Bucky Randolph had a pretty successful wrestling career at Oak Forest, taking third in Class AA at the 1993 state tournament.
But while individuals like Randolph were able to get their 15 minutes of fame, the old two-class state format was tough on mid-size schools like Oak Forest and Lemont.
"I wrestled on some pretty good teams here that never got out of the regional," said Randolph, who's in his sixth season as head coach at his alma mater.
But the landscape has changed this season with the addition of another class to wrestling's team and individual tournaments.
"When they went to a three-class system, I knew it would help schools like us that are kind of on the verge not being able to really compete against some of the larger 3A schools," Randolph said.
Over at Lemont, coach John St. Clair was thinking along the same lines.
"We knew it was going to be a possibility," he said of getting Downstate.
Possibility turned into reality on Tuesday when Oak Forest and Lemont both earned state berths for the first time in school history. They'll compete in Saturday's Class 2A quarterfinals at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, and they'll be joined by Class 3A qualifier Mount Carmel.
This might be the first of a few trips to the team state meet for Lemont and Oak Forest, who have only 10 seniors between them. Lemont's six individual state qualifiers -- including one champ and two more placers -- were all juniors and sophomores, while Oak Forest will return one of its three qualifiers.
"It was real special to have Andrew Mason place (third) as a sophomore," St. Clair said of his 103-pounder.
The Indians got another third from junior Matt Leibforth at 135 and then junior Angel Cabral capped everything off by winning the heavyweight title with a pin in overtime. He's the first state champ in school history.
St. Clair is hoping the momentum of last weekend carries over for Lemont (13-10), which is ranked ninth in 2A by Illinois Best Weekly and takes on No. 8 Troy Triad (19-4) in the quarterfinals.
"Our whole focus right now is on Troy Triad," St. Clair said. "Let the chips fall where they may. Down there, every match is going to be tough, every dual is going to be tough."
Oak Forest has a rougher draw than its South Suburban Conference rival. Senior state qualifiers Ryan Burton (125) and Lenny Kuspa (152) lead the Bengals, who meet Class 2A No. 2 Crystal Lake Central. The winner advances to the semifinals, almost certainly against No. 1 Montini -- last year's big-school champ in the two-class format.
"It's great to get down there," Randolph said. "What happens (next), I don't know. Crystal Lake, they're an elite program in the state."
While Lemont and Oak Forest are making some history this week, Mount Carmel is looking to revisit its glory days. The Caravan won three consecutive state titles from 1992 to '94 and took home three more trophies between 1996 and 2002.
But Mount Carmel has only qualified once since then, losing to eventual champ Sandburg in the 2007 quarterfinals. Three wrestlers who were in the lineup that day are still around: Mike Maggi (125), David Skrzypiec (145) and Mike Sawyer (152).
They, along with Class 3A state placer Charles Argue (fourth at 160) will lead the Caravan (17-13) against Edwardsville (23-4), which is making its third quarterfinal appearance in four seasons.
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