Lemont’s Gothard, Jarad, Nash win titles at 2020 IHSA Class 2A Wrestling State Finals

A decade had passed since Lemont High School’s wrestling program had produced a state champion, but head coach John St. Clair’s team more than made up for lost time at the 2020 IHSA Class 2A Wrestling Individual State Finals, which were contested from February 20-22 at the State Farm Center on the campus of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Senior Drew Nash (126) and juniors Apollo Gothard (220) and Mo Jarad (285) all earned state titles, while seniors Grant LaDuke (152) and Kyle Schickel (145) each posted runner-up finishes.

Lemont set a school single-season record with its three state titles, and tied a school record with its 10 state finals participants. LaDuke and Schickel joined Egan Berta ‘17 and Jake Kirkman ‘17 as the only wrestlers in school history to earn four individual state finals berths. Gothard, Nash and senior Kyle Zator (160) all were making their third state finals appearances; sophomore Evan Schiffman (120) was making his second state finals appearance; and Jarad, junior Ray Hernandez (132), sophomore Alex Tagler (170) and freshman AJ Heeg (138) all made their state finals debuts.

Schickel became the first four-time state medalist in school history; he previously had finished as the state runner-up in 2017 (106), 2018 (120) and 2019 (138). Only Schickel has earned more state medals than Gothard (5th, 195-2018; 2nd, 220-2019) and LaDuke (6th, 132-2018; 3rd, 145-2019), who each brought home his third medal. Nash (5th, 126-2018) won his second career medal.

After missing much of the season while recovering from injury, Nash (18-0) was declared the victor at 126 pounds when Washington’s Joey Cape bowed out with an injury in the second period of the title match. Nash was impressive leading up to that contest, having won by technical fall in the semifinal round. Nash picked up IHSA Regional, IHSA Sectional and South Suburban Conference championships this season.

In a clash of unbeatens, Gothard (45-0) earned his title in thrilling fashion, posting a 3-1 win in overtime over Glenwood Chatham’s Conner Miller at 220 pounds. He recorded a pair of first-round pins in the first two rounds. Gothard earned IHSA Regional, IHSA Sectional and SSC titles this season. 

Jarad (43-8) closed the state finals in style, pinning East Peoria’s Caleb Collins in the third period to secure his crown at 285 pounds. It marked his third victory by fall at the state finals. Jarad had previously finished third in IHSA Regional and IHSA Sectional competition, and was an SSC runner-up.

LaDuke (38-2) dropped a 3-2 decision in the 152 pound title match to Joliet Catholic’s Dean Hamiti, who stayed unbeaten and earned his third state title in as many years. LaDuke surrendered just four points in the first three matches, and posted two shutout victories. He secured IHSA Regional, IHSA Sectional and SSC titles in 2020.

Schickel (38-4) fell short by a 4-3 score to T.F. North’s Sincere Bailey in the title match at 145 pounds. He set a Class 2A state finals match record by scoring 24 points in a first round technical fall, and posted a pin in overtime in the second round. Schickel was an IHSA Sectional runner-up after winning IHSA Regional and SSC titles in 2020. He also became the first wrestler in conference history to twice earn the “Jim Craig Award” as the SSC’s most outstanding wrestler.

Lemont’s five medals were the second-most in one season in program history. St. Clair’s squad won seven medals at the 2012 IHSA Class 2A State Finals.

Heeg (33-8) split four matches at 138 pounds, which included a first round win and a victory by major decision in the wrestlebacks. He captured IHSA Sectional and IHSA Regional titles and was an SSC runner-up this season.

Hernandez (32-9) won one of three matches, earning an opening round victory with a third period pin. He won IHSA Sectional, IHSA Regional and SSC titles this season.

Schiffman (20-10) picked one victory in three contests; he fell in overtime in the opening round but bounced back with a victory by major decision in the wrestlebacks. He placed third in IHSA Regional, IHSA Sectional and SSC meets this year.

