Wrestling

February 12, 2007

Jamelle Williams Qualifies for State

• Williams becomes Lane Tech's first state qualifier since the IHSA eliminated the Public League automatic bid 5 years ago.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LANE TECH'S JAMELLE WILLIAMS FOR QUALIFYING FOR THE IHSA WRESTLING STATE TOURNAMENT! Williams (27-9) placed second at the Leyden Sectional tournament to become the first Lane Tech State Qualifer since the IHSA eliminated the City automatic bid to state 5 years ago. Williams defeated Leyden's Juan Giron, who placed 4th, 18-7, and defeated Elmwood Park's Kris Kwiecien in the semifinals 11-4 to secure a spot in the finals. Although Williams fell to #7 ranked Taylor Osbourn from St. Rita 11-1, his season will still continue. Congratulations, also to Lane's Justin Cobb and Yuriy Koverko for placing 4th at the tournament, making them alternates for the State Tournament.

Public League counterparts Ryan Matthews and Jonathon Freeman of Corliss and Larry Lanier of Hope also qualified for the state tournament. They wrestled at the very competitive Bloom Sectional that featured wrestling powers Mt. Carmel, Marist, and Brother Rice.

Selected Leyden Sectional Results

Pl  Wrestler              Yr   School                    W-L       Result            
1   John Majka            Jr.  Chicago (St. Rita)        40-4      Maj Dec 10-0
2   Tom Anderson          Sr.  Burbank (Reavis)          32-10
3   Tony Reyes            Sr.  Chicago (De La Salle)     29-13     Dec 7-3
4   Justin Cobb           So.  Chicago (Lane)            18-12

Pl  Wrestler              Yr   School                    W-L       Result            
1   Taylor Osborn         Jr.  Chicago (St. Rita)        29-5      Maj Dec 11-1
2   Jamelle Williams      Sr.  Chicago (Lane)            24-9
3   Colin Weir            Jr.  Oak Park (O.P.- River Forest) 28-14     Dec 9-2
4   Juan Giron            Sr.  Franklin Park (Leyden)    21-21

Pl  Wrestler              Yr   School                    W-L       Result            
1   Jim Kernats           Sr.  Burbank (Reavis)          10-0      Dec 6-1
2   Mike Nolen            Jr.  Chicago (St. Rita)        27-14
3   Clayton Kendall       So.  Chicago (De La Salle)     24-9      Fall 1:17
4   Yurily Koverko        Jr.  Chicago (Lane)            17-4

Jamelle Williams (sr.) has become Lane's first state qualifier in wrestling since the removal of the Public League automatic state berth 5 years ago. www.LaneTechFan.com photo