WASHINGTON — Rochelle’s unbeaten streak was on the line Friday evening, when the Hubs faced two of the best varsity wrestling teams in the state in Washington and Tolono Unity.

Rochelle suffered its first loss of the season, conceding a 47-18 defeat against Washington, who entered Friday’s meet ranked No. 2 in Class 2A. The Hubs didn’t come away empty handed, however, as Rochelle bounced back with a 39-32 win against Tolono Unity, who entered as the No. 4 ranked team in Class 1A. Juniors Freddie Hernandez, Keagan Albers and senior Xavier Villalobos were two-match winners for the Hubs (8-1, 1-0 Interstate 8) at Friday’s meet.

Washington

Hernandez claimed Rochelle’s first win in the dual against Washington, compiling three takedowns and scoring five third-period points to earn a 12-9 decision against Lucas Bach at 113 pounds. Freshman Aidan Lopez battled against Logan Makiney at 120 pounds, earning three first-period takedowns before Makiney rallied to secure a 16-12 decision. Villalobos won a marquee matchup against Noah Woods, using a third-period takedown to secure a 4-1 decision at 126 pounds. Woods entered Friday’s meet as the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the state at 120.

A reversal and near fall enabled junior Keagan Albers to hold on for a 8-6 decision against Cayden Park at 132 pounds. Washington stretched its lead to 21-9 after Michael Mendoza’s second-period fall over junior Deegan Schabacker at 138 pounds and Peyton Cox’s first-period fall over sophomore Joshua Lassiter at 144 pounds. Junior Frank Nasca stopped the bleeding for the Hubs, pinning Sebastian Howe in the first period to earn the victory at 150 pounds.

Washington claimed the next three matches to clinch its dual win over the Hubs. Wyatt Medlin dominated for a 22-4 technical fall over junior Brenden Voight at 157 pounds and Cruise Brolley used a reversal and takedown in the third period to edge out senior Grant Gensler for an 11-9 decision at 165 pounds. Braden Brown gave Washington a 35-15 advantage over Rochelle, recording two first-period takedowns and a fall over senior Matthew Lynn at 175 pounds.

Junior Roman Villalobos claimed the final win of the dual for the Hubs, delivering a decisive takedown in the third period to outlast Wyatt Leman for a 5-4 decision at 190 pounds. In another marquee matchup of state-ranked wrestlers, Washington’s Josh Hoffer pinned senior Kaiden Morris to win at 215 pounds. Sean Thornton received a forfeit at 285 pounds to end the match and Symon Woods received a forfeit at 106 pounds to start the dual for the Panthers.

Tolono Unity

Freddie Hernandez secured Rochelle’s first victory of the dual against the Rockets, turning a four-point near fall into a fall against Ian Skibbe at 113 pounds. Aidan Lopez took a forfeit at 120 pounds and Keagan Albers extended Rochelle’s lead with a strong showing against Bryce Martin at 126 pounds, racking up three near falls and one takedown to earn a 19-4 technical fall.

Xavier Villalobos kept the Hubs rolling with two takedowns and a near fall during his 12-1 major decision over Hunter Shike at 132 pounds. Deegan Schabacker followed with a first-period fall over Nathaniel DeNeal at 138 pounds to give Rochelle a 27-12 advantage. Tolony Unity took the next two matches, with Kaden Inman scoring a 17-2 technical fall over Josh Lassiter at 144 pounds and Holden Brazelton notching a first-period fall over Frank Nasca at 150 pounds.

Rochelle responded with back-to-back victories via decision, with Brenden Voight defeating Keegan Germano 7-0 at 157 pounds and Grant Gensler outlasting Abram Davidson 6-4 at 165 pounds. Tolono Unity brought itself within one point after Ryan Rink’s first-period fall over Matt Lynn at 175 pounds and Hunter Eastin’s 13-8 decision over Roman Villalobos at 190 pounds.

Kaiden Morris sealed the win for the Hubs, however, delivering a second-period fall over Chason Daly at 215 pounds. Tolono Unity’s Jaden Dene and Vincent Abon received forfeits at 285 pounds and 106 pounds to give the Rockets a 12-0 lead at the beginning of the dual.