Allen Stallings wasn’t ready to call his victory in the semifinals of the Class 3A state wrestling meet the biggest of his career.
“It’s not the biggest because I have been wrestling for 12 years,” Stallings said. “But I would put it in the top five.”
The Oak Park-River Forest senior pulled off a major upset at 220 pounds on Friday, Feb. 19, when he beat Plainfield South senior Eric Johnson 9-5. It was Johnson’s first loss of the season. Stallings (31-3) was ranked No. 2 in the state by www.ilinoismatmen.com while Johnson (46-1) was ranked No. 1.
Stallings will face Fremd senior Alex Jacobs (38-1) in the championship match at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the State Farm Center.
Stallings is headed to Indiana next year on a football scholarship, but will end his individual wrestling career with his first state medal.
“He’s learning to be a real wrestler,” OPRF coach Paul Collins said. “He’s learning how to stick with the game plan.”
Stallings was one of nine semifinalists for OPRF. Five advanced to their state championship matches, including two-time state runner-up Jason Renteria (18-0). The junior advanced to his third state final in a different weight class after beating Huntley junior Josh Stenger (44-5) 7-2 in the 120 semifinal. Renteria will try to win his first state title against Plainfield East junior Michael McGee (34-2).
OPRF’s other state finalists are sophomore Anthony Madrigal (37-1) at 126, junior Jaime Hernandez (29-6) at 138 and senior Isaiah White (25-0) at 160. White hopes to become OPRF’s first three-time state champion when he faces Lyons junior Johnny Mologousis (42-2) in the finals.
Twitter @geomwilcox
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