CHAMPAIGN — Historical achievements have been the trend for Rochelle’s varsity wrestling program over the past few years, and the Hubs added even more accolades to their school’s collection when four Rochelle grapplers competed in the IHSA Class 2A Individual State Championships at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign this past Thursday through Saturday.

Senior Alex Harvey (43-2 and No. 2 Class 2A) led the charge at the state championships, winning his first three matches at 195 pounds to clinch his spot in the finals against Fenwick’s Jacob Kaminski (31-2 and No. 1 Class 2A). While Kaminski bested Harvey by 7-1 decision for the state title, Harvey became Rochelle’s first state runner-up since Tim Fader in 1986.

“Being in the finals was an awesome experience,” Harvey said. “Wrestling in front of thousands of people who are focused on you is a really unique experience. I would’ve loved to bring home a title but I’m glad I could bring some attention back to Rochelle wrestling, and I hope that continues.”

Harvey also became Rochelle’s highest state placewinner since Patrick Brownson took first place in 2003. The senior captain won by fall over Midlothian Bremen’s Basilio Betancourt (18-12) in the opening round on Thursday, and he beat Grayslake North’s Angel Flores (40-9 and No. 4 Class 2A) by 16-1 technical fall and Crystal Lake Central’s Liam O’Donnell (38-8 and No. 3 Class 2A) by 6-2 decision on Friday to qualify for the state finals.

Kaminski took a 2-0 lead over Harvey in the first period, and the 6-foot-3-inch sophomore from Fenwick increased his lead to 5-0 before ultimately winning the championship bout over Harvey by 7-1 decision.

“Focusing on controlling the match worked really for me in my Friday matches,” Harvey said. “I was able to work my stuff really well in those matches. Kaminski used his size really well and he was a solid all-around wrestler. It was difficult for to get through his defense and he tied up really well.”

Harvey was one of two Rochelle wrestlers to place in the state championships, making it the first time in program history that two Hubs medaled in the same state meet. Junior Eddie Villalobos (44-6 and No. 5 Class 2A) took fifth place at 138 pounds, and he began his state run with a 4-1 decision win against Crystal Lake Central’s Austin Ernd (31-12 and No. 3 Class 2A) on Thursday.

Villalobos faced Chicago Washington’s We Rachal (28-6 and No. 1 Class 2A) on Friday, with Rachal barely escaping with a 6-5 decision over Villalobos. But the junior standout bounced back in the consolation bracket by defeating Rantoul’s Nolan Roseman (40-8) by 5-1 decision to reach to guarantee a top-6 placement.

“I think the state tournament was awesome and it was really exciting especially considering how tough my bracket was,” Villalobos said. “I’m proud of my performance and I think I wrestled great. I wrestled to my abilities instead of wrestling nervous and I wrestled my matches.”

Villalobos took on Peoria Notre Dame’s Leo Mushinsky (43-5 and No. 2 Class 2A) in the consolation semifinals, with Mushinsky slipping past Villalobos by 1-0 decision. However, Villalobos ended his tournament with a win, beating Prairie Ridge’s Trey Piotrowski (31-10 and No. 4 Class 2A) by 4-2 sudden victory in overtime to seal fifth place. With one more season of eligibility, Villalobos is eager to reach state for a third time his senior year and place even higher. He’s also proud of joining Harvey as a state placewinner this year.

“Alex and I have been wrestling together since we were little and I’ve been looking up to him and his work ethic,” Villalobos said. “When I’m tired or I want to relax during practice I look over at him and see that he’s constantly working hard. That drives me to work just as hard because I know we share the same goals.”

Senior 152-pounder Ehren Metzger (29-10 and No. 10 Class 2A) and junior 220-pounder Brandon Johnson (18-8) also battled at the state meet this past weekend. Metzger lost his opening match by fall to Marian Central’s Dylan Connell (46-2 and No. 5 Class 2A) who wound up winning the state title.

But Metzger rebounded with a big upset in the consolation bracket, winning by 13-2 major decision over Mount Olive’s Maxx Fritz (36-4 and No. 2 Class 2A) before falling by 7-1 decision to Washington’s Dalton Jensen (43-3 and No. 1 Class 2A). Johnson was defeated by 14-7 decision against Crystal Lake Central’s Seamus O’Donnell (24-2 and No. 4 Class 2A) in his opening match.

Johnson didn’t earn a wrestleback but the junior is looking forward to helping Rochelle begin its team postseason run in the sectional round on Tuesday. The Hubs (17-12) face Ottawa at LaSalle-Peru for a team sectional and the right to go to the state quarterfinals in Bloomington on Saturday.

“It was really exciting but I was really nervous at first,” Johnson said. “The atmosphere was one-of-a-kind and it was really cool being in front of all those people… I will be more motivated to win and keep the season going since the individual season is now over.”