Three Lyons Wrestlers Advance to State Semi-Finals Saturday

Lyons Township wrestlers battled with the best on Friday, the first day of the IHSA class 3A state tournament in Champaign, IL. Three—Drew Bates, Matt Nora and Joe Gonzalez—have clinched a spot on the medal stand and will compete in the semi-finals Saturday morning. Four were eliminated: , , Brian Pieroth and Jamie Jones.

The competition culminates on Saturday evening with the 1A, 2A, and 3A finals.

Senior 130-pounder (ranked No. 8) started the day with a 5-0 decision against Ryan Holzrichter of Plainfield Central. In the quarterfinals, he defeated Aurora West's Miguel Venecia (No. 6) in a 6-4 decision. Saturday morning in the semi-finals, Drew will face Jameson Oster (No. 2) from Lockport Township.

Senior 152-pounder Matt Nora (No. 3) pinned Cody Pooler from Downers Grove North in his opening match. In the quarterfinals, he defeated O'Shea Smith-Traylor (No. 9) from Belleville East by major decision, 10-2.  In Saturday morning's semi-finals, he will face Spartacus Chino (No. 2) from Wheaton Warrenville South.

Senior 215-pounder Joe Gonzalez (No. 3) defeated Waukegan's Jacob Ramon by a 7-2 decision. In the quarterfinals, he defeated Joe Hall (No. 2) from Wheaton Warrenville South by a 3-1 decision. Saturday morning he will meet Brian Allen (No. 9) of Hinsdale Central for a final showdown. Gonzalez has already beaten Allen in two of the three matches they have wrestled thus far this season.