Two Reapers author comeback stories

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PLANO -- In next week's state tournament, Plano will be well represented.

The Reapers, host of 30 schools in one of four Class 1A sectionals, will send three wrestlers and one alternate to Champaign on Friday.

A couple of the Reaper wrestlers authored personal comeback stories.

"Uciel Carrizales and Adam Iverson, the success they've had has been awesome," Plano coach Adam West said.

The powerful Wilmington squad led the way by placing nine wrestlers (five champions) in the top three of the sectional, guaranteeing a spot in the state finals. Harvard advanced six participants to Champaign.

Plano's Travis Tomac dominated in his run to the title at 140 pounds. Tomac (31-4) won his two matches leading up to the championship by pin, then took care of Rockford Lutheran's Mike Andrukaitis by major decision.

Tomac, a sophomore, used his age and experience to defeat Andrukaitis, only a freshman.

"I lost last year in wrestlebacks, so this is my first time at state," Tomac said. "He (Andrukaitis) is a really good mat wrestler -- I know that because I've wrestled with him for years. I was able to take advantage of him not being as good on his feet. I'm going to go for it all (in Champaign)."

After reaching state as a sophomore, Plano's Adam Iverson was out of action all season as a junior after breaking an ankle in a football playoff game. After losing in a 152-pound semifinal match to Harvard freshman Dan Stott, Iverson found himself in a third-place tussle with Lisle's Jake Kretman.

Leading 5-4 in the third period, Iverson (31-5) executed a takedown for a 7-4 victory and punched his ticket to Champaign.

"I've got a lot of motivation to make up for what I couldn't accomplish last year," said Iverson. "I was protecting against (Kretman) taking me down, so when he took a shot at me, I did a bear hug and got him to the mat. I just want to stand on the podium (at Champaign) this year."

Reaper junior JJ Cannon ran into a buzz saw at 160. Undefeated Chase Odeen of Coal City took Cannon down several times in route to a 12-3 major decision, but Cannon will still make his first appearance in the state final after competing at the sectional level his first two years.

"I've faced (Odeen) multiple times," said Cannon (33-7) of his Interstate Eight Conference counterpart. "My goal at state is to win enough to get a chance to face him again. I've been working my butt off in the practice room, and it's paid off."

At the 215-pound level, Plano's Uciel Carrizales came into the sectional with only a 6-1 record, but he won the regional. After being pinned by eventual champion Mario Zinanni of Bishop McNamara, Carrizales won a match to qualify for the third-place contest against Lisle's Kevin Murray. Carrizales scored an early takedown, but was pinned by Murray 1:44 into the second period.

Carrizales will be an alternate, in case one of the top three wrestlers in the Plano Sectional is unable to compete.

"Uciel is a senior, first-year wrestler," West said. "He was too big last year and didn't want to fight with Nick Nasti a couple years ago. He lost 80 pounds this year, worked real hard and made the team. For him to be an alternate his first year is really special -- I'm so proud of him.

"And Travis (Tomac) is on a tear. The last couple months, the way he's wrestled, I don't see anybody beating him. But he'll have some tough competition."

Somonauk and Mooseheart were also represented at the sectional. Mooseheart freshman William Lockridge lost by decision in the first round at 119.

Somonauk's senior Keifer Hatcher won his first match at 171, but was pinned in 14 seconds by eventual champion Jeremy Bailey of Wilmington. And Somonauk senior Jesse Collins also lost to a Wilmington competitor in the first round at 215. Wrestling: Class 1A Plano Sectional