Mighty Mounes
Unbeaten senior Betancourt remains right on the money at 195 pounds for Bremen
Bremen’s Mounes Betancourt felt a huge rush of joy last season when he clinched his first state medal.
“When I won the match … to get on the podium, it was one of the happiest feelings I’ve ever had in my life,” Betancourt said. “It was like everything I worked for was coming through and all the effort I put in paid off.”
Betancourt finished fifth last season in Class 2A at 182 pounds. He has bigger goals this time as a senior.
“I’m looking to win it all this year,” he said. “I’m working my butt off to make it happen.”
Betancourt certainly has established himself as a state title contender. He’s 22-0 and ranked No. 2 in 2A at 195 by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.
“Breaking through last season was huge for him,” Bremen coach Mike Collins said. “He’s gone from getting to state his sophomore year to placing as a junior, and now you want to win it all.
“He has the potential. He has all the skills. It just comes down to mental toughness. When you get down to state, you can’t have any doubts that your hand is going to be raised every time you step on the mat.”
Collins said Betancourt is a great role model for a young team.
“We have a lot of freshmen and
sophomores, and when they see a wrestler of his caliber in our room, that gives them something to shoot for,” Collins said.
Betancourt is putting in extra work to prepare for the postseason. He trains twice a week with the Harvey Twisters in addition to his Bremen practices.
Betancourt’s passion for wrestling carries him through those long days.
“It’s a sport like no other,” he said. “It teaches you so many things beyond wrestling. It makes you a man, a better person. It humbles you and it shows you your mental capacity.”
Still undefeated this late in the season, Betancourt realizes every opponent will be fired up.
“Some kids come at me 150 percent and some kind of curl up and try to do everything they can not to lose,” he said. “Either way, it makes me have to wrestle harder. It’s fun.”
Cheesehead champs: Mount Carmel emerged from a field of 30 teams from seven states to win the prestigious Cheesehead Invitational last weekend in Kaukauna, Wis.
The Caravan had 12 individuals in the top 10 at their weight classeses, led by junior Colton Drousias, who won at 113.
“We’re wrestling really well as a team right now,” Mount Carmel coach Alex Tsirtsis said. “Our guys are all going out and competing hard. We like what we’re seeing, but there’s still room to grow with the postseason coming up soon.”
Drousias (21-4), ranked No. 2 at 113, went 7-0 for the title. Rehan Uribe (120), Noah Mis (126), Asa Terrell (170) and Nikolas Mishka (220) finished third.
The Caravan will host the Catholic League Meet on Jan. 19.
Plenty to prove: At last season’s 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional, four Andrew wrestlers ended up one win short of qualifying for state.
Luc Valdez and J.P. Migawa are back, and the two seniors are determined to make the most of their final opportunity.
Valdez has been one win short of state each of the last two seasons.
“We have a lot of hungry wrestlers on our team after what happened last year,” said Valdez, who’s ranked No. 6 at 113. “We’re working hard and we’re fired up to make big things happen in the postseason.”