Tagler (17-2) split four matches, which included a win by fall in the wrestlebacks. He won IHSA Sectional, IHSA Regional and SSC crowns in 2020.

Zator (38-8) split four contests, which included an opening round victory. He placed third in IHSA Sectional competition, and was an IHSA Regional and SSC runner-up in 2020.

In addition to being a four-time state runner-up, Schickel has won four South Suburban Conference titles, two IHSA Sectional crowns, and three IHSA Regional titles. He also is the only wrestler in school history to record 40 wins in each of his first three seasons, and with 166 career victories, is the program’s career leader in wins. LaDuke is a three-time IHSA Regional, IHSA Sectional and SSC champion, in addition to being a three-time state medalist. Gothard has three IHSA Sectional titles, as well as two SSC and IHSA Regional championships, to his credit to complement his three state medals. A two-time state medalist, Nash is a four-time IHSA Regional titlist, and has won two SSC and IHSA Sectional crowns. Schiffman won IHSA Sectional, IHSA Regional and SSC titles, as well as a state medal, as a freshman in 2019.

Lemont tied a school record by advancing ten individuals to the state finals from the IHSA Hinsdale South Sectional on February 15, and also matched a program record with six sectional champions. Gothard, Heeg, Hernandez, LaDuke, Nash and Tagler all won sectional crowns, while Schickel posted a runner-up finish and Jarad, Schiffman and Zator all earned third-place finishes.

Lemont dominated the IHSA Oak Forest Regional on February 8, as all 14 wrestlers posted top three finishes and moved on to sectional competition. That earned St. Clair’s team a berth at the Evergreen Park Dual Team Sectional, where it will face Chicago Noble/Comer on February 25, with the winner moving on to the state finals. Lemont swept its conference matches this season and also won the SSC Meet.

Lemont’s state medalists have included Egan Berta (2nd, 145-2016; 3rd, 145-2017), Paul Burke (4th, 119-1984), Angel Cabral (1st, 285-2009; 1st, 285-2010), Brian Diaz (3rd, 167-1984), Marvin Drummond (4th, 132-1975), Dave Festin (2nd, 132-1974), Mike Freemantle (4th, 140-1990), Chris Giatras (5th, 182-2012; 3rd, 182-2013), Apollo Gothard (5th, 195-2018; 2nd, 220-2019), Jamal Hamdan (4th, Hwt.-1986), Jehad Hamdan (2nd, 167-1988), Ryan Hennebry (5th, 125-2000), Jake Kaminsky (2nd, 152-2012), Eric Kirkman (2nd, 170-2012), Mark Kirkman (4th, 160-2012), Gordon Kickels (4th, 189-2007; 5th, 189-2008), Grant LaDuke (6th, 132-2018; 3rd, 145-2019), Jake Latanski (4th, 103-2010; 5th, 126-2012), Matt Leibforth (3rd, 135-2009; 1st, 135-2010), Joe Long (6th, 215-2005), Andrew Mason (4th, 103-2009), Glenn Malecki (4th, 132-2012), Derek Nagel (2nd, 160-2011), Drew Nash (5th; 126-2018), Kyle Schickel (2nd, 106-2017; 2nd, 120-2018; 2nd, 138-2019), Evan Schiffman (4th, 106-2019) and John Tomala (3rd, 195-2012).

Wrestling is the seventh Lemont High School sport to be represented in IHSA State Finals competition this year. Lemont was fifth at the IHSA Medium Division Cheerleading State Finals; Lemont was 12th at the IHSA Class 2A Girls’ Cross Country State Finals; Nick Kania and TJ Polen competed at the IHSA Class 2A Boys’ Cross Country State Finals; the dance team competed at the IHSA Class 2A Competitive Dance State Finals; Paulius Malcius was fifth at the IHSA Class 2A Boys’ Golf State Finals; and Isabella Calcagno participated at the IHSA Girls’ Swimming State Finals.