#2 Marmion Edges #3 Sandburg in Dual Team Sectional

By SETH SCHWARTZ
Illinois Matmen

Many expected the Marmion Academy Sandburg tilt to come down to the last match.

But Marmion hit bonus points throughout the dual and pulled away for a convincing 29-26 decision Tuesday night in the Argo dual team sectional.

Beginning at 195, the Eagles’ Cole Bateman got a decision, but Marmion’s Nathan Traxler, who bumped up to 220, countered with a pin at 5:29.

Heavyweight Wes Kramer and Trevor Chumbly (103) posted decisions as the Cadets went up 12-3.

Sandburg countered with majors from Louie Hayes (113) and Patrick Nolan (120), Kevin Stearns (126) got a takedown midway through the third period for a 6-5 decision over Jake Polka.

Three-time state champion Rudy Yates (132) started fast with a 7-0 lead in the first period, but appeared to suffer an injury when Anthony Cheloni got a takedown in the third period. Yates’ 7-2 decision was a huge lift for the Cadets.

Midway through the third period, freshman Peter Ferraro (138) put Tyler Foley to his back for a pin giving Marmion a 18-17 advantage. A.J. Jaffe (145) added a technical fall and Mikey Callahan (152) got reversal against Christian Robertson for a 4-2 decision.

With 10 seconds left in the match, Robertson had Callahan’s feet in the air and his head and shoulder on the mat. Robertson appeared to have control, but the referee didn’t signal for two and Callahan was able to maneuver out as the clock wound down.

“At that point, with 10 seconds left, Christian had both hands around his legs and had control,” said Sandburg coach Eric Siebert. “A couple seconds later, he [Callahan] was able to get out. I thought it was two points.

“That pin [by Ferraro] was a killer. We’re down 4-0 and then get stuck! You can’t give up bonus points like we did to a team that’s No. 15 in the country and expect to win.”

Trace Carello (160) scored an escape in overtime and rode out Ben Schneider for a 4-2 decision which gave the Cadets a insurmountable 29-17 lead.

The Eagles’ Brian Krasowski (170) got a decision and Marmion (25-5) forfeited 182 for the final score.

“They won the flip, but everything worked out for us starting with Traxler moving up,” said Marmion coach Donny Reynolds. “Traxler has done everything for us all year. That was a great way to start. Peter Ferraro has a great gas tank and gave us a big boost and then Jaffe added more points. After the [Carello] overtime win, we were in good position.”