Lemont Advances Three Individuals to IHSA Class 2A Wrestling State Finals

Lemont High School’s wrestling program has enjoyed consistent success over the last decade, with its wrestlers earning at least one state finals medalist finish in eight of the last nine seasons. Thanks to their performances in sectional competition, three individuals from head coach John St. Clair’s squad will have the opportunity to chase their own state medals. Junior Jimmy Brennan and freshmen Egan Berta and Jake Kirkman all will compete at the 2014 IHSA Class 2A Wrestling Individual State Finals, which will be contested from Thursday, February 20, through Saturday, February 22, at Assembly Hall on the campus of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Berta and Brennan each won sectional titles in their weight classes at the IHSA De La Salle Sectional on February 15.

Brennan (39-6), who previously had earned South Suburban Conference and IHSA Regional titles at 145 pounds, captured his first IHSA Sectional crown by outlasting St. Ignatius’s Michael Shanahan by a 7-6 decision in the championship match. Brennan will be making his second state finals appearance; he also qualified for the state finals in the 145-pound weight class as a freshman in 2012.

Berta (28-11) has peaked in the postseason, avenging defeats from earlier in the season along the way. After losing a tight contest in the IHSA Regional final against Oak Forest’s Mousa Jodeh, he turned the tables in a big way in the IHSA Sectional final in the 126-pound class, beating Jodeh by major decision, 14-2. 

Kirkman (29-17) is the latest in his family to advance to the IHSA State Finals. After finishing third in the regional, he was fourth in the 138-pound class in sectional competition. Kirkman’s older brothers - Eric and Mark - each earned medals at the 2012 IHSA State Finals.

Lemont’s state medalists have included Paul Burke (4th, 119-1984), Angel Cabral (1st, 285-2009; 1st, 285-2010), Brian Diaz (3rd, 167-1984), Marvin Drummond (4th, 132-1975), Dave Festin (2nd, 132-1974), Mike Freemantle (4th, 140-1990), Chris Giatras (5th, 182-2012; 3rd, 182-2013), Jamal Hamdan (4th, Hwt.-1986), Jehad Hamdan (2nd, 167-1988), Ryan Hennebry (5th, 125-2000), Jake Kaminsky (2nd, 152-2012), Eric Kirkman (2nd, 170-2012), Mark Kirkman (4th, 160-2012), Gordon Kickels (4th, 189-2007; 5th, 189-2008), Jake Latanski (4th, 103-2010; 5th, 126-2012), Matt Leibforth (3rd, 135-2009; 1st, 135-2010), Joe Long (6th, 215-2005), Andrew Mason (4th, 103-2009), Glenn Malecki (4th, 132-2012), Derek Nagel (2nd, 160-2011) and John Tomala (3rd, 195-2012). 

The IHSA Class 2A State Finals begin with first-round matches at 3 p.m. on February 20. Preliminary round winners advance to compete in the quarterfinal round, which begins at 11 a.m. on February 21. First-round wrestlebacks follow the quarterfinal round, and championship semifinals will take place at 7 p.m. The final day of competition on February 22 will include quarterfinal and semifinal wrestlebacks beginning at 9 a.m., and 3rd- and 5th-place matches at 1 p.m. The final session commences with the Grand March at 5:30 p.m., which will be followed by championship matches. 

Tickets for the IHSA Class 2A State Finals are $8 or $10 per session; all-session passes are available for $40 or $50. Tickets may be purchased at Assembly Hall.

Wrestling is the eighth Lemont High School sport to advance to IHSA State Finals competition this year. The girls’ bowling squad will compete in the IHSA State Finals this weekend; the cheerleading squad won the IHSA Medium Division State Championship; the poms/dance team competed in the IHSA Class 2A Competitive Dance State Finals; sophomore Taylor Campos participated in the IHSA Class 2A Girls’ Cross Country State Finals; senior Bridget Lynn competed at the IHSA Class AA Girls’ Golf State Finals; junior Annette Lesnicki advanced to the IHSA Girls’ Swimming State Finals; and senior Lisa Gawron took part in the IHSA Girls’ Tennis State Finals.