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Wrestling notes: Eddie Bolivar the latest from OPRF to claim 3A state crown

CHAMPAIGN — Eddie Bolivar had a flair for the dramatic throughout Saturday’s Class 3A state championship match.

Battling Libertyville junior and Illinois recruit Danny Pucino, a three-time state qualifier, in a highly anticipated 132-pound title match, the Oak Park-River Forest senior scored two points with 90 seconds remaining in the third period to pull out a dramatic 7-5 victory at State Farm Center.

Nearly 15 minutes later, when the medals were being handed out for the 132-pound weight class, Bolivar was nowhere to be found.

Bolivar had one last workout, and he had to race back in time to receive his first-place medal.

“I had to sprint to get there in time for my medal,” Bolivar said.

Bolivar (43-3) cherished battling back from finishing second at 132 pounds last season. He also defeated Pucino (44-2) last season at state.

Bolivar also credited his dad, Luis, for “always being there in my corner and pushing me.” The Indiana recruit admitted his loss in the title match drove him this season.

“Throughout the whole year, it’s been my focus and thinking about what I needed to do to take the championship,” he said. “I went extra hard in practice and stayed longer and listened to my coaches and perfecting all my stuff. Last year, when I took second, I knew I could do this.”

Huskies claim 6 medals: Nico Bolivar added to the family’s medal haul with a fifth-place showing at 120 pounds.

Overall, the Huskies tallied six medals to round out a solid weekend.

Senior Ashford Hollis depleted his energy reserve en route to earning a third-place medal at 285 pounds. Hollis (37-6) defeated Plainfield South’s Andrew Bejarano 5-2 in the third-place match to finish his first state trip with a 4-1 record.

The Air Force football recruit wrapped up an odd journey in wrestling. OPRF coach Paul Collins said Hollis told him in eighth grade “that he would never wrestle in his life.” Collins said Hollis was a perfect example of a wrestler reaching his potential with hard work.

“This is my first time at state, so this (medal) feels good,” Hollis said. “I knew I could win that last match. Our program is tough. I knew I was one of the most in-shape in my weight class. I had faith in myself. I’m proud of myself.”

Looking ahead: Josh Ogunsanya (126) and Joe Chapman (152) both finished fourth. Chapman (39-9) said he’s motivated for a better showing next season as a senior.

“This makes me feel that I’m that much closer and have a lot more to achieve,” he said.

Daemyen Middlebrooks (33-12) gained valuable experience in his second trip to state. He placed sixth at 182.

“I know I can do better than I did, and this will motivate me,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jake Rundell missed an opportunity to add to his impressive resume by winning a second straight state title. The 113-pound junior won his second consecutive sectional title last week but sat out the state tournament due to an infection, according to Collins.

“He’s doing a lot better, but we will see for (the dual team state series),” Collins said. “We just want him to get better.”

Wrestling Roadrunner: Nazareth senior Louie Stec claimed sixth place at 285 pounds in Class 2A.

Stec, who will be a preferred football walk-on next season at Iowa, became the fourth state medal-winner in Nazareth program history. Stec (27-6) won his first two matches before losing in the semifinals to Urbana’s Luke Luffman, the undefeated state champion.

“At the end of the day, I could’ve wrestled a lot better and I could’ve placed higher, but I made some mental errors on the mat which is all on me,” Stec said. “I’m proud of my season, and to earn a medal downstate goes to show that my wrestling skills have improved over these years in high school.”