The Central High School wrestling team will take the most wrestlers in school history to the IHSA State Wrestling Meet beginning on Thursday, February 15. Five wrestlers earned their way to the state championships, while two wrestlers will serve as alternates.
Senior Hunter Hull (pictured above) wrestled at the state meet last year, going 1-2 in the 182-weight class. This year, Hunter is wrestling at 190 pounds and enters the state meet with a 24-7 record. At last week’s IHSA 1A Sectional at Chicago Hope Academy, Hunter finished third. Hunter faces Quentin Berry of Oregon in his first match.
Junior Gianni Panozzo (pictured above) also wrestled at the state meet a year ago. Gianni wrestled at the 145-pound weight class and went 1-2. Gianni wrestled at 144 pounds and has gone 44-5 this season. Gianni took third at last week’s IHSA 1A Sectional at Chicago Hope Academy. Gianni opens with a match against Jason Bowers from Dakota.
Senior Kayden Cody (pictured above) will be wrestling at his first IHSA State Wrestling Meet. Kayden was runner-up at 132 pounds at the IHSA Sectional and enters with a 25-10 mark. Kayden will face Jude Finch of Rockridge in an opening-round match.
Senior Noah Gomez (pictured above) enters the state meet with a 16-5 record at 285 pounds. It will be Noah’s first appearance at the IHSA State Wrestling Meet. Noah took fourth at last week’s sectional meet. Noah faces Peoria Notre Dame’s Michael McLaughlin in the first round.
Sophomore Giona Panozzo (pictured above) finished fourth at 138 pounds at last week’s IHSA Sectional. Giona will bring a 36-13 record to his first state meet appearance. Ethan Monson of Mercer County is Giona’s opponent in the first round.
Senior Chris Andrade and freshman Beau Williams fell in the consolation semifinal, but they will serve as state alternates.
In addition to Thursday, wrestling takes place Friday (February 16) and Saturday (February 17), with wrestle-backs and championship bouts occurring Saturday.
Nine Comets have placed at the IHSA State Meet. Justin Coggins and Parr Schoolman are the highest placing Comets, as both placed second. Coggins finished runner-up at 195 pounds in 2018, while Schoolman took runner-up at 103 pounds in 1989.
(PHOTO CREDITS: Michelle Hull)
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