DEKALB — The Forge Wrestling Club sent 16 athletes to the 2024 Illinois Freestyle State Championships over the weekend, with two athletes taking home state titles in the tournament.

Elias Andronic finished first in the Boys 8U 56 Division with a 3-0 record. Andronic opened the tournament with a 16-6 technical fall over RTC Wrestling’s Jaxson Cajigas before notching a fall over Relentless Training Center’s Nico Poeta. Andronic clinched the championship with a 14-3 technical fall against Frankfort Gladiator Wrestling’s Trecyn Holba in the third round.

Nehemiah Andronic finished first in the 10U 67 Division with a 4-0 record. Andronic started the tournament with falls over Lockport’s Aiden Samanich and Maine Eagles wrestler Logan Gallegos. Andronic followed the falls with a 12-2 technical fall over Hurricane Wrestling’s Noah Caputo and Tinley Park Bulldogs wrestler Jaxon Scott to clinch the championship.

Roman Villalobos took second in the 16U 190 Division with a 4-1 record. Villalobos recorded a 10-0 technical fall over Sycamore’s Adam Carrick and a 12-0 technical fall over Rock Island’s Rowan Stockwell to begin the tournament. After a 12-2 technical fall over R13 Wrestling’s Drew Silzer and a 10-0 technical fall over Harvey Twisters wrestler Adrian Esparza, Villalobos battled Alber Athletics wrestler Oliver McPeek for the title, falling just short in an 18-15 decision.

Wells Millard finished third in the 10U 59 Division with a 2-1 record, scoring 10-0 technical falls over Mat Rat Wrestling’s Alexander Todd and SOT-C’s Mackson Talley. Jackson Moreno finished third in the 10U 71 Division with a 2-1 record, notching a 10-0 technical fall over Glen Ellyn’s Bodhi Raitano and a 16-5 technical fall over Fox Lake Wrestling’s Mason Potts.

Ava Barber finished third in the Girls 10U 67 Division and Teddy Millard took fourth in the 12U 74 Division with a 3-3 record, scoring a fall over Callan Wrestling’s Kamdyn Sullivan as well as a 10-0 technical fall over Lion’s Den’s Scott Kilmer and an 18-12 decision over Rock Island’s Daiton Reed. Kaiden Morris went 3-2 in the Junior 215 Division, while Will Julian went 2-2 over four bouts in the 16U 150 Division and Brenden Voight went 4-2 in the 16U 157 Division. 

Other notable athletes include Joshua Lassiter (1-2 in the 16U 150 Division), Freddie Hernandez (2-2 in the 16U 113 Division), Jacksyn Windham (2-2 in the 14U 187 Division), Jackson Norris (1-2 in the Junior 126 Division), Hadley Losoya (2-2 in the 16U 132 Division) and Conrad Barber (10U 77 Division).