Reyes rolls to 13 wins at 113 pounds

Guerin Prep's Juan Reyes (top) dominates Kelvyn Park's Alex Torres in a 113 pound match at the Walther Lutheran Invitational on Saturday. | Shauna Bittle~for Sun-Times Media

Updated: January 14, 2013 6:53AM

MELROSE PARK — Elmwood Park can feel good about its performance at the Walther Lutheran Wrestling Invite on Saturday.

The Tigers captured third place out of 13 teams with 161.50 points, while the host Broncos won the invite with 222 points and Seaholm of Michigan took second with 162.5.

The Tigers captured first place in three weight, with Austin Tillema winning 106 pounds, Ben Vazquez taking 113, and John Tito capturing 152.

Vazquez, who has a record of 11-0 and is ranked fifth in the state by IllinoisMatmen.com, remained humble about his victory. He said he is to walk away with the championship but believes he could have performed better.

“I thought I did good in the first two matches and not as well in the last two. I expected more of myself in the championship match. I wanted to get the pin,” said Vazquez, who won the final match with a 16-2 major decision over Juan Reyes of Guerin.

If Vazquez seems hard to please, it’s because his goals for the season are lofty and he expects to accomplish them.

“I want to go to the state tournament. I won’t be satisfied if I don’t reach state,” said Vazquez, who lost by one point in the sectional match to earn a state berth.

NAZARETH’s VITEK STILL UNBEATEN

Nazareth also had a solid day, grabbing 133 points and fifth place. Blaine Bilek finished second at 152 pounds and Dan DeSimone took runner-up at 220.

But the standout for the Roadrunners was senior Pat Vitek, who improved to 6-0 on the season. Vitek, who also plays defensive lineman for the football team and has been a member of the varsity wrestling team since his freshman year, earned the 195-pound title with a victory over Ian Miller of Walther Lutheran.

Vitek also has high expectations after not advancing out of sectionals last year.

“I want to place downstate and win it. This is my last year to get that done,” said Vitek.

“I worked really well on my feet today, I was able to move around better than usual. Overall, I think the technique was there.”

GUERIN PLACE TWO IN SEMIFINALS

Guerin had two semifinalists and finished eighth with 72 points. The Gators drew solid performances from Jaime Santana, who took third at 138 and sophomore Reyes, who finished second at 113.

Reyes said there is no shame in losing to someone as talented as Elmwood Park’s Vazquez.

“I feel alright. Losing against a kid ranked in the state is a big deal for me,” said Reyes, who is 13-4. “I just have to work harder every day and I can have a solid year.”

Head coach Earl Danan said he is proud of the tenacity his wrestlers showed.

“I’m really happy. We’re small but mighty. We showed a lot of toughness out there today,” said Danan.

ST. JOe’s GONZALEZ still learning

For St. Joseph, it was a day to forget as the Chargers finished 13th, mustering 44 points. But the disappointing team performance has done little to discourage Chargers senior Max Gonzalez.

Gonzalez wrestled at 138 and defeated Corey Estes of Mooseheart and Fred Rebeles of St. Francis de Sales before losing to eventual runner-up Chris Saadatjoo of Seaholm.

“I felt really good in my first two matches. I’m learning from my mistakes and that will help me going forward,” said Gonzalez. “I just want to keep on improving on my technique. There were times when I was a little sloppy today and I want to fix that.”

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