Central crowns 7 sectional champs

Crystal Lake Central's Christian Malouf wraps up Sterling's Tyler Balsley in the 135-pound championship match Saturday during the IHSA class 2A Sterling Sectional in Sterling. Malouf pinned Balsley in 1:18 to win the sectional title. ( ())

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STERLING – Crystal Lake Central junior Joey Kielbasa walked off the mat at Musgrove Fieldhouse with one hand holding his sweatsuit and the other holding an ice bag to his head.

Kielbasa defeated Rockford East’s Zack Mutton, 5-1, for the 145-pound championship at the IHSA Class 2A Sterling Sectional on Saturday night, completing a 24-hour period that was literally dizzying.

In Friday’s first-round match, Kielbasa suffered a concussion but managed to hold off Sycamore’s Steve Lalowski, 6-5.

The junior felt better Saturday and became one of seven sectional champions Central will send to the state tournament Friday and Saturday in Champaign.

Central’s Trevor Jauch, like Kielbasa a 2009 state champion, started a string of five consecutive sectional champs for the Tigers at 125 pounds. Jason Fugiel (130), Christian Malouf (135), Taylor Servant (140) and Kielbasa followed with titles. Later, Austin Marsden (189) and Gage Harrah (215) made Central 7 for 7 in title matches.

“We structured our practices so we’ll peak at the right time,” Central coach Justen Lehr said. “It’s a little bit of a grind at the beginning of the season, but now the kids are just clicking.”

Prairie Ridge started the championship round with Brian Cullen (103) and Zach Synon (112) winning titles. The Wolves’ Mike Smith (119) and David Vinton (215) each took second.

Marengo’s Joey Moorhouse (152) ran his record to 31-1 with one pin and two shutout victories and will return to state. He finished third at 145 pounds last year.

Also qualifying for state out of third-place matches were Richmond-Burton’s Jack Dechow, who edged Johnsburg’s Justin Peete, 2-1, at 160, and Marian Central’s Jared Koch, a 7-4 winner over Peoria Woodruff’s Alex Gutierrez.

Kielbasa won the Class 2A 140-pound state championship, but almost saw his season end Friday night. He was dazed early in the match against Lalowski when his head hit the mat.

“I’ve never had that happened,” Kielbasa said. “It was like I woke up from a dream in the locker room. I don’t know what happened in my match. I watched the videotape to see if I really won.”

Kielbasa went back to his hotel, showered, and went to bed. On Saturday morning, he was tested by a trainer at the meet and a friend’s father, who is a paramedic, and was found fit to continue.

“I feel a lot better today, a little dizzy and tired, but thank God everything is all right,” said Kielbasa, who is 39-2. “Thank God my body lost two pounds overnight.”

Kielbasa said he normally would have gotten up and ran to lose a little weight before Saturday’s weigh-in, but didn’t feel up to it early in the morning.

In the championship matches, Central didn’t have any problems. Jauch finished three matches with no pins and did not allow a score. He won 16-0, 6-0 and 10-0.

“I’m very happy about that,” said Jauch, who is 35-3. “I want to keep up the pace through state. I don’t like giving up points at all.”

The 189-pound title match pitted illinoismatmen.com’s two top-ranked wrestlers, Geneseo’s Wes Cathcart and Marsden, but Marsden dominated his top-rated opponent all the way, winning in a major decision, 9-0.

“He’s a tough kid, I knew it would be a good match,” Marsden said. “I knew I was going to state, so I didn’t have to hold back. I just went right at him.”

Harrah wrapped up Central’s meet nicely with a 26-second pin of Prairie Ridge’s Vinton, who handed Harrah (31-3) one of his losses.

Moorhouse beat Belvidere North’s Eric Tamayo, 7-0, for the 152-pound title.

“We had great practices this week and I came in feeling really good,” Moorhouse said. “I felt like I was on my game from the start of it.”

Cullen, Synon and Smith, who are sparring partners with Prairie Ridge, will all go to state together.

“It’s real nice, it goes to show all the hard work in the offseason has paid off,” Cullen said.

Synon is glad to be at 112 pounds rather than fighting to stay at 103 this season.

“It’s good being at the right weight and not having to cut,” Synon said. “[State] is going to be a great experience and a lot of fun.”

Cullen, Synon and Smith are making their first trips to state.