SYCAMORE — Seven members of the Rochelle varsity wrestling team won their first matches at the IHSA Class 2A Individual Sectional at Sycamore High School on Friday, and three Hubs are just one championship bracket victory away from qualifying for the IHSA State Championships next Thursday through Saturday.

Eight Rochelle grapplers entered the ring for the first day of sectional competition on Friday, with the Hubs winning six of their 11 total matches. Junior Eddie Villalobos (38-3 and No. 5 in Class 2A at 138 pounds) started his sectional tournament strong with a 16-5 major decision over East Peoria’s Tristen Westbay (36-5) after receiving a first-round bye.

“I’ve been in the semifinals in each of the last three years but I haven’t made the finals yet,” said Villalobos, who will face Peoria Notre Dame’s Leo Mushinsky (38-3 and No. 3 in Class 2A at 138 pounds) in the sectional semifinals for a chance to qualify for state. “It means a lot to go out there and just work… The game plan for tomorrow is to get into my shots, and I need to get up right away when I’m on bottom because I can’t relax.”

Senior Ehren Metzger (27-6 and No. 10 in Class 2A at 152 pounds) also punched his ticket to the sectional semifinals on Friday. Metzger received a first-round bye as well, and the senior made slight work of Bloomington’s Jon McCullough (31-14) in the sectional quarterfinals, winning by 16-2 major decision.

“It felt really good to win because he was a quality opponent,” said Metzger, who will battle Manteno’s Jimmy Silva (28-3 and No. 8 in Class 2A at 152 pounds) in the sectional semifinals for a spot in the state tournament. “I’m one match closer and I have a lot of drive. I’m feeling good… Silva’s a tough opponent and it’s going to be a three-period match. It’s going to be fast-paced and I need to make sure I wrestle at my pace.”

Senior Alex Harvey (38-1 and No. 2 in Class 2A at 195 pounds) moved one step closer to making the state tournament, defeating LaSalle-Peru’s Hunter Holdcraft (12-6) in the sectional quarterfinals after earning a first-round bye. Harvey and Villalobos are each attempting to not only make the sectional finals for the first time, but reach state two years in a row.

“It’s always nice to start off with a solid match but I need to keep taking things one match at a time,” said Harvey, who will see Bloomington’s Josiah Heinz (33-9 and No. 10 in Class 2A at 195 pounds) in the sectional semifinals. “Everybody’s good at this point in the season and it’s a different mentality when we’re wrestling now because it’s truly a different season. You have to be prepared for everything.”

Four Hubs competed in the opening round Friday evening, with three boys recording wins including freshman Ben Harvey (28-5 at 170 pounds), senior Austin Tracey (28-16 at 182 pounds) and junior Brandon Johnson (15-6 at 220 pounds). Harvey won by fall over Limestone’s Kaden Mitchell-Look (24-18), while Tracey won over LaSalle-Peru’s Brock Neil (13-8) by 5-1 decision and Johnson pinned Ottawa’s Brence Smith (20-21).

Manteno’s Stevie Silva (30-2 and No. 3 in Class 2A at 170 pounds) won by 8-1 decision over Harvey in the sectional quarterfinals, with Metamora’s Chris Leanos (29-10) beating Tracey by 4-2 decision in the quarterfinals and Richwoods grappler Jason Gardner (31-9) winning by fall over Johnson in the quarterfinals.

Senior Justin Hernandez (35-7 and No. 8 in Class 2A at 132 pounds) received a first-round bye before losing by fall to Bloomington’s Savion Haywood (23-1 and No. 2 in Class 2A at 132 pounds) in the quarterfinals. Freshman Ivan Pineda (6-9 at 106 pounds) lost by fall to Morton's Tyler Timmons (23-10) in the opening round.