things I shouldn't have done. I'm very disappointed."

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